Seeking Instruction (Adrain)

[Roxanne]

It was early evening when Roxanne finally arrived at the Arch. She'd spent the day hunting, exercising, and practicing her combat skills in general. Of course, that included her magical abilities. After seeing what some other people were capable of, the half demon was beginning to feel a lackluster. Being what she was gave her a natural affinity for the fire element and she could easily manipulate it to do almost whatever she wanted, including taking different shapes and controlling the temperature enough so that she didn't burn herself or others...unless she chose to. 

Realizing her shortcoming meant that Roxanne had spent most of the afternoon contemplating this problem and how best to fix it. She didn't really know any fire spells, unless what she normally did counted for something, which in her mind it didn't. That meant she needed help. She needed to learn some more about fire magic. It wasn't as big an issue in Feyurlun. Magic wasn't as readily accepted there, so her skill was above average and combined with her swordsmanship, more than adequate to get the job done. Here, magic was useful and even encouraged so she needed to step up her game. 

That being decided, Roxanne knew there was only one place and one person she could think to ask to help her in this endeavor. She dressed in her usual working attire and then worked to fix her hair. She pulled it back first, securing it with the magic pin and then braided the long tail, tying off the end with a bit of leather. Her bangs still swung free to frame her face but it'd be out of the way at least. The half demon stuffed her knife in her boot sheath, her throwing daggers in their arm band, the katana around her waist, grabbed her leather satchel of supplies and then transformed into her half state as she headed out the door. 

Roxanne landed in front of the Arch, the setting sun casting long shadows on the ground, and folded her wings against her back. Being here made her edgy, it was still part of the official kingdom and who knew what sort of people frequented the place? Not including the Headmaster himself, whom she was actually looking for. She strode forward a bit, spotting a nearby mage in training, and called out to them. "Who do I need to talk to about speaking with the Archmage?" Roxanne inquired, hoping this person might at least direct her to someone else who might know, in the case that they did not. 

[Deleted]

The mage that Roxanne had first ran into panicked upon seeing her once recognizing she were a demon, even a beautiful one, and fled for his life. A stir was raised, and at some point an older man wearing enchanted armor and accompanied by a floating, magical sphere of some sort approached Roxanne. When the question would inevitably come to find the Archmage, he said he would lead her to the headmaster.

The pair would approach a large shaft in the tree, and Roxxanne would be told to sit on the leafy, plant-like pod. Once sat, the guard would press a button as the pod would become surrounded in Arcane energy and then launch rapidly up the shaft, going up hundreds of feet before stopping near the top of the Arch, where Roxanne would then be led to the office of the Headmaster.

Adrain was behind his desk, writing in several books that were being levitated by magic and fingering through other ones when the knock was heard. He waved them in, then seeing Roxanne and vaguely recognizing her, waved his hands causing the books to return to their original places. Once the guard was gone, he would speak once more.

"Hello there...ah, Roxanne was it? What is it that I can do for you?"

[Roxanne]

Roxanne grinned, her fangs flashing, as the first mage ran away. She was highly amused by this reaction though it made perfect sense to her, given her current appearance. Not long after a guard arrived and, once she had explained again why she was there, seemed willing enough to take her to her objective. She followed behind him, keeping her wings folded carefully and her hands visible. She wanted to make it quite clear that she wasn't here to make trouble.

The guard led her to a large shaft and she followed his instructions, laughing as she was propelled quickly up the tree. Another guard greeted her at the top and lead the way to what was announced as the Headmaster's office. She ignored any warning looks to behave herself and entered, stopping just inside to look around briefly.

The half demon's lavender eyes finally settled on the Archmage, watching with interest as he dismissed the books, her tail twitching idly at her feet. Roxanne smiled when Adrain greeted her, ignoring his question for a momene and nodding when he asked about her name, confused as to why he wouldn't remember but shrugged that off. "It's nice to see you again, Adrain. You're looking well. How have you been since that whole issue with the Forever Tree?" she said, returning his greeting. She wanted to get the pleasantries out of the way before they focused on business.

[Deleted]

At Roxanne's question, Adrain blanks out for a moment. What did happen at the tree after a certain point. A lot of it was a blur to him, but he didn't want to let the demoness know that he couldn't remember that much. All he could recall was that he felt a power that was a part of him and when he took it...he couldn't put to words what happened, all he knew was he ended up outside the Arch after a certain point. Shrugging it off, he looks at Roxanne, refocusing on the task at hand.

"I've been well, quite busy with my plans to develop the area along with trying to use my newly gained influence on the Court to better the lives of all as much as I can." he states, then waiting for the Demoness to get to speak once more.

"What of you, what directions have your life taken?"

Meanwhile, a large, black and silver striped tiger saunters in from a hall, he tilts his head upon seeing Roxanne then brushes his snout with his paw as he hops onto a window edge with a large thud, making himself comfortable.

[Roxanne]

It didn't slip Roxanne's notice that Adrain didn't say anything in regards to the tree, but it wasn't exactly an important point. She let that go, focusing on what he did say and smiling warmly. "I hadn't heard that you'd gained Court status. Quite impressive, for one of our kind. You and Aria will do wonders for the opinion of the Fated," she said thoughtfully. "I'm glad to hear you've been well though and busy, though I'm curious about these plans you mention. You don't have to elaborate, of course. It's just in my nature," she commented, laughing a bit at the end.

Adrain's question surprised the half demon a little. She hadn't actually expected him to continue the pleasantries beyond answering her but it was a nice change from getting right to business, as she was usually did. "I've been well. I've taken up working for Aria, when she has need of me. It's when she doesn't that I get bored, so I've also taken up bone carving as I tend to do a lot of hunting in my spare time. Beyond that? Not much at all," Roxanne answered, sounding just as bored as she claimed to be and sighing.

Her nose twitched a moment before the tiger entered the room and her attention turned, watching the huge feline with an cautious look to her lavender eyes. The half demon had yet to shift to her human form and her tail twitched as she watched Serai. She only vaguely remembered the cat from Feyurlun and was surprised to see him. "He was Fated with you? He's beautiful, but is he dangerous?" she asked, curious.

[Deleted]

As Roxanne mentions that he was a fated, his brow furrows slightly and his lips thin into a frown. How did this one know about that facet? The fact that Aria was mentioned shortly after explained it, and he came to the conclusion that this one was from the same point of origin as himself and Aria.

"Well I do what I can to improve the status of 'fated' as I think that the bias against them is completely unfounded. All the same, I would ask you keep the knowledge that I am fated to yourself. It would make it easier for me to make movements in behalf of the fated if the court does not know I am one." he states, then when Roxanne asked about the plans he leaned back in his chair a little.

"My largest project right now is the creation of a complex which can accelerate the growth of food and produce year around. It's an idea I've been developing for years, but last winter when a ship of supplies from overseas went missing, there was a bit of tightness all through the kingdom which punctuated the need to move forward with a larger scale plan to strengthen the kingdom's food production and maintain stability and prosperity." he states, then waiting while Roxanne explained her habits and hobbies. He didn't want to say anything but he had to admit it didn't sound like the most exciting pasttime.

When her attention became fixated on Serai, he chuckled when she asked if he was dangerous. "If he was dangerous, he would have probably tried to pounce from invisibility. At this point he's a glorified housecat."

[Roxanne]

Roxanne looked at Adrain curiously as he frowned, not seeing anything in her statements that might have made him unhappy until he finally commented on him being Fated. Naturally,she assumed it was just that he didn't want it getting out. "Of course, I won't mention it. I'm a mercenary, secrets are part of my job. And besides, it's not my place to tell anyway," she said, shrugging. His reasoning made sense enough but really she hardly talked to anyone as it were. Not that he knew that.

She gave her brain a mental shake to clear her thoughts as Adrain began explaining his project. She listened intently, looking rather impressed with his idea. "That is a great idea, actually. I certainly hope you can put it into practice without any adverse affects," she said, smiling a bit. She knew what dangers came with handling mana in this world, having had the sickness once back in Feyurlun. Still, if he could pull this off, Nova would indeed become a center of stability. She wondered idly for a moment how that might affect the other kingdoms before brushing it off. Roxanne cared little for the politics of humans.

Her gaze shifted from the large cat as she heard Adrain chuckle and she gave him a wry half smile, listening as he explained about Serai. The half demon considered for a moment, looking between the two. She seemed to come to some sort of decision and her wings and tail disappeared in a flash of steam. She made her way over to the tiger, stopping in front of him and holding out her hand. "May I?" she inquired, politely. If she got an indication that it was ok, the half demon would reach forward and bury her hand in Serai's fur, stroking him and scratching gently behind his large ears.

After a moment, Roxanne looked back to Adrain. "I suppose I should explain why I'm here, since this isn't just a social call. I don't know you well enough for that. Yet," she said, laughing a bit. She tilted her head as she considered how best to word her request. "The very basis of my visit is simple enough. I wish to become more familiar with fire magic. More specifically, I wish to learn spells," she started. "You see, as a demon, I have a natural gift with fire but beyond controlling it, I don't really know anything else. In Feyurlun, it wasn't really an issue. Magic was looked down upon that even the barest talent would suffice to give one an advantage. Here seems different. I see magic everywhere and it seems widely acceptable. I need to step up my skills," Roxanne explained, pausing to allow Adrain to consider this.

[Deleted]

"Well the farm will be in a long cycle of testing. I am aware that just as there are many moving parts in the whole concept, there are ten times as many things that can go wrong. I had been hesitant to really enact it until now because if something were to go wrong then it would tarnish the reputation of the Arch, myself, and magic, thus I am creating every conceivable test and counter to whatever can go wrong. " Adrain says, the weariness in his mind evident towards the second half of his statements such that it had been on his mind for months now.

He nodded when Roxanne asked to pet the tiger, knowing Serai would have the last say anyway. As the cat seemed to become a focus of attention he roses his head up, noting that Roxanne looked different without her demonic features. He tensed up at first, but then purred softly when Roxanne went to work on petting him.

When Roxanne went in to why she came to him today, to learn fire spells and the story about how it was less popular where she came from, where he apparently came from, her thought for a second before speaking, his eyes narrowing slightly as they glew. "Well when you say control fire, just to what extent? What are you looking for being able to do specifically with spells to what end?"

[Roxanne]

Roxanne nodded when Adrain explained that he had the intention of doing every available test he could. "That's good. I certainly hope that all of your tests produce only positive results. Let me know if you think of anything I can do to assist you," she said, her offer very sincere.

The half demon grinned as both the mage and the tiger gave their consent. Serai's fur was thick, softer in the under layers but easy enough to manage. She smiled as the large cat began purring in response to her attentions. "Such a noble creature you are and yet, even for you, a little affection is all it takes to bridge a bit of the gap between us," she mused, her statement only half making sense as she tried to put the concept into words.

Turning her attention back to Adrain, she watched his reaction to her request carefully. His eyes made her nervous but she refused to show him that. She continued in her usual calm and confident manner. "My demon blood grants me an affinity for the element," she said, removing her hands from Serai and turning in full.

She held her palm out as a small ball of fire manifested. Taking her other hand, she waved it freely through flame, then made a twisting motion. The fire moved with her motion, turning into a tiny tornado in her hand. She blew gently, mostly for show, and the size increased and the shape changed. A squirrel replaced the tornado, twitching and behaving as if it were a live creature. It ran up Roxanne's arm, circling around her neck, before scurrying down her clothes. The red orange flames morphed into small kitten once they touched the floor which then jumped in Adrain's lap, tilting its head as it looked at him for a moment before it disappeared in a puff of grey smoke, his robes untouched.

"I have complete control over the flame, the shape, the size, the heat. But I have little skill in using it for either offensive or defensive purposes, aside from throwing it around at people and coating my blades in it," she finished explaining, hoping that Adrain would understand what she was saying.

[Deleted]

"Thank you, I will keep that in mind." he says trying to be polite but not knowing Roxanne or how she could help, he certainly wouldn't be keen on troubling her for any reason in particular with relation to that project. He watches her pet Serai, whom had tensed up at first but then allowed her to pet his fur without any opposition. When Roxanne went on to explain her fire affinity then showing an explanation and example of it, admittedly becoming startled when the cat went into his lap before disappearing, he held a neutral expression as he spoke next.

"You have a very high and even enviable level of control, yes...you seem to have a more combat oriented use in mind for this fire. I have to ask, to what end would you use a violence of fire? The Arch isn't normally in the business of training people magic for the sake of causing death and destruction, so I have to ask, what assurance is there that any knowledge gained wouldn't be turned upon the innocent?"

He then took a stony expression waiting the answer. It was a serious concern to Adrain to teach power to someone whom would then turn it against the undeserving in any shape or form.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne smiled at Adrain's reaction to the small, fiery feline. His comment and following question made perfect sense to her, especially given her species and her history, not that he knew about that. It was more than expected, however.

"Despite my nature, I don't go around looking for trouble. However, if I were so inclined, I am skilled enough with my blades to cause plenty enough mischief and mayham, to kill as many innocents as I could desire. I would not need this if that were my goal, I assure you," she said, a thread of darkness creeping into her tone. She turned to stare out the window for a long moment before continuing.

"I intend to use this the same way I use all my other combat skills. In defense of myself and others. I still seek to make up for my heritage and my own past deeds. This is all the assurance I can offer you. If it's not enough, then so be it and I understand. I can seek training elsewhere, if that is the case," the half demon finished, turning back to Adrain, her lavender eyes holding a deep regret.

[Deleted]

Adrain thought about Roxanne's words carefully as she said them, evaluating her intent. Admittedly he probably had an inherent demon equals bad mentality, which he should definitely avoid doing as a mage who tends to face the same stigma. Her actions in the past were largely helpful, and somehow he seemed to be able to believe her based on the eyes how they held not rage and resentment but...disappointment or concern. There was apparently an unpleasant past bit to this but he didn't need to pry. With an exhale, he released his breath before speaking.

"Very well, it's the least I can do for your assistance at the tree. Plus if Aria trusts you then I imagine there is something to believe. I feel a guilt I cannot recall anything about you and if I were to ever recover such memories I may end up feeling silly." he states, standing up and then making a portal, stepping through it and waiting on the other side. They would be outside of the Arch in a clear area of vegetation and most flammable things.

"To have an inherent control over fire is one thing, but to weave it into greater effects takes study and discipline. Igniting mana with a control over a mental image is impressive, but you wish to have a greater degree of power and control yet." he says as he holds his hand up, manifesting a ring of spheres of fire firing beams to a central point where a growing mass of fire emerged.

"Fire is arguably the most destructive of the elemental magics as it most quickly turns destruction mundane, thus it is the one with the most focus required. You will need to learn how to form proper spells if you wish my instruction which require more concentration and effort than you may have needed before for your inherent fire control." he says turning to Roxanne.

"You've come to understand the first step. It is here I have to wonder what you want exactly. Explosion spells, firestreams or breaths, a solar focus that releases beams, fire body transformation...the thing is, you have most of the fundamental skills for fire, your path to grow is either into new elements or specific spells."

[Roxanne]

Roxanne smiled, a look of relief gracing her face for a split second as Adrain came to his decision. "I appreciate your willingness to help me. I can pay you, if you wish. Though as for the guilt, don't worry too much about it. We were not all that well acquainted before. Perhaps we can start now with a clean slate," she said, watching as he stood and made a portal.

The half demon followed Adrain, stepping out into a large clearing. She could tell they were not in the Arch anymore, though the area seemed to be deliberatly cleared of anything that could catch and hold a flame. She thought perhaps this must be used frequently for this sort of thing. Her attention turned to Adrain as he began to speak and she watched as he demonstrated a spell of his own.

Roxanned nodded as the headmaster spoke. Fire was incredibly dangerous if it got out of hand, a lesson she had learned many times personally. The fire in the gallows had been her fault, after all. She considered his question seriously, thinking for a moment. "I have no interest at the moment for delving into new elements so I'd say specific spells are what I'm after. I'm intrigued by this 'fire body transformation' you mentioned as well as whatever you just did and perhaps an explosion spell. I know fire is largely offensive, but I do have to ask, are there any defensive fire spells?" she said, staring curiously at the silver haired mage.

[Deleted]

"Don't worry about payment." he says, not responding to how they didn't know each other. This one was a little odd and curious indeed. He wishes he could actually remember something, but mind fails as it has for years now. Regardless, he canceled his spell as he listened to Roxanne's inquiries about defense and specific spells.

"Fire doesn't lend itself to many defensive spells, at least in the same vein as a force barrier or stone skin. You can create fire walls to deter, or have walls of magma erupt around you but its hard to maintain those walls and it lends to Earth magic a small bit. A fire form is causing your entire body to turn to fire and act as such, but its a risky spell for a novice and if you lose a spell worse case some of the fire disperses and reflects in loss body mass." he says, then moving to the explosion spell.

"Explosion can be done several ways, whether trying to do it subtle and have mana amass in the neutral form then erupt in fire, or to gather fire visibly have have it explode. There is also a propelling form such as you form a compressed sphere of fire energy that erupts when disrupted." he says, forming a ball of fire in his hand and throwing it far away, exploding violently two hundred feet away.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne nodded, smiling as Adrain insisted she not worry about payment. "If you wish. I owe you though so if you ever have need of me, don't hesitate to ask. Aria can get a hold of me quick if you have a way to reach her, otherwise seek me at Dragonbreath falls," she said. The offer was the least she could make since he wouldn't hear of payment.

The half demon listened carefully to his explanations, nodding when he mentioned that fire wasn't very defensive. "That's not all that surprising. I was just wondering out of curiosity mostly. I have no interest in delving into Earth magic, at least not right now. Though it sounds like that might be helpful at some point. Consider me intrigued though," she replied, grinning before lapsing back into a silence.

She liked the sound of the fire form, a thoughtful expression resting on her face as Adrain explained. She could imagine how easily such a spell could get out of hand though and cause damage to herself or others. The explosions were also something she was more interested in. She liked that there were different types of explosions and could already think of useful situations for each.

"I can see how the fire form spell would be quite risky, but I'm willing to learn and accept that risk. Shouldn't my natural talent help some with that control?" she decided, then continued, "As for the explosions, I'd like to learn a spell for each of those as well. I don't need a lot really," she finished, looking thoughtful.