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Post by Maxim Horvath on Sept 3, 2010 23:11:11 GMT -5
Maxim Horvath, Master Sorcerer of the 777th degree and former apprentice to the Adept Sorcerers Merlin and Morgana, sat at a large walnut desk and inspected the young woman sitting across from him. He had to admit to being slightly dismayed at the sight of her. Out of the five prospective students he had been able to interview so far, four were young and female. This fact made the sorcerer a little wary. He knew he was a rather handsome bloke, and he'd never found himself teaching young women before. Should any of them decide they fancied him...
He barely restrained a shudder at that thought. That was a complication he did not need right now. Or really, at any time. He preferred to be the one to initiate little tete-a-tetes.
This particular female was a more striking example of her gender, with long, flame-colored hair and and an inquisitive look in her blue eyes. Horvath kept his face impassive as he met her gaze. Redheads tended to mean trouble for him.
"Miss... Ariel, is it?" he said at last. His dark eyes flicked to the name written on the paper before him. Yes, Ariel, that was it. No surname give, however. "What is it that attracted you to my training program?"
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Post by Ariel on Sept 6, 2010 10:08:46 GMT -5
Although Ariel had absolutely no idea what she could have done to already earn the ire of the man before her, she could not shake the sense that he was looking over her with something akin to disappointment. Still, if she had already failed to meet his strictest expectations somehow, he didn’t comment on it, and she was ushered into his study in a suitably formal manner. The thing that struck Ariel most about the situation was how distinctly normal the man before her looked. If not for his foreign attire he could have walked down the corridors of Erik’s castle and not aroused any suspicion, in fact had she not known that he possessed magic she would never have expected it.
“Yes, it’s just Ariel,” she said politely, smiling awkwardly for a moment as she recalled the lack of a surname that had confused several others in the past. Surnames were not something you particularly needed when growing up royalty, to the point where Ariel barely recognised it if someone addressed her in this manner.
“Well,” she began as the man asked for an explanation, biting her lip for a moment as she tried to think of a way to convey the story without giving too much away, “I’ve had trouble with sorcery in the past. I’d like to be able to defend myself if it happens again.”
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Sept 21, 2010 14:41:53 GMT -5
The sorcerer nodded slowly in outward acceptance of the reason the redheaded young woman offered him. There was something just slightly off in the way she hesitated before presenting her reason, however. Horvath didn't think that she was lying when she said she wanted to be able to defend herself from magic-wielding enemies. He just didn't think that was the entire truth. Why did she fear magical assault?
Well, he could think of plenty of reasons a pretty young woman might be reluctant to divulge that information. There would be time to draw specifics from her later on. No sense in being heavy-handed right off the bat. His students needed to feel comfortable here, after all.
Horvath smiled. "A laudable goal, Miss Ariel. There is no reason for a woman to be, or believe that she must be, defenseless, particularly not in such an enlightened era as this. Certainly we will be covering magical defenses. Quite extensively, as a matter of fact."
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Post by Ariel on Oct 2, 2010 21:12:22 GMT -5
Ariel got the distinct impression that the man before her could see through her explanation to the truth behind it, so naturally she was relieved when he didn’t comment on it. Biting her bottom lip nervously, she listened in silence as the sorcerer complimented her motive for seeking out training in the arcane arts, relaxing slightly as he quickly moved on and affirmed that magical defences would indeed be upon the curriculum.
“When do we start?” asked Ariel eagerly, her characteristic enthusiasm returning as she tried to imagine what else there could be for her to learn. Most of Ursula’s magic had been associated with transformation of some sort; something Ariel certainly hoped would be the same here. It wasn’t that she regretted her decision to live on the surface, far from it, but she couldn’t deny that it would be wonderful to have a way to visit her home when she wanted to.
“How long will it be until I see any results? Will I be able to do anything today?” She practically bounced in her seat as she said this, curiosity momentarily overriding her uncertainty over Mr. Horvath.
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Oct 9, 2010 10:46:27 GMT -5
A moment of awkwardness, and she was right back to enthusiasm, just like all the others. Good. Horvath wanted them enthusiastic and eager to learn. Enthusiasm served his purposes quite nicely. This girl, he thought, wouldn't be difficult to prod in the right direction. She didn't have the analytical mind of the Roberta girl, Eilonwy's magical experience, or the gypsy-man's natural cynicism and furtiveness. She was all bright-eyed naivete.
Horvath opened a desk drawer and pulled out two items- a large rectangular package that, from its weight and shape, was a large book, and a silver ring cast in the shape of a rearing hippocampus, or sea-horse.
"Your basic tools," he informed her. "The ring will be your focus, which you will learn to channel magic through. This-" he indicated the book-shaped package, "Is your Incantus. Begin reading it. I will contact you when I am ready to begin holding classes- there are still a few students I must interview."
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Post by Ariel on Jan 5, 2011 23:27:36 GMT -5
((I’ve kept you waiting for three months!? Man I suck! I’m so so SO sorry about that!))
Ariel couldn’t quite keep her face from faltering for a moment as her new tutor revealed that there wouldn’t be any practical work in this initial session, and worse that she would have to read through a very large and difficult looking book. It wasn’t that the little mermaid was averse to the idea of reading in general; it was simply that the human alphabet was still very new to her, which tended to give her a lot of trouble when attempting to read tomes as complex as the one she was being presented with appeared to be.
“It’s beautiful,” cooed Ariel as she picked up the ring, attempting to mask her initial disappointment by concentrating on the positive side of things, “Is this real moonrock... sorry, I mean silver... is this real silver?” ‘Moonrock’ had been Scuttle’s term for the precious metal the first time Ariel had taken a sample to him for identification. She had later been corrected whilst attempting to purchase a necklace from a jeweller on the surface, however her earlier name for it still had a tendency to slip out when she was distracted. She blushed at her mistake, shrinking back slightly in her seat. There was something about this man that gave her the distinct feeling that too many mistakes wouldn’t be tolerated.
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 6, 2011 0:45:03 GMT -5
(You don't suck. I've had worse delays Glad to have you back) Moonrock? Where did she get a term like that? In no language Horvath knew did 'silver' translate to anything like 'moonrock'. Where was this child from? "It is indeed real silver," he told her, hiding a smile at her disappointment at having to wait. So many of his students showed that disappointment when told that they would not begin studying immediately. They never realized that he was starting them off with a test, to see who was impulsive and daring and who was more passive. He knew that at least some of his new apprentices would attempt to dabble in magic before lessons 'officially' began. Horvath would be able to tell who had, and would know more of how to proceed from there. "There is an introductory chapter at the beginning of your Incantus," he continued. "Read at least that before we meet next. Read more if you choose, but read that chapter if nothing else."
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Post by Ariel on Jan 27, 2011 3:01:05 GMT -5
Smiling appreciatively, Ariel quickly slipped the ring onto one finger, shifting her hand slightly in discomfort as she tried to grow accustomed to the bulk of the thing. It didn’t help matters that she was only used to wearing the thin, golden band that had been given to her by Eric, which made the focusing ring’s presence on her opposite hand feel very unnatural indeed. Perhaps she’d find a chain to hang it around her neck on instead.
“I’ll do my best to get through it,” replied Ariel confidently, her initial trepidation at having been presented with such a hefty tome now melting away to be replaced by her usual curiosity. This book presumably contained all of the secrets of magic, and it was now freely hers to learn from. Oh she was almost quivering in excitement. There was one question however that couldn’t wait until she had time to read, for it was burning too brightly to resist.
“Will we be covering any transformation magic?” she asked eagerly, “of ourselves into something else I mean?”
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 27, 2011 11:29:49 GMT -5
She was interested in transformation magic, was she? Interesting. Transformation magic was a valuable component of any sorcerer's arsenal- Horvath himself had a knack for magically altering his appearance to resemble someone else. It was something of a signature spell for Morganian sorcerers, actually.
"Transformation spells are indeed on the curriculum, yes," he told the young redhead. "We won't be covering them for a little while yet, as they are on the difficult side, but we will indeed work with them." He looked at her curiously, waiting to see if she would let anything slip about why she wanted to learn transformative magics.
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Post by Ariel on Jan 27, 2011 18:21:12 GMT -5
Given that this was one of the main reasons for her seeking out magical training in the first place, Ariel couldn’t quite keep her face from falling slightly as her new tutor revealed that they wouldn’t officially be covering transformation spells for some time. Of course, patience had never exactly been one of her virtues, so she rather doubted that she’d be able to stop herself from trying it advance. After all, how dangerous could it be?
“Were there many other applicants?” asked Ariel conversationally, flipping open the front cover of the Incantus as she spoke and quickly scanning the contents page, “I mean, it all sounds so wonderful that I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d had hundreds.” Most of the chapters in the tome had long, complex names that she couldn’t even begin to guess the meanings of, and if transformation magic was listed amongst them she couldn’t tell which one it was at first glance.
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 28, 2011 1:20:27 GMT -5
"Not quite so many as you might think, actually," he replied as she eagerly opened the heavy tome. "Around here, belief in magic is relegated primarily to children and adolescents with overactive imagination and a few groups of pagan religious practitioners. Most people are reluctant to believe in magic as anything other than childish fantasies or fever dreams. A pity, really. Your class will have five or six other students, I believe."
He offered the girl a winning smile. "I try only to take the best, after all."
Perhaps he should tacitly encourage her interest in transformation magic. She seemed like the impatient type who would try on her own...
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Post by Ariel on Jan 28, 2011 1:41:08 GMT -5
She got the feeling that Hovarth’s comment about adolescents with overactive imaginations could have been intended as a subtle insult, however wasn’t entirely sure of this and so chose to remain quiet instead. It was encouraging to hear that there wouldn’t be too many other students though, for this meant that each one would receive more attention and thus have higher odds of success.
“I hope you’re right,” gushed Ariel, blushing profusely at being proclaimed to be one of the best candidates he’d considered, “it all sounds fascinating.” She idly fiddled with her focusing ring as she spoke, twisting it back and forth around her finger and pondering what her tutor had mentioned about channelling magic through it. Had the nautilus shell been Ursula’s focus? It would explain why the spells trapping both her voice and the mind of Prince Eric had been lifted when it was smashed.
“What attracted you to magic?” she asked impulsively (and regretted doing so immediately afterwards, however pressed on due to it being too late to take the question back), “I mean, if the belief is as rare as you say?”
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 28, 2011 11:04:39 GMT -5
Well, even sheep could be insightful, he supposed. Or just blunt. In this instance, however, he decided to give her the truth- or at least, a variation of the truth that was reasonably close to the real thing.
"Where I come from, magic is more widely accepted," he said carefully. "Mysterious and feared some, but accepted as a fact of life. I was drawn to it because I aspired to higher than what I was born to- the country I lived in had a strict system of ranking, and the boundaries between the low, middle, and high classes were rarely, if ever, blurred. Magic was one of the very few ways a blacksmith's son could aspire to being more than just the town blacksmith."
What was left unsaid was that his town had actually been a tiny village in medieval Britain, and that he'd been that blacksmith's son just before the sorcerer Merlin took a scrawny young boy named Arthur under his wing to train as the High King. Merlin had discovered him quite by accident. His horse had thrown a shoe just outside of their village and he'd brought the animal to his father's shop to be reshod. There, he'd found an eleven-year-old child unhappily sweeping out the forge, smarting over a newfound realization that he was only a commoner and could never dream of wealth, glory, prestige, or power because of his birth. Even his unusual knack for 'just making things happen' was seen more as a sign that he was touched by some member of the darker Fair Folk than as something potentially wonderful.
When Merlin had told young Maxim Horvath that his odd talents were the sign of a powerful magic residing within him, he had jumped at the chance to escape his tiny village and learn magic. With magic, really powerful magic, the kind that he and Merlin carried rather than the little herb-magics of village witches, one could aspire to be much more than just the property of one's feudal overlord.
With that kind of magic, one could aspire to the courts of a High King. Respected, wealthy, powerful- and no one's servant.
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