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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:50:45 GMT -6
"Well," he said. "Have you been enjoying the show? I suppose it wasn't bad, for an amateur production." He pretended to consider his tea. "But I'm sure you're hungry for a look at some real magic power, aren't you? Fortunately, I have just the thing, if only my familiar would show himself..."
That was Rhys's cue. On that signal, the china began to float into the air, dancing gently as they spiraled higher and higher. And then, all at once, they exploded into a shower of brilliant fireworks -- or at least they appeared to. In reality, they had quickly been whisked away backstage. The fireworks were an illusion, crafted by Rhys, who used their cover to appear, taking center stage as he fluttered in the air wearing a ridiculous witch's hat.
{Ta-da!}
He seemed very pleased with himself -- and happy to be in the ring. Rhys always did like these contest performances, and on this occasion Noa humored his antics rather more than usual.
3 (Rhys demonstrates Telekinesis, Illusion, and Telepathy; witch hat item is used)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:50:55 GMT -6
Normally Noa himself didn't have much enthusiasm for contests, but this was an occasion to show off Rhys's ability under the guise of a fun little performance. it was an opportunity to serve a subtle warning to the family's old rivals that Noa was still just as capable as his predecessors, even if he was the last of the Saint-Clairs.
Noa shook his head, tutting. "As you can see, he has a penchant for mischief. Rhys, come here," Noa said, holding out his hand. This was, in fact, another signal that they had practiced. Rhys drew close, but as he did, he cast one of his familiar spells, and phased right through Noa's hand with a peal of telepathic laughter. Noa's brows drew together in a frown of mock frustration, and he grabbed for Rhys again to no avail. Rhys dodged a third grab -- the ever-important rule of threes -- before settling on Noa's arm properly.
4 (Rhys demonstrates Phase)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:51:05 GMT -6
"This is Rhys," Noa said, holding the Faeron aloft. "Brighten yourself up, would you? The audience needs to be able to see you."
Noa felt the draw of energy as Rhys cast another familiar spell, and at once began to gently glow. {As you wish!} Rhys said, then turned this way and that to admire himself.
"Better," Noa said. "Now, on with the show. We'll show you what a real mage's familiar is capable of."
There was something set up on the stage, an obstacle that was usually used for jumping and agility shows, though on this occasion it served a different purpose. Noa jerked his arm up, tossing Rhys into the air. Noa snapped his fingers and Rhys flew around the obstacle; vines erupted from the ground and covered the entire thing, weeks' worth of growth sped up into a matter of minutes. Noa snapped his fingers again, and the vines burst into bloom.
5 (Rhys demonstrates Wisp, Verdant Growth, and Rapid Bloom; the jumping obstacle item is used)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:51:16 GMT -6
It wasn't exactly magic, but it was showy, and it might impress the laymen who made up the majority of the crowd. If they were going to be in a contest, they may as well score points. But more importantly, it gave Rhys something to burn.
"It's a beautiful trellis now that we've made it over, isn't it? Would be a shame if something happened to it," Noa said. Energy of a different sort began to gather around Rhys, in preparation for his casting the first actual spell of the routine. Rhys opened his mouth, and a torrent of flame issued forth -- a breath of fire, but magically generated, and not the work of an Injection or some innate ability. The flowering vines burst into flame, creating a more sinister obstacle than before.
"Not to worry, of course. As a familiar, this isn't a problem for Rhys." As Noa spoke, Rhys blinked out of existence, then reappeared on the other side of the obstacle.
6 (Rhys demonstrates Burning Breath, Imaginary, and Greater Phasing)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:51:26 GMT -6
This bit of 'blinking' through the flames was actually a combination of two different spells, one for invisibility and one to pass through things. He demonstrated it a few times, before Noa snapped his fingers again, and Rhys blinked out -- for real, this time, reappearing on Noa's shoulder.
Together, they walked over to the next set-up, which featured a little pocketpet in a cage. "A familiar isn't just good for setting things on fire, of course," Noa said. "I'm sure many of you have your own creatures at home. Perhaps some of you even have fighting beasts. A properly trained familiar can enhance the abilities of your other pets, help them go that extra mile. For safety reasons, we're going to use this little thing to demonstrate. Rhys?"
The pocketpet was in a tiny wooden cage, doing its best to scrabble its way out, but the bars held it fast.
7 (Rhys demonstrates Blink)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:51:36 GMT -6
Rhys glowered at it, taking careful aim with his magic, before layering spell upon spell. The pocketpet ceased its struggles for a moment, perhaps sensing that something was happening. Once the spells had settled, Noa gave the cage a little shake. The pocketpet renewed its struggles -- only this time, the bars of the wooden cage snapped like matchsticks, and the pocketpet launched itself out into a larger, open-top enclosure with metal walls. It hit the ground hard but got right back up, and began ricocheting off the walls like some kind of demented living pinball.
"Stronger, faster, hardier, and yes, even smarter, though that last point is a little hard to demonstrate." Noa let the pocketpet bang around the enclosure for a few beats, during which it managed to put a couple of dents in the metal walls. "Well, that's enough of that, I think. Rhys, if you would be so kind."
8 (Rhys demonstrates Empower, Defend, Quicken and Bless; pocketpet item is used)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:51:46 GMT -6
At this point Rhys was supposed to cage the creature back up again, but it was careening around the enclosure a little too quickly for him to take proper aim at it with the spell. The Faeron considered his quarry for a moment, then summoned a gust of wind to push it back. The pocketpet was stunned into stillness, and in that moment of stillness, Rhys acted.
This time, when Rhys glowered at the pocketpet, a new cage formed around it -- this one made of panes of what looked like pale pink glass, almost the same shade and thickness as Rhys's wings. But for all the thinness of the panes, the pocketpet couldn't do anything to it at all, and was left screeching its ineffectual frustration.
"A good familiar also looks after the well-being of their mage," Noa went on. "That can take a few different forms. There's the obvious, of course."
9 (Rhys demonstrates Headwind and Crystal Prison)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:51:57 GMT -6
As he spoke, he withdrew a small knife and, without flinching, made a quick incision into the flesh of his arm, the way he might have done if he had been making a new node. Rhys was the one who twitched, but at least he had known this was coming, and the cut wasn't a large one.
Noa held his arm out so that the audience could watch, as Rhys fed energy into the wound and it closed in front of their eyes. When Rhys was finished, only the dried blood on Noa's arm remained to indicate that the cut had ever been there at all.
Wiping down his arm with a handkerchief, Noa continued. "They can even give you your own energy back, once they get strong enough. Observe." He put the handkerchief away and took off one of his earrings, where his Chaos node resided. It glowed gently with unused energy.
10 (Rhys demonstrates Heal Master)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:52:08 GMT -6
With a gesture -- more to show the audience that he was the one casting than because he needed hand gestures to guide his spells -- Noa summoned a bolt of lightning to strike precisely at a point five feet in front of him. Thus drained of energy, the node went dark.
Rhys touched his nose to the node and closed his eyes. Slowly, a little of the greenish glow flickered back into the darkened node. "It takes a little time, but I can't imagine anyone who would say no to a little more power."
Now that they had demonstrated everything else, Noa cast his eyes to the crowd. "For our last demonstration," he said, walking to the edge of the ring, "we're going to need a volunteer. Let's see, now... You'll do." He picked out an older woman sitting near the back. One of her arms ended just above the elbow.
11 (Rhys demonstrates Share Power)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:52:18 GMT -6
The shortness of the severed limb was partly hidden by the way she dressed, which reminded him a little of Briar: all concealing layers and draping scarves, even in the late summer weather. But he could tell, all the same.
It took the woman a moment to even realize he was indicating her. Noa made a beckoning gesture with his hand, and tried not to let his impatience show on his face as she slowly shuffled to her feet and down into the ring. She had an uneasy countenance, as if she half expected some cruel joke to be played at her expense. But there weren't so many likely candidates to choose from in this crowd, and Rhys had categorically rejected Noa's proposal of simply severing one of his own fingers for Rhys to demonstrate on.
Well, not having to personally pass out for a day was also a boon, he supposed.
12
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:52:28 GMT -6
"What's your name, madam?" said Noa, as the woman finally entered the ring. He ushered her into the spotlight beside him, while she looked around, overwhelmed by everything that was happening. "Madam?" said Noa, a little louder.
"What? O-Oh! I'm, uh, I'm Maude."
"Well, Maude, you're in luck. I see you've run into some trouble with your arm," Noa said, smiling. She flinched as soon as he mentioned it, drawing back from him slightly. Noa shook his head. "No need to look so distraught. It's a good thing you've come to the show. You see, Rhys here will give you your arm back, good as new -- and free of charge too."
The woman's dubious gaze moved from Noa to Rhys and then back again. She was trembling slightly. Noa had to bite back a sigh; common folk really had no nerve. Hadn't she ever been to the healers before? He didn't see how this was any different.
13
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:52:38 GMT -6
It was Rhys who stepped up to comfort her, however. The Faeron fluttered slowly towards her, so as not to startle her, presumably. The woman did rather resemble a skittish animal just then. {Ma'am, I can tell you've been through a lot,} Rhys said. {We really just want to help! I'll do absolutely everything I can to make sure you've got a perfect working arm again, if you'd just let us cast the spell.}
It was a toss-up as to whether even Rhys's earnest entreaties would work on this woman. Honestly, Noa had just about given up on the idea, and was trying to decide whether he could drive his small knife through his own hand with enough force to sever a digit. He would have to hit the joint just so... But as he was considering the idea, the woman spoke up in a trembling voice. "A-Alright," she said. "If, if you're sure it's safe..."
14
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:52:48 GMT -6
"Oh, absolutely. You'll just have to sleep it off for a day or so. Rhys?" Before she could have any second thoughts, Noa signaled for Rhys to cast the spell. The Faeron hesitated a moment as the woman's face paled, but seeing that she didn't immediately start protesting and running back into the audience, Rhys began gathering energy to cast the spell.
Light gathered around the woman, who flinched away from it at first. But the light soon began to suffuse her, flowing in, and... Well, it wasn't quite so dramatic as restoring her arm in an instant, but Noa grabbed the limb and raised it into the air, so the audience could better see the regeneration that was gradually taking place. It was a little unnerving to observe it directly, but sure enough, it was happening. The woman tensed at his touch, but fortunately she seemed too dazed to fight him on this.
15 (Rhys demonstrates Restore)
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Post by Noa on Aug 7, 2022 22:52:59 GMT -6
Rhys scanned the crowd, and presumably sent a telepathic message to someone there; another member of the audience came running down, and escorted Maude back to her seat. "By this time tomorrow, her arm will be good as new. The process is a little tiring, but otherwise a perfect marvel of magical medicine.
"And with that, our show is concluded. I hope you've enjoyed our demonstration of the wonders of familiar spellcasting." Noa held out his arm, with Rhys still perched on it, and with his other arm, flourished into a deep dramatic bow. His cape swept forward, then back again as he straightened. Rhys bowed when he did, though in his case it was more a dip of his head on his long neck. As Noa straightened, Rhys fluttered his wings without taking off, his own way of waving goodbye.
{Thank you for coming!}
Noa gave the crowd one last self-satisfied smile, then walked out of the ring.
16 (end)
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Star
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by Star on Aug 7, 2022 22:56:10 GMT -6
"Greetings," I said with a curteous bow. "I would love to introduce you all to Ingway."
I could tell that Ingway was nervous to have so many people looking at him as he wrapped his tail around himself and bowed his head. I did not want to sustain his discomfort for too long, so I decided to proceed with the show as soon as possible. The judges could get a good look at him as he was performing. Perhaps that would soothe his nerves a bit, as well.
I took a crystal ball out of my supplies pouch and rolled into into the center of the stage. Ingway looked as if he didn't want to move at first, but he got there with a little encouragement. He jumped up over the crystal ball, then sunk through it and the stage alike until he couldn't be seen. Then, while everyone was watching his horns disappear, I tossed some shiny beads into the air.
2 [18.4, 4.6] [Used crystal ball, star beads, and showed ethereal.]
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