mystic 8

[15:52:57] She had woken up that morning haunted by dreams from the night before. She dreamt of the black water, bubbling up in her lungs, potent with venom, and she dreamt of the snake and its burning scales searing her skin as it wrapped around her and crushed the air out of her lungs.

Quinn knew these were more than nightmares. She had to conquer them.

So when she dragged herself from her bedcloth, she went straight to Lyse.

"I need your help."

Before the sun had reached high in the sky, they were out. Quinn picked out a clearing in the grove, surrounded by trees and secluded enough that any threats could be detected before they got close enough to hurt them. She needed it that way for what she was going to do.

Up until this point, she had refused to disclose her plans to Lyse. She was worried that he would think it was too dangerous, or foolish, or a worthless pursuit. Now that they were out here, he almost had to accept.

She removed her cloak and sat down on top of it, motioning for him to sit across from her.

"Have you ever meditated before, and gone so far that it's like you're in another world?"
(Quinn)
[16:01:29] Fatigued eyes stared back at Quinn, in which he obliged and took her offer to relax. And by the looks of it, Lyse wasn't the only one suffering from restless nights.
When he awoke in Cinderfall in the middle of the night, he felt it prudent to return to school where his newly dubbed pupil would be residing in. Together they ventured into the woods, in which a new arc would uncover.

"Can't say I'm th'meditatin' type, lass." he responded in a raspy voice. He cleared his throat, finding himself a bit dehydrated. Thankfully a canteen would be taken out of his rucksack, in which he'd take a swig and offered it to Quinn.

From the smell of it, it didn't seem to be water. Something sweet.

Though his intentions weren't to change subjects, the drakanite had to address something of integral importance.
"Are ya askin' me 'cos you've been havin' trouble sleepin'?"
(Lyse Evander)
[16:06:36] "I have been having trouble sleeping, but you're not here to help me with that." She raises the canteen and takes a sip of it. She doesn't seem to care for the taste, and with a tiny shake of her head, she hands it back to Lyse.

"I meditate a lot to keep in touch with how I'm feeling up here," she begins, tapping a grubby finger against her head, "and to help me keep it aligned with what's happening here." She presses a palm to her chest, signifying her body.

"Once, a few years ago, in a critical, life-or-death moment, I found myself awake in this empty world. I was in some type of water, but it was right at that temperature where you don't even feel it. There was nothing there, unless I focused really hard... and then I found memories, dreams, voices. Things that mattered to me.

"So yesterday, after my daily training went downhill, I tried to relax by entering that place again... but something happened there. I couldn't wake up when I was in it until I fell in the water I was in and wasn't able to breathe. I need you here with me, in case that happens again.

"I want to be able to face whatever is there, waiting for me. Can you help me, Lyse?"
(Quinn)
[16:16:00] You would be surprised to find that it was just orange juice! Juice dev part 2

To be honest, the topic of meditation was so alien to Lyse. It was something he's never seen nor experienced. He had no knowledge of it, save for only knowing the definition of it. So knowing that, the drakanite listened intently to her tale, refraiming from interrupting any further. At least until she was finished.

"Fuck - of course. I can help, but whaddya need me t'do? I ain't never done this 'fore."

He looks caught off-guard, evidently unprepared for whatever Quinn wanted him to do. For a task like this, Lyse felt like the wrong man for the job. But then the responsibility urged him, keeping him in his place. Though worry bubbled in his gut, the determination overwrote it, which rallied his resolve.

"Right. Forget I say all that. Anything you need, I'll help."
(Lyse Evander)
[16:20:16] "Stay here. Make sure nothing dangerous comes around, because when I get into that state, I'm not here. I don't know a lot about it, but it's like I leave my body. If something happens to me, it's on you. I also need you here in case I can't come back."

Quinn moves to sit cross-legged. While she's speaking, it appears that she's preparing! She moves her blade to sit beside her, and she rests her hands on her knees.

"So, if I'm not awake in, I 'dunno, an hour? Shake me. Pour water on me. Yell. I don't care, just get me out of there. The only way I was able to get out last time is because I started to drown, so if you have to dunk me, just do it 'til I start moving, okay?"

She was serious - that was rare. She really trusted him.
(Quinn)
[16:21:58] Quinn: imagine the avatar state)
[16:22:49] Lyse Evander: :')
[16:25:23] "Loud an' clear."

With a confident nod of his head, he watched as Quinn assumed her meditation position. In which Lyse would immediately fly on the job. Like a guard dog, this drak would resolve to protect the lass risking life & limb.

Though it worried him sick, this would all be a part of their give and take relationship, after all.

"Just make sure y'do come back, alright? I ain't keen 'bout having to force you outta yer whatever state.

...It freaks me out a little, alright? Ah, sorry. Go ahead."

Lyse takes his position behind Quinn, standing and watching.
(Lyse Evander)
[16:27:05] Quinn: mmk this is all i need for a while, i might double/triple post)
[16:27:05] Quinn: you can tab out ill poke you when im done)
[16:27:05] Quinn: or you can rp observing if you want)
[16:27:56] Lyse Evander: (Aight you do you
[16:31:21] "Thank you, Lyse. You're the best."

Quinn takes in a deep breath, and she closes her eyes. Getting in the state was probably the hardest part, second to coming out. It was also complicated by the noise.

She could hear the rustling of the trees. She could hear the birds and the forestlife, scuttling and scratching and moving around. She felt the grass rub against her ankles and the wind tickle her hair against her cheek, and she could hear Lyse behind her.

"Stop breathing so loud, you weirdo."

Her breathing slowed, and she counted with each breath. She focused on the beating of her heart, the blood pulsing through her veins. She focused on how she felt, the state of her mind, and the quiet presence of her mana... always there, always murmuring, trickling through the spiritual circuit that bound her to this world.

And then she was gone.
(Quinn)
[16:32:12] Lyse Evander: (I'm the best :)
[16:32:12] Quinn: you're also a weirdo)
[16:37:20] Quinn's body fell completely still except for the rise and fall of her chest. She was elsewhere, delving deep into the waters of her own mind. It was empty right now, save for her and the quiet whispers of her thoughts, echoing inwards.

"Come out," she called, "I want to talk."

Eyes flickered open in the dark waters beyond her. They grew larger and larger, until the head of the snake appeared and flicked it's tongue. It looked like it was smiling, grinning, perhaps, that Quinn had called upon it herself.

"Does Quinn want some company~?" The snake slithered closer, bobbing its head up and down to look at Quinn, inspect her. "Why does she call for Xiahcoatl~?"

Quinn looked at her, attempting to maintain her composure. The whispers of her thoughts reminded her:

It is not real. These are only your thoughts. It cannot harm you.
(Quinn)
[16:37:20] Lyse Evander: (are u going 2 die
[16:37:20] Lyse Evander: ( :(
[16:37:20] Quinn: no im just rolling for success)
[16:37:20] Quinn: in standing up to the snake)
[16:37:20] Lyse Evander: (Good!
Gained 6 Roleplay Points
[16:41:36] Quinn: wow)
[16:41:36] Lyse Evander: (holy SHIT
[16:41:36] Quinn: go away snek")
[16:42:27] Quinn: ("ok")
[16:43:18] "Well~?"

"I want to talk to you. I want to know why you're here, Xiahcoatl."

The snake grinned again.

"Because Quinn asked for Xiahcoatl, that is why~." It slithered closer, closer, it's tongue flicking to taste the fear that radiated from her. "Because Quinn wants power."

"I have all of the power I can get from you, snake. Leave me be. There is nothing else you can do for me."

The beast stares for a moment, the slits of its eyes flickering this way and that as it scrutinizes... and then it turns around and disappears into the ink black water of the beyond, where Quinn's unconscious lies.

It's empty now, and Quinn sits. She waits.
(Quinn)
[16:47:34] ...and nothing comes.

Now, Quinn has to get out. She floats there in her waters for a moment, thinking, curious. If the way to get here was to focus inwards on her mana, what would happen if she did the opposite?

What if she tried to cast magic?

The simple thought of it made colors and shapes burst open in the water, swirling and dancing and orbiting her. She had thought about it - the first step in cognitive casting - now what if she realizes it?

Quinn's eyes flashed open, and a shroud of raw, blue energy engulfs her. Like spontaneous combustion, it flared up, and then fizzled. Blue mist curled outwards into the air and residual droplets of the liquid fell from Quinn's fingertips as she pushed herself up to stand.

She turns around and grins at Lyse.
(Quinn)