mentor 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[13:21] Lemuria took a sip of that tea, and as it tends to do, it managed to relax her. Slowly yet surely, her face and eyes returned to normal, too.

Maybe it was time to change the subject. After a conversation so dismal and depressing, she wanted to talk about something a little more uplifting.

"How go your studies in our craft, Phobos?"
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[13:27] "Weellll.." He wasn't afraid to say what he was about to say, but he didn't want to disappoint her either. "Not the best. I've been around, but I have no idea where to find areas with a mass of spirits." He sighs, slowly shaking his head. "I also have troubles practicing on my own, which is strange since it's something you do by your lonely."

Despite all of what was happening he appeared unaffected, and he should be. Though there was a slight discomfort, but it wasn't anything to make the young man act out. He was very used to ignoring feelings, he couldn't really understand them regardless.

"I'm sorry! I will do better, trust in me. Please?"
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[13:31] Lemuria giggled. Not a cackle, but a giggle. She poked Phobos' forehead after he asked for an apology, showing a playfulness that she had never expressed until now.

"Of course."

Maybe her breaking down like that made it easier for her to express herself honestly? Either way, it was different from what she was used to...

"Nature spirits come when you connect yourself with nature. You don't even need a mass of spirits; there are plenty everywhere you go. Stand outside barefoot and you'll feel them come to you in the same way the dark spirits did, except you don't need to allure them with occultism. As a matter of fact, you're better off not doing so."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[13:37] Phobos is the definition of weird, literal. He was the furthest thing from social, and wasn't opposed to anything non violent. When Lemuria pokes his forehead he tries to look at the finger with just his eyes, he doesn't tilt his head up or anything. It made for quite the goofy face.

"Beep."

It was a strange response, something that he took from someone. Like a lot of his mannerisms, everything he does usually has come from someone else displaying it towards him. Lemuria was a very fun person for Phobos to talk to. They weren't like most people they were far from vague. Everything they said was clear and with great detail.

Maximum learning potential! "Woah. Really? Oh, I wonder if I jump high enough in the air with my cosmic magic... Would I attract star spirits? Or do those not exist. Hrm." The possibilities were endless if that's how things worked. "I'll be sure to remember that one though, thankyou. Barefoot. --You do mean like skin, and not an actual bear's foot right?"
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[13:42] Lemuria rose an eyebrow.

"Well, you might find a nature spirit inhabiting a bear's foot, but otherwise, it's skin to earth. Nature spirits are of the land, so you must connect with the actual land to be able to interact with them."

Another pause, as she contemplated just how one would even connect with star spirits given she wasn't a cosmic magi. But she actually remembered something that may help.

"When you observe something with an empty and open mind, the observer and the observed become one in the same. I could elaborate on that idea if you want, because if you're serious, that may be a valid means of connecting with spirits associated with the stars."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[13:48] "Ah, I was only making sure I interpreted what you said correctly. I don't even know where I'd find a bear these days! They aren't the most common animal nowadays."

Phobos had a very wild mind, he often thought of many possibilities because there was too much he wanted to learn. It caused him to lose direction usually, the only thing that he clung to was the study of emotions and witchcraft. Both of them being very important while also potentially working in tandem.

"If you'd like to, please do tell me more. You're very good at explaining things. Someone as clueless as me is able to learn and understand, I'd really appreciate it."

He smiles very wide, not because he was happy but because it best fit the moment. He was certainly grateful, he knew that nobody commanded this from her. She could've easily just wasted her time elsewhere! That's what made these small things so important to Phobos. "And I am serious, but I theorize too much. You shouldn't always listen to me when I go on my ramblings. They usually head nowhere."

With someone trustworthy Phobos is most honest. Too honest even.
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[13:53] "Don't worry. I don't listen to anyone other than myself regardless."

It's hard to tell how serious she was being, but the catlike smirk on her face gave off the impression that she was being at least a little bit facetious.

"True observation is when you become like water. Your perception flows into the object itself, and you become able to see it from the inside and out. You must observe something with a truly empty mind, without thoughts of any kind, assumptions, or even desires. That last part is hard, because true observation becomes nigh impossible if you have a goal when going in."

She hoped that it wouldn't be too hard of a concept for Phobos to wrap his head around. But given how flighty and abstract the subject matter was, she wouldn't blame him if he didn't know what she meant.

"When you truly feel at one with the object you're observing, you can experience what it experiences, in a sense. This is a truly wonderful experience regardless of the magical implications. It's true empathy. True love, in a sense."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:04] The first thing she said caused literal swirls in his eyes, he couldn't tell if she was being serious or joking. It was very hard! He was going to have to assume this was a joke simply because it would be very strange if she didn't. But now knowing that she said such a thing it would always be a thought in his mind.

Crazy. He became completely engaged once more as she went into observation and what not. It was going to be difficult for Phobos definitely. He was able to empty his mind only to a certain extent. The part about desires was where things got difficult. While Phobos didn't have any greedy desires, he still wanted many things.

It was hard not to desire something. He thought the purpose to observation went hand and hand with desires. Still he made sure to continue listening all while trying to piece together how to properly perform this true observation.

Bar that she had him pretty much. He understood everything and was beginning to understand leaving his desires at the door. But then empathy, and love. That caused the most confusion. He didn't understand any of that stuff. It was unfortunate. "I was there, you had me with pretty much everything. You explanation was amazing, but uh... I'm kind of lost on the um empathy and love parts.

The feeling of those things are foreign to me, at least I think so. I don't really get it all yet. It's like that for a lot of feelings. It's the main reason why I call myself clueless! Because I little understanding of those things and from my knowledge they are what make us most human? I think."

He slowly scratches his head, "Sorry, if that was a bit off topic. It is a, rough subject? I guess. You can continue on if you wish."
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:13] "You don't have to understand something to have it."

It was a lesson that she herself had just learned the hard way. Maybe it was something she knew all along.

"I just taught you how to have empathy. You don't have to line up step by step how it works. Trust me, I try to do that, and try to analyze everything, almost obsessively. It causes more trouble than it's worth."

Her obsessive runescribing could be considered a meditative exercise of sorts, as it allowed her to push aside the conscious and logical side of her mind in order to let her thoughts and feelings flow.

"Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you don't possess it. Remember that."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:22] "Oh." He had no reason to believe that they were lying, and the more he thought on it the more clear it became. Still he kept his ears open rather than going into deep thought. Lemuria was on to something! When she spoke of how she taught him to have empathy he went back and reflected on exactly what he just heard.

The names of the exact terms clouded his mind, and when he just payed attention to the parts before it. It was a very clear explanation. It was perfect! Exciting even, his fists clench as his entire being is filled with a strange joy! He felt as if he took great strides in his journey to becoming a more complete man.

"I- I can't thank you enough, Lemuria." A hand is placed on his chest, it wasn't where his heart was because he used the wrong hand, but his intention was to have a hand on his heart. "I apologize too, now that I know about this empathy you explain. I know that I've felt it before too. So technically I lied."

A very informative conversation, he didn't even directly ask her and she gave him a very valuable lesson. "I can't describe the way I feel right now, thank you again!"
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:27] Another smile- a genuine one, at that!

"No need to thank me. Everything starts in the mind. If you don't have your mind in order, then it alters what's possible for you."

With another sip of her tea, she figured it was time to move on.

"Is there anything else you need help with? We could practice helping you connect to nature spirits together, should you desire."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:32] "That." He says, "That sounds fun, yes!"

With all this progress and the offer to progress even further, it was too good to turn down. Not to mention Lemuria was a very nice person for Phobos to be around. They did a lot for his mental health, he was becoming a better functioning person at a much faster rate.

"And um... Although there is no need, I will probably always thank you. It's in my nature to do such, my brother directed me to you so that means that you are a good person just as he is."

Worthy of his respect, and admiration. He was always going to be very kind to them. It was just how he operated. "Whenever you're ready!"
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:33] Lemuria Augustus says, "Follow me, then."
[14:37] Lemuria quickly made her way to the beach near Moonfall, and it didn't take her long to demonstrate what she spoke of earlier- that is, removing her shoes and standing in the sand.

"This is a good place. With a lot of aspects of nature here- wind, water, and earth- it shouldn't be too difficult to attempt to attune with the spirits."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:42] The removal of the shoes commences! He slips out of his boots, letting his feet hit the sand. It was a very strange feeling he hadn't been barefoot in this environment before. Wow! He didn't pay it too much mind as there was much more important things to handle. He had spirits to find.

"So... Pretty! Wooow!" Phobos had to take a moment to admire nature, it was a very beautiful thing. "So now I just practice what you told me?" He asks, but even so he still does perform something just incase. Taking a deep breath, followed by a soft exhale. He already begins trying to clear his mind.

The setting was very calm, so this kind of action would be very easy. And with no magic there wasn't any sort of fatigue it was just relaxing!
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:47] "Yes, but there are two things different this time."

Lemuria's eyes shone blue, as the spirits of the land became visible to her. She rose her hand forward, as several of them began to encircle around her hand. Despite having a heart that was, for all intents and purposes, dark and twisted, the docile and calm spirits were comfortable being around her. She held a respect for them despite her means of communing with them having come from one of the darkest and most twisted sources imaginable.

"One, the thoughts the spirits will give you will be more difficult to discern. They prefer to exist in harmony with everything, so they'll make you think things you would've thought on your own. However, once you are calm, they're also much more apt to try to connect with you. So it's only a matter of time until they do. Just be still, be calm, be respectful, and pay attention."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:53] Phobos doesn't get those shining eyes, instead he's just himself standing in sand. That doesn't stop a thing though, he wanted to attune with that spectral power, regardless of it's nature. As he is also dark deep inside. Seeing as she spoke of these spirits being different he made sure to leave any undesirable thoughts out of his mind.

He took in the air through his nostrils as time felt very still. He'd come in contact before with spirits, so this time around shouldn't be any harder. The water, and the overall setting was so calming focus was far more easy as he seems to just slip away his mind inviting those in to converse with.

If the spirits were to come, he was quite the calm fellow now. It was now only a matter of time whether they would connect or not.
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:59] The area around them calmed down. The wind grew more still, the oceans grew quieter, and everything around them just seemed... right. An ironic circumstance given the nature of their powers, but communing with spirits was not the same as communing with humans. They had different rules and standards, and functioned entirely differently in many ways. Whether or not their harmonization drew forth darkness or light was up to the user.

"You'll see the same wisps you did before, although they will be more varied in color."

After a while, assuming Phobos succeeded in fostering the same connection as before, he'd see red wisps, yellow ones, ones of a vibrant green, blue, white. But these wisps didn't have any shades of color that could be considered creepy or unsettling, something that Phobos may or may not notice.
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:05] It was a whole new experience.

Everything was so much different, these spirits had no ill intentions. They didn't ask for anything or even suggest. They were much more passive, and like Lemuria said they sought harmony. While this feeling was much more comforting at the same time it was mildly boring. Though he wasn't expecting much anyways.

Eyes open, as she speaks, he was hoping to see! And saw he did, even if only a few little wisps. This was an experience nonetheless. Thankfully their color was pleasing to the eye. Like before Phobos sought to connect with these spirits too.

He didn't know how connection would work with them, since they had no dark desires or ill will. In a very calm, near monotonous voice he spoke out. "How does it feel for you? When connecting with these kind?"
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:07] How did it feel...

That was a difficult question for her to answer. One she... wasn't really prepared to. She did not know how to vocalize her own feelings, nor was she often aware of them, something which was made obvious by her prior display of her emotions. The best way she could think to word it was in very simple terms, but hopefully it would get the point across.

"I don't know how it feels. I just know that it does."

She wasn't optimistic that it would, though.

"It's hard to explain. Things just feel... right...?"
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:13] Right? Huh?

It would take a while, minutes- no maybe hours. What did right feel like exactly? Phobos stood in silence as he waited for a shift, something different a sudden change. It was something that couldn't be triggered or forced. And he was okay with this, patience. Phobos is very patient thankfully.

His mind was open, as thoughts run through. Many theories about emotions and the human mind crossing as the spirits examine his very being. And then it would happen. It was like a rush, yet it was without adrenaline and it didn't make him hyper. It was some sort of enlightenment? He couldn't tell, but he definitely felt better almost as if he gained some more self worth.

He smiles genuinely now, it was a very heartwarming experience for the young man. This feeling, being spiritual. He loved it. "Right, things just feel so right." Ramblings from his thoughts once again bleeding into his speech as he stands motionless.
(Phobos)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:17] Lemuria gave Phobos a while to keep up what he was doing; likely just as long as he needed, conveniently! But after a while, she put her shoes back on, and with that, the blue glow faded from her eyes.

"Try this on your own time when you can, too. I'm more than willing to guide you when necessary, but if you cannot do it on your own, then you won't harmonize correctly. Spirituality is about your inner experience; too much guidance past a certain point can only make your journey similar to mine. But the journey has to be your own, once you get the basics down."

"But aside from that, I think we should call it here. I need to..."

She paused, finding it difficult to say what she was about to. But eventually, she managed to force it out.

"...renovate my house..."
(Lemuria Augustus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------