not_a_troll | IC Appointments [Luceti]

[Billy returns the look, brows furrowing.]

That's why you're learning magic? Because you're Loki, so you should?

[He shakes his head, leaning back in his seat and releasing the lightning.]

That's dumb. And it's not right, either.

[Loki looks at Billy while contemplating the response he got.]

It is dumb.

[He shrugs.]

Even though my interest in magicks and obtaining the knowledge that comes with it is most sincere. Hence all the books that I have lying around here.

[He gestures towards a large stack of books next to the couch.]

Most foolish indeed.

If you're interested in magic, then that's why you should do it. Don't say it's because you're Loki. You don't have to learn magic- magic isn't who you are. It's just part of you. Calling it anything else is just lying to yourself.

[He can't imagine doing anything just because of who he is. Learning magic because he's the son of the Scarlet Witch? Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons? It sounds terrible.]

Do you like magic?

[What was magic to him exactly? That one thing he could possibly do? Something he should be be able to do since his name is Loki? Could it be his only defense here? After all, the land of Luceti wasn't Asgard...

Maybe its safe to just keep himself undecided about this. So all he does is answer Billy's question.]

Aye. I like magic. And I need to get better at it.

That is a sufficient answer, yes?

[Well... he's not entirely satisfied - not with the should in there making him suspicious, but as long as Loki's enjoying it...]

...I guess it'll do. But I think that the sooner you find your passion for it, the better you'll get. People can excel at what they find fulfilling, not what they're obliged to do.

[Loki considers Billy's words and finally nods slowly.]

It is not an obligation. After all, if it would be like that, I am quite sure that I would not practice magic in the first place.

[He pats Billy's arm briefly.]

Now, shall we continue to enhance my skills of magic? Or do you want me to show you a spell Helios have taught me?

[That's a better answer. Billy nods more easily this time, relaxing in his spot and letting his curiosity override his concern.]

Actually, if you know another spell, I'd love to see it. We can work on some exercises after.

It is but a small spell. No sparks and all that jazz.

[Loki gets up and moves to pour some tea.]

The tea is important.

[Since he is still quite unable to feel warmth he curls both of his hands around the hot cup. For a moment he focuses on the tea for a really, really long time. After that he murmurs the words Helios has taught him and for a moment the tea gives off a red glow.]

I think the effect is not as great as it should be when Helios performs the spell, but if you drink this you will feel a wave of warmth going through you.

You wish to test it?

[...huh. He can't say he's ever drank glowing tea before. He eyes it dubiously for a moment, then picks up the cup to give it a closer look. ...Cool.]

I zapped my coffee once. Definitely didn't do this.

[He is nothing if not adventurous, though, and if the spell goes awry he can always magically nullify it himself - hopefully? Probably? - so he shrugs and takes a sip.

He's never been much of a tea-drinker, but with the gentle way that heat flows through his body - differently than a hot drink usually does - he thinks he can get on board with the magic drink idea.]

...Whoa.

[Loki smiles proudly. Even though it took him a lot of time to concentrate on the spell, he did make it work.]

It is good, isn't it? Of course the Malnosso did a rather good job on my inability to feel warmth, sometimes this helps.

It is a big step towards my future as a great sorcerer and the like.

[Ah, yeah... that does seem like it would be useful against his Death Penalty, which Billy tends to forget about once in a while. Hmm... he's also seeing a trend here.]

Well... you're on the right track, but don't stretch yourself too thin learning too many basics all at once. If it was me, I'd pick an element and specialize in it until I got my casting time down. Between your first spell and the tea, it seems like your best element is fire right now. That's the first one you're likely to master. Lightning...

[...Ehh. Ten minutes to cast a little spell isn't great, but it could be worse...?]

...Well, we'll work on it, too. What also helps is a focus, though- not just summoning a spell out of nowhere, but actually trying to summon it to do something. Do you have any candles?

[Allow Loki to be pleasantly surprised. Fire. Of course, the connection has been right in front of his nose. He smiles broadly, actually pleased with this.]

Yes, it needs to have a purpose. A certain connection to a request I conjure in my head. It is most obvious!

[He gets up and disappears into his bedroom. He returns with two candles.]

Behold. Candles. Am I correct to assume that you will request me to light them without using match sticks.

Right on the mark. Here, let me-

[He fishes his cell phone out of his pocket, poking around on the screen for a moment before looking up again.]

I'll time each one, and blow them out after they're lit. See if you can get faster the more you do. We'll go for, say... three times each candle? To start.

[He's curious to see how many spells Loki can do in succession, so this exercise is kind of multi-leveled.]

[Loki nods, grinning enthusiastically. The two candles he has with him are thick and perfectly able to stand on their own without toppling over.

But then Billy grabs a cell phone and...]

By Odin's empty eyesocket! Is that a phone of Stark? They have those here?

[Because if so, he wants one. And he wants to make pictures.]

Is it able to connect itself to the world of online? Will I be able to go to the you tube and watch movies there? And videos of music?

And I...

[Loki stops rambling and shakes his head. Candles first, then more inquiries about Billy's phone. He turns towards the candles again, and focuses on them, and flames from his hands.]

I am ready.

[Pffft. That earns a laugh; Loki, that was kind of beautiful.]

I had the same reaction when I got it. Tell you what, you light those candles, and when we're done I'll let you play around with it.

[Even if there is no internet - something that is sure to disappoint him just as much as it disappointed Billy himself. Still, it's a pretty cool phone anyway.

He lifts the phone, hand hovering over the start button.]

Ready... go!

[Loki flashes Billy a small smile and nods afterwards. That phone better makes pictures, and ah, he has to update his book of faces as well.

And really? Loki can play with your phone, Billy?

But after the 'go' escapes the other's mouth Loki focuses back on candles, flames and the like. Instead of just concentrating until his head was about to explode, he puts all his focus on the reason why he wishes to summon a flame.

And at least two minutes pass before a small flame appears in his left hand so that Loki can light the first candle. He huffs softly before he starts focusing on the second one...]

[Five minutes brought down to two is already huge progress, so Billy is immediately pleased. He stops the timer and restarts as Loki moves on, taking a quick note of the time. It's tense and a bit nerve-wracking, waiting for something to happen, but it makes that little spark that much more of a success.]

[Unfortunately Loki fails to light the second candle in two minutes. After at least six minutes he manages to summon a flame again to light the second.]

By Odin's sores.

[He's not quite pleased with it either. He figured that putting focus on the need to light something would be the key to shorten the summoning time. Loki takes a step back, frowning and looks at Billy.]

A good start but a rather disappointing conclusion.

[Loki figures that this is a little bit more important than playing with the other's phone so he straightens his shoulders and takes a deep breath.]

Let me try this again. Please take note of the time, Billy of New York.

You got it.

[Billy does just that, resetting the timer to zero before furrowing his brows and thinking for moment. He'd had lots of time to consider Loki's technique while he was waiting, but... hmm.]

I wonder if you're actually focusing too hard. If you tense up too much, the energy won't flow through your body properly, and if you can't get your energy moving then the magic won't move, either.

I see. My magical abilities are connected to the energy that is flowing through my body.

[He looks at Billy with narrowed eyes, his finger tapping his chin a couple of times. It makes sense.]

It is about finding a balance between relaxation and focus, yes?

[Followed by a soft and muttering...]

Yes, yes....

[His gaze turns towards the candles again. As expected, to develop magical abilities throughout himself proves to be difficult. Brewing potions or using a magical artifact always had been so much easier.

He blows the candles out and decides to sit down crosslegged in front of them. Focus and relaxation. Loki just figures that he's cold and that it is dark and therefore he needs the flames to light these candles.

So instead of focusing really hard he humms a soft melody. Maybe that'll help.]

[Billy looks intrigued by this new tactic, but refrains from commenting; he'll be interested if it works, because if it's effective he might just have to try it himself, being a big fan of music.

And as silly as musical magic might seem to some people, he's really liking the idea. He's quietly rooting for you, Loki!]

[The last time Loki sang was when was facing some demon that has been part of his older self's great and rather gross riddle. The soft humming makes place for some words. And those words together form the lyrics of this song.

Loki pauses his singing to smile at the small flames emerging from his hands. He lights the first candle quickly and clenches his hands to fists to make the flames disappear again.

Now it is a matter of 'rinse and repeat'...]

[.....dude.

Dude.

Is Loki seriously RickRolling him.

Little shit.]

[Indeed, Billy, indeed and Loki flashes him a sharp grin because the art of Rick Rolling someone is something he greatly appreciates.

And he keeps RickRolling him, because hey, the lyrics are rather fitting and it helps to focus and relax at the same time. Because this time there are only 2 minutes between summoning the first flame and the second one.

When Loki is done he sits back a little, watching the two candles briefly before turning to Billy.]

This is better, yes?

[Amazing what a bit of trolling can do. Billy looks more impressed when he sees the results, turning his phone to show the screen to Loki, displaying his best time.]

Much better. I guess the secret to your magic is adding a little music to it, huh?

[Everyone's got their own method, so it makes sense. And this is one method he can help with plenty.]

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[action | A MOST VERY MAGICAL WEDNESDAY PAST] lol'd so hard

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