eachdraidh | voice; seelie

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voice; seelie

Apparently I've been sleeping for a long time.

[ Not that he really remembers falling asleep... but if waking up in an unfamiliar bed with a familiar friend sleeping half-sprawled out on top of him is any indication, he's certainly been asleep. And based on the date, it's been for a while.

Luckily, as unnerving as an extended sleep is, there doesn't appear to be any Xehanort here to take advantage of that. A sleep was all it was. ]

I'm still trying to catch up on everything I missed while I was asleep. I know more people arrived to the court, but what's going on with all these war preparations? Did something happen?

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[Joshua nods, just once.]

It's your choice. Oh, after the battle, why don't we get together for tea?

[He's not saying it and likely won't ever say it, but Riku going into what may be his first battle in which the likelihood of him being forced to kill a person is very high? Josh is actually concerned for his well-being in the aftermath of that. Covering that up with a tea-time discussion is ideal for him.]

I'm also training with Merida for the next step in using my shard, so give me some time with that, and we'll see if you want to continue training with me.

Tea?

[ He's. Never really been a big drinker of tea, honestly. But... ]

Sure, that sounds good.

I've learned a little bit about our shards since you taught me how to activate mine. Once, they were used to fight battles inside people's minds. Shard magic could be used to alter memories, too.

What's the next step after activation?

Wonderful! I look forward to it.

[Joshua makes a noise of agreement.]

It's true, and it's something that hasn't been seen until recently. Some time ago, I heard of an attack of that nature on a couple of Shardbearers. A sensitive topic, and one I would advise caution on discussing out loud without taking certain steps.

[Not that he won't discuss it, but he's aware of just how dangerous it can be to do so.]

A deeper connection to your world, essentially. You tap more into its magic. From what I've heard, attaining this level of skill in utilizing shard magic can even allow one who used fire magic to regain it. After all, fire magic is only gone from this world, not the one we came from.

[ Riku nods, understanding. ]

Then I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the warning.

[ He'll definitely have to ask about this at a different time, perhaps when the two of them are together in person and they can figure out a way to take these "certain steps" Joshua's mentioning. ]

A deeper connection to our worlds, huh...?

[ And the ability to use fire magic again, too? It's funny, but Riku's first thought is to ask Leo if he's tried to learn shard magic yet. ]

If that's the case, I wonder why more people haven't tried to learn it yet?

Of course.

[That conversation isn't one Joshua would mind having at all.]

My guess is that the art died out, perhaps because that power was used in dangerous ways in the past. If it didn't die out, then it was hidden away for a reason. The path we walk now with shard magic is one of rediscovery, and that may prove to be a very dangerous path indeed.

Imagine a war waged through shard magic, of entering the mind of your opponent and killing him or driving him insane without lifting a finger. Or the deadliness of spies and assassins able to use their magic to alter the memories of those around them and become anyone or anything they wish to be in order to fool your senses. That's only the start of it, too. Who knows what else shard magic can achieve the more you train with it?

[ Riku nods. He remembers the conversation he'd had with Hermione, where she'd mentioned that information on shard magic was difficult to find, and the conversation with Merida about how Solais isn't as upfront with her shardbearers as Morla was. Whether it's true or not, there's a definite suspicion there.

But at the same time, Joshua paints a chilling picture. When he looks at that image, Riku has to admit to himself that he'd be glad if that sort of power wasn't available to anybody. He shakes his head. ]

I'm not sure I want to find out.

Magic like that... how are we supposed to stop it? We can learn it ourselves, but do you think you can protect anybody else from those sorts of attacks too?

[ The idea of being helpless to protect his friends... he hates it. ]

[He's yet to see this magic be used for anything other than destruction. A pity.]

I'm not inclined, either, but it appears to be heading in that potential direction.

[Joshua shrugs.]

That, I don't know. So far, it's seemed to be personal protection. Whether you can turn that into a shield to protect the mind of another person...that's harder to say, and at my current education in that field, I have no guesses to offer, either. However, we use the shards to manipulate the world and people around us. So, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that it can become a shield in addition to being a sword.

[No matter what, though, he's determined to learn and master it. He has to. If Joshua dies here, then it won't matter if there are other Shardbearers in his world. Shibuya will die with him.]

Personally, I wish to take the training for as far as it will go.

[He's not so sure he has a choice in that.]

[ Riku nods, determination filling him. If he can learn to use his shard and, better yet, learn to use it to protect his friends, then that's what he's going to do. ]

Me too. There's no sense hiding and hoping our enemies won't take every advantage they can get. I don't want it to come to that, but if it does... I want to be ready for it.

[ That's all they can do is prepare. ]

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