Initiate Mysticism (Aian Natra)

[Aian Natra]

The morning after Aian had registered for a mysticism class, and the Allysan found himself wondering through the almost maze-like hallways of the university, his gaze on the doors to either side of him as he looked for one room in particular. The Thelyri was also dressed a good bit more comfortably than his attire from the day before. His military uniform was now replaced by casual breeches and a Centripax-blue tunic.

Turning one corner, the half-human murmurs under his breath as he ticked off the room numbers as he strolled by. “315...316..317...” All the way until finally he found..

“325!”

Aian pushes the door open and steps inside. To his first class of Mysticism.

[Nachende]

The windows to the bright outside were drawn with long, sea-green curtains, which glowed softly with the light of the sun and gave the room a faint watery hue. Lining each wall were rows of bookshelves that stretched from floor to ceiling, each one filled with old decaying books as well as numerous trinkets collected from around the Empire. From the ceiling hung dreamcatchers and paper birds tied to thin strings, giving the whole room an intriguing yet somewhat tacky feel. There were no desks and no chairs at all in the room--only many, many pillows of all shapes, sizes, and colors scattered on the floor.

On one of the pillows sat a Lutran woman wearing a deep-blue robe that was embroidered with gold. She was sipping a steaming cup of tea as she waited for her pupil, and seemed to be in a quiet and serene mood, if this was not how she always carried herself. She looked up as Aian entered, then smiled and placed her cup into its saucer. "Serale, Mister Natra! Come, now, sit here in front of me so I can talk to you without shouting. My name is Professor Atrim, but you may call me Attie. I like to conduct my classes on an informal level." She took another sip of tea and studied him a moment.

"Tell me, why did you choose to study Arcana, and why Mysticism? It is a noble field, indeed, but I wish to hear how you perceive it in your own words."

[Aian Natra]

Aian takes a moment to let his gaze sweep around the room, strange violet optics taking in the new surroundings as he strolls forward towards the speaking professor. His attention seemed particularly focused on the many books lining the walls. The half-human had rarely seen so many books in one place. Then again, Aian wasn't exactly well traveled as some that passed through Midpoint.

The half-elf offered the Lutran woman a quick nod before lowering himself to sit in front of her on the collection of pillows. "Aian, please." He offers. After all, she did say she would be conducting the classes on an informal level. And Aian felt strange be called by such titles, even when it was a formal scene.

Aian's shoulders lift in a quick shrug when asked about the reasons behind his choice in classes. "Well...aside from the slight Arcana requirements to progress myself among the ranks in Midpoint, which wouldn't serve as much of a reason on it's own, I chose Mysticism because it seems one of the more..subtle spheres of magic. Which I believe suits me, as well as the advantages it might offer to one employed such a I, a member of Midpoints more..stealthy and covert squads."

[Nachende]

Attie nodded with a smile. "Of course, Aian," she replied when he offered his name.

The Lutran listened intently as he stated his reasons for seeking out Arcana, then nodded solemnly. "Yes, I see. In this case, Mysticism is a very honorable and intelligent subject to pursue. It is the magic of the mind and illusion, and is one of the only spheres of Arcana whose goal is not to kill, but to avoid battle. I feel that it will serve you well in your purposes, should you excel in your learning." She thought a moment, considering which course to take first.

"Before we work with Arcana itself, you should know, at least briefly, what Arcana is and how it works. Have you heard of the Aethergem, Aian? Since the beginning of time it was the source of all Arcana in the Allerian Empire, acting as a restricting organizer of the chaotic swirling energies in the multiverse, which the gods held as the essence of all power. It blocked the mortal mind from even being aware of the existence of Arcana. When the Aethergem was broken, however, Arcana was released from its prison and allowed to spread throughout the empire. The Aethergem's power over mortals was banished, and all who lived at that time were effectively Unbound from ignorance, and they could finally recognize and manipulate Arcana.

Every living being in the multiverse is surrounded by an energy source, called Arcana. Arcana is both inside of each individual and surrounds every creature. Mortals regularly come into contact with this energy, as you'll see for yourself later in training." She stopped a moment, knowing that this history is not known to everyone. "Do you have any questions so far?"

[Aian Natra]

Aian only nodded and soaked all of the information in. He did feel a bit odd though, as this was one of his first non-combat classes he hadn’t actually thought to brought pen and parchment for to take notes. That idea just didn’t seem to suit the subject of magic though. Seemed to..physical and solid.

“No..not yet.”

She had not yet said anything the half-human didn’t already know from what little information on Mysticism and magic in general.

“Do go on…”

[Nachende]

Attie watched her student with interest for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "The process of casting a spell is relatively straightforward. You must enter a meditative state, which has been deemed Clara, and focus upon the spell you wish to cast by seeking out the magical energy around you, which has been named Ara. Then, you must interface that energy with your personal life force, called Vis. It is the interaction between individual power from within," she touched a paw to her chest, "and the energies that surround without," she waved a hand, motioning around the room, "that produces an arcalysis, or magical reaction." She smiled and sat back.

"Of course, only individuals who have become unbound - or made aware of their latent magical potential - can successfully enter Clara. You'll understand perfectly when you've experienced this." She waited a moment in case he had any other questions, then sat straight again.

"Now, I will initiate you into the world of Arcana by unbinding you. You will not feel anything except a deep relaxation as you enter a deep sleep. Many initiates see strange visions during this time, some of which are meaningful and some of which are complete nonsense. If you are ready, then please relax, and focus here..." When Aian acknowledged his preparation, The Lutran lifted a paw in front of her and remained still and silent a moment as she entered a trance of her own. Above her palm arose a glowing purple flower, which slowly opened its petals and revealed its glimmering pollen, which rose in sparkling spots of dust into the air. Then, suddenly, Aian found himself in a deep sleep that would energize his mind and body such as nothing before ever had.

[ooc: You may go ahead and decide what he sees in his vision. Be creative!]

[Aian Natra]

OOC: Again, apologies for the late response. Connection woes.

Aian sat quite comfortably among the pillows surrounding them, his mind surprisingly sharp, considering the strange, almost hypnotic feel of the entire room. He turned each concept and term over in his mind as she explains them. It would take a while for the half-human to become familiar and comfortably with the terms themselves, but Aian felt that Arcana was more about being able to feel the concept around it rather than the terms used to describe it.

In any case, any amount of studying would be useless before he became ‘unbound’ as his teacher called it. And so Aian simply nods and sits back as she initiates the process. Lounging comfortably, the Corporal eyes the strange flower that bloomed in her hand with interest. He had rarely seen such spells worked, up close at least. Any further wonderment fades away as the pollen fills the air around him, and the entire room swims in his vision before fading completely.

At first there was nothing but a deep sense of relaxation, contentment. That strange fuzzy feeling that bordered the realms of the waking and those asleep. Then, still dark, the sound of a gull breaks the stillness, and the strange fog that seemed to be filling Aian’s mind gives way slowly. Lighter than air, or perhaps part of the air itself, Aian gazed far down at…the ocean. Or at least what Aian could only imagine was the ocean. Having not traveled very far out of the Centripax area so far in his lifetime, the young Thelyri found himself staring downward at the largest body of water he had ever even imagined, and felt the same persistent tug at his heart he had experienced on several other occasions whenever he had considered traveling to visit the sea. Perhaps even find more aquatic elves like himself.

But this was different, Aian was actually seeing it now. And for several long moments just peered down at the landscape below him. The flocks of gulls carried along by air currents over the tiny dots of fishing boats that rocked along with the movements of the waves they rode. The whole thing just dripped with a certain peaceful quality of belonging That Aian had difficulty tearing his gaze away from it at all.

But he did look away. The half-elf’s gaze turned upward, past the small cluster of villages dotting the coastline, to the rest of a strange continent beyond that. The continent between he and that serene home that was pulling at him. The landscape sloped out below him now, thousands of miles in his dreams, and most of it chaos. He saw armies of men and monsters clashing together, he saw villages and forests burning, he as goblins and ogres stomping on the bones of fallen heroes. He saw was lay before him if he was ever to reach that peaceful, serene place at the end of his road.

And he woke.

[Nachende]

Aian woke to find himself laying comfortably in a pile of pillows on the floor of the room, which flickered in the light of the candles. Sweet incense still lingered in the air, mixing with the stronger scent of chamomile tea and honey. Attie sat in the same place and position she had been in when Aian had first closed his eyes, a fragile cup of steaming tea held before her chin. Her eyes glistened as she noticed his waking, and motioned with her free hand toward a fresh pot of tea, a small bowl of honey, and a clean cup that had been set on the floor beside them.

"I'm glad to see you're awake again, and so soon!" she chimed, and sipped her tea. "Most initiates take an hour or more to complete the process, but you've only been under for half that. That shows great potential." She watched him a moment, curious about what he had seen, but wouldn't say anything unless he brought it up. The Lutran set her cup in its saucer and flicked an ear thoughtfully.

"Please relax, now. Stand and stretch if you like; walk around to get your blood flowing again. The next step involves long meditation, and you should be prepared to sit comfortably for a time." She took another sip of tea before continuing. "Your first lesson will be in meditation, and in reaching the state of Clara, from which you will be able to cast your spells. As you improve your skills, reaching Clara will take less time, as will casting spells. Do you have any questions about anything?"

[Aian Natra]

As the room seemed to slowly blur back into reality, with all of it’s perfumed scents and it’s many pillows, Aian takes a moment to recollect himself and consider his surroundings before sitting up slowly, one hand moving to rub at his forehead for a moment as he glances around the room.

Upon noticing the tea, and at Attie’s beckoning, Aian reached over to pluck up both the tea pot and the empty glass. The sea-elf fills the cup before setting the pot back down off to the side out of the way, all still without saying a word until finally he looks up over the rim of his cup after a sip,

“I saw..several strange things. Though if you don’t mind I’d rather reflect upon them myself for the time being…” A bit of hesitation and then- “..I believe I can already guess a meaning or two for it.”

That said, the quiet half-human sits in his usual silent attention, taking another sip from his cup every now and then as those peculiar violet eyes with the black white’s watch his teacher as Attie explains the next step. His legs still crossed under him, Aian only nods, apparently not too bothered by his long sit. “I’m ready..”

[Nachende]

The Lutran bobbed her nose slowly in understanding, her eyes still half-closed in the calm of her meditative state. "Very well. There are many things, I understand, that are not meant to be shared, and it is good that you realize this." She paused a long moment, watching her student carefully as he sipped his tea and didn't move as she had advised. Normally, her pupils would jump at the chance to move about the room and to stretch their limbs, so this decision seemed very peculiar to Attie. After awhile, she chuckled quietly to herself and took another sip of tea before setting her cup and saucer down. Her hands returned to her knees, and she took a deep breath before beginning again.

"Very well, then. Fold your legs into a comfortable position, but do not rest too much weight on your feet, if any at all, to keep your extremities from falling asleep and thus distracting you from your trance." She looked at him a moment. "Ah, you may want to remove your shoes, as well, for the same reason, at least for the first few times you attempt Clara. At higher levels you will be able to meditate under harsher conditions. Now, sit up straight and align your spine naturally, with your jawline parallel to the floor. Your lower back should be slightly curved." She waited until he was comfortable before she continued.

"Good. Now, close your eyes and we will begin. Breathe normally, but concentrate on your breaths. In...out...in....good. Take note of any unwanted thoughts that come to your mind and let them fade away. Any sounds, feelings, discomforts...let them fade away..." She waited patiently for awhile so Aian could become used to the position.

"Now, Aian, picture a warm, glowing sun that rests in the center of your chest. Feel its warmth slowly relaxing your body, its light radiating through your limbs. Let the world go, think only on the sun within yourself and the breath in your lungs..." She lowered her voice to a whisper and left Aian in silence so he could further his state without distraction.

[Aian Natra]

As usual, Aian offered little more response than a nod of understanding before following her instructions. First he uncrosses his legs and takes a moment to untie and pull free both his boots, setting them over to one side of the two of them. The half-human than folds his legs back, this time assuming a bit more comfortable position that the cross-legged one he had sat in before, or at least a position that put less of his weight down upon his ankles. Next, he tries to assume the posture Attie was telling him of, his back straightening a bit as he held his head level.

Aian’s eyelids lower as the half-human tries to relax both body and mind, his form retaining most of it’s posture even in such a relaxed state as he tries to keep his mind from wandering away from his task, and the warm space in his chest that his mind was set on. The Allysan’s chest rises and falls in even breaths as all other thoughts and concerns are at lest momentarily wiped from his mind, leaving only the warmth.

[Nachende]

Thoughts passed gently through Aian's mind, but nonetheless made themselves prominent in the half-human's consciousness against his will. Each thought, sensation, emotion, and memory was an obstacle that had to be overcome and conquered in order to reach the state of meditation he sought. The harder Aian might try to rid himself of the passing thoughts, the stronger they made themselves known and refused to slip into the shadows of the subconscious. Once he let the thoughts pass without forcing them, however, they eventually faded and disappeared into the glowing warmth that rested within him.

After awhile, time began to seem irrelevant and nonexistent. There was only the present, the silence, the musky smell of incense, and the warmth Aian had created for himself. He may notice that he could no longer control his limbs; his arms and legs felt heavy and would not respond to mental commands. Even his eyelids refused to open. His mind was separated from his body, and, unhindered, was able to slip into Clara.

Slowly, Aian began to sense colors around him in a way he had never experienced before. At first all he could sense were blurs of red and gold, but then other colors began to appear and take shape. Straight before him was a large, bright form of gold, which very slowly took the shape of his Lutran professor. Blue flames flickered along the walls where the candles were placed and where the incense burned. A sea-green presence glowed in the window, mixing with the purples, reds, and blues that made up other objects in the room. Inanimate objects had a more faded presence than the prominent life forms and elements of fire and sunlight. Soon, the half-human would find that he could sense the colors of objects behind him, as well, and on all sides, since his mind was no longer hindered by the view of his eyes. The rainbow of colors that filled his mind was a breathtaking spectacle, indeed, and seemed like an enhanced contrast between every object he otherwise may not have noticed. This was Clara.

[Aian Natra]

Aian slips further and further into his comfortable trance. As the thoughts and emotions begin to cross his mind, the half-human tries at first to dismiss these just as he had been instructed to clear his mind before he had gone into the trance at all. This technique, apparently, was not one that would serve him well here. More like inklings and feelings Aian had experienced in the past than real memories, each one, good or bad, seemed to be played over and examined by his mind for a few moments before he finally turns his attention away and they pass..

The next part of the ordeal, the quiet timeless place within himself seemed the strangest. Aian couldn’t rightly say whether he was sitting there unmoving, unable to do so even if he tried, for hours or seconds. All he felt was the tingling sensation that swept through his now unmoving body. It seemed not so much a heaviness though, more a calm acceptance.

As shapes and color slowly begin to blur back around him, the half-elf finds himself in awe. Certainly he would gasp if not for the nature of his meditating trance. As the colors begin to sharpen to form the details of the room he sat Aian surveyed his surroundings much as he had when he first entered for his lesson. Then, Aian had turned his gaze all about the room curiously to take in the shapes of all the objects that seemed to radiate a peaceful, sleepy quality. Now Aian’s awareness swept around a seemingly much different room without him even having to move. Where the more subtle watery hues lay before now stood more color and vibrant life than Aian had ever seen or experienced before.

[Nachende]

Aian could 'see' the Attie's smile through the golden glow as she became sure that he had, indeed, reached the state of Clara. She took a breath, and the golden hue flared gently with a bluish radiance. The colors are the Ara of every living and nonliving thing. The Lutran's voice whispered quietly in Aian's mind, soft so it would not break his trance. Living things and the elements of fire and water glow brighter in their natural hues, while nonliving things carry less archaic potential. She paused a long moment so Aian could think over and understand this before beginning again. All the while she was very careful; the state of Clara, she knew, could be unstable when held by an initiate for the first time.

Now, you should turn your thoughts inward, toward the sun within you that brought you to this state. This is your Vis, your source of energy and the essence of yourself that exists in this plane of Arcana. It is your soul, if you will. Seek deep within yourself for that warm glow; draw on it for strength and relaxation, for power, and for self. Your Vis is who you are; it is your life essence. Her voice trailed into silence, and she waited patiently as Aian accustomed himself to the presence and feel of his Vis.

[Aian Natra]

Aian was almost surprised to still hear his teacher’s voice even in such a state. Still, he grew accustomed quickly to the strange sensation of hearing another person’s voice within his own head, strange as it appeared at first. As she explains the Ara around him, the half-human continues to examine the vibrant colors in question as she spoke, taking in her words and his colorful surroundings at the same time.

At her bidding, Aian turns his attention inward once more, to the warm glow that he still felt spreading from his center. Contemplating her words and growing further comfortable with the concept and the feel of this source of energy within him as he awaits more instructions.