Even now, it's strange to be addressed by name so familiarly by others. But what's stranger is Rutile's abrupt pause, and the way he leaps forward. Roland's expression evens out in faint surprise as he follows the direction of Rutile's hands to one of his in question.
Lowering the hand with the red patch, he lifts his head with another smile.]
Just the result of a mistake during practice. You needn't worry.
just kidding. but roland's reassurances and smile are enough to ease the slight worry on rutile's face as he returns that look with a smile of his own. injuries during practice aren't exactly unheard of, and it helps that the one roland's ended up with is relatively minor. ]
I see... You've been working hard, haven't you?
[ proof as it is of the effort put forth, and small as it may be, it is still an injury. while roland lowers his hand, rutile keeps his up in front of him, upturned palms outstretched and offered in a silent request.
well. not so silent. rutile makes his intentions quite clear shortly after this, voice soft as he asks: ]
May I take a look? I know healing magic, so... if it's all right, I'd like to help.
Hard? No, hardly. He's done little more than fumble in recent days. Healing is his sister's talent, not his, and the absence of finesse has been painfully clear to him. But he has been at work, and this in tandem with the hands that remain proffered give him pause.
A beat later, he raises his injured hand again with a nod. Although Rutile's magic is better off spent on someone else, it would be a slight against Rutile's kindness to refuse again.]
Thank you.
[He lowers his hand to hover over the space between Rutile's pair, offering it for inspection.]
[ a closer glance at roland's injury makes it clearer that this won't be something rutile needs to exert himself for, regardless of his (even more) limited magic... which is a fortunate thing.
fortunate in that it's confirmation that roland wasn't too badly injured, and confirmation that rutile can help. he doesn't quite make the move to close the gap between their hands just yet, opting instead to move his gaze upwards to meet roland's eyes in his own gesture of reassurance. ]
Is it my turn to tell you not to worry, Mister Roland? [ a tiny laugh, playful and bright. ] My magic is a little weaker here, but this shouldn't be too difficult... and I'd rather push myself for something like this! I'm just relieved you weren't hurt worse. Now, excuse me.
[ it's with that polite warning that rutile moves to hold roland's hand between both of his, and— ]
[ ... and oddly enough, that move makes an unexpected emotion settle within his heart, when skin touches skin. it's disorienting enough for him to clumsily pause over, the next steps of his healing tumbling out of his mind in favor of grasping something familiar and comforting, nostalgic and warm.
like he'd stepped into a beloved garden, found a particularly lovely flower he'd immortalized in his mind, and...
he blinks. ]
A-ah. I'm sorry, I... This shouldn't need more than a simple spell, but please let me know if you feel anything strange.
[His expression unfurls from the sudden bloom of emotion, like a flowering bud, from somewhere deep within himself. It's warm, comforting—inviting. Something distantly familiar, yet so alien at once. His chest clenches, then quietly unclenches as he snaps back to awareness enough to give a small nod.]
Yes, of course.
[The feeling that lingers inside of him, echoing like a faded whisper—does that qualify as something strange? Is it related to Rutile's magic? Roland, finding himself at a loss, can only wait.]
[ rutile assumes that moment of hesitation is a result of nervousness. perhaps it's a need to alleviate that, in tandem with the rush of feelings in his heart, that drives rutile's inexplicable urge to lightly squeeze roland's hand before he begins. ]
Ortonik Setomaouge.
[ but he does, finally.
with his head dipped and eyes closed, the whisper of his spell words brings a dim glow of warm, green light between his hands aimed at alleviating roland's burn. the relief doesn't come as quick as it would normally — there's a lot of things in the background that makes it a little more difficult — but it does come. along with a minor itch? that's fine.
what's important is that when rutile adjusts his hands once more so that roland's is merely sitting on top of his palms rather than held between them, there's no redness to be seen. what's also important is that rutile also doesn't draw away immediately when he's done, because somehow that seems wrong...? also fine. ]
Ta-daaa! It took a little longer than usual, but... there we are. How do you feel?
[As if coaxed away by the light conjured from unfamiliar words, the burning sting on his hand recedes into an odd itch. It's nothing so severe that he feels the need to pull away while Rutile holds onto him. In fact, he hardly feels a thing where his hand is concerned.
Looking down at their hands, one could be fooled into thinking that he's inspecting the healed burn. In reality, Roland's gaze lingers on the emotions that bubble up to the surface from an inexplicable place—so much so that he almost forgets to respond when his head lifts to meet Rutile's eyes.
He feels nostalgic, and not just because the nature of the spell reminds him of Cordelia.]
. . . It feels as though my hand healed in what ordinarily would've taken weeks in mere moments. Is that the nature of your magic?
[ ah, how rutile brightens. that statement is enough to put the confusion aside for just a moment — it's a clever conclusion and an answer to a question that wasn't asked, after all, and his nature as a teacher grasps onto the joy of that.
that's the reason for the leap in his heart, yes. and not the way roland looks up to meet his gaze. ]
Aha. You figured it out very quickly! [ an enthusiastic nod. ] That's the nature of this kind of spell, yes. It boosts what's already there — your own body's ability to recover. It's like we're working... together.
[ together.
how that word falls into place in such a strange way. and how it snaps rutile from those waves of emotions, reminding him of the nature of his position. carefully (reluctantly?), he sets roland's hand Free, drawing back his own hands to settle one gently over his chest. ]
Um... and I'd like to continue to do so. Feel free to let me know if you ever need healing in the future.
That would explain the itch (it doesn't), which becomes more pronounced with the absence of Rutile's hands. Roland lowers his own hand back to his side, and the strange feelings recede with the motion. Rutile's offer is kind, but not ideal as Roland returns it with an apologetic explanation:]
Truthfully, this was my attempt at learning it. I joined the menders guild, but I'm afraid I've no healing spells of which to speak . . .
[ rutile seems to gain some sense of understanding with that explanation, along with something else. there's another strange feeling he has, but this one he can pin down quite easily. humans speaking so casually about using magic... or, well. human-assumed.
but it isn't a bad thing. if anything, that seems to inspire something of an idea in rutile, something that shows in the way his eyes brighten. ]
Learning a new kind of magic comes with time — you've just started.
[ he hums, lightly, before he continues: ]
But if that's what you were trying to practice... From one Mender to another— or, well, from a friend to another, would you like to learn together? I'm sure it would help to have someone else to consult while you're picking things up. Someone you can ask to see what works, or how things feel... Someone for direction and encouragement. For both of us.
[ it's how training was done at home, after all. and rutile prefers it to training alone, though he'll hardly slack on that if it's the only option he had.
also, when did they become friends? rutile decided this. rutile decided this right now, ]
Though I admit I'm not too sure how well the way I cast healing spells will translate, I want to help if I can.
[They're friends now, at least in one perspective of the world.
What Rutile is saying makes sense. One learns faster by studying with another. Encouragement is something else, though, and speaks for Rutile's nature. While Roland is loath to impose on that thoughtfulness, he concedes to himself that he'll be of help sooner than later to others if he takes up the offer. It's with the hope that he can be helpful in return that he nods, smile widening a smidgen, after a moment of consideration.]
. . . Then I would be grateful for any assistance, as well as pleased to be of what service I can. Let us learn together . . . as companions.
[ acceptance is a simple thing that pleases rutile more than it should, his hands softly clapping together in response. rather than imposing, rutile sees this just as roland says it — an opportunity for companionship, to help, and a mere given for two people who've ended up in the same place.
plus he sees the way roland's smile grows just a bit, and that's something too. ]
As companions. Thank you, Mister Roland!
[ thank you, he says. but he's always grateful when someone takes the metaphorical hand that he outstretches towards them, no matter what. ]
Did you want to continue where you left off? Or were you going to take a break for today?
[Thank you, he says. With a personality like that, Rutile should have people lining up to learn alongside him—people with whom he can build lasting friendships . . .
Stepping aside, Roland motions to the rest of the meditation room behind him.]
I was hoping to attempt the spell a few more times. Is there any in particular that you'd like to develop as well?
[After all, they're not here just for his own learning.]
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no subject
Even now, it's strange to be addressed by name so familiarly by others. But what's stranger is Rutile's abrupt pause, and the way he leaps forward. Roland's expression evens out in faint surprise as he follows the direction of Rutile's hands to one of his in question.
Lowering the hand with the red patch, he lifts his head with another smile.]
Just the result of a mistake during practice. You needn't worry.
no subject
just kidding. but roland's reassurances and smile are enough to ease the slight worry on rutile's face as he returns that look with a smile of his own. injuries during practice aren't exactly unheard of, and it helps that the one roland's ended up with is relatively minor. ]
I see... You've been working hard, haven't you?
[ proof as it is of the effort put forth, and small as it may be, it is still an injury. while roland lowers his hand, rutile keeps his up in front of him, upturned palms outstretched and offered in a silent request.
well. not so silent. rutile makes his intentions quite clear shortly after this, voice soft as he asks: ]
May I take a look? I know healing magic, so... if it's all right, I'd like to help.
no subject
Hard? No, hardly. He's done little more than fumble in recent days. Healing is his sister's talent, not his, and the absence of finesse has been painfully clear to him. But he has been at work, and this in tandem with the hands that remain proffered give him pause.
A beat later, he raises his injured hand again with a nod. Although Rutile's magic is better off spent on someone else, it would be a slight against Rutile's kindness to refuse again.]
Thank you.
[He lowers his hand to hover over the space between Rutile's pair, offering it for inspection.]
But pray don't exert yourself.
/2
fortunate in that it's confirmation that roland wasn't too badly injured, and confirmation that rutile can help. he doesn't quite make the move to close the gap between their hands just yet, opting instead to move his gaze upwards to meet roland's eyes in his own gesture of reassurance. ]
Is it my turn to tell you not to worry, Mister Roland? [ a tiny laugh, playful and bright. ] My magic is a little weaker here, but this shouldn't be too difficult... and I'd rather push myself for something like this! I'm just relieved you weren't hurt worse. Now, excuse me.
[ it's with that polite warning that rutile moves to hold roland's hand between both of his, and— ]
no subject
like he'd stepped into a beloved garden, found a particularly lovely flower he'd immortalized in his mind, and...
he blinks. ]
A-ah. I'm sorry, I... This shouldn't need more than a simple spell, but please let me know if you feel anything strange.
[ focus, rutile, focus. ]
no subject
Yes, of course.
[The feeling that lingers inside of him, echoing like a faded whisper—does that qualify as something strange? Is it related to Rutile's magic? Roland, finding himself at a loss, can only wait.]
no subject
Ortonik Setomaouge.
[ but he does, finally.
with his head dipped and eyes closed, the whisper of his spell words brings a dim glow of warm, green light between his hands aimed at alleviating roland's burn. the relief doesn't come as quick as it would normally — there's a lot of things in the background that makes it a little more difficult — but it does come. along with a minor itch? that's fine.
what's important is that when rutile adjusts his hands once more so that roland's is merely sitting on top of his palms rather than held between them, there's no redness to be seen. what's also important is that rutile also doesn't draw away immediately when he's done, because somehow that seems wrong...? also fine. ]
Ta-daaa! It took a little longer than usual, but... there we are. How do you feel?
no subject
Looking down at their hands, one could be fooled into thinking that he's inspecting the healed burn. In reality, Roland's gaze lingers on the emotions that bubble up to the surface from an inexplicable place—so much so that he almost forgets to respond when his head lifts to meet Rutile's eyes.
He feels nostalgic, and not just because the nature of the spell reminds him of Cordelia.]
. . . It feels as though my hand healed in what ordinarily would've taken weeks in mere moments. Is that the nature of your magic?
no subject
that's the reason for the leap in his heart, yes. and not the way roland looks up to meet his gaze. ]
Aha. You figured it out very quickly! [ an enthusiastic nod. ] That's the nature of this kind of spell, yes. It boosts what's already there — your own body's ability to recover. It's like we're working... together.
[ together.
how that word falls into place in such a strange way. and how it snaps rutile from those waves of emotions, reminding him of the nature of his position. carefully (reluctantly?), he sets roland's hand Free, drawing back his own hands to settle one gently over his chest. ]
Um... and I'd like to continue to do so. Feel free to let me know if you ever need healing in the future.
no subject
That would explain the itch (it doesn't), which becomes more pronounced with the absence of Rutile's hands. Roland lowers his own hand back to his side, and the strange feelings recede with the motion. Rutile's offer is kind, but not ideal as Roland returns it with an apologetic explanation:]
Truthfully, this was my attempt at learning it. I joined the menders guild, but I'm afraid I've no healing spells of which to speak . . .
no subject
but it isn't a bad thing. if anything, that seems to inspire something of an idea in rutile, something that shows in the way his eyes brighten. ]
Learning a new kind of magic comes with time — you've just started.
[ he hums, lightly, before he continues: ]
But if that's what you were trying to practice... From one Mender to another— or, well, from a friend to another, would you like to learn together? I'm sure it would help to have someone else to consult while you're picking things up. Someone you can ask to see what works, or how things feel... Someone for direction and encouragement. For both of us.
[ it's how training was done at home, after all. and rutile prefers it to training alone, though he'll hardly slack on that if it's the only option he had.
also, when did they become friends? rutile decided this. rutile decided this right now, ]
Though I admit I'm not too sure how well the way I cast healing spells will translate, I want to help if I can.
no subject
[They're friends now, at least in one perspective of the world.
What Rutile is saying makes sense. One learns faster by studying with another. Encouragement is something else, though, and speaks for Rutile's nature. While Roland is loath to impose on that thoughtfulness, he concedes to himself that he'll be of help sooner than later to others if he takes up the offer. It's with the hope that he can be helpful in return that he nods, smile widening a smidgen, after a moment of consideration.]
. . . Then I would be grateful for any assistance, as well as pleased to be of what service I can. Let us learn together . . . as companions.
no subject
plus he sees the way roland's smile grows just a bit, and that's something too. ]
As companions. Thank you, Mister Roland!
[ thank you, he says. but he's always grateful when someone takes the metaphorical hand that he outstretches towards them, no matter what. ]
Did you want to continue where you left off? Or were you going to take a break for today?
no subject
Stepping aside, Roland motions to the rest of the meditation room behind him.]
I was hoping to attempt the spell a few more times. Is there any in particular that you'd like to develop as well?
[After all, they're not here just for his own learning.]