//------------------------------// // Memories Spun into Form - 1 // Story: Book, Blade, and A Whole Lot of Magic // by Frustaz //------------------------------// Time: My second Spring. - 4 Years before Imprisonment. With my lasting injuries from Nyx's stint with my body, notably the 3 fractured ribs, I had taken to properly studying the grimoire, in the attempt to learn it's structure as a whole. I had organized it, learned what spells I had access to, and really only had used the ones the World System would allow me to unpracticed. I knew I had to learn more about how my magic worked, or else I wouldn't be able to truly call myself a mage at this point. I had laid up outside, laying on a makeshift pillow with Butter Cream quietly observing, as she always did. It's nice having her here more. So It's been 2 weeks. That little pony you call Cream Puff... What are you gonna do with her, hm? She's moved in, she's affectionate and caring.. maybe you and I can get a bit of- No, I really would rather not, despite my wide preferences You're already a freak to me, so It's not like it would matt- Will you quit your shit for 5 minutes? I'm trying to study. I could always just take you over when you're sleeping, seduce and fuck her on my time.. Oh my god, stop Nyx. Nyx was abrasive, and that was putting it lightly. Thankfully, whenever she did use my body at night, It didn't exhaust us, as long as she ate during her 'turn'. She was very intent on experiencing the world from the point of a mortal, focusing on her own gratification first, and my consequences second. I pushed her away mentally so I could focus. I had a notebook that I had made from a few sheaths of leather, a bit of thread, and a few layers of papyrus scrolls that I flattened out, that was already half full of notes from my deep analysis. A circular frame encapsulates each spell, creating a 'lens' to channel the spell through. The lens is then inscribed with a combination of runes and art, implying intent and providing a targeting focus. when the mana is properly attuned, the spell is reproduced. I opened the grimoire to a bookmarked spell, and grimaced. My efforts on this spell, Earth Heal, have been either been miniscule, or explosive, which has resulted in bruises I'm still nursing. I stood up, and began summoning up my mana, using the grimoire as my focus. Fill the ring, make the lens, inscribe and attune.. I mentally chanted, summoning the elemental ring before me. So what if she was in the mood? the yearly heat is around the corner~ The forming sigil exploded in my face again, however, I had braced this time, knowing this would happen. Nyx. Fuck off. I felt the shrug, and her presence retreated from the forefront of my mental acuity. “Hey, Illua…” I looked up at my yellow observer, my face speckled with fading mana. "Yes, Butter Cream?" “I’m not sure exactly how your magic works… but can I suggest something?” Butter Cream fluttered down next to me, pointing to the grimoire's sigil. “Can you draw your own markings? From the few times you actually read it aloud, which you’re getting better at by the way, it seems symbolism can change your spells…” I blinked a few times. Why didn’t I think of that? I pulled out a piece of charcoal, and papyrus from my bag next to the tree, and looked at it. I want to cast a spell that would promote plant growth, and heal those who eat those plants… Using that as my guide, I began sketching out a simple circle, and filled it with a tilled farmland in the background, with a single flower as the focal point. Runes are the primary language of my magic, so if I… On each of the petals I inscribed a rune with my charcoal. Inguz for fertility, Nauthiz for need. Jera for the Earth, Laguz for Renewal…. Hrm.. I stalled, my train of thought leaving me as I stared at the last blank petal. Gebo for Gift. You're trying to help them, in the express intent of good will. In essence, giving a gift. Happy I'm 'helpful'? I gave her a mental appraisal, and inscribed the suggested rune. A sense of accomplishment filled me as I gazed upon my newly scrawled sigil. "Looks good, Lulu. I like how you did the flower." Bracing myself once more, I closed my eyes, focusing on the new image in my mind and began channeling my magical energy. Fill the ring, make the lens. Inscribe intent, attune the mana... The first sign of my success was the soft gasp of my feathered friend. I barely peeked from behind my own eyelids, and saw my field now glowed with the same faint light as my spell, motes of energy hovering just above the edge of the grass. I gazed in wonder as my spell caused flowers to begin growing where there had been none. Bright blue cornflowers, delicate yellow primroses, faint white clover and other wild flowers dotted my little clearing. I smiled, lifting up Butter Cream in an excited hug, eliciting a squeak from surprise. A short distance away, in the center of my little clearing, was a single purple orchid.