Beyond Blind Eyes

by Lunaric

And a Quart of Ink

"Is it just me or is she really, really nervous?" Aqua whispered to Cotton.

"It's not just you." Looking up from the collection of papers known as a 'study guide,' Cotton saw Raven struggling to understand something in one of her own courses. I may not know much of her, but she certainly is a hard worker. Glancing back down at the papers, she thought of the subjects Aqua was given. Surprising how little history she knows... Not that she's talked about her history much... Maybe she simply doesn't remember? Cotton hummed. I want to ask, but it's a sore subject...

The two of them were working on memorising historic events for the better part of an hour. Aqua had obviously lost interest and was fiddling with what looked to be a pebble. Cotton shook her head. I told her not to pick those up... Not to say that Cotton hadn't gotten bored either; she was bored. Very bored. Though a dual front of laziness had won over and both had started doing idle things to pass the time. Cotton wanted to leave, but she was here to watch Aqua, so she was going to stay until Aqua wanted to leave. Merely waiting for Aqua to bring it up. Cotton thought they had finished the lesson for today. Raven mainly gave them references for textbooks and where to look in them but also had given a small packet she had prepared. She told the both of them to ask her any questions that came up and then began working on her own homework. She had mentioned for which subject, but Cotton wasn't listening at the time.

A muttering from across the table brought the sight of a twitching Raven. "Miss inkwell, are you alright?"

The pony twitched and looked up. "Hm? Oh, yes. I'm trying to figure out minute details between the conflicting theories about how magic began in ponies of all tribes and how each has resulted in varying skill levels between individuals." Raven focused back on her work.

Oh. Okay... I understood that. Yeah... Nodding twice with an awkward smile, Cotton leaned down to Aqua and whispered, "Do you want to keep studying or do something else?"

"Something else, please. This is so boring. Never did enjoy history class. I think I'd even rather do chores than this."

Suppressing a chuckle, Cotton turned back to pony across the table. "Raven, is there anything else we need to cover today?"

"Hm? Oh..." Raven looked up and to the left. "Oh! We need to go over a basic spell. The first spell most unicorns learn is the light spell. The light spell is more akin to an easy application of will, like telekinesis, than a spell. There are obviously variations of it that more resemble spells like Spotlight, for example." Pausing to take a deep breath, she continued, "You know how to use telekinesis, right..?"

An eyebrow raised. Hasn't she... seen Aqua lift things before? Cotton looked down at Aqua. Her little horn glowed and four pebbles began to orbit around her as a response.

"Ah..." Sheepishly lowering her head, Raven continued, "Right, sorry. The light spell begins with roughly the same process. Intent. You then funnel your mana towards your horn and let it do most of the work. However, with spells more advanced than telekinesis, which is entirely a force-of-will-based spell, you will need to learn how to directly control your mana as it goes through your horn. For most ponies, this takes a while to learn to even start doing, as well as it is where the study of spells actually helps you cast said spells."

Aqua tilted her head to the right before responding. "Huh. Okay, kinda neato. I imagine that's the most annoying part as this comes fairly easily." The filly gestured towards one of the floating grey pebbles around her.

"I suppose..." Raven looked like she wanted to say something, but didn't open her mouth.

Don't know if that's just nervousness, anymore...

Raven continued failing to teach the light spell to Aqua for the next half hour.

Author's Note:

Sorry for the massive delay... Okay, looking back at previous mini-hiatuses, It hasn't really been that long. Still, I feel bad about it.

I've been going from a mostly-uneventful time doing little new day-to-day to applying for a college, starting classes, as well as organizing and renting out a house with friends in an entirely different state. Still ain't done with that whole thing yet sadly. While the chaos hasn't stopped me before, I've just been lazy this time. Sorry, everyone.

I do know with absolute certainty that I personally enjoy writing more 'spur of the moment' conversations between the characters. Comes easier than doing a structure for a chapter. I know what I need to write, but the immediate fine details take longer to make while planning than if they simply flow out.

Anyway, here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Comments

[GlitchyFox]

ah yes teach the blind to make light. Usefull to them indeed

[Vaguely Demented]

That would be one hell of a weird spell to try to tune. Most people would have a hard time saying if something was too bright or too dim in enough detail to actually figure out how it needs to be adjusted.

[Lunaric]

11285101
Yup. I was chuckling as I wrote it.

[Lunaric]

11285141
Thanks! Fixed the typos.

[Lunaric]

11285211
Yup. It's the kind of thing that you literally need to see to tune it.

Sorry, Aqua.

[GlitchyFox]

11285215
i mean i guess she could use it in self defence to blind her enemys without worry about blinding herself

[Lunaric]

11285220
That's a good idea. I like that idea.

[Fireeaters]

Nice chapter, though I'm used to reading ones that are more than one scene each, what you have is still pretty good quality.

[Lunaric]

11285912

Glad to hear you're enjoying it so far. I honestly wished I could write more than one scene per chapter, or at least longer scenes. But, as an amateur writer, I feel that it's a decent start at least. It's also a fairly experimental story on top of my lack of experience. I intend for a new chapter to come out within a week, but time shall tell.