[Beach]Practice, Practice, Practice... (Open, Mysticism Practice)

[Michael Poe]

The Sixth of Cryxatum, in the Season of Spring
Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

It was a mild spring morn, still early in the season, when Michael was walking the beach. It was relatively chilly, but he endured quietly. He wasn't too far from Stormwatch, walking along the beachfront near the large manor, and he sighed with an interesting edge of contentment. It was strange, really. Decades of life, and only now was he finally reaching a point he felt happy in. Oh sure, he'd quote interesting proverbs or nuggets of useful information here or there, and sometimes his behavior made him seem wiser than he truly was...but he knew the honest truth. He wasn't near as intelligent or wise as he let on. He'd made mistakes...a lot of them. No one among the Reverie honestly grasped the depth of just what kind of horrors he'd comitted. He knew he'd have to share it at some point, but after the connections he'd made, a part of him was terrified what would happen if they found out.

But nowbright he was focusing instead on finding serenity. He'd achieved it moreso then ever with Kyia and the Reverie. It was odd, but though he was treated like a brother, he felt almost like a father. Most of the members looked young enough to be his children--or would be were their physical development translated into that of human ordinations. It made additional sense as the Shield of Kaimelea; Protector of the Reverie. With them he was more balanced than he'd ever been...even though that meant the wild part of him lurked closer to the surface than ever before; what he could only describe as the untamed part of the night drake Endryd, his dreamform. He lurked bootless, his thick cloak flapping in the coastal breeze.

He stood there, motionless on the beach, letting his eyes close. He felt the wind and seaspray hit his face and the corners of his mouth culred upwards into a calm grin. He stood there, remembering what had happened the last time he'd spent a large amount of time on this beach...it helped calm him and helped him find his center. He hadn't had much time to practice what he'd learned a while back at the Academy of Mind and Fire, but things were calm enough that he could. Most of the construction for the Crystal Gardens were finished, but the place hadn't officially opened yet either. It was the perfect time.

Slowly, ever so slowly, he let his mind sink towards Clara. As, after about ten minutes, he arrived a fully meditative state. Completely relaxed, he let his mind drift about as he observed the world in this unique state; the dual vision of seeing arcana and sources of it--including vis and ara--around him overlayed on top of the real world like a lens. After a few minutes of just enjoying that, he drew some of the surrounding ara to him and drew out some of his own vis. As he Focused by combining it, it created an Arcalysis Reaction and his mind soared to the Psionic Plane. As he finally arrived, he reached out and drew essence into him, channeling it. Once he had taken as much as he needed, he let his mind return tot he material and began to construct the spell he wished to cast.

He delicately shaped the spell, taking his time to make sure he did it right. He carefully divined the mana, infusing into his own mind with an arcane awareness that would help in detecting extra-natural occurrences, including spells as well as sharpen his senses. As he felt the world around him sharpen, he stood there on the beach, feeling everything to an even higher degree then he otherwise would now that he could feel, hear, smell, taste and see to a greater degree. The breeze on his face and in his hair, the smell of the salty sea, the sound of the waves crashing, the boats sailing lazily in the distance, the sand upon his bare feet as he wiggled his toes...the world seemed even more amazing in that moment then it had the previous one, which was hard to top. It even gave him a sixth sense, one that could sense arcana or illusions if it was nearby, but given that he was alone and didn't own anything enchanted or imbued, that wasn't a problem.

So he stood there, his senses increased in a heightened state of Awareness, and simply enjoyed his surroundings, letting his mind drift slowly back towards a meditative state.

[Garit Sevenstars]

Garit walked into the cold spring wind, his long coat pulled tightly around him. For all the coolness of the weather, he could feel the touch of spring in the air, and smell the faint aroma of wakening life all around the island.

It has become his habit to walk to beach with some regularity. He enjoyed the wide open spaces and vast horizons, and futher had had good luck meeting interesting people on the sandy shore. Perhaps it was just good luck, or perhaps the ocean called out to those with a philosphical bent.

Looking ahead up the beach, he saw a man standing and looking out to sea. After a moment he realized that he knew this person, it was Micheal Poe head of security for Crystal Gardens. He seemed to be lost in thought, and Garit hesitated before deciding to intrude on his solitude. It would hardly do to walk past without saying serale.

He approached with an unhurried gait, feeling the sand crunch and shift under his feet. "Good morning," He said. "quite a nice morning we're having, is it not?"

[Eben Bloodhawk]

"It's an excellent brightening," Eben replied as he jogged by the two men, knowing full well that Garit's question was for Michael and not he.

The young Baijani then continued on his way, finishing his morning run at the same spot he had the last few brightenings, just at the base of a massive rock outcropping, a few feet away from where the two men were standing. However, soon enough, he swiftly returned to stand with them, wiping his damp brow with a towel he had tucked into the waistband of his trousers, which was the only article of clothing he currently had on.

"Serale, gents. Allow me to make myself a bit more presentable," he offered, stepping away from the two men only to return a moment later with a tunic in hand, as well as a waterskin. "So, what brings the two of you here so early?" he now questioned as he slide into the cotton garment. "I'm not interrupting a private meeting or anything, am I? If so, I will simply continue on my way."

At this point, Eben looked from one man to the other before he took a good, long pull on his waterskin. He had to admit, he didn't know either of them all that well, but, he certainly wanted to make every effort he could to get to know each a bit better. They would all be working together, brightening in and brightening out, and as members of the core staff of the spa it was pretty important to Eben to see that they got along. Not that they needed to be the best of friends, but that they at least had a good understanding of each other.

[Michael Poe]

~*OOC*~Terribly sorry for the wait gents, been gong half out of my mind with a lot of RL happenings. Anyway, here we go~.


So lost was Michael Poe in his meditations that he didn't even hear the barkeep approach. As Garit spoke up, the human felt shock and surprise that someone had snuck up on him so easily. This threw him off-kilter as he spun to face Garit, falling into a crouch, his eyes focusing on the person present as if for the first time--as indeed it was, at least for that brightening. His Clara had instantly been lost and he cursed silently to himself. Even with his Awareness to enhance his senses he'd still been too distracted to notice the newcomer's arrival. Fat help that magic would be in a fight. So clearly he wasn't up to snuff enough to make a difference as a mystic, but hey, he was still learning the trade.

As he recognized that it was Garit he relaxed his posture, straightening his body and letting his muscles uncoil as his drawn brow and tight lips became the more friendly and relaxed grin of the Michael Poe they were all familiar with. He hadn't reacted like that since fresh off the boat from Freeport. It seemed his more feral nature was closer to the surface than he realized, and cursed himself silently once more as he let the roguish grin curl across his lips, even as he felt his cheeks flush at the foolishness of his reaction. He didn't even get a chance to respond before he saw the the approach of the new cook, Eben.

"Serale, Garit; Eben. Indeed it is. Sorry for the suddenness of my reactions, Garit...I just...I was lost in thought, didn't hear you approach...and let's just say I'm not one to sneak up on and leave it at that," he grinned playfully, despite the seriousness of the subject matter. As Eben slipped on his tunic and spoke once more, the human offered a mild shrug. He wasn't quite ready to announce that he was a fresh spellcaster just yet...he wanted to make sure he wouldn't embarass himself with arcana first.

"No, Nothing private Eben, feel free to stick around, both of you. Simply enjoying the fresh morning sea breeze...the rising of the suns very often sees me on the shores, especially since I've been staying at Stormwatch Manor with Vyskyia." He offered a shrug, showing nonchalance. "It's not unusual for me to get lost in my thoughts these brightenings, what with all there is to think on." There was so much more than just the Crystal Gardens, but he wasn't sure how much Eben knew of the Aestiva Reverie...and the topic of thought as of late that would be a mystery to them both was Michael's own past.

"What might you gentlemen be up to?" He glanced to Eben and smirked. "Your purpose seems rather obvious, but yours," he commented as he swung to gaze at Garit, "a bit less so."

[Garit Sevenstars]

Garit was somewhat surprised by Michael's reaction, but the emotion did not reach his face. He gave two small informal bows, one to Michael and one to Eben. "I apologize for surprising you. I am not an especially stealthy person, but the winds of the beach tend to carry away what tiny noises a person makes walking through the sand. Next time I run across you meditating I shall be sure to clear my throat."

"Like you," he said to Michael, "and perhaps you as well," he said to Eben, "I have come to the beach to think. I have met interesting people each time I've come, and wanted to see if my luck would hold. In fact, I met Hay'aan this way."

"This morning I read an essay by Lord Kirnook, an obscure poet who was also a practicing mystic, and prehaps not entirely sane. In this essay he described a time in which he fed one of his servants a plate of enchanted potatos fried with butter and garnished with cheese imported from Candaceburg. The magical dish was incorporated into the mans tissues, and he was able to track its progress due to the magical aura. The man's substance was slowly replaced as time passed, until seven era had gone by and the magic was completely gone."

"I find the idea quite interesting to ponder. On the one hand, it transpires that we are a new person every seven era, with not shred of our former selves left over from childhood. On the other hand, we are but the animate manifestation of the land from which food grows and to which it returns, even though our shapes remain behind."

[Eben Bloodhawk]

"Well, that's one tasty sounding story," Eben noted with a smile. "I wonder if Lady Crow would mind if I did the same with all of the meals I served at the spa. Granted, I'd need to brush up on the magical aspect of such a dish, but I think that would certainly draw in a crowd. Right?"

The young baijani regarded the two men now, attempting to decipher if either of them had taken him seriously. Magic was certainly not Eben's strong suit. Even the basic understanding of it generally slipped right over his head. So, the mere thought of him performing any sort of spell seemed rather silly...well, to him it did.

"This really is an ideal location to get lost in ones thoughts," Eben suddenly offered, upon switching gears, as his warm, brown eyes scanned the lush, tropical landscape. "It’s so calming and inspirational. No wonder Lady Crow selected such a setting for her spa. It’s the perfect place to reflect on ones life, but, also get away from it all."

Then, after pausing for only a heartbeat, the cook found himself boldly asking, "So, gents, what is it that you're reflecting upon,” or trying to get away from, he thought more to himself, “on this very fine brightening? I know my mind is whirling with all of the sudden changes and opportunities set out before me."