A Single Spark [open]

[upupatomway]

Who: Atom & you
What: Baby's first spell attempt. Please give him advice (or kick back with some popcorn)
Where: Outside on the beach near Flotsam
When: November 9, after lunch
Warnings: None


Atom balances a spellbook for beginners on one of the numerous rocks on the beach and raises his arms in front of him, facing out towards the ocean with a frown of concentration. He holds this position, squinting as he tries to do as the book instructed.

It's the simple task of summoning the ether energy to one's fingertips and then pushing it out to visually show the magic power, usually as some kind of spark or glow. His hands show no sign of any extra light, however. The book describes a sensation the magic has that makes this process easier to track for most readers, but for a robot any feelings in his body are limited by his sensors and his comprehension.

He squints harder, face scrunched and turning red. His creator had gone out of his way to make it so Atom could blush, though he probably didn't have this expression in mind. There's a sound, like a squeak, that might imply a spark, only for it to get lower and clearly recognizable as the robot straining.

Comments

[redprayer]

"Truly. Most sorcerers go their entire careers without needing them." It's really only the most ambitious- or power hungry- ones that do, the ones who make a habit of calling upon the most powerful mazoku and spirits for their work.

Now there's a question that harkens back to the distant past! There's a bittersweet edge to Rezo's smile as he blows the metaphorical dust off some memories. "A healing spell," Rezo says. "{Recovery.} It's the most basic one there is."

[upupatomway]

Atom nods. It's not surprising considering where Rezo ended up. "It sounds like you knew you'd heal people from early on then."

Perhaps Rezo was one of the many with the admirable aspiration to heal others from a young age? So many fascinating and helpful forms of magic to choose from!

[redprayer]

"Yes. I was apprenticed at a shrine when I was about-" Rezo nearly says your age but remembers the robot thing. "-When I was ten years old." It's an old, old story, and there's not a person left alive who knew Rezo back then.

"Are you planning on trying different spells?"

[upupatomway]

By Atom's country's standards ten would be young for most kids to decide what to do with their life. But there were a few exceptions, mostly in traditional arts, that started at that age. Still, the pressure of becoming a healer might be tough for someone so young. Though maybe Atom was projecting some of his own experiences from his earlier years trying to help people and represent robotkind.

"I've only tried the one so far, but talking to you made me realize I should probably try some other beginner spells. Maybe one type of spell or magic is more naturally suited to me than another. And right now my goal is simply to confirm if I can do any kind at all, rather than choose what to pursue long term."

[redprayer]

"I think that's a wise approach," Rezo agrees. "There are many different approaches to magic-" Especially since it turns out there are many different worlds beyond the Staff. "-So you needn't limit yourself."

[upupatomway]

"I better keep reading then!" Atom says, nodding his head. "Thank you so much for your insight, Mr. Rezo! Would it be alright if I asked you for advice in the future?"

[redprayer]

For a moment, Rezo hesitates, and even he's not sure why- it would hardly be of any trouble for a former sage to answer a few questions about magic! So he smiles benignly. "Of course. I'd be happy to be of assistance."