[IC] Tributary Continuations

[bitterblossoms]

[♥]

Comments

[bitterblossoms]

. . .



Wizards must hate you.

[dendarii]

Well, it means that learning from wizard books is very painful, also, so that cuts both ways.

[ SHRUGS ]

Anyway, ah - I’m pretty sure most of it’s external, yes. And if you don’t think it would hurt you, I’m amenable to borrowing your pool of magic to see if that works.

[bitterblossoms]

. . .

You know my name, so . . . you should be able to.

Practice just a little on the current spell?

[dendarii]

All right. Let’s see…

[ He dismisses the current spell - it gets chilly again - and then he murmurs and casts again, this time mentally reaching for Azalea to draw on his magic. Old miles had done this smoothly, nearly seamlessly; current Miles is a lot more obvious in actively wheedling the world to bend to his whim. This fairy is SOOOO hot and so amazing and they already have such a close bond and wouldn’t it be just perfect if Miles could share magic too? Romansu. Saving Miles from burning his own life up.

And then he asks for the specifics: warmth, bigger radius, longer duration. ]

[bitterblossoms]

[yeah that's a great idea great idea great idea Miles]

[unfortunately it's maybe, like. too effective? in that there's a collective overflow of magic that blossoms out and fully melts all the snow in, like, a thirty foot radius. you're abruptly overheating in your winter clothes.]

[all the while, there seems to suddenly be a new feeling in your chest. a sense of you-but-not-you. the strange-wonder of your name-out-of-time, now tied tightly to someone else's]

1/2

[dendarii]

[ oh




Shit. ]

[dendarii]

[ murmurs, trying to dial it back, like okay yes this was very cool but he didn’t ask for an oven even if he does suddenly crave that connection more than anything else in the world -]

[bitterblossoms]

[ohhhhh shit]

. . .

[totally breathless]

Well, that.

Was—e-effective . . .

[dendarii]

Yes. Yes that. Absolutely works. I need to - to ask for a little less. I think.

[ which is baffling to him, personally, who cannot go any lower than an eleven,

Swallows a bit. Carefully. CAREFULLY draws the spell back until it’s just like. A solid room temperature in a twenty foot radius instead of summer. ]

Well I’m glad we tried the warmth spell first.

[bitterblossoms]

How . . . do you feel? It didn't hurt you?

[Miles probably feels—tingly? like his magic channels are used to managing slow pulls of magic and instead a flood of something full and bubbly and effervescent just surged through him]

[it feels like if he pushed too hard it could hurt. but right now it just feels like the best kind of adrenaline rush]

[dendarii]

Hurt me? God no, it’s like -

[ miles flushes pink, sucks in an exhilarated breath. ]

Like I’ve just ridden a new horse for the first time, and it’s decided to bolt down the side of the mountain path instead of taking it at the slow trot I’d intended. The very best sort of adrenaline is the kind where you have a very real risk of breaking your neck during the thrill.

[bitterblossoms]

. . .

[also breathing a little fast, clinging to him]

. . . okay . . . okay . . . [swallows hard]

We—. . . you have to promise . . . you won't—gods, Miles. You can't—I'll be devastated if you let yourself get hurt because of me. You understand?

[dendarii]

[ Getting Miles to promise not to plunge headfirst into problems and hurt himself is always a tall ask,

He really, REALLY considers whether he can promise that or not. Then nods, slowly. ]

I’ll do my best. And take all countermeasures I can. I - er - a flat promise is … I mean, I’ve already remembered a potential future where I punched a hole in the bottom of my mana reserves, so …

[bitterblossoms]

. . .

[flies up and around so he can hover in front of Miles's face, looking at him with a sort of. uncomfortably sharp light in his eyes. he seems calm enough, though.]

Do as you will.

But you'll be taking me down with you, now.

[dendarii]

[ unfair, underhanded, and unfortunately the only way to get Miles to listen.

He nods, once, sharp. Then laughs a little. ]

Ah, you know me too well already. Very well.

[bitterblossoms]

. . . is it too well?

I don't want your resentment.

[dendarii]

[ a faint snort and a headshake. if anything, he looks more pleased. Giddy, even. ]

Not many people are capable of outplaying me.

[bitterblossoms]

[swallows. m-mixed feelings. ohhh.]

I—I didn't know what would happen—

[dendarii]

No, but flexibility and cleverness in the face of - hm - force of personality - is a charming thing.

[bitterblossoms]

. . .

[slowly relaxes, and looks—greatly reassured, and a little. moved? lashes heavy, lips curling.]

. . . good, then.

I'll—hold my own.

[dendarii]

[ good. both good. Miles can't help an absent, delighted look himself. ]

Please do. I'm told that my gravity well is overwhelming.

[bitterblossoms]

. . . you know, I'd agree with that, but . . .

Wouldn't you—say that mine is, too?

[dendarii]

[ considers that quite honestly. this might be the first time he's ever had to consider that, given how ridiculous his own force of personality is. ]

It's quite strong. Yes. You've certainly created quite an impact already.

[bitterblossoms]

I'm in relationships with Bel Thorne and Ambrose now. Officially.

[dendarii]

[ utterly delighted ]

I am so glad. We need to have a ridiculous foursome ASAP.