RO > call me out; a forever open RP post, version 2

[midvalley]

NEW OPEN RP POST

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[cultivations]

Eye of the beholder.

[ he means it to sound defiant, but it falls flat even in his own ears. For another few seconds, he tries to breathe through the pain. When it dulls to a throb, he drags his gaze to Warren. ]

Whatever it is you wish to learn about my magic, you won't be able to use it. No one here can. You're physically incapable.

Save us all the trouble and let me go.

[spellbent]

[ Warren glances up, a frown tugging slightly at the corners of his mouth. ] That’s disappointing. Are people born with a connection to this other plane and that’s what gives them the ability to use magic?

[cultivations]

Yes. [ and while he wants to simply leave it at that, experience tells him he should elaborate. ]

Drawing power from that other existence is how I cast. The wizards here lack that connection. It's why our schools are so wholly different. No matter how much you learn, no matter how much you want to, you'll never be able to cast spells as I do.

[spellbent]

It figures we’d have to do this the hard way.

[ He heaves a sigh, pushing himself away from the table to stand. ] Thank you, Dorian. You’ve been very helpful, if not entirely cooperative.

[cultivations]

[ he's not so naive as to believe this is over. Not by a long shot. It's why he goes rigid, eyes narrow with undisguised wariness. ]

What do you mean, "the hard way"?

[spellbent]

I told you, didn’t I? I either figure out how to use your magic or I figure out a way to make you use it for me.

The former would have been much easier.

[cultivations]

And the latter is impossible, if you honestly think I'd willingly work for you.

[spellbent]

How stupid do you think I am? I’m not talking about willingly.

[cultivations]

[ He'd been rather afraid of that. ]

Don't.

[ it's the first thing out of his mouth, and he wants so very badly to panic, but he keeps it at bay by sheer force of will alone. ]

Whatever you're thinking of doing, don't.

[spellbent]

You're not really in any position to tell me what to do.

[cultivations]

Neither are you in a position to experiment with magic you don't understand.

"Oh, what's this? A new trick? Let's simply control the performer and hope he doesn't completely go mad."

[spellbent]

[ He shrugs ] Either it'll work or it won't, but one way or another you'll be out of Jacob Randall's hands and that alone is enough for me.

[cultivations]

You've already taken care of that. I'm here, aren't I? Bully for you. You've already won.

[spellbent]

It's a waste to just leave you here to rot.

[cultivations]

Think about what you're suggesting. Do you really think using me like a puppet is going to accomplish anything?

I can conjure a bit of flame and ice. [ well, truthfully, he can do far more that that. ] What do you expect to do with that?

[spellbent]

Argue all you like, it's not going to change my mind.

[cultivations]

I'm telling you, I'm of no use to you. Why bother? My skillset is no different than that of an Elementalist -- worse, in fact, considering I need to draw from a pool of energy that can be quickly sapped.

[spellbent]

Perhaps, but I get the feeling there’s more you’re not telling me. And perhaps I just want to see the looks on their faces when they realize they’ve lost you to me.

[cultivations]

[ He remembers, of course, the way his own heart had broken when he realized he'd lost Charlie -- the way the Venatori had danced on the pieces when he found him again, warped and twisted and hateful.

His breathing starts to pick up, shallow and quick. His mind races for a solution, a way out, anything.

He draws a blank. ]

It won't work, whatever you have planned. [ Bluffing it is, then, hiding his panic with anger. ] Save the both of us the trouble.

[spellbent]

Now you’re just panicking. That’s not even a good excuse not to try.

[cultivations]

If you come near me, I'll kill you.

[ how's that for panic ]

[spellbent]

[ Normally that little show of defiance would be impressive, but it gets on Warren’s nerves almost instantly. His expression instantly goes cold, angry, and he steps up to the bars. ]

With what?

[cultivations]

You act as though I need magic to be dangerous, my dear man. Do you really wish to test that idea?

[spellbent]

You really don’t want to test my patience right now.

[cultivations]

what does it matter? If you have your way, if your magic takes, I won't have another opportunity, will I?