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Post by Shadestride Scythe on Dec 12, 2012 16:55:00 GMT -5
To quell a lack of knowledge for the better understanding. A nasty bit of words this book held for a mind trying to grasp it. Shade admired and respected magic, and did his best to understand it, but naturally, to anypony really... it could leave him adrift. Best he had a full stomach while doing it, and content Shoel did manage to pry him away from the library to grab a bite to eat.
"By the nigh.", Shade grumbled, reading one page, and flipping one back, the combination of magic, and math was staggering to produce a perfect sphere. The angle at which his horn had to stand was essential for begginers, and lax for experts, the amount of heart and soul he would need to pour into learning it was dreadfully overbearing but he would not rest until it was his. This knowledge... he needed it, and he would expend himself to grasp the concept forthwith.
A page forward, and two back he had not even gotten into double digits, trapped on pages eight and nine, reading the detailed and intricate porportions required by magical law to produce a fraction of the spell alone. He was becoming more and more frustrated, as he'd never casted a forcefield before... mostly novice spell and if anything combat worthy... a magical blast suited him just fine in past days... but with his worsening situation and new employment he figured he would require some things with a little more kick.
In all hopes he had the time to do so of course~
He scratched his forehead with a hoof, having seperated himself in a large study which at the time he'd found empty. It was cozy enough to keep his mind solely on the book itself. Darn that Starswirl, he knew how to write but he never dreamed it would become this complex... the result may have been worth it.
And with proper grasp and alteration~... maybe a few things he could do with an area of effect spell such as this in his own free time. Shade rejoiced inside, but went right on back to the difficult nature of spellcasting.
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Post by Stygg Whitefeather on Dec 18, 2012 22:50:56 GMT -5
A harsh rap came upon the door to Shade’s little chamber in the palace, one knock, then two and before any reply Shade could utter to the one beyond the door, it swung open and standing there was the Secretary griffon from before. He slipped in, slamming the door behind him with his tail. He was hiding something under his wing, indicated by leather straps buckled over his chest and around his left wing, he kept that wing tucked close – keeping whatever was hidden there as obscured as his wing could keep it.
”How goes the studying pony, Loci wonders?” Loci asked as she slinked over towards the unicorn like a snake slithering towards a mouse. ”You should know how important you are for us. So very, very important. How does that feel, knowing that the very foundation of our kingdom rests squarely on your back. Pressure must be excruciating.” Loci brushed up against Shade, looking down at his book. Rudely he flips through several pages, then slowly glances up to the pony – stepping back out of Shade’s personal space. ”Oh complicated words and glyphs, Loci doesn’t think one such as you could possibly learn all these formulas to memory. You’re doomed to failure, Loci should tell the King – spare him the humiliation when your pony magics fail. How should Loci word it?” He circled around the table, tracing a path in its wooden surface with a talon. Loci was toying with him, teasing and testing – he wanted the pony to snap, break concentration, anything to distract him from his studying. For what end was anypony’s guess, if even himself knew in the first place.
Loci ran his talons along other books and objects on the table, softly streaking over their different surfaces. ”Loci regrets you were so hesitant to take him up on his gracious offer. You may have just stabbed a dagger straight into my heart for all it was worth.” Speaking in a pseudo-mocking sadness. ”You still have a chance though, offer stands. Forget all this magic shielding nonsense and come work for me. The fat-one cannot fathom what your true potential is – but Loci can. Royal Rocks is doomed, forget this place and that little fledge Shoal – they are just lousy moltings of history, discarded and forgotten. You, Shadestride, you and Loci, we could make some real history.” He circled around the table’s other side and closed his distance between him in the pony. ”Loci and that precious little-“ He begun to reach for Shade’s forehead, his talons clawing at the air slowly to the unicorn’s horn, inch by inch – he stops suddenly when the door bursts open.
“Loci!?” It was Shoal, coming in to check on Shade and bringing him a carafe of lemonade. “For the last time, leave Shade in peace.” He scolded, stomping in. His feathers puffed and cackles high. He sat the carafe down on a little table near the door. “How many times does it need to be said that he isn’t interested – you’re not right?” He skittishly asked of Shade.
”Oh if it isn’t the squab once more, Loci grows bored of your incessant chirps. Can’t you see that the we’re talking business here. Now flap off!” Loci hissed back, glaring daggers at Shoal. There was a moment of tense apprehension, Loci and Shoal staring each other down. Shoal gritted his beak and stood his ground.
“No. l don’t care if King Whitefeather believes what comes out of that wicked beak of yours or how much power you think that gives you over others. You will not intimidate my friend.” Shoal stepped forward, starting to shake from rising adrenaline. “I won’t ask again, get out.” He demanded, now nearly beak to beak with Loci.
”Or what?” Loci snapped Shoals beak away from his with a harsh flick of his talons, Shoal stumbled back, clasping his beak. He felt a trickle of blood leak from his nostril. He wiped it away and looked to concede defeat, glancing away and shuffling his rearpaws backward, but feinted and instead charged the Secretary griffon, using his wings to pop himself off the ground and lept for Loci. However, Loci was too quick and he struck out at Shoal, knocking him back into a shelf, before he slumped over and rolled onto the ground.
Loci chuckled, ”Dare assault an officer of the court in such a manner? Shoal, you know better. There is only one recourse for this insolence. Now, what should be the punishment? Oh… Loci knows –“ From under his wing, Loci drew the object he was attempting hide. A strange device, one neither Shoal nor Shade would have ever seen, made of carved wood and engraved steel. It was shaped like a 'J', held in talon at the bend, with what appeared to be a trigger in the elbow. Like a tiny cannon it appeared, with a hammer like mechanism at its top, before what was clearly a barrel. With one quick movement, Loci drew the device and slammed down the hammer all in one fluid movement. He took aim at the collapsed griffon, finding the perfect target on his body. In a few short breaths, Loci squeezed the trigger on strange piece of griffon technology and the hammer struck home.
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Post by Shadestride Scythe on Dec 19, 2012 18:20:38 GMT -5
Shade was right around page sixty two by then, and in a deep trance. Only when Loci came on the scene did he break his concentration, a tad startled. When he confirmed who it was, and by that meaning someone he didn't want to see bottom line at all. This bird gave him the creeps, "The studying goes fine.", he answered grumblishly, eyes still on the paper. He did his best not to eye whatever Loci kept hidden...
As the griffon rambled off to his hardly caring ears, Shade did tend to answer some of the question, "I doubt I'm gonna be savior uh your kingdom...", he rolled his eyes, shaking his head, his horn flaring to life, and returning to the page Loci so rudely rid him off, "Your real irritating aren't you?", he tilted his hat down, refraining from anything rash.
Then he accused him of failure, and Shade merely smiled, full of game, "Now why would a magicless squaker like you think you could judge anything magical like me?", he scooped the book back into him, tighter, and began to read more, "You know where I'm from we tend ta say what we want, en not take forever doin it... Buzz off, vulture.", Shade was mighty displeased, seeking only one thing and that was to finish the gosh darn book, and by Celestia's beard this winged rat was making that significantly harder to do, pulling his horn away, "I want nothing to do with you, an for starters it's because you're really startin to get under my skin.", a magical push, and he revoked Loci's claws the second Shoel burst in.
Then things began to take a turn for the worst. And by then Shade wished Loci just got to ramble more. The confrontation got his attention, "Thats enough!", he demanded it to stop, but it got very out of hand, he looked down to the book, then to the bigger Griffon who now threatened his friend.... he would not let this be, "Loci!", he blared, as if hoping it would stop the griffon. But it seemed training would have to come earlier than he'd hoped.
He kicked the table over as he rose onto his hind legs, displaying them as he summoned up the power in his horn, concentrating hard in a short amount of time. The last thing he wanted was Shoel to be hurt! And that thing looked fatal among all else. No magical blast, or anything light would stop whatever that thing created. With all the hope in his heart he generated the formula, charging it through his horn, "Back off bird!", and with a sloppy method of the technique itself, a shield appeared, not solid, or even circular for that matter, between Shoel and whatever Loci had shot at him.
A shifty, stationary, unmastered wall of near solid magic, arcs backwards toward Shoel, and hopefully blocking the weapon at all cost!
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(Haven't a clue if this was what you wanted xD but It's a praying attempt. First times a charm.)
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Post by Stygg Whitefeather on Dec 19, 2012 19:33:48 GMT -5
A flash and crack like lightning and a thunderclap rattled the room, assaulting all who were present’s eyes and ears with a shattering racket – booming like the voice of Luna, it struck with a slap to the senses. Followed was a puff of smoke erupting from the barrel of the small talon cannon, filling the room with the bitter scent of burnt sulphur and ash, as the tiny ball of lead shot out – thankfully striking Shade’s shield, causing the wall of light to flicker and pulse. The metal sphere was flattened to a coin and slipped off the magical barrier, hitting the wooden floor with a metallic twang. Loci lowered his weapon, fixated at the fumbling shield while a devilish smile crept up the sides of his beak. This was exactly what he hoped to see.
”So you can make a shield after all – even under duress.” Loci reiterated as he spun the pistol with a talon and slipped back into its holster. He adjusted his wings and waved the settling smoke away from his beak. ”Good, good. Loci is pleased. But it’s going to need to be bigger – stronger to hinder the Dreadnaught. Cannon shot will fall like hail with a burning rain of fire and arrows to accompany its wicked cord. You’re going to need to stop a lot more than simple pistol shot.” He breathed in deep, taking in the strong scent that hung heavy in the air. ”It smells of apocalypse… You have 36 hours, pony; tick-tock, tick-tock.”
Loci moved to leave, skirting around the overturned table and the shield that was still encasing Shoal, who was huddled in ball on the floor and still as death. ”Oh get up, you pathetic hay-lover.” Loci hissed as passed the other griffon and made for the door, opening and slamming it shut behind him as he left.
Shoal stayed earthly still till Loci had departed; he swore when he heard the blast that was it for him. Whatever it was, it would do him in and his body would be left upon the high rocks for the carrion to strip – alone and forgotten. No pain, no radiant light to offer him a swan song of pleasant passing. He snapped his eyes open to see the flickering shield still around him and Shade standing there. He shifted, moving to get up – his wings were sore and his shoulder felt like it may be dislocated but by the sky, he was still alive. Then he spied the flattened bullet laying just out of reaching distance and gulped hard. He had never seen nor heard of such a device like that which Loci had fired at him, but he knew almost immediately what it essentially was and he was grateful to be still breathing. He took him a second to collect himself, still laying on the floor. “Thank you…” He took some deep, calming breaths. “He was willing to kill me… to, to test you… oh gosh. I feel a little ill.” He slumped his back against the disheveled bookcase behind him. Rest of his body still splayed on the cold, duty floor, his tail softly sweeping against it of its own accord. “I owe you my life.” The gravity of that statement weighing in on him, “I owe you everything…”
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Post by Shadestride Scythe on Dec 19, 2012 19:50:52 GMT -5
His ears went down, and Shade grit his teeth with the pain that insued on his drums, "Yow!", he hissed at the noise, but kept it to a minimum, when he opened his eyes, he could see... that Shoel was safe as could be! Well maybe not that much but at least he was still breathing. He was just a little bit too shocked that the spell worked in order to snap upon Loci... but even if he did it wouldn't get him very far. Impressed at the effect of the shot itself, he picked up the small lead bullet, and stared.
Shade's heart dropped... so thats why he needed to learn the spell huh? To create something to protect a city, they wanted HIM to protect the city? From a Dreadnought? Was that some kind of weapon? And he needed to take on cannons? He understood a volley of gunshots, but to cast a shield big enough to stop a cannon, let along hundreds apparently? It was asking a bit much.
The unicorn plopped onto his rear, and sighed, levitating the book off the floor, "Right then...", his attention turned to Shoel, "Well... I think I almost gone and wet myself.", Shade admitted, and let out a strong huff.
Then the sentimentality started getting to him, and he slouched back, exhaling long and hard, "It's fine really... In... more ways than one it WAS good practice~", but it was only a tease, trying to lighten the mood, "Thirty Six hours?~....", a lump appeared in his throat. Less than two days to come up with something strong enough to protect a city? He needed a little more than his own energy to do so.
"Shoel Shoel... it's fine.", he pat the griffon with his hoof, not looking at him, staring at the door, "Really... I'm going to need time alone, though...", the equine frowned, looking mighty upset suddenly. One thing was for sure if he could cast the spell even now after many hours of reading off of the book... then casting it a second time would be much easier. Practice made perfect, but did he honestly have the capabilities?
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Post by Stygg Whitefeather on Dec 20, 2012 21:09:13 GMT -5
Shoal nodded as Shade gave him a reassurance pat - it was at least somewhat comforting. "Right, right, peace and quiet." Shoal said, "I suppose I should tell you now, since the cat is out of the bag." It was clear Shoal was at least partially ashamed at what he was about to tell Shade. He was, after all, seeing him as a friend and lying to a friend was, of course, the quickest way to lose a friend. Terrible predicament he was finding himself in. "I was... looking for a unicorn back in Trottingham. I had picked you... it was a random run in. I planned it." He sighed, "It was orders from the court - we knew about that Starswirl book all along and after the Changeling invasion of Canterlot, we realized how useful having a pony around who could do that would be. I- please don't think less of me, I thought you looked the best for the job." He ran his talon over his face and down his beak, feeling like a complete featherbutt. "The Dreadnaught is an airship built to defeat dragons; it could flatten a city with that type of power. We were scared and out options... I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
Shoal stood back up on all four, cringing as he tested his wings. Yup, his shoulder was dislocated - he'd be limping for awhile. He also dreaded the inevitable wall bashing session he'd have to do to relocate it. "Our defenses weren't designed to hold back such an onslaught, we needed whatever could give us an edge - or least to buy us enough time to evacuate. I hope you're not angry..." He couldn't look Shade in the eye, feeling like a dirty despicable deceiver. "I'll go now; I left some lemonade for you- Oh..." He looked to the toppled over carafe of lemonade, "Never mind. I'll get some more, leave it in the hall. Won't bother you anymore." He went for the door, limping along the way. He reached for the door but turned back to Shade, "Again... thank you." He said before slipping away and leaving Shade to study.
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((Admin: 36 hour ending, Shade will be able to maintain a shield around the palace grounds for a short period of time before collapse. The city will have to fend for itself.))
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Post by Shadestride Scythe on Dec 20, 2012 21:51:11 GMT -5
Shade swallowed very hard at that admittance. So this was all a set up in order to defend an entire city on some form of hope he alone could do it? This was madness. He hung his head a bit, "This is... I'm not really sure what to say about this~", in truth he would have much liked to leave, but at this point he all in all figured that would merely get his head lobbed off.
"So even the metal griffon was a means to lure me in off some random occurance?~", he cocked a brow, unknowing of that much. He shook his head, and made it rhetorical, "I can't believe this!", he levitated all the things back to how they were, and lifted the book up to him, staring hard at it, "You planned meeting me? Of all the unicorns in Trottingham you picked me?...", he was exasperated, and full of hard-leveled disbelief. In truth he was offended, and now fearful of his life, "Did you even consider the fact I couldn't encompass a city with only a few days training?", he didn't really shout, he kept it to a minimum.
"So your king, and country think I can hold the line agaisnt a battleship?!", okay that was a shout, his jaw dropped amazingly far, and he near collapsed on his front, gaining his posture, "I don't even have time to create something that would help me transfer energy in magic~!", Shade began to butt his head on the table, nice and slow... and only a little hard. Only stopping when he realized he only had thirty six hours... and ticking down.
"Well it doesn't matter now!", he groaned, staring at the open pages, finding the one he left off on. He listened to how Shoel kept talking about lemonade, and life saving, and thank yous and desperation. Shadestride wanted none of it, "Get out...", he grit his teeth, "Get out so I can concentrate!"
While he didn't like using that tone of voice with anyone... what did you expect? A lie was a lie~ And this one was just... simply wow. How would one react? Run away from it? Shade didn't have that option, so instead he was left with one simple task, and that was to hound through the book and learn it best he could from here on out. PReferably without Shoel, or Loci, or King Whitefeather. Hay! Maybe the Necromancer Lord from that last book he read would not barge in and make it all the more difficult.
He looked out the window to the only ray of sunlight, he figured it was about late afternoon. The countdown began, and he turned, his horn lighting up, warning Shoel to leave, in the form of the new magic spell... he cast a barrier between them, still sloppy and shifty, but it was solid.
"I don't have time for this.", the unicorn looked down and away, continuing to read... by keeping up this wall, and improving upon the form. He would both keep Shoel out along with anypony else, as well as learn the spell top to bottom!
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