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[He recognizes that Kyle seldom brings up his personal life. He recognizes that sort of hurt, too, wanting someone and getting a taste of what it's like by their side but knowing you'll never really get to call them mine. He went through it with Rhy last year.
And he got through it. But right now, it's hard to see across to the other side of this lonely ocean.]
And he got through it. But right now, it's hard to see across to the other side of this lonely ocean.]
Sorry.
Wow, love fucking sucks.
[The timing is both awful and working in his favor. He agrees with Istredd that telling anyone risks too much panic, but he can at least add a layer of protection to the two people he'd prefer to.
He had been working on repurposing one of his own shields to give to Wilhelm for the sake of congrats-you're-alive-another-year but he had hoped to change a bit more of the spell work.
He finds Wilhelm, sliding into step with him, handing him a carved wooden brooch, done in Mat's hand.] Give me back the turtle and I can eventually change the enchantment on it. But given that you've survived another year, you get a better one. This one doesn't require touch activation, just voice. Same word as the last.
[There's a couple other details. Considering Wilhelm's previous shield only provided a moment of startled defense, this makes a much bigger change:
(moderate) personal lightning shield:
1/day surrounds the user in a bubble with a burst of electric energy (allowing space for three extra people in the immediate space to be safely within), duration 30 seconds, must be affixed to an object; to activate, speak the incant for protect. Electric shock feedback pulses out in a 10ft-radius and stuns for 30 seconds. Shield can move with user (but risk increased with multiple people involved).]
He had been working on repurposing one of his own shields to give to Wilhelm for the sake of congrats-you're-alive-another-year but he had hoped to change a bit more of the spell work.
He finds Wilhelm, sliding into step with him, handing him a carved wooden brooch, done in Mat's hand.] Give me back the turtle and I can eventually change the enchantment on it. But given that you've survived another year, you get a better one. This one doesn't require touch activation, just voice. Same word as the last.
[There's a couple other details. Considering Wilhelm's previous shield only provided a moment of startled defense, this makes a much bigger change:
(moderate) personal lightning shield:
1/day surrounds the user in a bubble with a burst of electric energy (allowing space for three extra people in the immediate space to be safely within), duration 30 seconds, must be affixed to an object; to activate, speak the incant for protect. Electric shock feedback pulses out in a 10ft-radius and stuns for 30 seconds. Shield can move with user (but risk increased with multiple people involved).]
[Lucifer catches Wilhelm on his way back to his room after dinner. By now, he's used to the archangel suddenly appearing to thrust some practical gift into his hand. A knife, a magic charm.]
Thanks. [He studies the brooch, turning it over to trace the familiar runes, before affixing it to his tunic. It would look better on a jacket, or clasping a cloak shut, but it's summer, so...this will have to do.] Oh, yeah—
[Diving into his pocket, he fishes out the crystal turtle that Lucifer had given him last summer to mark the successful completion of his first year in this world. Successful, as in he didn't bite the dust. Whenever he's struggling, Wilhelm prompts himself, just remember what it was like two years ago. He imagines his sixteen-year-old self meeting his current self, and then the difference feels enormous.]
Here you go.
Thanks. [He studies the brooch, turning it over to trace the familiar runes, before affixing it to his tunic. It would look better on a jacket, or clasping a cloak shut, but it's summer, so...this will have to do.] Oh, yeah—
[Diving into his pocket, he fishes out the crystal turtle that Lucifer had given him last summer to mark the successful completion of his first year in this world. Successful, as in he didn't bite the dust. Whenever he's struggling, Wilhelm prompts himself, just remember what it was like two years ago. He imagines his sixteen-year-old self meeting his current self, and then the difference feels enormous.]
Here you go.
[He salutes Wilhelm with the turtle as he's turning and walking off again, a bit grateful that Wilhelm did give it over because it's about to be the only shield Lucifer has to his name. He doesn't appear to be hanging around to chat, on his way just as soon as he showed up.
Now he just needs to find Kell.]
Now he just needs to find Kell.]
[Sending a lazy wave down the hall after him, he continues on his way.
Later that night, when he's startled from sleep by a guard beating his fist on the door, and the castle has erupted into chaos, he will wonder if Lucifer somehow knew what was coming.]
Later that night, when he's startled from sleep by a guard beating his fist on the door, and the castle has erupted into chaos, he will wonder if Lucifer somehow knew what was coming.]
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