Role-Play Mania v2.0

[Skye Prower 386]

Anna shyly gave her order. Skye frantically flicked through the menu.

"Uh... gah, I'll just have a steak then!"

Melody turn to Hope. "Just say when you're ready."

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

"I'm ready when you are."

[Skye Prower 386]

"Well we better wait until..." Melody stopped talking as their drinks were served. "Right on cue," she muttered. "We should have plenty of time now until out food is ready going by the crowd here." Melody reached out to take ahold of one of Hope's hands.

"Last chance to back out," Melody said. Anna watched with ruptured interest.

"Uh, are you doing what I think you're doing?" asked Skye.

"I'm gonna do it properly this time," retorted Melody.

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

"What's the worst that could happen? And don't answer that question." said Hope.

[Skye Prower 386]

"You really don't want to know the answer," said Skye, sipping his drink.

"Okay, I'm gonna cast a spell now, through you. It might feel a bit strange, but don't try to fight it, okay?"

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

Hope gulped. "Ok," she replied, a tad nervous.

[Skye Prower 386]

Melody smiled reassuringly and turned Hope's palm to face upward. She shut her eyes and concentrated for a second, then three small lights shimmered into existence, orbiting each other above Hope's hand. Melody drew her own hand back.

"What do you think? If you move your hand, they'll follow it."

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

Hope smiled. "Wow that's really cool," she said, slowing moving her hand as the lights followed it.

[Skye Prower 386]

Anna watched the lights. She gave them an inquisitive poke, but her finger passed straight through.

"That's just the start. It's the most basic spell there is."

"I have to say I'm impressed Melody. You used to have difficultly casting that even WITH the words and gestures," said Skye. Melody looked a little flustered.

"I know. I... I think my magic got boosted somehow after being in your head." Melody turned back to Hope. "Now, the fist thing you need to learn is to dismiss the spell. I know it'll be tempting to try and move the lights, summon more, make them change colour or the like. But you need to make sure you can switch the spell off first." Melody took a deep breath.

"So, try and just will them to disappear. Will alone might not be enough, you may need to conjure up a thought or an image that means ending or finishing as well. You're techy minded, so maybe the idea off flicking an off switch, or pushing an off button."

"In my case, it's focusing on the idea of blowing out a candle," said Skye.

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

Hope focused and the lights began to fade before disappearing entirely.

[Skye Prower 386]

Melody clapped her hands together.

"That's it. You've got it. Now, when the lights were active, were you able to sense or feel the energy from them?" Melody asked.

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

"Yeah I could. It was a new sensation."

[Skye Prower 386]

Melody grinned, while Skye smiled encouragingly.

"I know. You really can't describe it. Though don't get your hopes too high yet, it doesn't mean you can cast magic I'm afraid. Okay, lets move onto the next round then," she said. Melody held out her hand, and the same three lights appeared above it.

"Now, see if you can dismiss the spell when its under my control. Focus on that feeling, these lights, and how you managed to dismiss your own light. It may take a minute or two. In fact, you might not be able to do it at all."

"If you find it easy, that doesn't mean you'll be casting spells with ease, or necessarily at all," pointed out Skye. "And if you can't do it, that doesn't mean that you cannot cast magic. Though the latter probably means you only have a limited magical potential. Though it's not a given"

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

Hope focused herself for a good minute before the lights faded. "That was tougher. And I know Skye. Given I had no expectations of casting magic, anything is a bonus."

[Skye Prower 386]

"Considering you've never dealt with magic before, you're doing well!" said Skye.

"I should warn you Hope though, I wasn't trying to resist you at all. Trying to do that to an actual mage probably wouldn't work. But for dismissing magic on it's own, you've got the knack." Melody took a quick drink.

"So, do you want to practice that some more? Or move onto the big question? Can you actually cast yourself?"

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

"Thanks Skye. And it's probably best to practice more first. I don't want to run before I can walk."

[Skye Prower 386]

Melody looked a little disappointed, but nodded in agreement.

"Okay, ready to try again?" she asked, making the lights appear again.

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

"Sure." Once again Hope concentrated and after a short while extinguished the lights. "Ok, I think I've got the hang of it. Time to sink or swim."

[Skye Prower 386]

"Okay then!" said Melody with a massive grin. "Skye?" she asked. Skye nodded his understanding and pulled out his journal and a pen. Melody took ahold of Hope's hand again, and began setting it into a particular pose.

"Now, keep your hand in this gesture when you try to cast. No waving your hands around for this spell. And don't worry if it doesn't work even several times. The only reason I didn't give up when I tried was because I knew for certain I had magic."

"I think the whole castle knew," muttered Skye as he wrote something down.

"I'm surprised you remember, you were only... what? Three at the time?"

"My earliest memories. It was rather traumatic," said Skye with a cheeky grin. He handed a slip of paper to Hope with some seemingly nonsensical words written on it.

"I've written these phonetically. Say them rhythmically, with an emphasis where the capitals are. If it works, you'll cast the same light spell that Melody has been. Good luck Hope."

"I'm sure you'll do it," said Melody.

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

Hope kept her hand in the position. She read over the paper and took in the words, before starting to recite them.

[Skye Prower 386]

Skye nodded with Hope's recital. "That sounds correct."

"Try to keep that sensation of magic you had in your mind. And focus your will on what you want to achieve," advised Melody.

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

Hope kept her focus and eventually created the lights in her hand, albeit faintly. A small smile formed on her face.

[Skye Prower 386]

"Wow," breathed Melody. "That... that was a lot faster than I managed it."

Anna leaned over and gave Hope a hug.

"Well done!" she exclaimed, then backed off looking a little embarrassed.

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

"Thanks guys. I'm amazed myself I did it this quick."

[Skye Prower 386]

"You must have had a good teacher then!" said Skye, patting Melody on the shoulder. "Seriously though, it is impressive how quickly you've picked this up."

"Once you've got the full hang of the spell, you can try making the lights different colours, control where they fly, all sorts of stuff. And maybe even try casting it without the words!" said Melody, feeling excited about the new world that had opened up for her friend.