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Feyrahl, SoFurry Edition

Not Without Recourse, Ch 2.5

What was supposed to be an afternoon work session for a collection of scholars to discuss the finer points of alchemy, herbalism, and the introduction of Mac's science knowledge into Feyrahl instead got derailed the moment Mac opened his mouth to state "Magic doesn't exist on my world."

After that, the entire discussion shifted dramatically as he had the opportunity to discuss that he'd never seen a spell cast until he was in Feyrahl; he'd never encountered a summoned spirit like what Rolin could bring forth; and he'd certainly never managed to channel magic or create any kind of supernatural effect himself. Rolin had quite the objection about that last comment. "There is nothing supernatural about Magic-- it is a force of nature."

The next two hours (at least) were spent in a discussion of spells. Rolin explained his affinity for Air Magic, and how the versatility of his element focused on movement and summoning. He then proceeded to show a few simple effects such as making a rolled up scroll hover in the air and making a book on the shelf from the far side of the room appear immediately in his paw. The Lynx-Bear also reiterated that his magic allowed him to utilize spirits, which were physical (and natural) manifestations of magic itself.

Asha was also able to add to the conversation by explaining her affinity for Spirit magic. Although she was not in direct line for a title, she was the child of a many-times-removed noble and, as such, the blood of nobility pumped through her veins, gifting her with the ability to use spells to help supplement her alchemy. That left Mac with yet another question. "What does nobility have to do with magic?"

Mac jumped when a newcomer spoke up from behind him; he didn't have to turn around to recognize the voice of the court Mystic. "Everything and nothing."

Lehig and Lor came into view, the strange snake head tail of theirs swaying slightly off-tempo with their steps; it was particularly eerie due to the fact that its strange eyes were focused entirely on him, the head rotating to keep facing his way. The left head spoke as he went to take a seat across the table from Mac. "While it is true that noble lines are far more likely to manifest an Affinity for magic it is not a prerequisite, and when commoners are shown to have an Affinity they could just as easily be powerful casters."

The right head, Lor, smirked. "Normally magic users who surface among the commoners are given a title fast enough though since appearances need to be maintained."

Asha scowled at the two-headed Dog's right head. "You make the Emperor's decree sound almost... clandestine."

Lehig scowled. "You will have to forgive Lor... he had already begun partaking of the fruit brandy before we received the message."

That statement caught Mac's attention. "Message?"

Rolin offered a dismissive gesture. "When you had explained you knew nothing of Magic I sent a spirit to alert the Mystic."

Mac paused, trying to parse his feelings. Should he feel betrayed? Annoyed? Put-upon? Or was he thinking about it the wrong way? "So... the Mystic interrupted his 'night-cap' to come all the way down here and--" he paused again. "Wait... would it be 'his'... or 'their'?"

In addition to figuring out the difficulty of pronouns when dealing with one body in possession of two heads, Mac suddenly found himself analyzing everything else including which set of eyes he should look at. In the end he kept alternating between both sets. Lor, the right head ultimately stated "You know... if you keep doing that you'll probably end up being dizzy, and I'M the one who's been partaking."

Lehig put it more simply. "You did not have this trouble when speaking with Lady Asha and Sir Rolin. Treat my brother and I as if you were speaking with two interlocutors-- ah... you see? You are already doing so."

Until Lehig had pointed it out, Mac hadn't realized that he was focused on the head that was speaking, and, suddenly, it all came into focus. Letting out an embarrassed chuckle, the Human sat up in his chair, setting his hands, palm down on the table. "Oh... right. That makes sense, I guess. So... the two of you are brothers then?"

The right paw of the Mystic's body up and smoothed down the simple brown fabric on Lehig's side as Lor spoke. "Close enough. It's probably the best explanation out there that doesn't require a whole backstory."

The paw on the left side of the Mystic's body reached up and slappted the left away. "As an analogy it serves for describing the heads of an Orthrus. We are our own men, though we share a body, so to call us 'brothers' is not entirely accurate, but close enough."

Mac found himself staring. Back in the throne room the Human had been so overwhelmed by the sights and sounds that he hadn't really had the chance to look closely at the Mystic. There were any number of strange traits about him/them: the clothing that was two different styles stitched together down the center, the snake body and head serving as their tail, or the fact that their mouths were shaped like a dog's but their teeth were jet black and their tongues were a dark purple-- it made watching them talk almost hypnotic... almost as much as looking them in the eye.

Lehig and Lor were staring back at him by that point: each had one had a normal-looking mahogany-colored eye and one jet-black one which had a snake-like slit pupil with yellow highlights separating the pupil from the scelera. Lehig interrupted the staring contest by speaking aside in a theatrical whisper to Lor. "Do you think all Humans are as rude as this one, or is he a special case?"

The not-so-subtle reference to Mac staring was not lost on him and so he quickly looked away, feeling a burning blush come to his cheeks. "Sorry... I... uh... don't have any Orthrus where I come from."

Lehig let out a calm huff. "No offense taken.... Lor tends to derive pleasure from making the unwary uncomfortable."

The right paw rose up and touched Lehig's nose as Lor spoke. "It's all in good fun, brother... the Human is unharmed and he even apologized. You see? Everyone benefits."

Asha cleared her throat. "Perhaps we should focus on the task at paw? Mystic, Rolin sent for you because Sir Millman had questions and you are the expert. As his mentors, it is our task to see that he that he gets answers."

Lor, as it was apparent he controlled the right paw by that point picked at a piece of wood grain on the table. "Presuming he was interested in magic, you might think that he would have selected to study with us."

Rolin frowned plainly. "He is under the assumption that he has no Affinity for magic."

Lehig glanced to the Ranger, then to Mac. "And your reasons for this presumed lack of aptitude, Apprentice?"

The title made Mac pause. "Apprentice?"

The left head nodded. "One who is a beginner at something. You have questions about magic and yet you have no experience. It is a suitable title."

Lehig smirked. "I prefer 'Initiate'."

The Human clarified. "There is no magic where I come from."

Lor smirked. "That would explain the lack of understanding..." he glanced to Lehig, "...and involving us."

The left head was not deterred. "Then you are committing a logical fallacy, Apprentice. Just because you have not experienced Magic and because your world is devoid of it you naturally presume that you are not capable of it."

Mac blinked blankly. "I figure it would stand to reason... so... yeah."

Lehig was not deterred. "Tell me something then: do any Humans on your world use Magic?"

That was an easy answer. "Not that I know of."

The Mystic's left head offered a succinct nod. "I see. And have any Humans on your world ever visited Feyrahl?"

Mac felt no reason to switch responses when his first was perfectly reusable. "Not that I know of."

Lehig continued. "So... if no Humans could use Magic on your World, and you are a Human from your world, then you are under the impression that you also cannot do magic."

"Right."

Lor rolled his eyes. "We can do this a little faster. Listen, Initiate: if Humans from your world can't do Magic on your world, that doesn't mean that Humans from your world can't do Magic in Feyrahl."

That jump of logic didn't fully track. "You're saying I can do magic?"

The left head snorted. "No... just that you're not able to say you CAN'T without trying."

Mac scowled; he'd never been able to do magic, and didn't really appreciate being ridiculed for it. Holding his hands out in front of him, he stated in a flat tone. "Abra cadabra."

He then immediately fell back in his chair as a powerful gust of wind shot across the table, slamming into the wall and extinguishing two of three candles on the adjoining candelabra. The Human had to hastily jump up to his feet, eyes wide. He was so stunned it took a moment for him to notice that Lehig was laughing unabashedly and was getting the stink eye from Lor. Things didn't fully make sense until the left head stated with a growl "That was entirely inappropriate of you."

In that instant, Mac realized what'd happened; the effect had come from Lor. Immediately indignant, the emotion lasted only a moment when he realized something and his curiosity immediately won out. "Wait... Lor... if YOU did that, where was your gesturing and your chanting? I thought spells had to--"

Lor smirked in a self-satisfied manner. "For someone who has no experience with magic you sure do that whole 'presumption' thing a lot, don't you... Initiate?"

Mac hated learning that lesson; he hated how the Orthrus' humor at him felt; he hated how everyone was looking at him inquisitively; he hated how much he wanted to learn more; most of all he hated realizing that Lor was right.