summerdude: cover art for sword of summer (sos)
Magnus Chase ([personal profile] summerdude) wrote2023-10-24 12:34 pm

Jack Puts Me Through My Paces [open post]

"SeƱor, you really should practice more," Jack says, as Magnus rearranges his mental notes and sighs.

(Anyone else might think Magnus is just lying back on a bench on the grounds, staring at the sky, lost in thought. And technically, he is. But he's working hard!!! He's trying to sort out everyone he's encountered so far!!!)

"You're right," Magnus groans. Being in a weird Mansion with no way out, no established Battle Practice, and no pressing quests to go on is not an excuse to let his limited fighting skills fall by the wayside. He hauls himself upright and shoves his (still largely blank) notebook into his backpack.

Twenty minutes later, he's secured a practice sword from some random closet or another in the Mansion. It's dull steel, not sentient, and heavy in his hands.

"Perfect," Jack decides, so Magnus tramps back out to the spacious lawn, one sword in each hand. Checking to make sure no one is directly in harm's way, he releases Jack and brings the dull training sword up, ready to parry whatever attack Jack decides to throw at him.
lightbearinglord: (neutral (cql))

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-25 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Briefly, Lan Wangji glances skyward. It is indeed lovely, and to be appreciated.

"Will you show me your techniques?" he asks, deciding on plainness of intent.
lightbearinglord: (changyang)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-25 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
With his hands now tucked neatly behind his back, Lan Wangji observes this display of, admittedly, legitimate prowess, especially from Jack. He follows the action closely, privately amused at several of Magnus' less graceful movements -- although he cannot fault their results.

Whenever they are finished, Lan Wangji nods. This is an indication of his general approval.
lightbearinglord: (verdant)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
This must be Lan Wangji's particular curse, or one of them, at this mansion: to always see his disciples in the faces of the young people he meets.

"I have students your age," he says, meaning that of course Magnus is learning. There is no shame in that.
lightbearinglord: (neutral (cql))

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Mn. Junior disciples." A small measure of fondness colors Lan Wangji's voice. He wonders often how they are faring without him.
lightbearinglord: (umbrella ella ella)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Sword forms. Meditation. Principles and practice of night-hunting." Among other things, but that recitation seems enough to convey the general idea.
lightbearinglord: (ornamented)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
Lan Wangji is pleasantly surprised. He has only recently laid out the first stack of informational pamphlets on the nature of cultivation for Tress' welcome table. Magnus seems studious, however. Perhaps he has already read them. "We travel wherever we are needed for the purpose of exorcising evil."
lightbearinglord: (all in white)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Magnus' penchant for questions does nothing to dispel the memory of the Lan juniors. "Fierce corpses. Unsettled spirits. Yao." Again, among other things, but a lengthy list feels unnecessary.
lightbearinglord: (changyang)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"A yao is a living creature, not a human, that develops its own consciousness over time. Not all are evil. A fierce corpse results from a human who has died but suffers excessive resentful energy." This is delivered with the cadence of someone reciting lecture notes, but with perfect patience.
lightbearinglord: (dubious)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Lan Wangji pauses. A tiny frown pinches at his brow. "Einherjar?"
lightbearinglord: (hm.)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-26 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
The frown, though subtle, remains in place. Lan Wangji looks Magnus over from head to toe, briskly. He recalls the boy calling himself a demigod on arrival, but dismissing the matter when Lan Wangji questioned it. "And you?"
lightbearinglord: (ethereal)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-27 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
The frown disappears, to be replaced by an equally small sadness in Lan Wangji's eyes. A child this young should not have died, no matter how bravely. "You fight well," he says, just a little softer.
lightbearinglord: (twin jade)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-27 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Magnus' apparent cheer does hearten Lan Wangji. He restrains any further grief over the situation and glances back toward Jack as the sword's name is mentioned.

After a moment's thought, he draws Bichen with a flash of glacial sword glare.
Edited 2023-10-27 03:50 (UTC)
lightbearinglord: (flower)

[personal profile] lightbearinglord 2023-10-27 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
Lan Wangji returns his gaze to Magnus, his features bordering on amused for the barest moment. Bichen will not be going out with Jack, obviously. That much goes without saying. It stays by Lan Wangji's side.

They can, however, spar. Rather than saying anything aloud, Lan Wangji steps closer to Jack, flicking Bichen demonstratively through the air. The blade glows blue, as ever.

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