Completed Weathering A Quiet Storm

[Svenia Albrecht]

"That is a unique and interesting skill," she said softly after a comfortable silence. "I can see how it would add a new dimension to the work. Most artists that I've known-" not very many "-are always trying to capture emotion in their work. It must be delightful to be able to evoke actual emotion, to invest some part of yourself into your creation."

She drew her legs up into the chair awkwardly, tucking them under her and shifting down into her seat. "I am more of a bean counter than even a healer," she said. She shook her head slowly. "I do not even know what use the skill would be to me. It's not useful for business."

Except everything didn't have to be for business, even though instinct told her it should be. Life couldn't always be about money and influence. She wanted the skill to help others avoid her own troubles. As if mere magic could have fixed any of it.

"You will be world renowned, one day," she said quietly.

 

[Atticus]

Atticus blushed.

His smile turned sheepish, nervous, and his chuckle reflected such a feeling. "I don't think... I mean, who knows..." Never had it occurred to him to strive for such a goal.

The image of one of his portraits hanging up in a public hall or gallery made him smile wider. "I suppose we will never truly know what the future holds for us all. Even here in Elbion, who would wish to divine such a thing? I... think I will enjoy the journey towards what the future will unfurl into."

Having made many friends here had helped something heal in him. Something he did not know that had cracked and broken away, and that the friends he made helped keep him together. One day, once his magic was under control, he would paint his friends as a memory of the connections he has made.

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

She caught the color in his cheeks and giggled to herself. It made him look cute in a rather disarming way and she felt herself relaxing a little more despite herself. "Do not sell yourself short, young man," she added lightly to his sheepish denial.

"I wouldn't want to know the future," she said after a moment of companiable silence. "It would rob all of the excitement and joy from the experience." But it could also allow you to avoid heartache, too. The thought came from deep within, in the dark place sequestered from the world. She knew, logically, that it was not a true statement. A true divination could not be avoided. How could you change the thread of fate after it had been woven into the tapestry of life?

"Do you miss home?"

 

[Atticus]

It was a simple question, but Atticus knew not many would know how heavily it would pull at his strength. It started at the corners of his lips, how they would fall downwards as the cheer and spark of life in his dark eyes would fade into the dark brown irises. How a person was now stepping back until they were back behind the walls of a place he had wished to be free from.

It was a simple question, but Atticus had no simple answer to give. A lie was ready upon his tongue, but even then, it left a bitter taste.

And so, he settled for quiet. Pretended to think deeply on this simple question.

"I..."

It was not home. Elbion, Dornoch, nowhere. None of these places were home. No city ever made him feel the way his mother had ensured he had a home to return to.

His tongue ran across his lips quickly, wetting them as if that would prime them to speak more words, but still he struggled to catch the right ones. "I just remembered I have an essay to write for Maester Blodwyn." He made to move, to sit up, but Atticus paused there and stared at the floor.

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

Something twisted deep in her chest. She saw clearly the way he withdrew at the question and the sweet and open boy she had been sitting with just a moment before evaporated like mist in the summer sun.

She had no idea why, but she could guess. The question had stirred the ashes of something in Atticus. And, she supposed, she would have felt the same if someone had asked her the very same question. For her it would have brought back memories of screams and heat and the rumble of breaking beams and pain.

Not all of it physical.

"I..," she began in a quiet voice, but found she didn't know what to say. She felt as though she had struck out against him, and it raised an unspoken fear that she had just managed to chase him off. She wavered on just letting him go...

...but she couldn't. "The one on application of magic and the consequences of over reliance?" If she could push past the social blunder and direct his thoughts somewhere else, perhaps? All she knew was that she didn't want to sit here alone.

 

[Atticus]

He flinched.

Head snapping up, Atticus stared at Svenia. Saw her attempt at forgetting the question that haunted him.

"Yes... that one." He had finished it already, but if she asked him in that moment what his work was looking like, he would be unable to recall exactly what he had written. "I had read a book that made me think I need to change something in my writing... to impress the Maester."

Many students wanted to impress him. Rumours had gone around that Blodwyn liked to mentor his favourites, those that could do well with more complex spellwork.

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

"I am unable to impress anyone here," she said and meant it. She only had two talents with magic and one of them she refused to acknowledge or to even admit to having. The college dealt with so many things that were beyond the scope of what it was she came to learn. She was, of course, excellent with basics - math, writing, reading - but the more arcane disciplines were much more difficult for her to grasp.

"Research and essays are all well and good, but most of us came here to learn magic. I can do the academic work. The arcane?" She shook her head slowly.

"The most I have earned from Elbion is... being around people. It's been so long and... well, I..." She fell to silent, eyes distant.

 

[Atticus]

He needed a moment.

Atticus rose up and walked back towards the large window he had been lazing along the window bench. His things were still there, neatly splayed out around where his form had been trying to read earlier. It was as if he purposefully placed them where they were to appear busy, and that one should not approach.

"Learning the theory is still part of the education. Was that not said to us on our first day?" He half turned, giving Sven a brave smile. "We may not master magic, but we will come out from here understanding it. I think that is important, to always understand another thing."

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

"Learning the theory is all well and good, but I seem to lack the aptitude for a lot of what they teach." She had studied as ardently as the best of them. When it came to reciting theory and practical methods, she was easily one of the best. When it came to actual practice of the arts it was a different story.

Healing came easily enough, even if it was slippery at best. Other disciplines were like groping around in the dark, and she could only tease them to life with great difficulty. It made her feel out of place among so many more gifted practitioners.

Still, she had her Fathers' stubborn streak. She wouldn't give up on anything easily.

"This school teaches more than just magic and its practice," she commented. It seemed silly to her, but it was actively teaching her things about life that she had shut herself away from. "Even if I don't come away a high mage I will still come away a better person. I think."

 

[Atticus]

"Even if I don't come away a high mage I will still come away a better person. I think."

"I believe the same."

Atticus gave her a sad smile. It was tired, drained, as if there was a weight bearing on him. That his smile was able to still take shape was a testament of his new self since coming to Elbion. Making friends had been a blessing, and a lightness all the same.

"You will learn things to help better yourself and those you love. As we all will. If we can achieve that as a class, then we will be alright, I would like to think." He looked to the window again, saw the stillness on the other side. "Must of stopped raining."

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

A stricken expression flashed across her features, there and gone like a summer thunderstorm. Those you love... A bittersweet sentiment, that.

She unfolded her legs slowly and with a grimace of pain that was not all physical. "It always stops raining, eventually. At least that is what I have been told." She stood as quickly as she could. She felt torn; she had said something wrong and did not understand what it was. The casual comment stung, too, even if he couldn't possibly know that there was only one person left in all the world that fit the particulars. That all of the rest had been taken from her.

"I should probably go. I didn't mean to invade your solitude but..," she trailed off uncertainly.

She held her piece a moment longer. "But if you want to have it invaded again, I'll always be happy to share your company." She said it in a rush as she gathered her things. She didn't know if she was being too forward or awkward or....well, too anything.

All she did know was that the young man made her feel... something. She wasn't sure what, exactly, only that it helped ease the dull void in her heart somehow.

 

[Atticus]

Atticus gave her a smile, although it did not reach his eyes.

"I will see you around, Sven."

Collecting his things, Atticus gave her one last attempt at a smile. It was bigger, wider, and yet still unable to reach the dullness in his eyes. When he left, the fire seemingly settled to a lower burn. It crackled in the wake of his absence, but still, his warmth was there on the seat he lounged on.