The many ways of magic

[copycast]

Temple wakes up suddenly, his hand automatically going to his abdomen as he raises from the ground...

...Then he notices the lack of pain and the entirely new surroundings.

A new world, which means that he saved Rajir but his former body got sacrificed in the process. Temple is unlikely to see Rajir or the others ever again, without a proper goodbye this time.

There is no point in feeling miserable, his friends and students are safe, just distant.

Temple decides to be practical. He feels and locates traces of magic coming from that way and follows them until he finds himself knocking on a door of a solitary building.

Comments

[swordofdamocles]

"Yyyyess, that's the usual way to do it."

[copycast]

"Ah, Great! I was under the impression it wasn't all that organized?"

[swordofdamocles]

"It's not organized, but there are traditions and customs."

[copycast]

"Interesting." Temple says in the tones of someone that means "tell me more later", they continue with the simple ritual. Temple is not extra-ordinary but he is doing remarkably well for a novice in a type of magic so unlike his own.

[swordofdamocles]

Andrea was something of a prodigy herself, so she doesn't notice anything odd about his progress.

[copycast]

Temple is willing to continue until the ritual is finished, unless someone or something else interrupts.

[swordofdamocles]

Nope.

The ritual, which is for a simple light spell, goes off, and the object used as the ritual's focus glows brightly.

"You're going to want to repeat that several more times, until you're really familiar with it, and then I'll show you how to start condensing it."

[copycast]

Temple is delighted with the light (no pun intended).

"Sure. I definitely could use a small break. What do you usually do while taking breaks from magic activity?

[swordofdamocles]

"Read about magic? Read about other things? Cook, clean, other miscellaneous household chores."

[copycast]

"I probably should focus on non-magic for a while." He sounds less enthusiastic than when talking about magic, but still enthusiastic "Or at minimum learn about the magical non-humans, so I don't offend a vampire or something next time I go out."

[swordofdamocles]

"I'm not sure how much help I'll be with that...better than none, I guess. Um, commenting on the size of a vampire's fangs has a large number of hilarious social similarities to commenting on the size of a guy's dick?"

[copycast]

Temple blinks at the bluntness of this statement then he sporfles.

"I will keep that in mind! Since you brought that kind of subject up--I tend to be delicate about this topic--could you tell me about," he makes vague gestures "the customs regarding the area? Like, it is normal for a courtship to start with someone inviting the other to stay for a few days and that is why your Grandfather assumed that?"

[swordofdamocles]

"No. Grandfather wants great-grandchildren, is all."

[copycast]

"Ah, one of the multiverse's greatest constants. I never had biological children, but also never had the drive to bother some of my adopted to have their own."

[swordofdamocles]

"...You have kids?"

[copycast]

"Yes... Only about two were... I feel like saying traditionally adopted, but I don't know your traditions. Anyway, there were two who I adopted specifically to have children. About nine I raised more out of duty, you know?"

[copycast]

...Temple's smile slowly fades away.

[swordofdamocles]

"...I'm sorry."

[copycast]

"Don't be. I just..." He waves vaguely "Sometimes I wish to be born again. I mean, to have a family and spend infancy slowly remembering my previous lives. It would help not always being throw in another world missing everyone."

[swordofdamocles]

"Would you like a platonic hug?"

[copycast]

Temple smiles slightly at the offer and opens his arms.

[swordofdamocles]

Hug.

[copycast]

Hug!

"Thank you."

[swordofdamocles]

"You're welcome." She has more Feelings about all this, but no good way of describing them.

[copycast]

Temple doesn't respond and sometime later breaks away the hug.

"I'm okay." Temple says with a polite smile "I don't like dwelling in the past when it isn't going to help. My work increases the chances they are going to live permanently, so that is one more reason to keep going."