Shen moved in unison with the mages around him as he lifted his fist to his chest, just as they did before when they were brought forward by the High Mage. As the assembly began to filter itself out of the chamber halls, he glanced around to take stock of all who was there. He recognized most of the elemancers, taking special note of both Amelia the head pyromancer and Lannus, the head hydromancer. The golem master, Stannis, managed to crack a small smile as their gazes met.
Shen could not help but feel a bit of excitement welling up in his chest. The approval of the well-seasoned mages meant to world to him, and it humbled him to think that even the High Mages needed to take special consideration for him, even for something so minor. It would not be long before they would grow accustomed to hearing his name and witnessing his efforts for the Magehood, and Shen could not wait to justify their perceptions of him as an apprentice.
As he was glancing about, his and Khaalida's gazes met for a brief moment. Intially, Shen merely blinked in response to Khaalida's smile, but then his lips curled ever so slightly and he offered her a nod in return. Missing the first moments of the counsel session, he still had no idea why she and the others behind her were there. They did not appear to be in any trouble, but clearly their presence had something to do with their powers and the characteristics they shared. Still, he was a little bit happy that Khaalida was able to be present for the announcements that pertained to himself. Not that it really mattered, anyway, but at least she would understand when he inevitably pushes her away to focus on his training again.
"Well, let's begin our preparations, shall we?" Raven's voice rang like a low purr as she stepped forward from behind Shen. The duo locked eyes for a moment, before the mentor nodded and began to lead the way forward. "There will be a lot to discuss before we can perform our ritual." Shen obliged, following suit. Surprisingly, Raven needed little guidance in terms of direction as she lead the way towards their destination.
When the finally reached a stop, the pair stood in one of the higher levels of the tower, just outside of a tall, yet narrow, door. It reminded Shen a lot of the kind that were used for the apprentice's chambers, as they were similarly designed other than this one being taller. Raven matched her gaze with the eye symbol in the center of the door, prompting it to unlock. Once they had stepped behind, Shen realized that this must have been her new residence while she was to be his mentor. The chambers seemed much more spacious and luxurious than any he had ever seen before. The room they stood in was large enough to seat a good five or six people on its decorative couches and chairs, and stairs in the back of the room led to doorways on the left and right hand sides. Shen could only assume that these lead into the separate rooms of the dorm, probably a bathroom and a bedroom and possibly a study of sorts.
"Well, let's get to know each other, shall we?" Raven purred quickly making her way to a lone chair in the sitting area. To Shen's surprise, the woman kicked off her shoes before crossing her legs. She glanced up at him as she leaned against an arm rest, acknowledging his expression. "As pleasantly flattering as these clothes are, I'm more accustomed to the typical battleseer getup, I'm afraid." She waved a hand towards Shen, focusing on his wardrobe. "I find combat boots more comfortable than these things, any day."
She raised her top leg, uncrossing them for a moment as she stretched her foot. "Aren't you going to sit?" she asked, pointing at one of the couches with her toe, by extending her legs. The black tights stretched over her leg, but they hardly impeded her movements. When Shen finally made himself comfortable in his seat, Raven stopped preoccupying herself with stretching and turned her direction back to him. "So, tell me what you know of the importance of the Dance of Flames. Other than what Noctin had already described to us."
"Well..." Shen sat up straight in his spot, placing an arm on his own arm rest. "Essentially we are summoning a fire elemental, and infusing the extract we draw from it with a wand."
Raven frowned slightly and began tapping her lips with her finger. "And what is going to draw the Fire Elemental to us?"
"Well, the ritual itself right? We are to represent the aspects of fire: anger, passion, and purification."
"That's right. I think I've already seen a small glimpse of your anger today." She smiled slightly, hiding her smile poorly behind her raised hand. "But our dance, like you said, required passion and purification. What do those mean to you?"
Shen paused for a long moment. He had not really thought much about how the aspects of fire were reflected in him, he merely accepted that it was what was deemed the best fit for him. "I suppose I am passionate about my magehood, and mastering my skills so that I might leave a legacy across the towers. As for purification, that makes me think about burning away my weaknesses. Destroying any thoughts of giving up, and incinerating the obstacles in my path. Sometimes, that flame can spread and I try to share it with others, but, just like any other fire, people will try to run from that flame." His voice began to slow as he considered his points as they flowed from his lips. It was as if he had known all of this to be true all along, even if he had never thought about it before. Already, his new mentor was beginning to reveal things about Shen that he did not realize, it seemed.
Raven's wide eyes squinted slightly, taking in the information as she continued to observe Shen's expression. "What about love?"
"Huh?"
"Although it is not considered an aspect, fire can portray love for many people. Oftentimes love can lead to an aspect, like passion, but it can serve as a standalone concept. Have you ever put any thought into what you love?"
Shen turned his gaze towards another part of the room, selecting a place to stare arbitrarily as he thought. "Um, well... I guess, not really. It's the same as passion for me, I guess. I love the tower that I grew up in, and to that end wish to improve myself for the betterment of it."
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