Sixth Link

[colorbymemory]

Characters: Namine and any who wish to help her learn to defend herself better while seeing Twilight Town.
Content: Magic lessons, general self-defense lessons, Twilight Town exploration
Location: Twilight Town
Time: sunset Afternoon
Warnings: Probably nightmare fighting.

One of the results of the battle with the giant Nightmare monkey (Riku and Sora had called it Hockomonkey) was the others' insistence that Namine focus more on learning methods of how to defend herself if needed. A side effect of this meant that now more of her day was devoted to magic lessons than in had been previously. Others besides Ienzo had offered to teach her a few things, too. It was kind of them to be so concerned about her, but she would rather have not had the fuss. Considering that she'd been the one to worry them in the first place, though, she did her best to accept it without complaining.

The appearance of Twilight Town hadn't changed this new routine. Instead, it apparently offered new possibilities. Which was why she was there now with Teddy behind her and Batty on her shoulder.

Comments

[shadearchivist]

Ienzo had ventured out to explore Twilight Town himself. He intended to meet Xion here at some point in time to discuss things, but he was reminded of Namine's need for protection when he saw her wandering the streets. He headed over; this was as good a time for a lesson as any, if she were willing to participate.

"Namine, it's good to see you here."

[colorbymemory]

Twilight Town was about as dangerous as Traverse Town when it came to Nightmares, so Teddy and Batty could handle most things. One of the advantages of having a big bear Spirit was the advantage of strength. Namine just added magic where appropriate. Fortunately, they hadn't run into many Nightmares by the time Ienzo found them.

"Hello, Ienzo. Good to see you, too. Were you looking around?"

[shadearchivist]

"I decided I'd come and see how it compared to what exists in the waking world. I notice that there's no access to the mansion in this version of the town." He smiled at her. "Since you're out, would you like to have a magic lesson? I've been remiss in preparing you to defend yourself."

[colorbymemory]

"It doesn't seem that different, really." No access to the mansion was news. Whether it was good or bad news, Namine would have to think a little more to determine. Her thoughts on that place were complicated. Even so, she would have liked a chance to look around. At his suggestion of magic lessons, her expression turned from thoughtful to a smile equal to his. "A magic lesson would be okay. Would we work on some more advanced versions of the spells?"

He had no cause to think he was remiss in anything. They'd made a good amount of progress for the short amount of time they'd been conducting lessons. Circumstances were simply advancing more quickly than they'd anticipated.

[shadearchivist]

The aero and reflect spells would work best for defense, though of course ideally Namine wouldn't be near the fighting at all. If she insisted on charging in, however, they needed to prioritize shielding and healing. "I think we'd be best off trying to solidify the reflect spells; that way if we encounter a fight like the recent one again you could at least shield yourself and possibly others. Healing spells would allow you to assist in a way that could keep you out of immediate danger as well."

[colorbymemory]

While Namine wouldn't go charging into fights simply for the sake of doing so, she had gotten somewhat tired of feeling like she couldn't do anything to help. Being able to do so in even the more roundabout way Ienzo described was more than enough. "I'd like that. It'd be a good way to help."

She wasn't a fighter, so she wouldn't ask to take that sort of role. Doing what she could to soften the blows and heal sounded more like something she wanted to do. If nothing else, she could at least keep herself from being a burden if caught unawares by a giant Nightmare.

[shadearchivist]

Ienzo inclined his head. "Reflect spells are useful because they can deflect both physical and magical attacks. As long as you have the energy to maintain the spell, you and anyone else who stays within the protective barrier will have near complete protection from attack. However, it does take a rather large amount of energy to cast and maintain, compared to the basic spells."

It shouldn't be too much of a problem for her, he suspects; her memory manipulation would have taken a great deal of concentration and energy, even if their location aided her.

[colorbymemory]

Focus, attention to detail, persistence, and patience were some of Namine's strengths. Not that many would think of her as stubborn, but slowly inserting yourself into someone's memories so they didn't even know what was happening took some determination. As did repeatedly finding ways to sneak into a digital town to inform one of its inhabitants of the truth.

Loath as she was to admit anything good came from an ability she'd hurt so many people using, the same traits and learned behaviors that helped her to control and use that were helping her with her magic. "So it's better to use it for a short period of time, just when you need to block something?"

[shadearchivist]

"Correct. You'll learn to manage the timing as you go. People don't tend to use it, so I'd guess that some people don't recall that it exists, which is to your net benefit." At least it seemed like people didn't remember it existed. It was difficult to tell when you worked with people who seemed determine to throw themselves into fights despite terrible odds.

[colorbymemory]

"Are there other shield spells they might want to use instead?" There were also physical shields, which were heavy, but had the benefit of allowing the use of other magic. Namine filed the information about this spells lack of widespread use in the back of her mind. As Ienzo said, that kind of surprise could prove useful. Even if she did meet others who used it, learning it now couldn't hurt.

[shadearchivist]

"There are similar spells but you mostly see them attached to weapons. A barrier spell that activates when you block a strike, for example," Ienzo explained. "I am not particularly capable in a purely physical fight, so though I know of them, they aren't something I would feel comfortable teaching you. Someone else here might know more."

[colorbymemory]

Namine nodded her understanding. Not being good in physical fights, she'd probably never learn a weapon and thus wouldn't need the spells that went with having one. It would be good to know what to expect, though. Maybe she could see if one of the others knew the spells Ienzo was talking about. "Okay. So we're focusing on Reflect for today."

[shadearchivist]

Ienzo nodded. "When you speak the name of the spell, think of a dome of protective magic all around you; direct it with your thoughts the way you would an offensive spell."

[4letters4ninja]

So, a new world was opened. Getting bored of Traverse Town, she decided to go and explore the new place. Fluffy was perched on Abby's head as they walked, Ziva making a mental map of the place as she went. (It was an old habit she never got rid of.) Seeing a familiar figure up ahead, she wandered over, calling out as she did so.

"Hi Namine. Decide to get out of the permanent night too?"

[colorbymemory]

Namine wasn't bored of Traverse Town, yet, but Twilight Town was familiar. Like Xion, she tended to call it her home rather than Castle Oblivion...even though she'd barely ever set foot outside the mansion. For her, walking around was more like getting a look at the reality behind a map she had memorized.

"Hello, Ziva. I guess you could say that. How about you?

[4letters4ninja]

"I am glad for a change in scenery, I was getting a bit bored with Traverse Town." Not to mention she'd explored most of it at this point. She'd been spending a lot of time in her room, using one of her walls for knife practice. And that didn't make the landlords happy. She pulled one of the knives out and was cleaning her nails while walking.

"I figured I would explore, maybe do some target practice while I was out and about."

[colorbymemory]

"It's nice to have another place to visit." The tea shop and Spirit painting usually kept Namine busy enough--the former more than the latter, but it was a way to fill the hours. Plus, it meant she saw everybody sooner or later. That was nice.

The knife came as a surprise. She hadn't known Ziva used those, and while there was so similarity in personality to Larxene...Knives had never been something she was fond of. "Target practice?"

[4letters4ninja]

"It is very nice." She said, flipping the knife over and tossing into the air, catching it by the hilt as it came down. Finished with it, she tucked it back into the sheath she had for it at the small of her back.

"Yes, target practice, with both my knives and sidearm. I cannot let myself get lazy."

[colorbymemory]

Namine kept the knife in view until it was put away again, relaxing slightly when it was back in its sheath. Weapons were something she might never get used to, but it looked like they were a fact of life for Ziva. Just that small flip of the knife hinted at skill to rival Larxene's--and "poor fighter" was one fault the Organization's Number XII didn't have.

"The Nightmares don't give you enough practice?"

She would have thought they did, but Ziva would know better than her.

[4letters4ninja]

"Well, they do, but mostly for them." She made a motion towards Fluffy and Abby, who were wandering around a bit away. "I guess it is just my nature, I cannot stay idle for too long. It comes from my habits at home." She was always active there, trying to stay on top of everything, and almost always doing something to improve her skills.

Ziva had noticed that the other had kept an eye on her knife until she put it away, and filed the information away. Something to possibly ask about later. For now, she'd just keep it out of sight, out of mind.

[colorbymemory]

"I'm used to keeping busy, too." Whether drawing, or helping around the apartment or tea shop, or working with someone who wanted their Spirit painted, Namine's days were pretty full. Adding lessons to them had only increased the number of things she could be doing instead of idling the day away. Sometimes it was tiring, but it was better than being bored.

Asking about Namine's reaction to the knife would get Ziva nothing but answers that only hinted at a larger story and a desire to not talk about it much. "If you still want to practice, please don't worry about me. Though," she paused, "do you think something similar for magic might help me focus my spells a little better?"

[4letters4ninja]

"I will be fine for now, I can get some practice in later." Or go chasing after nightmares, one of the two. At Namine's next question, she thought for a moment.

"It might. I know little of the magic you use, but if it is anything like the fighting styles I have learned, practice always helps. It trains the body to react certain ways. Especially with hand to hand combat. With knives and guns, the more I work with a weapon, the more I know where I need to adjust for a correct hit."

[colorbymemory]

Well, it was kind of Ziva to put off practice in favor of speaking with Namine for a while.

"Oh, it doesn't have to be with magic to start, I don't think." That would tire her quickly, and she only had one Ether--best to save it in case of Nightmares. "It might be good for me to get used to hitting targets without having to use magic at the same time." Just focusing on that, and then adding the magic once she's got that part down, might help.

Not that using a lot of combat magic was in the plan, but one couldn't always choose. "I don't know if I'd want to try with knives, though."

[4letters4ninja]

"I may be able to help, if you would like. And you do not have to try the knives." Ziva thought for a moment, going through her mental arsenal. "I should start by asking what you think you would be comfortable working with." Everyone was different. And although she had been forced to learn almost every weapon, she wouldn't do that to someone else.

[colorbymemory]

Namine's expression brightens at the mention of help, then sobers. While the reassurance that she doesn't have to try the knives is welcome, she's still at a loss to think of anything she would be comfortable with. "I'm...not sure. I haven't done much fighting, so I don't know much about weapons at all."

It's not a very helpful response, but at least it's honest.