forum Alfea College (Closed)

Started November 23, 2021 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

Nissa's eyes widened. She didn't think her feelings were that obvious. She hesitated, unsure how to respond. "I…"

Farah held up her hand to make Nissa fall silent. "You don't owe me an explanation. When you channel magic and apply it in a physical form, it mirrors your emotions. Your fire was controlled, which was excellent, but stiff and restricted." She spoke to Nissa, but she addressed Mila as well with her next words. "I know that last year, you struggled. But don't let that define you this year, especially not when you come to this office. You are here because I chose you. Let your positive emotions fuel your magic. Release it, but control it. Now…" she tilted her head to the side as she looked down at Nissa. "Try again."

Mila blushed a little at the reminder of how hard her magic had been to control the first year of school. But when she had come for these private lessons, things had gotten much better. And she was sure the same thing happened for Nissa…

Nissa took a breath, letting herself relax. She formed another flame and channeled her emotions into it, watching it grow brighter. Her movements had more of a flow to them, and she seemed more comfortable.

Farah cracked a small smile, impressed with Nissa's shift in emotions and how it reflected in her magic. "Very nicely done," she praised with a nod. "Excellent work, the both of you. Alright then…" Dowling paused as she mentally went through what she'd prepared, but she decided to rework it in a spur-of-the-moment decision. She only hoped she wasn't making a mistake. "Now, I hope you two are up for a challenge." Her eyes sparkled with concealed mischief.

“What kind of challenge, ma’am?” Mila asked, raising a brow slightly though there was a definite crackle of excitement at the idea… Whatever it was.

Dowling arched her eyebrows and didn't answer the question directly. "A challenge not necessarily of magic, but of mind. I apologize for starting it this way, but I promise you it will get better. I promise. Now, I want you both to think of a memory, specifically a memory when you were sad or angry or hurt. You don't have to say out loud what it is, just close your eyes and envision it." She leaned on her desk and watched them observantly.

Mila raised a brow at the way her mentor phrased the challenge but nodded and closed her eyes. It wasn't easy trying to think of a specific memory but eventually she settled on one of an old breakup she’d gone through even before she came to Alfea. She had been the one who ended that relationship but she could still remember how much it had hurt at the time and how she had even cried despite it being the right thing to do at the time.

Nissa hesitated a moment, then closed her eyes. The memory of when she first discovered her abilities instantly sprang to mind. The anger she had felt just before the flames, and the fear that kept them going. It all rushed back to her like a flood from a broken dam. Her hands formed fists at her sides. She hadn't thought about that day in a long time.

Farah's eyes glowed silver-blue. She didn't intrude on their memories, she was only checking to feel their emotions. After a moment of letting them linger for a moment longer, she lifted her chin. "Now, channel your magic. Carefully. Control it as best you can. I want you to feel how anger and sadness and fear impact your ability to harness and control your powers. The second you feel unstable, cut off the power."

Mila took a shaky breath, surprised at how much the memory was affecting her. It almost felt like reopening an old wound. She kept her eyes closed at her teacher's request but didn't argue… Though it seemed to go against a lot of what she had been taught last year. As she tried to reach for her magic, she would compare it to trying to grab a cylinder made of jello with trembling hands.

Farah could feel Mila's instability, and she gently touched the girl's shoulder. "That's enough," she said firmly. "Did you feel it? How uncertain and dangerous the magic was."

She turned her head and looked to Nissa. "Have you tried to reach for it yet?" she asked calmly, her eyes studying the other girl observantly.

“Yes, ma’am.” Mila nodded, letting out a relieved sigh as she stopped reaching for her magic and looked at her mentor. She flexed her fingers a little to shake off any more of the residual unstable sparks. That has been so… Something she didn't want to attempt again unless she had no choice.

Nissa shook her head slightly, then took a deep breath. She felt the magic within her and reached for it, flames forming in her hands. She let her emotions fuel the fire, feeling it grow stronger. Suddenly, the flames shot upwards, nearly scorching the ceiling.

Without flinching, the headmistress used her own powerful magic to extinguish Nissa's flames. Once they were gone, Farah arched her eyebrows. "Nissa, how did that feel?" she asked, striding around to come in front of the girls again so she could look Nissa in the eye when she asked her question and Nissa could do the same when she responded.

Mila, on the other hand, jumped a little when the flames appeared. It was obviously a surprise but she was relieved when the Headmistress took control and listened carefully to what Nissa’s response would be. The fact that her roommate had been able to actually use her magic when she couldn't…

"It felt… kind of scary, actually." Nissa answered. "Like, I didn't know how my emotions would effect the magic." She paused for a moment. "But letting it out like that actually felt kind of good."

"The release of magic is an overwhelming pleasure," Farah acknowledged with a nod. "But now you both see how your negative emotions can impact your magic. Mila, you couldn't even grasp your magic, while Nissa, you let yours get wildly out of control. Now, I want you both to think of the most pleasant memory you can. Whatever comes to mind, I want you to focus in on the moment, then the feelings you associate with it, and let it fuel your entire being."

Mila nodded, somewhat embarrassed by her lack of performance even though she had done what had been asked. It wasn't the first time a teacher had, essentially, set up a student to fail but the request to suddenly switch gears was… a little uncomfortable. She knew there had to be a point to this lesson, Headmistress Dowling wouldn't do this without a reason. Mila trusted her mentor. So, she let out a slow calming breath and nodded again. “Al… Alright.”

Farah lifted her chin, noting Mila’s apprehension as it rolled off of her in waves. “Don’t think too hard about it,” she suggested. “For this exercise, it isn’t necessary to have the most powerful positive emotions, i just would like you to get the picture. But in the future, you should have the most powerful memory readily available in your mind.”

Nissa placed her hand on Mila's shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile before taking a step back. She wanted to give her friend a bit of space to breath.

Mila understood what Headmistress Dowling saying and nodded. There was a strong possibility that so much more than a good grade could rely on anyone at this school. She needed to control herself if she ever wanted to be able to protect someone. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry. That first negative memory got the better of me.” she apologized, briefly placing her hand on top of Nissa’s and giving her a small grateful smile.

Headmistress Dowling cracked a small, kind smile. "There is no reason to be sorry. What I asked of you was difficult, but this is an important point I need to make before we continue here. Negative emotions are unreliable and weakening. But strong, positive emotions–"

Suddenly, without any knock of warning, the door to her office burst open, and in strode Specialist Headmaster Silva. The look on his face was urgent. "Farah, there's been–" He stopped speaking quickly when he saw the two girls. "I need to talk to you," he eventually said. The headmistress met his gaze, and a mutual understanding passed between them.

Finally, Ms. Dowling nodded. "Please excuse me, girls. I'll be back momentarily." Farah was out the door, Saúl following her and guiding her with a hand on her lower back before either of the girls could say anything. The door shut soundly behind them.

Mila nodded, listening intently to her mentor’s words. It wasn't the first time she'd heard similar speeches last year about how a fairy’s mental and emotional state affected their magic but the occasional reminder was not unwelcome.

When Headmaster Silva interrupted so urgently, Mila jumped. It had to be serious… but about what? Her first thought was obviously something to do with the Burned One's but it was rare that one of those monsters could make it past the barrier that protected the school.

"What was that about?" Nissa muttered, turning to Mila. "Do you think something's wrong?"

"What was that about?" Nissa muttered, turning to Mila. "Do you think something's wrong?"

“I’m not sure.” Mila admitted, shaking away her thoughts. She bit her lip slightly as she looked at the door. Surely they wouldn't talk about it so close to the office with two students nearby. “Should… Should we try to listen?” she asked softly.

Nissa thought for a moment, then nodded. "We've got to know what's going on." She knew there was a possibility that they'd get in trouble, but her curiosity outweighed her reasoning.