Normally I'm more resistant to it myself. But you can learn, and I can teach you if you trust me to. Some of what you've been learning with how to manipulate your magic will help with the basics too.
[Loki reached out, placing a hand on the other's shoulder.]
It can be--a mind is like any other muscle. It can be overworked. But I meant more that I never want to hurt you, if I can help it, Seto. You've had too much of that in your short life already. You're part of my chosen family.
Very simply. It's going to be similar to you 'feeling' how your magic moves, except this won't be lightening. It's more you want to start focusing on 'you'. That is, how does your own energy feel. What makes up 'Seto', in your mind. Once you have a firm grasp of who 'you' are, in that sense--then you'll start imagining shields around it.
[ Seto closes his eyes as he thinks. There's his burning feelings....desire to strive for the best, fierce love of Mokuba, kinship with the pharaoh, a chosen family...But outside of his relationships, who is he.
He stands tall. He comes at his adversaries with ferocity. He never gives up, using the tools on hand...his mind chief among them. And he starts to fixate on all of that, trying to imagine a shield going up. ]
It's fuzzy...but I think I might have a first step.
It'll take time, so don't expect to master it instantly.
[But Loki also wanted to reassure Seto. Because he seemed more certain, in a hundred little postural cues, from what Loki could tell. It was a good first step.]
And practice. But that's what you want to focus on, for now.
[Permission had been given, so Loki reached out with his mental magic and his telepathy. There were no outward signs he was doing so. Nothing to clue Seto in.
It was easy to brush against the other's mind undetected. Child's play, honestly. But Loki would fix that in time. He looked at the glowing blue-wall. Serviceable, but not very solid or fixed yet.
He almost felt sorry for what he was going to do to Seto. The other'd end up with some quick and mild headpain behind his eyes from this.]
You did give me permission.
[The mental voice was different than when Loki had been possessed, but had echoes of it too. Loki's voice, all whispery and every changing. Reminder given, he then poked the shield. Hard. It should fizzle out like a light, with how weak it seemed. ]
You practice, for one. I've seen worse from those who should know better. Get used to how 'you' feel. Learn to know yourself so that you don't have to consciously think about who you are. Then start thinking about putting up that wall and keeping it up. Eventually you want it to be unconscious.
[Loki smirked a bit.]
And then we get into layers and how to make it stronger. I've been teaching Eilonwy as well, so she might have advice for you that I do not.
If I wanted to, yes. I could even make you relive them in a way. I've had that talent since before gaining telepathy. Likewise I've been able to somewhat mentally manipulate others, in the manner of nudging their words and thoughts the way I want it to go, without either an aid or telepathy, for years. I'm also familiar with mental magics---I think I've mentioned before that I essentially usurped Asgard's throne by making Odin forget who he was and stashing him in an old folk's home in New York before.
[That makes Loki blink, as that hadn't occurred to him. It made sense, and he felt foolish for not having thought about that possibility before. Not that it showed, beyond a little chuckle and a hint of rue in his smile.]
That's a good idea. We might have to test it sometime, if you're willing. I do suggest you talk to Eilonwy though. As I mentioned, I've been teaching her for about 5 months or so now.
I will. Maybe she can give me an idea of what progress might look like. This whole area isn't my strong suit, but that just means I need to train harder to catch up.
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[ Seto's expression darkens a little. ]
Actually, I was wondering about that. It seemed the rest of the group could resist mind control, and I couldn't. How do I get better at that?
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I'd really like that. I'd like to think we can be better prepared for each new trial.
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[Loki brought his hands up once more, right fidgeting with the left.]
I will have to...well, poke at you, a bit. To measure your progress. But especially in the beginning, you'll have warning that I'm going to do so.
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[ He takes a breath and smiles. ]
And it's fine. I know you won't seriously hurt me.
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[That was such an honest statement and had slipped out of Loki before he'd really thought about it.]
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I didn't mean to imply that. I just wasn't sure if mental battles are ever painful, like a headache or somethihng.
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It can be--a mind is like any other muscle. It can be overworked. But I meant more that I never want to hurt you, if I can help it, Seto. You've had too much of that in your short life already. You're part of my chosen family.
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[ A little wry smile. Life in the office...]
So how do we begin?
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[ Seto closes his eyes as he thinks. There's his burning feelings....desire to strive for the best, fierce love of Mokuba, kinship with the pharaoh, a chosen family...But outside of his relationships, who is he.
He stands tall. He comes at his adversaries with ferocity. He never gives up, using the tools on hand...his mind chief among them. And he starts to fixate on all of that, trying to imagine a shield going up. ]
It's fuzzy...but I think I might have a first step.
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[But Loki also wanted to reassure Seto. Because he seemed more certain, in a hundred little postural cues, from what Loki could tell. It was a good first step.]
And practice. But that's what you want to focus on, for now.
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Mm. So I should do that for a while, and then you'll test me? Or you could push me now...just so I know.
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[Loki had a quiet little smirk on his face.]
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[ He seems grimly determined. He has no illusions about his ability right now, but...first step. ]
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[Permission had been given, so Loki reached out with his mental magic and his telepathy. There were no outward signs he was doing so. Nothing to clue Seto in.
It was easy to brush against the other's mind undetected. Child's play, honestly. But Loki would fix that in time. He looked at the glowing blue-wall. Serviceable, but not very solid or fixed yet.
He almost felt sorry for what he was going to do to Seto. The other'd end up with some quick and mild headpain behind his eyes from this.]
You did give me permission.
[The mental voice was different than when Loki had been possessed, but had echoes of it too. Loki's voice, all whispery and every changing. Reminder given, he then poked the shield. Hard. It should fizzle out like a light, with how weak it seemed. ]
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[ He can hardly process what's happening. Seto blinks, feels a zap, and hears his voice like before.
He lifts a hand to his temple and winces. ]
Okay, I get the point. So how do I stop you?
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[Loki smirked a bit.]
And then we get into layers and how to make it stronger. I've been teaching Eilonwy as well, so she might have advice for you that I do not.
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[ He nods, still a little shaken. But he needs to work hard, like training any other muscle. ]
What all can you see of me? Do you have full access to my memories?
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[Entirely up front about all of that.]
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[ Deep breath. ]
And do you have to be in range, or can you do this from a distance?
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[Re-affirming that for the other, with a small smile.]
I have to be within range, usually. Since gaining telepathy--I do not know if it would work at a distance. I haven't tried.
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I was asking because...I wondered if you could reach me in an emergency, if something happened to the tablets.
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That's a good idea. We might have to test it sometime, if you're willing. I do suggest you talk to Eilonwy though. As I mentioned, I've been teaching her for about 5 months or so now.
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the snail returns