[If anything, that question just makes her look all the more determined. He isn't the first person to say that to her- and in almost the same words.]
You may have noticed, but I lack the ability to run away from that which is dangerous.
[Physically, she could not run from that which threatened her. Trying would only lead to indignity before the end.]
Even if something scares me, I shall not turn from it. Not when I myself have things I must accomplish.
[She isn't some little girl playing witch for fun. She'd been used to create a weapon that could kill thousands. She had a duty to create a cure- and to learn whatever possible to help her towards atonement.]
there is, however, a sigh of "I'm giving in." ] All right, fine. [ he has a world of crimes to make up for. perhaps teaching her how to protect herself may help with one particular one that haunts him. ] Chaos magic is mercurial by definition, I suppose it's best if you learn from those that can handle it.
Good. Young learner, for your fist trick— [ his eyes lift to meet hers. ]—I want you to lie to me; a good one, too. I don't want to know when, but I want it to be so convincing that I can't tell what's real and what's not.
[ he doesn't seem to quite buy it. there's a little mock sympathy in his tone, and he shifts his hands to tangle, resting his chin on his palm. ]
One statement to the next has to flow. If you're going to tell me that you're going to give up after that ... well, I'd say that was the talk of an eleven year old.
The stronger the lie—the stronger the story—the stronger the spell. If you choke, if you don't truly believe it, the universe won't, either. It can all go awry.
After that? The rest is easy peasey lemon squeezy.
Her brow furrows, then she slowly settles into actually thinking about it. Well. It wasn't as if it was an entirely unthinkable beginning to magic that could be used to trick or deceive. ... And it wasn't like she'd ever considered herself a good liar. Mainly because in her sheltered little lie of a world, there had never been a need to lie- not even the ones children are quick to tell in order to avoid eating food they didn't like or bedtime. She'd been allowed to do as she pleased with anything that was not leaving the village... So there had been no reason to lie in the first place.]
So I have to convince the world to believe in what I wish to give shape. I have to make myself believe it, even if I know it to be false?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[She repeats it with emphasis for good measure, fingers knit together nervously out of sight, jaw set. Determined.
ALASTAIR had granted her the ability to learn the magic of others... and if she let that go to waste- it was unthinkable.]
no subject
a rare look of earnest confusion crosses his expression. (1) why would anyone want to be his disciple? (2) she's a child; she's a child just like ...
he can't let his mind go that far.
to cover himself, the confusion turns dubious. this is a terrible decision, this is awful, and he shouldn't do this.
but ... ]
You do understand how dangerous I am? Yet you're still persisting.
[ make that clear to the twelve year old, Loki. ]
no subject
You may have noticed, but I lack the ability to run away from that which is dangerous.
[Physically, she could not run from that which threatened her. Trying would only lead to indignity before the end.]
Even if something scares me, I shall not turn from it. Not when I myself have things I must accomplish.
[She isn't some little girl playing witch for fun. She'd been used to create a weapon that could kill thousands. She had a duty to create a cure- and to learn whatever possible to help her towards atonement.]
no subject
there is, however, a sigh of "I'm giving in." ] All right, fine. [ he has a world of crimes to make up for. perhaps teaching her how to protect herself may help with one particular one that haunts him. ] Chaos magic is mercurial by definition, I suppose it's best if you learn from those that can handle it.
Mistakes tend to cost you.
no subject
[Flattery is useful, she knows, but only when it's not false. No one like fake praise, because it was a lie.
And she knows better than most that lies only hurt once you find out that's what they are. Before that...]
I am prepared to handle what I can.
[She won't be foolish enough to say "anything".]
no subject
Good. Young learner, for your fist trick— [ his eyes lift to meet hers. ]—I want you to lie to me; a good one, too. I don't want to know when, but I want it to be so convincing that I can't tell what's real and what's not.
no subject
She'd not often tried it- lying like her life depending on it. Or something she wanted depended on it. Her brow furrowed slightly, gave averted...]
... I don't believe I can.
[Except she did- maybe lying straight out of the gate would catch him off guard?]
no subject
[ he doesn't seem to quite buy it. there's a little mock sympathy in his tone, and he shifts his hands to tangle, resting his chin on his palm. ]
One statement to the next has to flow. If you're going to tell me that you're going to give up after that ... well, I'd say that was the talk of an eleven year old.
no subject
Twelve.
[So she's not the best liar. ... She could work on that.]
no subject
[ he says a little flippantly. ]
no subject
[Because... that might take a while, seeing as... he was a god with a certain reputation. What, would she be thirteen before then?]
no subject
[ he quirks a brow at her. ]
The stronger the lie—the stronger the story—the stronger the spell. If you choke, if you don't truly believe it, the universe won't, either. It can all go awry.
After that? The rest is easy peasey lemon squeezy.
no subject
Her brow furrows, then she slowly settles into actually thinking about it. Well. It wasn't as if it was an entirely unthinkable beginning to magic that could be used to trick or deceive. ... And it wasn't like she'd ever considered herself a good liar. Mainly because in her sheltered little lie of a world, there had never been a need to lie- not even the ones children are quick to tell in order to avoid eating food they didn't like or bedtime. She'd been allowed to do as she pleased with anything that was not leaving the village... So there had been no reason to lie in the first place.]
So I have to convince the world to believe in what I wish to give shape. I have to make myself believe it, even if I know it to be false?
no subject
[ sometimes yes; sometimes no.
lies were far more complicated than just falsehoods. ]
no subject
[... Deep, Loki.]
no subject
So, you could consider that the first exercise—[ he waves his hand. ]—find the space between the lie and the truth, if that suits you better.
no subject
no subject
no subject
[She can still make pale jokes, at least.]