[Well that's fascinating to hear--and hey, it's something that Azul does have an interest in hinself, given the kind he used to try to study when he was younger among his grandmother's texts. Azul leans forward a little in his seat, interested in hearing more.]
Not that it's a big deal or anything, but they're the only thing that doesn't bore me.
More than half of them are over-complicated codes meant to conceal secrets, and most of those are next to impossible to decipher. Grammar, letters— they're all different, and all you can do is rely on similarities between one cipher and another, inching forward piece by piece.
[There's a certain lift to his words, even as he leans against his palm as though he's bored. Like maybe he really does find it fun.]
[Azul listens to his explanation, nodding along in agreement to the other's reasoning for enjoying this subject.]
It's true, many of those incantations feel like a puzzle to be solved sometimes, and it can be quite satisfying once you find the solution. At least, that's the feeling I get, especially when I was able to study the ones that were in my grandmother's notes back home.
Indeed: my grandmother is the one who taught me the basics of magic while growing up. Though, she could be strict as a teacher, as she was not afraid to scold me often if I botched a particular spell or potion in the beginning. At the same time however, she could also give the most grandiose praise whenever I succeeded, even if it was the most elementary of magic to perform.
[It's pretty obvious from his tone that Azul holds a lot of respect and fondness for her here as he continues.]
Regardless, she has quite the knowledge of ancient magic, thanks to her many years of honing her own skills as a mage. Some of which she actually taught me herself, or would at least allow me to peruse her books regarding old spells and potions on occasion. I'm sure you would enjoy reading those books as well, given your interest in the subject.
[Tap-tap-tap goes Leona's tail against the floor, much like Lucius's when a toy is dangled in front of him but he's pretending he isn't quite interested yet.]
Sounds like she was right to be strict with you.
Disregarding your propensity to crash out, you've got a lot more control over high-level magic than your peers. I can already tell she's quite the formidable mage herself.
[Now, that's a woman he wouldn't mind meeting. And those resources... it's true that he wouldn't mind the chance to read through them, either. It couldn't take more than a few days... And hell, strict or not, she certainly sounds like she would have been a less annoying teacher than his most loyal attendant...]
[Azul's foot just barely refrains from childishly kicking Leona's own under the table in response to that.]
How rude. I do not have a "propensity to crash out"...
[Anyway]
That aside, I think she would like meeting you if the opportunity ever presented itself. Getting to speak with those that are interested in the magic she grew up with as opposed to what we tend to be taught these days would make her happy, I think. Though, I dare say that if she grows to like you too much, she might try to spoil you like how she did to me growing up, when it came to things not having to do with magic...
Oh, I'm not disappointed so much as a little embarrassed now thinking about it. When she was not teaching magic, she can be a very kind person... perhaps a little too much so. I spent a lot of time at her home while my mother was busy finalizing the divorce and running her restaurant, so my grandmother liked to act as if it was the highlight of her day every time she saw me. And I'd often come home from school to an entire table's worth of drinks and snacks that she insisted upon having me indulge in...
[He says, expression a little weary just thinking about it. So many calories...]
Of course not. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her: she is the person who inspired me the most when it comes to gaining an appreciation for magic, after all. I'm grateful for everything that she has done for me.
[He's not the type to say it out loud, but yeah, Azul loves her. He could praise her all day if he wanted to... but then it seems he realizes something as he gives an awkward cough, picking up his cup to busy himself with for now.]
My apologies. I did not intend to spend so much time talking about my family, when this is supposed to be an opportunity to learn more about you as well.
I won't lie and say that I am not interested in hearing family gossip, but only if you are willing to share any at this time.
[For now, however, since this is supposed to be a date, Azul is doing his best to be considerate and not pry too much into any topics that either of them don't particularly want to discuss here today.]
I'm satisfied getting to learn about your interest in ancient incantations, and about anything else you would enjoy discussing with me today. Even if it's something simple like... oh, anything that you like to do for fun, perhaps?
Oh? [Hmm] Perhaps I should have you look at some texts I've come across before in ancient languages I don't recognize sometime. Maybe there is something you do understand better from the text by comparison...
[It wouldn't surprise him too much if so: there are some older magic texts that he could not understand the meaning of until after he started living on land, as opposed to how some might be written by those of the sea like his grandmother.]
[Azul will have to remember to look for the books he keeps in his room, but for now, he actually stands briefly so that he can check one of his bookcases here in the office. He's scanning the shelves for a moment before he finds what he is looking for, pulling a book from the shelf that looks quite old as he wheels back around and proceeds to offer it out for Leona to take.]
Here, you can take a look at this one, for example. It's one of the first books I obtained after I first came up on land and was looking for something similar to the texts I had access to in the sea.
[The text inside appears to be about as old as the book itself, but it's still legible enough that it is able to be read, even if it is in an uncommon language than what is currently spoken in this part of the world. Parts of it Azul had managed to interpret on his own in regards to various spells described in it, but maybe there's something that Leona will still find interesting as well.]
no subject
[Well that's fascinating to hear--and hey, it's something that Azul does have an interest in hinself, given the kind he used to try to study when he was younger among his grandmother's texts. Azul leans forward a little in his seat, interested in hearing more.]
And why is that?
no subject
Not that it's a big deal or anything, but they're the only thing that doesn't bore me.
More than half of them are over-complicated codes meant to conceal secrets, and most of those are next to impossible to decipher. Grammar, letters— they're all different, and all you can do is rely on similarities between one cipher and another, inching forward piece by piece.
[There's a certain lift to his words, even as he leans against his palm as though he's bored. Like maybe he really does find it fun.]
no subject
It's true, many of those incantations feel like a puzzle to be solved sometimes, and it can be quite satisfying once you find the solution. At least, that's the feeling I get, especially when I was able to study the ones that were in my grandmother's notes back home.
no subject
That's right— you were gettin' all that magic trainin' somewhere.
[Leona's foot bounces, his tail curling and uncurling.]
Can't imagine what kind of magical texts an older sea witch has at her disposal.
no subject
[It's pretty obvious from his tone that Azul holds a lot of respect and fondness for her here as he continues.]
Regardless, she has quite the knowledge of ancient magic, thanks to her many years of honing her own skills as a mage. Some of which she actually taught me herself, or would at least allow me to peruse her books regarding old spells and potions on occasion. I'm sure you would enjoy reading those books as well, given your interest in the subject.
no subject
Sounds like she was right to be strict with you.
Disregarding your propensity to crash out, you've got a lot more control over high-level magic than your peers. I can already tell she's quite the formidable mage herself.
[Now, that's a woman he wouldn't mind meeting. And those resources... it's true that he wouldn't mind the chance to read through them, either. It couldn't take more than a few days... And hell, strict or not, she certainly sounds like she would have been a less annoying teacher than his most loyal attendant...]
no subject
How rude. I do not have a "propensity to crash out"...
[Anyway]
That aside, I think she would like meeting you if the opportunity ever presented itself. Getting to speak with those that are interested in the magic she grew up with as opposed to what we tend to be taught these days would make her happy, I think. Though, I dare say that if she grows to like you too much, she might try to spoil you like how she did to me growing up, when it came to things not having to do with magic...
no subject
You almost sound disappointed, though.
[He's smirking just a little, wondering if Azul perhaps got a little too much attention growing up.]
no subject
[He says, expression a little weary just thinking about it. So many calories...]
no subject
He adjusts in his chair, getting more relaxed and leaning back, content to let Azul keep leading the conversation.]
I hope you're not blaming your problems on your sweet little ol' lady, now.
no subject
[He's not the type to say it out loud, but yeah, Azul loves her. He could praise her all day if he wanted to... but then it seems he realizes something as he gives an awkward cough, picking up his cup to busy himself with for now.]
My apologies. I did not intend to spend so much time talking about my family, when this is supposed to be an opportunity to learn more about you as well.
no subject
[he does recognize that he isn't contributing much, though, and Azul's been a very good boy so far, hasn't he?
So Leona jiggles his foot a little, smiling that smug little smile at Azul and continuing;]
But fine.
Tell me what it is you're dying to know.
no subject
[For now, however, since this is supposed to be a date, Azul is doing his best to be considerate and not pry too much into any topics that either of them don't particularly want to discuss here today.]
I'm satisfied getting to learn about your interest in ancient incantations, and about anything else you would enjoy discussing with me today. Even if it's something simple like... oh, anything that you like to do for fun, perhaps?
no subject
[mumbles Leona, not as if he's offended so much as perhaps he acknowledges that might not be the normally accepted answer.]
They're all puzzles, in the end.
Codes, ciphers.
Just harder than most. An actual challenge.
Some of 'em don't even have answers, yet.
[replicating an ancient spell is one thing, but if it can't even be deciphered, that magic is essentially lost.]
no subject
[It wouldn't surprise him too much if so: there are some older magic texts that he could not understand the meaning of until after he started living on land, as opposed to how some might be written by those of the sea like his grandmother.]
no subject
[because he can't just say 'I'd find that interesting' like a normal person.
he bounces his brow, though, smirking just a little, his tail moving slowly in his interest.]
Slim chance, but maybe you'll have somethin' even I haven't seen before.
no subject
[Azul will have to remember to look for the books he keeps in his room, but for now, he actually stands briefly so that he can check one of his bookcases here in the office. He's scanning the shelves for a moment before he finds what he is looking for, pulling a book from the shelf that looks quite old as he wheels back around and proceeds to offer it out for Leona to take.]
Here, you can take a look at this one, for example. It's one of the first books I obtained after I first came up on land and was looking for something similar to the texts I had access to in the sea.
[The text inside appears to be about as old as the book itself, but it's still legible enough that it is able to be read, even if it is in an uncommon language than what is currently spoken in this part of the world. Parts of it Azul had managed to interpret on his own in regards to various spells described in it, but maybe there's something that Leona will still find interesting as well.]