Basil and the Slumbering Emerald

New Years

After Christmas Mattias stays at Petril's every night with Basil going over his basics again in preparation for his proper training with the elements. Kelkian sits in on a couple sessions to learn some himself despite not being elemental aligned. By the night before New Years Eve Basil seems to be exactly where he needs to be to start learning the elements and control.

"We are going to start in familiar territory for you Basil. Earth. Much of the magic you have used so far is Earth aligned. The element of earth is where Elemental aligned and Earth Aligned overlap. All three alignments overlap with each other in some ways so it never hurts to learn a little of the other alignments to better improve your chosen. However since you have all three it is vital that you learn all three as deeply as possible." Mattias says smiling putting a flowerpot full of soil and Kelkian's packet of Basil seeds in front of him. "I asked Kelk for those seeds because I'm going to teach you control over Earth. It is the most simple of all the elements, lighting and fire being the most volatile and difficult to work with. Now, plant the seed. Begin casting as you normally would but this time solidify your magic, make it firm and hard, push it together tightly when you channel it. You want to mold your magic like you would a sculpture. To make the Basil grow you have to mold it from the seed with your magic. Much of elemental casting is an artform and a skill rather than a talent." Mattias instructs.

They spend the whole day growing Kelkian's Basil seeds for him. By the end of the day they give the grown basil to Petril to use in cooking. As expected Basil took to Earth easily and naturally. It is usually any new Elemental aligned's first building block to mastery of the elements. They go over stone cutting spells and rock manipulation spells as well. Ways to grow pebbles into boulders and even forge and bend metal. Most of it is still theory with Basil but he has such an imaginative and intelligent mind that he can manage to work out the necessary spellcraft necessary for each theory. "Being an unbound is not for the brainless and lazy. It requires work and dedication like anything." Mattias reminds before they finish for the day.

The next day is New Years Eve. Joe has practically been a ghost all week, busy doing one thing or another but it's the first day he is actually home in a while. Basil sits watching over the timer for Petril's cookies while he runs out to get alcohol for the night. Petril doesn't drink much but he does like to celebrate holidays, especially Christmas and New Years. So even the underage are allowed to drink with him so long as it is supervised and nobody leaves until the alcohol is out of their systems. As Basil is waiting for the timer he heads into the bedroom to find Mattias who is wearing just some grey sweatpants, completely shirtless and is painting with watercolor while listening to heavy metal in his headphones as not to disturb anyone else. Basil smiles and comes up behind Mattias and wraps his arms around him, feeling up his chest and stomach a bit, dipping his hands lower until Mattias stops him. "Don't get distracted handsome. You are watching Petril's sugar cookies and if they burn I'm not going to get yelled at for distracting you." Mattias chuckles and Basil pouts against his back nuzzling the broad expanse of skin. He has a large bear paw tattoo on his back with different swirls for each pad of the paw. Basil can tell each one represents an element. Basil smiles and kisses over the tattoo and down his back a bit to his hip, trying to seduce Mattias who only squirms. "Hey! That tickles" He laughs and Basil laughs with him giving up. Just then the timer goes off and Basil sighs in relief going and getting the cookies out and setting them on the cooling rack to cool, restarting the timer and putting a new batch in for his uncle before sprinting back to his bedroom.

He runs smack into Kelkian toppling him over and landing straddling Kelkian who grins. "You just can't help yourself can you love?" He pinches Basil's ass making him jump and slightly hump his lap making Kelkian groan. "Alright get up before Petril kills me for distracting you from his precious cookies. Don't pout either love. I'm sure you will get what you want soon enough. Patience is a virtue." Kelkian teases and Basil glares at him grinding again making Kelkain groan. Grinning with satisfaction Basil doesn't realize Mattias has come up behind him until he grabs him under the armpits and lifts him off Kelkian.

"Alright handsome, that's enough torturing your fiancé." Mattias kisses Basil deeply before setting him on the couch in the living room. Basil sulks as Petril walks in the door quickly followed by Gram who is carrying beer and other liquors that are pretty heavy for Petril. "Trying to give us alcohol poisoning Petril?" Mattias raises a brow as Basil crosses his arms sulking.

"No, most of it is going into my baking and cooking. Also why is Basil pouting." Petril asks without even needing to look at Basil. Mattias laughs and plays with Basil's hair a bit.

"Oh he was just begging for some attention but Kelkian and I didn't want your cookies to burn." Mattias explains and Petril rolls his eyes knowingly.

"So you put him in horny jail?" Petril sighs. "Thank you for saving my cookies. I still need to make the royal icing for them. Basil stop sulking you can get attention later." Petril reprimands as Joe comes in and smacks Petril's ass nearly making him drop a tray of cookies. "Go to horny jail with Basil Joe. I don't have time for it." Petril gestures toward the couch and Joe laughs.

"Horny jail? Usually you are my prisoner babe... I mean I could go get the handcuffs Basil got us but I still need to wash them after you-" Joe grins evilly as Petril shrieks.

"JOE! Don't you dare tell them about that!" Petril interrupts and everyone but him cracks up laughing.

"Alright baby, calm down. I'll behave only so you don't pop a blood vessel." Joe laughs and Basil joins him, the two starting to watch tv before Mattias drops a book into Basil's lap.

"Study. You don't have time for sports right now Basil." Mattias kisses his forehead as Basil groans.

"Can't I have a day off?" Basil begs. Everyone looks at each other.

"No." They all say in unison. Basil rolls his eyes takes the book and retreats to his room to study a book on elemental magic control. By the time he is halfway through it it's already eleven at night and everyone is drinking except him. Basil sets his book down and goes to grab something to drink before joining everyone in the living room to watch the ball drop. He sits on Mattias's lap between Kelkian and Gram. Gram is thoroughly drunk, cheeks and nose pink despite his warm complexion. Kelkian still looks pretty sober and Mattias looks pleasantly tipsy.

"So who do you plan to kiss at midnight?" Petril asks and Basil bites his lip.

"Probably Kelkian, then Mattias, and then maybe Gram if he isn't throwing up by then." Basil teases and Gram looks offended.

"We Kings men are well known for holding our liquor just fine thank babe." Gram sticks his nose in the air and Kelkian whispers something about alcoholics under his breath.

"Whatever you say babe. Oh look it's starting!" Basil gestures to the screen and everyone turns to look at the screen as the ball begins to drop. Ten. Nine. Eight. Basil slides over to straddle Kelkian, foreheads together ready for a kiss. Seven. Six. Five. Petril is getting ready to kiss Joe. Four. Three. Two. One. Basil locks lips with Kelkian in a passionate kiss, then moves over to Mattias for a deep kiss and Gram for a sloppy drunk kiss. Just as everyone is screaming Happy New Year, there is a loud pounding on the front door that makes Basil jump and everyone else turn.