Basil and the Slumbering Emerald

Training on the Run

Everyone met up at Mattias's apartment and packed what things they could into Basil's car before setting off, letting Mattias drive since he knows the way best. Joe sits in the front seat reading a map and going over things with Mattias on getting out of Minnesota heading for Wisconsin. Basil held hands with Kelkian as he used his other hand to try to get in contact with his family over the phone. Thankfully some texts seem to get through, and his family is alright. They fled the town and are taking a vacation in the south of France for a bit. With a sigh of relief Kelkian settles back into the car seat before pulling Basil close, stroking his hair and trying to calm Basil. "What if Petril can't find us? What if he doesn't know where to go?" Basil worries and Kelkian frowns, letting Joe speak up.

"I left notes for Petril to find that only he can decipher. He will be fine Basil. We are more worried about you. We need to protect you." Joe explains and Basil's temper flares.

"Well if you guys had just taught me to protect myself sooner, we wouldn't be running." Basil snaps and Joe sighs heavily.

"I know Basil, but Petril had his reasons. All we can do is train you now and then when the time is right go on the offensive." Joe puts the map down and picks up his coffee and takes a sip. They drive for a while before pulling into a restaurant to eat. Basil orders his food but mostly picks at it, taking it with him in the car. While Joe and Mattias are using the bathroom Basil sits in the car fidgeting with his ruby engagement ring from Gram, praying that he is okay and they won't hurt him since he knows nothing and is a shackled. Kelkian slides over to Basil and tucks a lock of platinum behind his ear.

"Don't worry love, we will get Gram back. I know it doesn't seem like things are going right but I promise you that they will turn around. Have a little hope. You found Gram for a reason. I promise you things will be okay. Look at me Basil." Kelkian gently turns his head smiling lovingly. "It'll be okay." Basil searches his eyes from any amount of uncertainty but doesn't find any in those sea green eyes. Joe and Mattias return and Basil curls up to Kelkian falling asleep more peacefully than he did the night before. The rest of the drive is pretty uneventful.

Basil wakes to them pulling into the driveway of a decent sized house with two cars in the driveway. Two older people come out and take turns hugging Mattias. "Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend Basil, his fiancé Kelkian, and his uncle Joe. We were attacked by Darkened and need a place to stay for a while until we can train Basil to use magic properly. I'll need to use the basement. Is that okay?" Mattias smiles and his mother grabs Basil into a bear hug.

"Oh precious! Of course! Look at you! So handsome. A little thin, I'll have to get some meat on those bones while you are here. Come in everyone. Let's get out of this cold." His mother leads them inside and Mattias heads to the basement while his mother shows Basil and Kelkian to Mattias's old bedroom and Joe to a guest room. Mattias comes back up to get Basil and Kelkian. They head downstairs to the basement where a bunch of sigils are carved into the walls. Kelkian seems familiar with the room already but Basil looks around curiously.

"This is a magic testing room. It is magic proof on the walls to absorb rogue lightning for example. Alright. Let's get you started. I know you hate feeling helpless." Mattias starts going over the basics of fire. Fire needs both a firm hand as far as control goes but without careful control you can get burned. Mattias has burn heal ointment on hand as they begin practice summoning flames and fireballs. This comes surprisingly easy to Basil. It's like the element resonates well with him. "I'm not surprised you have an affinity for fire. You are the most passionate of us handsome." Mattias winks and Kelkian laughs. They move onto lightning which is the hardest to control due to it's arching chaos. Basil struggles quite a bit here. Zapping himself or Mattias a couple times. Kelkian gives a wide berth not wanting to get shocked. "Stop trying to force it. You have to let it fork Basil." Mattias instructs and Basil tries again, doing his best not to get shocked again. They spend the whole day in the basement going over the basic elements again.

The next day Mattias wakes Basil and they start again, this time going over both defensive and offensive uses for the elements. Earth to create shields of stone, water to absorb, and wind to misdirect. Fire and Lightning both being primarily offensive. They also go over the basics of combining elements but Basil really struggles here, failing entirely to control more than one at a time. Mattias tries to help but Basil just gets frustrated and storms upstairs alone angry with himself for struggling. Joe comes up and knocks. "Basil? You need to practice. Get out of there." Joe calls through the locked door. Reluctantly Basil emerges with tears of frustration on his cheeks. Joe wipes them away and hugs him. "I know this is hard and way more than you should have to learn in a short time but we don't have that luxery. Just remember your basics and take it slow." Joe kisses the top of his head and sends him back down to the basement.

This time Basil manages water and earth at the same time creating clay and mud. He uses that to work on mixing fire and electricity to harden it solid. He mixes wind with stone to create sand vortexes in the basement. He combines water and fire to make scalding steam and mist. Basil keeps at it again all day until he can't push himself anymore. They eat dinner with Mattias's family and head to bed.