Morrigan is many things (whathavewehere) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-09-15 18:39:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, maxwell trevelyan (the inquisitor), morrigan |
Who: Max and Morrigan
What: A lesson in shapeshifting.
When: Recently
Where: Skyhold
Warnings: Family friendly
The courtyard, in that area facing the stables, was currently empty - dirt crunched underfoot, but the stalls with the thatched roofs, there weren’t any merchants peddling wares. No Bonny Sims, head of the Tradesmen Guild, or Farris - who specialized in wheeling and dealing, in contracts. There were others too, various merchants who sold weapons, armor, or ingredients for crafting that were difficult to get elsewhere, even mounts so the Inquisition could travel in style - which was why it seemed strange to not have that ‘people milling about’ vibe now.
But it was the best place for practicing magic, that wasn’t the mage tower. As grand of a space as that was, there were a lot of breakable items there. Not to mention the work-in-progress that was the lyrium-infused prosthetic arm. Max and Lina were toiling over that pretty regularly, and it was almost ready for the first test run.
Ergo, shapeshifting - which happened to be a craft that Trevelyan had never dipped into - seemed safest done out in the open.
It was pleasant up near Ortega Falls too, nestled in the Santa Ana mountains. No city smog or noise pollution for miles; that would help him concentrate. “Just as long as I’m not a spider or you’re not a spider?” Max was saying. “We’re good. I’m at your mercy.” He’d worn his light armor just in case, the regular prosthetic arm in place from the elbow down on his left side - really, he was trying not to burst with glee at the thought of learning something new from Morrigan. Being a mage was just that important to him, it brought him such joy even if it was difficult to explain to outsiders sometimes.
Teaching shapeshifting was both easy and difficult. It was easy because it wasn’t quite as regimented as learning some other disciplines. There was no ritual to be completed like the one for beginning to learn Necromancy. But it took skill and focus to do it correctly. Manuals existed in Thedas about shapeshifting, but Morrigan had not received one from her dreams. So she was teaching from memory.
“So many people dislike spiders. You. Hawke. Sometimes Maia.” At least when Morrigan shifted into a giant spider without warning, at any rate. “Though you have my word, I shall neither teach nor assume the form of a spider.” Not unless Morrigan was in a teasing mood, but there were better ways to accomplish that.
“That said, I do recommend the first form you wish to learn is a smaller one. Tis easier than to choose something large. Smaller takes a little less concentration.” Morrigan walked a few paces away from Max, then turned to face him. She was dressed in what many lovingly called her ‘swamp rags.’ It seemed well suited for the task at hand. “The first form I learned was that of a raven. Maia’s is a rat. I suggest you choose an animal that is smaller and one that you favour. Shapeshifting requires considerable focus to change your form, but it comes easier the more you practice and become used to the process. So, what animal form would you wish to learn first?”
It was true, both Max and Hawke (influential, powerful, Thedosians that they were) hated spiders. A deep loathing and intense fear of them, for whatever reason - really, Trevelyan had no idea how to explain his arachnophobia. He just knew that if he saw a spider, he was taking off at a fast clip in the opposite direction and calling Nasir over to squash it (or bring it outside, whatever, as long as Max didn’t have to look at the eight-legged nasty).
So no, choosing that as his first foray into shapeshifting? Not happening.
He’d considered a raven too, because flying sounded like such an amazing experience - but then changed his mind. When he got better with shapeshifting he’d attempt some type of bird, just for the thrill of using wings. For now, he’d go with an animal he did tend to favor. “How about a cat?” Max suggested. Cats were sleek and agile - having a way to see in the dark and travel relatively quickly on all fours also seemed intriguing. “Should be small enough?”
Alright, and those ‘swamp rags’ also looked, uh, nice. He was firmly in the bisexual camp with a slight preference for men, however, did appreciate the female form - and Morrigan had a pleasant one (sorry, Maia, he’d try not to stare too much).
There was little that Morrigan feared or disliked when it came to the animal kingdom. Of course, there were species she believed the world could do without, but few of them would actually make her walk the other way. She was probably the type of person who would actually pick up a tarantula if she came across it. Mostly because of the chance of disturbing others around her. Perhaps she’d even have a pet tarantula if she wasn’t so fond of cats.
And Maia would probably not completely like having a giant, hairy spider sitting around as a pet. It was probably difficult enough when Morrigan shapeshifted into one.
“Excellent choice. A cat is also one of the forms I have learned, so this one will be easier to teach.” Being able to speak from total personal experience with a specific form would certainly help. “To begin, you must still your mind and focus on the animal you wish to become and hold a clear image of it in your mind. Shapeshifting is unlike other magics in that it is fully centered in the mind and the magic is turned inward upon yourself. Perhaps it is closest to casting a protective barrier or a spell like Rock Armor, for you are the focal point of the spell. However, you are changing your very shape, even your genetic makeup as opposed to casting an illusion of having taken the shape of something else. Therefore once you have the image of the cat within your mind, you can begin to cast the spell. As similar to casting barriers or other spells on yourself, you are the target and focus on your form changing into a cat and channel the magic into that. It may take a little time, and sometimes even multiple attempts, but eventually you will achieve the form of a cat. The more you practice, the less time you will need to focus and change. It is something that must be repeated for every new animal form you wish to learn. But once the process becomes natural to you, it shall be as simple as a snap of your fingers.”
To demonstrate the point, Morrigan shifted into her cat form in a puff of purple smoke and some lightning. Once the smoke cleared, a black cat was sitting where Morrigan had been. She stretched for a moment, then shifted back into human form.
Changing genetic makeup, that was daunting. But Max could do this, he knew he could - they’d called him a prodigy at the Circle of Ostwick (though did that really matter?), and he had always taken to learning magic smoothly. Plus, he was eager, he had the desire - so that also had to count for something.
The key was to clear his mind, he assumed. To focus on the mental image of a cat - an orange tabby, with green eyes (Max the Cat was apparently going to resemble Garfield a little), and he tried. He couldn’t seem to hold it, however, because he was too concerned with whether or not he was doing it right - not to mention his mind kept pinging off in different directions, tugged here and there, just by little things. Which was silly because he could cast protective barrier spells, and had before.
Magic rose and shimmered like heat waves, the glare of it very present to those who could sense such things - he called upon this force, reaching out and holding onto his connection with the Fade, feeling the pulse of it and the way it beat against his ribs. But still. Nothing yet.
Dark eyes snapped open. “It’s so different than summoning fire,” he huffed, looking sheepish. “Okay, I just...need to make a clearer picture of a cat in my mind, maybe?”
Shapeshifting was difficult at first. Changing one’s form was no simple task despite the fact Morrigan made it look easy. It simply became easier the more one practiced after learning how to change. The very first time was the hardest, in Morrigan’s opinion. Patience was a requirement, but the reward for the patience paid off in the end.
Morrigan watched Max closely as he attempted to shift. As much as she knew he was a skilled mage, she hadn’t thought he’d shift on the very first try. Still, the rise of the magic was promising. He simply needed to take it further, to push more, in a manner of speaking. Though another trick came to mind when Max’s eyes opened again.
“Indeed it is. Twisting magic back upon yourself directly, not simply creating a barrier or casting a healing spell, is difficult to do. Though perhaps a different approach could be attempted. Have you done meditation at all before? Actual meditation, not simply sitting quietly. Or if not that, have you tried yoga or tai chi?” Perhaps engaging him in one of those, or something similar, would help still his mind enough that he could manage the spell easier.
Yes, throwing fire or something offensive was a lot different than turning the effects of magic inward - Max had never really learned that way. He’d always focused on the external - inferno spells, creating ice, streaks of lightning, harnessing the elements. Necromancy was similar in that it required an external focus on harnessing the power from spirits residing in the Fade; but again, he wasn’t exactly looking within. However he enjoyed a challenge, and this was a good one.
“None of the above,” he cracked a grin. “But I should probably give it a try, to help shift my focus?” To also calm his focus - he had a feeling he just needed to get in a completely different zone, in a completely different mindset, to harness the power of shapeshifting. “What are some basic, uh...tai chi moves you can recommend?”
That was sometimes the best part of learning new magic, the challenge of working it and then mastering it. Older magics sometimes were more difficult to learn simply because many mages didn’t know them. Reading how a spell was supposed to work was very different from watching another mage perform the spell. Still, if she was not up to the challenge of teaching Max how to shapeshift, she would not be here right now.
“There are, yes. While doing this, pretend as though you are moving and shaping magic, the essence of the Fade itself. Focus on an invisible power whirling around you, shifting with each movement of your body. Follow my lead.” She began to take him through some beginning moves in tai chi. She moved fluidly, obviously having learned tai chi during her time in China when she had been there before. But tai chi had a fluid motion, one that was good for concentration and for visualizing spells, as she’d come to realize.
Magic was a natural force, like gravity - it was like when Max had shown Revy a few things, educating her on what it felt like to tap into a pool of energy; you had to be aware of what was around you. You had to have that extrasensory perception to even know where to begin.
He imagined it was sort of the same thing now, so, he should really attempt to follow his own advice.
Moving and shaping. He mimicked Morrigan as best he could, focusing, centering himself - and in his mind, Trevelyan began to create a picture. Not just picturing the cat as it ended up, but imagining every single piece of the puzzle from the inside out. What went into a cat? Well, there was the skull. The neck bones, jawbones, shoulderblades, clavicle. They had ribs, backbones, claws - those bones all began to connect and when they did, when they fused together, the muscles came next. Those muscles and tendons stretching over bone, followed by the organs that were life - fur and colors pouring in were last, creating the whole picture.
Then he had it. A bright, bright flash of light with a flicker of violet that colored what looked to be him exploding - but it wasn’t that, it was merely a change. For a moment, there was an orange tabby cat, yowling.
Rrrrreeeeeow
It shocked the ever-loving shit out of him, which was probably why he didn’t stay in that form for very long. Another bright burst of light, air compressing and almost stretching, and Max was back to his human self, swaying a little.
“Oh, Maker’s balls, I think I almost pissed myself.”
That was one thing that people in general in Thedas did not understand. For all that the Chant of Light said that magic was to serve man, it belittled the fact that magic was natural. It was not a curse or an affliction as some tended to view it. It took skill to wield it, and while some could never quite master it, there were others who were naturals at it. Morrigan was a natural, and she could tell that Max was as well.
It was why she was confident he would get it sooner or later. He was a natural talent and highly intelligent when it came to magic. So she certainly wasn’t surprised when she felt the shift in the air, the gathering of magic. She stopped her tai chi and watched him as it finally happened.
The burst of light made her flinch, closing her eyes and looking away momentarily, but she did catch the orange tabby sitting there. And she had to smile. It was a smile that only grew when he returned to his human form.
“Tis an unsettling experience at first, I understand. Nevertheless, congratulations on successfully shapeshifting into your first animal.” She stepped closer to him, looking him over to see if he was going to faint or anything. “Tis also overwhelming when adjusting to the animal’s senses. A cat’s sense are far sharper than our own. That alone takes some adjustment.”
“I think that was why I panicked,” he admitted, because as soon as he’d shifted everything was just a lot sharper, more clear. Not to mention the vantage point of being so close to the ground and the feel of paws instead of hands - very strange. “But thanks, that was...intense.”
He really had no other word to describe it - necromancy was a ritual, magic sort of imbibed into your very being, your soul. This was taking the magic that was a natural force and literally shaping it, turning it onto yourself. Definitely a lot different than those outward displays meant to dispel magic.
Max shook out his limbs, ear to shoulder so he could stretch the muscle and also crack his neck. “I should probably try again? Is there a way to get back to human form without sheer panic as the motivator?” he asked.
She had to smile a bit. It was a panic she well understood. Her first time shapeshifting had had a similar result of panic. Even now when she’d take a new form, she’d go through some panic initially. Though she was better at controlling it so she wouldn’t immediately try to go back to her human form.
“There is, yes. Tis the same process as it takes to take another shape, only visualizing yourself becoming human again. I know tis easier said than done, but the more you practice and the more you are able to keep yourself centered and focused, the easier it shall become.” Her smile widened slightly. “If it comforts you, I still experience such episodes of panic when taking on a new animal form. It passes with practice, however.”
That did make Max feel a little better - so he wasn’t being completely absurd by experiencing a bit of shock and awe at being a cat. It was the oddest thing because he still had his own mind, from what he could tell - but those feline instincts were probably very much there as well.
So in other words, he’d likely hide in wait until Nasir walked by and then pop out just to be a shit, along with knocking things off of shelves because he felt like it.
“Is there any way you could shift too?” he hedged, hoping that didn’t sound too ridiculous. “If we were both cats at the same time that might make me feel more comfortable at first. I think.” Of course, Morrigan was a beautiful black cat and Trevelyan was an adorable orange tabby who looked like he wanted to stick his face in a can of Friskies. But still.
Each animal form had it’s own pack of issues to adjust to. Morrigan would say that shifting into a dragon was possibly the strangest of all the forms she could shift into. Though Max was correct, the animal’s instincts were still there, and sometimes it could be difficult to control them. However, it was easier to do once one adjusted and managed to remain calm.
Morrigan could certainly attest to the fact that it was easy to make practical jokes when one could shapeshift. She had caught Maia off-guard once having shifted into her giant spider form when Maia’s back had been turned. She should potentially do that again.
“Of course. It can certainly be of use, yes. Would you like me to shift first?” Morrigan wasn’t certain if he wanted them to shift at the same time, or if he wanted her to go first.
“If you wouldn’t mind going first?” Honestly, Max knew that it would take him longer to get into cat mode, so to speak. He’d only done it once before and it wasn’t like he claimed to be some kind of expert.
But this would be good - he could travel the grounds as a cat, with a cat companion. Perhaps that way he’d be able to better sink into this new form, and become accustomed to how it felt. And at least this way, he wouldn’t be alone while he adjusted either.
Back to trying to calm, and focus, and clear his mind. He recalled the tai chi basics Morrigan had gone over - breathing in and out slowly, concentrating on all parts of the (cat) body, rooting himself which was the cornerstone of all tai chi exercises. Roots beneath his feet (or paws, as it were). “Ready whenever you are.”
It certainly did help to have a companion. Flemeth hadn’t been the ideal companion, but she had at least helped Morrigan through the shapeshifting lessons until she’d gotten the hang of it. And Flemeth had done well in the ways of teaching her to control her magic. Which was possibly why she did make a good teacher when given the chance. At times Morrigan could be highly impatient, but when it came to teaching magic, she had patience.
Teaching Max and Maia was good for her. They were both different kinds of students, different kinds of mages. Maia had preferred the offensive elemental spells while Max seemed to favor a slightly less bombastic style of magic. Morrigan had a mix of spells herself.
She watched as Max centered himself again. The tai chi had been a good touch, she felt. Certainly easier than teaching yoga, at the very least. “I am ready.” Which was shortly followed by her shifting into her cat form. It had been a while since she’d taken her cat form. She’d done it a couple times to see how her own cats reacted to her, but that had been about it.
It look Max less time, the second try. He was still concentrating so hard he about burst a blood vessel, but that would ease up the more he did this - and Morrigan really was a good teacher. Elemental spells were ones he knew, fire and ice and lightning, but Necromancy was a craft he’d dived into because it was the best way to keep himself and his companions alive. Trevelyan needed them to live, and he didn’t care that in some circles it was frowned upon to pull from spirits the Fade - it wasn’t a particularly flashy sect of magic, but it was effective.
There he was again, Garfield Max the Cat, yowling from his vantage point on the ground. What did cats do besides make nuisances of themselves? They rubbed their face on things. On each other. Hence why he gave Morrigan the black cat a friendly and affectionate headbutt, purrrrrrrr.
Then took off running. Time to test his, literal, cat-like reflexes. This was going to be an interesting afternoon.