[ Alright, he's actually starting to feel bad about this. She's entirely too easy to impress. This might call for a subject change. ]
Oh — no, it's all learned.
[ He waves it off. ]
But I haven't even introduced myself yet, just barged on in. You're Olivia, right? [ He'd usually let her introduce herself but, sue him, he wanted to say her name. His smile goes a little softer for it. ] I'm Ashraf Salib.
if he's learned all this, then that must mean he can teach all this too, right?
before he can even blink, olivia has crossed the (albeit short) distance between them, grabbing up both of his hands in hers, leaning up to stare at him with wide, imploring eyes. ]
[ Oh. That's a little startling. Ashraf blinks, feeling suddenly out of his depth. Which isn't something he feels very often, honestly. ]
I... could try. [ He can't just say no. He also can't take his hands back, but isn't sure what to do with them in the meantime. ] I've never really tried teaching before.
[ olivia smiles back in embarrassment; truthfully she isn't always so bold, but there is a certain desperation here that is hard to ignore. or hide, for that matter. ]
I'm sorry, that's — forward of me...
[ slowly she lowers their hands, but though her hold loosens, she is hesitant to let them go just yet. ]
It's just. I've been given these healing powers recently, and someone else has been tutoring me since then but. But I thought perhaps if I learned under you as well, I'd be able to — do more. Do better.
[ He's not sure he can do it. Not that he's not willing to, he's willing to do quite a lot for someone looking for help — he's just not sure he can his entire experience with healing has been primarily trial by fire, which he can't bring himself to point out to her. ]
I... well. [ He forces a nod, if slightly a hesitant one. ] I can definitely do my best. Let's see what you've got so far, so I know what you're working with.
[ oh. a test. he means to ask for a test, doesn't he?
well. she responds in the only other way she knows how (all thanks to a certain green witch)—
she pulls free the hunting knife she'd had strapped to her thigh
and proceeds to slash it clear across her forearm! 8Db
it... granted it takes her a little longer to heal up, but she manages to do so. there is no big flashy show to go with it, however — just a gradual mending of skin after some considerable concentration on her part. ]
[ For his part, Ashraf doesn't flinch in the slightest as she opens a gash in her forearm. After all, how else would one test healing ability without anything to heal? He'd do the same. He watches the healing with a thoughtful eye, one hand on his chin, and nods when the skin has knit itself back together again. ]
That's a very good start. [ A little slow, but she did say she was new to it. ] How are you with more extensive injuries?
[ The other option is that she had had the chance, and just… hadn’t. She wouldn’t be much of a healer in that case, so he’s betting (and hoping) it’s not that one. ]
Well — yes, but. [ truthfully, it is not her greatest worry. there have always been other, better healers in their ranks. ] But also... What if I get it wrong?
[ It’s a valid point, so he puts a few seconds of thought into it, then nods. ]
That is a danger. [ And, in fact, it’s one he seems to remember caused him grief a long, long time ago. It might be best not to tell that story right now. ] But what’s the alternative?
[ It doesn’t sound like a rhetorical question, and his watching gaze waits for an answer. ]
[ when he's suddenly in her field of vision again, she blinks rapidly, unconsciously shrinking away. a flush rises on her cheeks, both ashamed and embarrassed. ]
[ But it's not his nature to press too much. He leans back again, but does it with a wave of a hand -- a little cloud of faintly blue, sparkling mist falls over Olivia, settles briefly, and disappears again. It should leave her feeling soothed and strengthened. ]
My point is, you can't be afraid to try. You'll handicap yourself before you've even started.
[ she idly touches a hand to her forehead. there's so much more magic out there than she realized; it's starting to give her a little bit of a headache. ]
It's — interesting. [ certainly handy, she assumes. ]
[ a flash of surprise flickers across her face; clearly, she had thought she was meant to use the sword on herself. hesitation starts to creep in, furrowing her brow. ]
A-Are you sure...?
[ not that she doubts his abilities or anything — but it isn't often that she means to turn her sword on an ally.
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her hands slowly lift to her mouth, delicately covering her gasp. ]
You... really are amazing. Were you born with these abilities? Or did you have to learn them...?
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Oh — no, it's all learned.
[ He waves it off. ]
But I haven't even introduced myself yet, just barged on in. You're Olivia, right? [ He'd usually let her introduce herself but, sue him, he wanted to say her name. His smile goes a little softer for it. ] I'm Ashraf Salib.
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if he's learned all this, then that must mean he can teach all this too, right?
before he can even blink, olivia has crossed the (albeit short) distance between them, grabbing up both of his hands in hers, leaning up to stare at him with wide, imploring eyes. ]
Mr. Ashraf! Please teach me!
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I... could try. [ He can't just say no. He also can't take his hands back, but isn't sure what to do with them in the meantime. ] I've never really tried teaching before.
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I'm sorry, that's — forward of me...
[ slowly she lowers their hands, but though her hold loosens, she is hesitant to let them go just yet. ]
It's just. I've been given these healing powers recently, and someone else has been tutoring me since then but. But I thought perhaps if I learned under you as well, I'd be able to — do more. Do better.
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I... well. [ He forces a nod, if slightly a hesitant one. ] I can definitely do my best. Let's see what you've got so far, so I know what you're working with.
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[ oh. a test. he means to ask for a test, doesn't he?
well. she responds in the only other way she knows how (all thanks to a certain green witch)—
she pulls free the hunting knife she'd had strapped to her thigh
and proceeds to slash it clear across her forearm! 8Db
it... granted it takes her a little longer to heal up, but she manages to do so. there is no big flashy show to go with it, however — just a gradual mending of skin after some considerable concentration on her part. ]
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That's a very good start. [ A little slow, but she did say she was new to it. ] How are you with more extensive injuries?
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Um... I haven't really tried. [ she's been too afraid to. ]
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Because you haven’t had the chance to?
[ The other option is that she had had the chance, and just… hadn’t. She wouldn’t be much of a healer in that case, so he’s betting (and hoping) it’s not that one. ]
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That is a danger. [ And, in fact, it’s one he seems to remember caused him grief a long, long time ago. It might be best not to tell that story right now. ] But what’s the alternative?
[ It doesn’t sound like a rhetorical question, and his watching gaze waits for an answer. ]
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There are — better healers here...
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That might be true. What if they're unreachable?
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Th-They usually aren't...!
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[ But it's not his nature to press too much. He leans back again, but does it with a wave of a hand -- a little cloud of faintly blue, sparkling mist falls over Olivia, settles briefly, and disappears again. It should leave her feeling soothed and strengthened. ]
My point is, you can't be afraid to try. You'll handicap yourself before you've even started.
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she glances at him, her eyes wide but also faintly wary. ]
Wh-What was that...? More magic?
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It's — interesting. [ certainly handy, she assumes. ]
Um. Thank you...
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We could practice, if you have any weapons on you.
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You mean like that?
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You can use it?
[ healers... don't use swords...??? ]
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she was handling that sword long before she learned how to save people from it. ]
For a while now. And I've been told I'm getting better, [ she says, and even seems to puff up just slightly. ]
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Well, alright, the sword, then. [ He nods toward it, a request that she pick it up. ] Are you willing to use it against me?
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A-Are you sure...?
[ not that she doubts his abilities or anything — but it isn't often that she means to turn her sword on an ally.
...
not on purpose, anyway. ]
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