“Looks like your buddy is having a blast.” Malcolm said from his seat next to Valgrin’s.
“Yeah, may be having as much fun as Pelhiglo’s having.” Valgrin pointed to the small purple being doing a decent job of greeting every paalun he could find.
Izzy leaned across Malcolm, gaining Valgrin’s attention. “Looks like he’s headed our way. Taken fifteen minutes to make five steps, so it’ll be awhile.”
Nodding, Valgrin took the opportunity to wave at one of the many times Pelhiglo looked over at them. He waived back. “Hopefully that speeds him up a little.” Valgrin sighed and went back to watching Skwilly play.
“Me have so much fun. Not not hide be scared before, with others.” He stood in front of Valgrin, his bright yellow teeth showing in a grin that took over a third of his face.
“Excuse please, want to see fish better.” He moved to the fountain as Valgrin slide over. “Can you un-ice them?”
“Thaw them? Not sure.” Valgrin looked down at the ice.
“If thaw mean no more ice, then yes thaw.”
Eggplant meets pear, that’s the shape of his head. Okay that biggie out of the way, lets look at this ice. Valgrin stared down with Pelhiglo, the fish frozen midswim. If it wasn’t for the green and yellow spots all over the fish, it’d look like a koi pond. He stood and thought for a moment on how best to try to thaw the ice. “Maybe I can reverse the magic? Otherwise we may just have to wait until the temps do the job.”
Valgrin concentrated on the Create Ice spell, trying to reverse its flow. His brain fumbled for the elusive form as it slipped away like water through fingers. Pain throbbed behind his eyes, growing with each attempt. Reverse! Reverse, all ready! His vision blurred, needles of pain spreading across his forehead. The ice remained solid. Blood trickled from his nose as pressure built in his skull. One last push, then give up. He strained, adjusting the magical current, feeling something dangerous stretching inside his mind. A searing snap made him wobble. Did I fail? Have I damaged something irreparable? Then a tiny puddle appeared. The ice cracked, reluctantly surrendering to liquid. Within seconds, the entire surface was water again. Valgrin crumpled to the ground as Izzy and Malcolm rushed to his side.
“You do! You do. Now need to get containers ready.” Pelhiglo scrambled to pull bags from inside his coat, wildly waving a couple of almost chicken over. “I get in bag and to lab right away, no want voices for paaluns. Oh, by the way, almost chickens sensed lathraig had come seem to be searching for dead one. Same place as dead one.” He scooped the last fish into a bag and scurried back with three almost chicken’s, all carrying bags of fish.
Skwilly and Ylnah came running in as the almost chickens left. “Skwilly says you’re hurt?” Ylnah asked, fear creeping into her voice.
“I’m fine, really. Tried doing something new with my magic, may have stretched myself a little too much. Izzy or Malcolm healed me, took care of the headache.” Valgrin broke into a big grin and looked directly at Ylnah. “Changed the energy flows in my Create Ice spell and added some components from Manipulate Temperature. Got Melt Ice to work!”
Ylnah's eyes widened to perfect circles. "You were able to see the form?" She bounced on her toes, hands flying together in rapid-fire claps that echoed across the courtyard. Her previous concern evaporated quickly.
Valgrin shook his head, carefully, “No, almost but couldn’t hold the form. I felt and directed more than shaped. And that’s all we’re discussing about it today. We’ll cover it another time, just wanted you to know. Now, you and Skwilly go enjoy the day of celebration.” He grinned watching them nod, spin, and run back to the paaluns.
“Good kid, there.” Malcolm commented.
“Agree. Probably lose Skwilly to her if it wasn’t for the bond. Did you hear about the lathraig?”
“Did,” Malcolm nodded.
“I did too,” Izzy added. “Also, Bridget and her daughter are staying here for a bit. Shawin says she feels more comfortable here with dirt all around her than at home. Bridget is doing the beat yourself up thing for not thinking about a cave earlier.”
“Sounds like just the three of us, Ylnah, and Skwilly will be hitting the road to the station thing tomorrow. Still have to get them the news about Litok.” Valgrin picked at his top, taking a momentary pause. “Want to look at stats, think the ice thing causes a few notifications.”
“Stat’s sound like a good idea.” Malcolm agreed.
Valgrin sat, his back against the fountain. Sandy I’d like to review stats.
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<< STATUS — character sheet, with recent changes
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Malcolm watched his friend glaze over while he looked at his stats. My turn. Character sheet.
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Yes please, shouldn’t take much time. In fact I think I’ll spend these all around. Let’s go five points on all attributes, the extra five goes to Reflexes.
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