Z'laenna was silent for a few moments, then for a few moments more. She seemed to be considering the girl before her very carefully. When she finally spoke, her voice was softer, and almost more pleased than it had been before. "You only want a year? I'm surprised at you not trying to get as much time as possible. Maybe you are taking this seriously enough, then. Very well. You have your year, though I do expect you to consider and respond to any requests we actually do receive, unless they are insultingly poor. Already rejected three of those for you." Her face twisted in a slight grimace, making it very clear what she thought about the offers they'd gotten.
Then she stood up. "You need to consider why you want to learn. You're too selfless in your reasons. Control magic is about placing the self ahead of the other, no matter what it takes. So tell me this, do you want to learn it because you want to, or because my brother wants you to?"
Romule stared at Z'laenna for a moment. He hadn't expected her to try to help at all, but then again, the demoness loved to be unpredictable. So he spoke softly to her. "Charlie...your reserves are not small. You are powerful, with the potential to be as powerful as your father or aunt, but you can't access those reserves. You have a block, I don't know what, but it's there. And it keeps you from reaching most of your power. Strengthening your connection to your element may help draw out more of that power."
Z'laenna nodded. "He speaks correctly. That is why I offered the Lunaria. You are Royal. You share my blood. You have power, but you are unable to access it. Your father was content to let you try to overcome this on your own, trusting that you'd solve it alone, but you are heir to War now, and that means shortcuts cannot be ignored. Drink the potion, and wait for his return to try magic again."
Then she stood up. "You need to consider why you want to learn. You're too selfless in your reasons. Control magic is about placing the self ahead of the other, no matter what it takes. So tell me this, do you want to learn it because you want to, or because my brother wants you to?"
Romule stared at Z'laenna for a moment. He hadn't expected her to try to help at all, but then again, the demoness loved to be unpredictable. So he spoke softly to her. "Charlie...your reserves are not small. You are powerful, with the potential to be as powerful as your father or aunt, but you can't access those reserves. You have a block, I don't know what, but it's there. And it keeps you from reaching most of your power. Strengthening your connection to your element may help draw out more of that power."
Z'laenna nodded. "He speaks correctly. That is why I offered the Lunaria. You are Royal. You share my blood. You have power, but you are unable to access it. Your father was content to let you try to overcome this on your own, trusting that you'd solve it alone, but you are heir to War now, and that means shortcuts cannot be ignored. Drink the potion, and wait for his return to try magic again."
