On The Topic of Safety...

[Rosco Agassi]

Rosco hasn't gotten angry with Kondor yet.

It's a bit shocking, considering how hot-headed he's known for being. Thankfully Kondor's time away had been long enough for emotions to simmer to a silent bitterness, and the halfling now just did his best to avoid him.

It makes it hard to agree to train him, but he does with reluctance, trusting that it's better to approach and work through emotion than to sit and simmer in it. Seeing Kondor for what he is - someone searching for their place in religion - is an important part of that.

The two are on the porch, Rosco perched on the picnic table. He gestures for Kondor to sit on the bench across from him. "Right," Rosco starts, "If you want to learn how to visit the astral plane then surely you already know how to visit other planes, right? This isn't that different. Astral feels like a world between worlds, where some can see you but few can touch you. It's not inherently safe, but it's a hell of a lot safer than the material plane."

['Kondor' Ashblight]

Kondor hesitated for a moment before sitting down on the bench, feeling the weight of Rosco's gaze on him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. After sitting, he took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

"Rosco, I appreciate you agreeing to train me, especially, your willingness to teach me despite this short notice." Kondor started, "I've learned to travel to other planes before, but only once to the astral plane. It felt different, almost what I'd think sleep walking would be like, on the edge of reality and almost a dream".

He met Rosco's eyes with determination. "So, how do we begin?"

[Rosco Agassi]

Rosco doesn't acknowledge the thanks. He wonders briefly if that makes him a bad person before deciding it's best for him to not engage in any conversation with Kondor outside of training. While he hopes that this will provide a structure of empathy and understanding, he knows that will take time.

"The reason you need to learn to meditate before you can learn to trance, and trance before you learn to visit other planes is because all of those things require you accessing your psychic energy in a way that works your body, too. Close your eyes."

Rosco leans back on his hands, watching the young townsmember intently. "Focus the same way you do when you do your meditation, I want you to hear only my voice. Nothing else matters, the birds have stopped chirping, the wind has stopped blowing, there is no one else on this deck but us. Me, you, and our two psychic energies."

As he speaks, Rosco finds himself inadvertently reaching for his own power. It's a trick that comes so naturally to him now, there is no reason for him to need to search. He can pull on bits of purple, make them bend into what he wants in split seconds - be that to play possum, dip into the astral or even to give some of that energy away. It's comforting to know that he can still seek it out when he needs the focus.

['Kondor' Ashblight]

Kondor closed his eyes as instructed, he focused on Rosco's voice, letting it guide him into a state of calm. Returning to the familiar state when he meditates had gotten harder in recent months, the feeling of endless racing thoughts muddled Kondor's mind. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he pushed out all other distractions, and feeling the weight of his thoughts be uplifted.

He focused on maintaining that connection, letting it anchor him in the present moment. He remained still, his body relaxed but his mind alert, ready to follow Rosco's next instructions.

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