I never had siblings, so I can't say that I know the feeling, but I can understand it. When the apprentices get old enough to face the Harrowing, you still worry, because you've known them since they were missing half their teeth and asking you for stories.
[ protecting him is all fidelio's ever wanted. even if they're just talking about his hypothetical love life right now on the surface, after this past weekend, that concern now threads into the much deeper fear that he won't be able to keep him safe when it comes to much more serious things either, for reasons that are completely out of their control. again.
... ]
What's that, some sort of coming-of-age test of courage or somethin'?
Yes, in a sense. It's the test that moves you from Apprentice to Mage. It's a secret ritual - you spend your entire childhood afraid of it, because you are never warned what is coming or what the test will entail, only that you must be ready at any moment. You watch the older apprentices either pass and become full members or disappear without a word. They give the option of choosing Tranquility instead of facing it, and sometimes the fear is so overwhelming this works.
[ and he has no qualms about sharing circle "secrets" ]
The Senior Enchanters and Knight Commander will vote on whether you are ready to be tested and once they decide you are, you are dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to the ritual chamber. They place your hands in Lyrium, projecting your mind to the Fade - you will leave your body on the floor of the chamber, with a Templar sword hanging over your chest. They have enticed a Demon as the test. You are forced to face it in a battle of wills or magic, and if you take even a moment of hesitation, have a splinter of fear or seed of doubt, the demon will devour your mind and the Templars will destroy what's left of your body.
Mine took the shape of a great cat. As we battled it talked in my mind of the Templars beyond the Veil, standing over my paralyzed body, their swords pointed at my heart, waiting for the moment of my failure. It promised freedom, power. An escape. They make every mage undergo this, with no warning or preparation.
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You never know, he really could find love here.
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[ ...he sighs, and his tone softens slightly. ]
I know he's not actually a kid anymore, but. Still feels like one to me.
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I never had siblings, so I can't say that I know the feeling, but I can understand it. When the apprentices get old enough to face the Harrowing, you still worry, because you've known them since they were missing half their teeth and asking you for stories.
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... ]
What's that, some sort of coming-of-age test of courage or somethin'?
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[ and he has no qualms about sharing circle "secrets" ]
The Senior Enchanters and Knight Commander will vote on whether you are ready to be tested and once they decide you are, you are dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to the ritual chamber. They place your hands in Lyrium, projecting your mind to the Fade - you will leave your body on the floor of the chamber, with a Templar sword hanging over your chest. They have enticed a Demon as the test. You are forced to face it in a battle of wills or magic, and if you take even a moment of hesitation, have a splinter of fear or seed of doubt, the demon will devour your mind and the Templars will destroy what's left of your body.
Mine took the shape of a great cat. As we battled it talked in my mind of the Templars beyond the Veil, standing over my paralyzed body, their swords pointed at my heart, waiting for the moment of my failure. It promised freedom, power. An escape. They make every mage undergo this, with no warning or preparation.