*Feargus stands in the grass near the water's edge. The air is crisp, clear. It's a lovely Saturday morning in the Hogwart's Gardens near the lake. He steps closer to the water, his toes just over the edge of the short drop-off to the murky depths. He closes his eyes and tilts his head back, taking a deep breath; his arms are held out from his sides slightly, his open palms toward the lake. He stands this way for some time.

Eventually, Feargus slowly draws his wand from a pocket on his thigh, keeping his posture, his eyes closed. He produces a simple flourish, touching his wand to his temple...*

"Vacumens," he calls out in a clear voice.

((Feargus has recently learned the Lesser Mind Blank NWN spell, which I have been roleplaying as part of his continued research into the mind))

_________________
"They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me" -Nathaniel Lee

Shifty are the eyes of the gambler...

*as the spell hits his brain he slowly holds his arms out to his sides. His expression becomes even more blank and he begins leaning forward...leaning past his center of balance without pausing, he falls flat against the water with a loud *smack*.

He quickly regains his senses and, sputtering and flailing, he drags himself on shore. His clothes are soaked, as is his trademark tartan cloak. He unclasps it and pulls it off, setting in on the ground*

*he sits on the ground a moment, regaining his breath* "Well, that was a bust..."

_________________
"They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me" -Nathaniel Lee

Shifty are the eyes of the gambler...

"That, my dear fellow, would quite depend upon what you were trying to do," a voice replies from behind Feargus. "If your intent was a most impessive, what is the word...ah, flop. Yes, if you were aiming for a flop into the lake, I should applaud your efforts. I am sure the squid is clapping away, hrm?"

Zane stands loosely several step away, his right hand tapping his wand against his thigh and an open book in the other. A crooked smile curves the left side of his lips upwards as he shakes his head.

_________________
You go your way
I'll go your way too

*Seril glances over to the splash from his spot in one of the garden beds near the pegasus pen. He stands and walks over to the edge of the lake casually, missing his shirt and shoes as usual. With a friendly grin he waves high over his head*

"Hey dudes!! What's up?"

_________________
"The last man on Earth sat alone in a room.
There was a knock at the door."
-Frederic Brown

*Feargus stands and chuckles, turning around* "My aim was actually, very specifically, not te flop," he grins. "But if ye'd like te applaud the quality of splash, I'm sure I would appreciate it."

*He then looks over to Seril and gives an enthusiastic wave* "Seril! I uh..." he looks at his soaked robes, then back to Seril with a grin, "I was trying to test the waterproofness of our class robes?" *sheepish grin*

_________________
"They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me" -Nathaniel Lee

Shifty are the eyes of the gambler...

Soft footsteps pad the ground as the crimson-haired Cajun makes his way to the lake. His golden eyes trail over to the small congregation in mild curiosity. Having nothing better to do, he proceeds towards the three. Lazily hooks his hands behind his back, adjusting his posture to somewhat a slouch as he nears the group. A devilish grin sprawls over his lips depicting no-good despite how rare Veiyne gets into trouble.

"Out for a swim, are we? I wouldn't do that in these chilly waters, mon ami. You'll get a cold", drops his head thoughtfully down as he removes an arm from his back, holding it near his face as he coughs for a second or more, spitting the contents of his throat on the nearby ground.

Regains his posture, slouch and all, as he continues to near Feargus' side, studying the individual cautiously. Notes the audience audience of Feargus' odd activities with a acknowledging bow of the head.

*Feargus chuckles* Not an intentional swim, no. It was ahh..."research." *nods*

_________________
"They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me" -Nathaniel Lee

Shifty are the eyes of the gambler...

_________________

Mai Roarke Willow Moran Evelyn Grant Eien Hansen Ashlee Gardner

*grins at her as she approaches, then surveys the crowd he's gathered*

*chuckles* I see I made a splash in more ways than one! My research...*addresses them all* I've been studying the effects of magic on the mind for some teyme now. Specifically, how magic can alter the mind, penetrate the mind, damage the mind. *he smiles* Even more specifically, how magic can protect the mind from these effects.

The charm which caused my impressive flop in the lake *he nods to Zane with a smile* was a new one I've been working on. *frowns* It's intended to block the mind from outside tampering, prevent someone from accessing it. So far, it also has prevented me from accessing it. *smiles a bit* Essentially causing me to black out when I cast it.

I've taken to practicing at the edge of the lake to give me clear motivation for refining it. Also, the effects seem to dissipate when I get soaked....

_________________
"They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me" -Nathaniel Lee

Shifty are the eyes of the gambler...

_________________

Mai Roarke Willow Moran Evelyn Grant Eien Hansen Ashlee Gardner

Zane remains at an aloof distance from Feargus and the others, seemingly satisfied with observing...and offering Mai a small bow-like incline of his head.

"Good morning, my dear girl."

As Feargus explains his work, however, Zane turns back to the young Scot, staring at him with an almost palpable focus. After several moments of this silent regard, he tilts his head slightly and speaks again.

"Magics of the mind are subtle...and most destructive when performed..."he pauses, looking from Feargus to the lake and then back, "...without due respect. Have you a trainer in your efforts, old boy?"

_________________
You go your way
I'll go your way too

*Feargus puts his arm around Mai's shoulders and listens intently to Zane. When he is finished, Feargus clears his throat*

"I have not been fortunate enough to have a trainer of any kind, no. This has been a pursuit all my own, until my rather public flop."

_________________
"They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me" -Nathaniel Lee

Shifty are the eyes of the gambler...

Zane nods slowly. "I offer you my appreciation for your enthusiasm, my dear fellow, but I should caution you to move carefully. There was a fellow that most Britons know well. His name was Ghandi, and he said that 'a man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.'”

Zane reaches up to touch the side of his head with the tip of his wand.

"I sit in Saint Mungo's daily with those who are proof of that. When the mind is damaged, their thoughts are ruined. They think nothing of worth."

He gives Feargus another crooked smile.

"We should hate for you to think nothing...and thus...become nothing, hrm?"

_________________
You go your way
I'll go your way too

*Seril has made himself busy by now, trying to catch the attention of a butterfly that's been fluttering by. He sits in the grass, close enough to listen to the conversation, though almost oblivious to all of it.*

_________________
"The last man on Earth sat alone in a room.
There was a knock at the door."
-Frederic Brown

A low rumbling cackle sources from Veiyne's throat at Zane's comment. Scans Feargus shortly before moving a tad bit away, seeing as the crowd's built so far he continues on down the lakeside, dazedly staring off onto the water's surface.