29 January 2023

I was intending to learn more about the world of Tirian and Gwen, maybe figure out some potential threads for the central conflict as it applies to them and their character growth. Instead, it wound up being a fourth-wall-shattering discussion on the nature of imagination. :) I do feel it gave me a good grasp of the headmaster’s personality, as well a few of his priorities, though. I still need to figure out how I’m going to subvert his character; I don’t just want another Dumbledore or Gandalf, as awesome as those characters are. Haven’t figured out how I’m going to do that, though.

I enter the room to find the headmaster seated behind his desk. Behind him are wide, open windows overlooking the academy courtyard, making the room feel open and well-lit, despite the towering bookshelves lining the walls on either side.

The headmaster puts down his quill and clasps his hands in front of him. “And to what do I owe this pleasure?”

I shrug and walk along a bookshelf, trailing my fingers along the grain of the wood below the books. “Curiosity, I suppose.” I move over and sit across from him. “I have only discovered this world, you see, and you seem to be the type that knows far more than he ever lets on. So you might be a good source of information.”

The headmaster raised an eyebrow. “If this is all a creation within your mind, then surely I would be unable to tell you anything you didn’t already know.”

I chuckle. “If. Sometimes, honestly, I have my doubts.” I tap the wooden desk, then glance around, noting the simple, yet elegant chandelier above us. “Do I really create all of this, or did I simply discover it, my mind viewing scenes of your world as if through a dark glass, distorted?” I shrug again. “Plus, I wanted to sit down and talk. Everyone else, it would be better to learn about them by testing them, somehow, or throwing them in the deep end.”

“Such as exposing all their secrets before Lightmaster Sennan?” The headmaster’s voice was cold, almost threatening.

I raise my eyebrows. “Was there some kind of fallout from that I’m not aware of?”

The headmaster eased back into his chair. “There are always consequences for our actions, Mr. Cloud, as I know you are very well aware. This is not a simple matter.” He turned his chair away to face out the window–it pivots, apparently?–and adds, “But I’m afraid that will have to be all for today. Farewell, Mr. Cloud.”

Part of me wants to protest, but it is getting late my side. I thank him for his time, and leave the room.

10 January 2023

This was one of the rare days this week where it actually clicked, and I was able to get a lot done. While I was at work, I was ruminating on various things, including Todoroki’s arc in My Hero Academia. I started messing with things, pulling strings here and there, and came up with some of the basics below. I also have one or two other ideas for scenes related to these characters, but nothing definitive yet.

If I were to come back to his and do it again or revise it, I’d probably either remove the bit where Tirian doesn’t want to use the light, and is instead scared of how people will react to his dark powers, OR when he uses them, he’d start with the light and add the dark after. Not sure which would be better; proabably depends on the rest of the story and what conflicts arise.

Chad slammed Tirian against the wall so hard the concrete broke. “This isn't about your father! Or the headmaster, or anyone else! Right now, you are in the ring with me. Respect me enough to fight me seriously!”

He let go of Tirian’s lapel and let him sink to the ground. Tirian looked down at his hand. “I… don’t know if I can do that. The very thought of use his power–”

Chad smashed a fist into the wall above Tirian’s head, sending a spray of rock chips out around them. “Then make it yours! Own it so thoroughly, no one even recognizes it’s the same!”

Make it his? The wheels in Tirian’s head started to spin. He remembered his mother, all but imprisoned in their summer home, and every time that half of his power had broken free of his control. What if, instead of keeping his two halves separate, he brought them together?

A feral grin spread across Tirian’s face, and he got a wild gleam in his eye. As tendrils of darkness started forming around him, he stood up and told Chad, “Thanks. Guess I needed that.”

Chad returned the grin with one of his own. “About time.” He narrowly dodged an attack, and the battle began in earnest.

Lightmaster Sennan’s face had soured more and more as he’d watched the beginning of the fight, as well as the argument they had in the middle. But he’d remained seated until Tirian leaked darkness; as soon as that happened, he bolted upright, ready to jump in and put a stop to things before another tragedy occurred.

No sooner had he risen, though, when the headmaster ordered, “Sit down, Sennan.”

“Don’t you know how dangerous that power is?” Sennan demanded. “It can’t be controlled. And it won’t end until it’s had its share of blood!”

“You give your boy too little credit. Look closer.”

Sennan turned back to the fight. Then he noticed the tendrils of darkness weren’t nearly as frenzied as they should have been. While he tried to figure that out, Sennan finally noticed the veins of light running down each tendril. His eyes went wide. “...That’s not possible…”

“And yet he’s doing it.” The headmaster raised an eyebrow and looked up at Sennan. “Your boy’s put quite a lot of effort in this year.”

Sennan collapsed into his chair. “What will the rest of the Sentinels think?”

The headmaster snorted. “They know the boy’s parentage–they ordered it, after all–and it’s clear he’s learned control. It would be simple to spin this in your favor.” A sly smile flit across his lips. “No, if I were you, it would be the next fight I would worry about.”

Sennan’s eyes drew together. “The Peren girl? Why?”

“Not her; her opponent. The illegitimate daughter of Baroness Rachel Nuhardt. Does that ring a bell?”

Even more confused, Sunnan shook his head. The headmaster could only sigh. “Pity. Makes the whole thing even more tragic, I suppose.”

Down below, Gwen and Katya watched Tirian’s and Chad’s fight escalate. Gwen turned to Katya. “I’m sorry, but… After hearing and seeing that, I have to go all-out.”

Katya flashed her a wicked smile. “I’d be offended if you didn’t.”

Soon enough, the fight ended with chad flat on the ground, exhausted, and Tirian still standing. They exchanged a few words, though Gwen couldn’t make them out from where she was, and Tirian walked off the field, followed by the med crew helping Chad off.

“Guess we’re up,” Katya said. Gwen nodded, and the two headed out.

The announcer boomed out their names, and the center judge started the match. Immediately, Gwen sucked in and burst into light so bright the spectators could barely look at her. She caught a glimpse of the Lightmaster’s shocked expression. Ostensibly, he was her father, but after what she’d seen and heard, she was just as happy to have nothing to do with him.

Meanwhile, Katya had jumped onto a kite and guided the wind to circle around Gwen.