[ Don't react, he says, which is the kind of sentiment guaranteed to get a reaction. It's a subdued one, at least: just a stiffening in Matt's next step, a sharp glance around. This place looks like more shadow than not all of a sudden. Like the whole street is an elaborate trap ready to spring shut, darkened buildings crushing him in their facades. ]
Totally. [ Focused, a bit distant. Matt spends a moment retracing the spell configuration with his eyes, doing his best to sear the pattern into his brain. (He's so focused that Tezcatlipoca might manage to memorize some of it too.) He reaches into the pouch at his side for the last of his herbs. ] I don't think it'll take long to recast this thing but ... please be quick just in case.
Okay.
Lights out.
[ Matt lets the spell fade, and true dark set in.
He doesn't have to wait long. The shadows are hungry hunters. And though he's far from a seasoned combatant, he has one slight advantage. After the first time one of these things scratched him up, he noticed they tend to feint left. Going for the heart, where his Shard sits.
That means when the first slash comes, his weight's already shifted. He darts right. There's a three-part harmony in his head: set the herbs alight, wind the mandala, put his breath into it. Who in Thy lotus-like left hand holdest a sword, I got a new complaint. The only problem is, in the handful of times Matt's done this, he's gotten really used to his spells charging up faster than they're doing now. ]
no subject
Totally. [ Focused, a bit distant. Matt spends a moment retracing the spell configuration with his eyes, doing his best to sear the pattern into his brain. (He's so focused that Tezcatlipoca might manage to memorize some of it too.) He reaches into the pouch at his side for the last of his herbs. ] I don't think it'll take long to recast this thing but ... please be quick just in case.
Okay.
Lights out.
[ Matt lets the spell fade, and true dark set in.
He doesn't have to wait long. The shadows are hungry hunters. And though he's far from a seasoned combatant, he has one slight advantage. After the first time one of these things scratched him up, he noticed they tend to feint left. Going for the heart, where his Shard sits.
That means when the first slash comes, his weight's already shifted. He darts right. There's a three-part harmony in his head: set the herbs alight, wind the mandala, put his breath into it. Who in Thy lotus-like left hand holdest a sword, I got a new complaint. The only problem is, in the handful of times Matt's done this, he's gotten really used to his spells charging up faster than they're doing now. ]