11th Gig; [private text to Hayate]

[millionbitpipes]

[Now that the battle's over and he's had time to think things over a little, he's got a question for Hayate. He spends far too long staring at the scroll, wondering if he even really wants to know the answer, before finally quickly jotting down:]

Listen. I really need you to be honest with me right now.

Did all that singing actually do something, or were you just trying to get folks like me and Bertie out of the way?

Comments

Text

[hattrickery]

If I had wanted you out of the way I would have said so

With my old team, I wasn't one of the frontliners - that was Eliza's and Tara's job - Sanjo was in charge of healing, and I was the one in charge of support because it's what I'm good at

and I wanted to share that with my friends?

the singing really did do something, I promise

[millionbitpipes]

Okay. Thanks.

It ain't about you. It just seemed too good to be true.

[hattrickery]

It's alright.

I'm glad I was able to reassure you.

[millionbitpipes]

I just hate having to sit back like a coward while everyone else does all the fighting. I still kinda hate what I did a little, but it was better than nothing.

Was that one of those magic things you were offering to teach people a while back?

[hattrickery]

Gritty Ditty, yeah. It's the final secret of the Minstrel Vocation.

[millionbitpipes]

What else does that do?

[hattrickery]

Minstrels? They can control wind, heal, and there's a bunch of skills related to making people laugh.

I was a Minstrel when I started out.

[millionbitpipes]

Sounds like something you oughta talk to Pinkie Pie about.

[Seriously, making people laugh? Why?

But ain't nothin' gonna be perfect.]

Can you teach me to do that?

[hattrickery]

The one time I tried to give Pinkie Pie a vocation she turned me into STEEL

never doing that again

And yeah, I can teach you.

[millionbitpipes]

She did what

Nevermind. I don't want to know.

I'm free whenever you are. Nothin' on my calendar for the next ever.

[hattrickery]

I can drop by right now, if you want?

There's a little bit of ceremony - I have to give you a chance to back out, it's part of the spell - and then we can start training.

[millionbitpipes]

That's fine.

[Why would he need to back out? Well, other people have gotten magic from her, he probably would've heard by now if there were blood rites or something.

He'll give her the address, because the mun hasn't made one up.]

Action

[hattrickery]

It doesn't take Hayate long to get there - her top speed is nowhere near Rainbow Dash's, but she's not slow - and knock on the door.

[millionbitpipes]

Hey. C'mon in.

[Flare ain't here at the moment, which is probably fine. Harvey doesn't reckon he needs witnesses. He's looking a little better than he has in recent weeks as he opens the door to let Hayate inside; getting out and fighting may have, conversely, done him some good.]

[hattrickery]

Hayate nods and paces through the door, her wings tucked in and her posture a little better than normal.

[millionbitpipes]

You, uh...want somethin' to drink?

[Harvey has no idea what the general protocol for weird angel magic rituals is.]

[hattrickery]

"I am fine. Would you like to begin?"

...Hayate's speech is suddenly much more formal.

[millionbitpipes]

[Yeah, no, he's noticing that. He's a little wary, but doesn't sound uncertain.]

Sure. Let's do it.

[hattrickery]

Hayate spreads her wings wide as her eyes begin to glow.

"You have chosen to walk the path of the Minstrel, with all its benefits and trials?"

[millionbitpipes]

Yes.

[This is a lot more formal and creepy than he was expecting, so after a second of thought, he adds:] I have.

[hattrickery]

White light starts to shine down on Harvey as Hayate solemnly intones the final part of the ritual.

"Harvey Finevoice has chosen to walk the path of the Minstrel! He shall wear new clothes and learn new skills!"

As invisible bells ring out triumphantly, Hayate's voice drops to a whisper.

"May you be blessed in your new path."

[millionbitpipes]

.....thanks?

[He's not wearing new clothes.]

[hattrickery]

The spell never provides new clothes; feel lucky it didn't strip you naked like it usually did to Hayate.

"And that's it. Given how it's worked with other vocations, you should probably know Heal and Hot Lick now."

Pause.

"Don't use Hot Lick indoors or near flammable objects, okay?"

[millionbitpipes]

[To be fair, it wouldn't really matter as a pony.]

What, it sets stuff on fire?

[hattrickery]

A nod.

"Two-foot jet of flame, yeah. Not very powerful in the grand scheme of things, but it can still be dangerous."

[millionbitpipes]

[That is awesome.]

So...how do I know if I know them? [Seriously, he doesn't feel like he's suddenly able to shoot fire from his hooves.]

[hattrickery]

Hayate extends her wings and gently touches Harvey's shoulders.

"Look inside. There, sleeping within you, is a new spark of light. Right now, it's tiny, and it's up to you to make it larger, but there are still things you can do with it - picture that spark, draw it up, and you will be able to use it. It's your power now, and it will never answer to any call but your own."

With that, Hayate folds her wings back in and smiles softly as she waits for Harvey to figure it out.

[millionbitpipes]

Ooookay...

[There are a few reasons Harvey's never fought with magic, despite having ample opportunity both here and at home. He's always been practical-minded, not really one for spiritual stuff. It ain't that he doesn't believe in magic, of course...just never really believed he could have any himself.

But okay. He signed on for this.]

Probably oughta try it outside, then, unless you got somethin' needs healin'.

[hattrickery]

Without hesitation, Hayate bites her foreleg, drawing blood.

"Will this do?"

[millionbitpipes]

What the hay?

[He's not fast enough to stop her doing it, so he just gives her a look. He wasn't asking you to injure yourself, Hayate!]

Okay, fine, uh...do I have to touch it, or...?

[Buck buck buck, he has no idea what he's doing. Harvey settles for just holding a hoof up in the general vicinity of Hayate's leg, looking at the bite, and thinking really really hard about it healing up. Heal. Do it. Go!]

[hattrickery]

"Touch isn't necessary."

Hayate seems perfectly calm.

"Just calm down and focus - I know you can do this."

[millionbitpipes]

[Fantastic, he felt like an idiot holding his hoof up like that. He'll just put it back down, listening to Hayate with a raised eyebrow. It's...honesty a little difficult to calm down. What if, after all this, it turns out he's really just not good enough to use magic?

But expressing emotions in front of people is bad. And also probably not conducive to what he's doing, so he'll take a breath or two and try to get himself in order.]

Right. Okay. [He'll just...focus harder on it healing?]

[hattrickery]

And then: white sparkles form around Hayate's leg, the wound closing up.

"There you go. Congratulations."

[millionbitpipes]

Oh my god.

[That's the most amazing thing okay okay be cool Finevoice]

That's - that's great, thank you!