While Dimitri may try to prevent him from poaching people from training drills for his classes, his success is middling at best. Ardyn just keeps coming back around eventually like an unfortunate invasive weed. The man eventually gives up and seems to focus instead on his actual pupils but the redhead is happy to rope anyone he can into his impromptu conjuration practice.

"No rune lines necessary," he explains, with a dismissive roll of his wrist. "All you need to do is focus and have the confidence to exert your will over what you summon." Otherwise, they might be in for a fight. Their lack of security in their ability though isn't Ardyn's problem. Nor will he be of much assistance if that does happen to be the case.

He demonstrates the 'proper' technique though by extending his hand and curling his fingers up like he's physically pulling something up from the earth. A glob of inky black substance starts to manifest before coming together in the shape of a gooey, panting canine-like creature. It regards Ardyn with a headtilt before coming to his side as the man whistles sharply. It gets a pet on the head for its following of the command and wags its tail in response. Despite being a sludge abomination, it is kind of cute.

"Now, your turn."

"Totally normal horses, you say?" Ardyn questions, crouching by the lake shore to be more 'eye level' with the completely inept kelpies. They've got the spirit though. He can respect that.

"Yeah, absolutely," one answers.
"What do horses eat then?" Ardyn asks.
"Uh..."

Rather than be frightened by the creatures wanting to pull him into the water and end his life, Ardyn is now coaching them in how to be more convincing. Horses eat grass! They sleep in barns or stables! They'd also be a lot more panicked about drowning, like a person they're dragging down would- You know, the important things. The kelpies are listening intently and nodding along injecting with 'yeah, makes sense' or 'totally, man,' here or there.

Someone might want to... stop? Him? Before he gets people killed?

Ardyn happens to be one of the lucky dragonbonded that has ice as his breath weapon. As a result, he rests in his fully draconic form and stretches out with a loud yawn at his own campsite. Anyone that approaches will notice it is several degrees cooler around his designated area. However, they'll also be promptly nudged back into the heat by a large dragon paw.

"Ah, ah," he says, a low rumble of a noise. "Using this ability really takes it out of me. I can't just do it for anyone. What are you offering me in return, hm?" He's waiting as he watches the other person sweat.

Or, if you're someone he just happens to be fond about, he won't immediately send you away. Instead, Ardyn will pull the person close and lick them like a disgusting heathen. "Hm," he growls, "salty." About what he expected, of course, but still somehow worth commentating on. He gives another snuffle before licking them again. You know, just to be sure.

(( hello hi once again it's chai! if you aren't sure if Ardyn is fond of your character, you can hmu to hash things out. otherwise, if you have any other ideas or wanna plot something out find me @ tentamenace on plurk/discord or PM this journal! ))