How can I describe the behavior of an inductor without reference to a magnet?
likewise the cap - a voltage is created, energy is stored.


I think your best bet is to draw analogues between inductors and capacitors.

The inductor: a current is created, energy is stored.

Capacitor: I = C dV/dt, E = 1/2 CV2, Q = CV

Inductor:  V = L dI/dt, E = 1/2 LI2, &Phi; = LI

In capacitors, charge Q (I integrated over time) is required to raise capacitor voltage.

In inductors, flux &Phi; (V integrated over time) is required to raise inductor current.

Energy density:

The electric field: energy per unit volume = 1/2 &epsilon; E2

The magnetic field: energy per unit volume = 1/2 &mu; H2

Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor: C = &epsilon;A/d

Inductance of long solenoid: L = N2 &mu;A/l