Al then jumps up into the air, and flies back to the high school dorms.
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"Interesting...well, it was good to meet you, and I wish you both well, but I need to head back to the school. If you need help with anything, you can find me there or out here."
He looks kind of amazed.
Looks up, and stares into the sky.
He stares somewhat blankly at Viskra. He may not have any concept of "space" other than the night sky.
He raises a thumb to his chin. "Oh...you were as well...my apologies. I did not intend to make light of your difficulties."
"... Oh. I never had an aura. It was all inward." "Oh? Well, then I envy you. The stigma of my abilities caused me to be exiled from my village."
"Those the animals with the tentacles?" "No, the smaller scaley ones."
"Yes, but... Why?""Yes, fish. The creatures that swim in the lake by the school.""... Fish?""Huh... that is weird...""Agreed. Gyna'ka did not show me my mind, she had me meditate on...fish. Although, in hindsight, I don't know that I'd want to see my mindscape either." "I was to focus on them, as a way to center myself. It was in order to learn how to suppress my aura of fear."
"... Fish?""Huh... that is weird...""Agreed. Gyna'ka did not show me my mind, she had me meditate on...fish. Although, in hindsight, I don't know that I'd want to see my mindscape either." "Yes, fish. The creatures that swim in the lake by the school."
"Huh... that is weird..." "Agreed. Gyna'ka did not show me my mind, she had me meditate on...fish. Although, in hindsight, I don't know that I'd want to see my mindscape either."
Nods. "I have a tutor as well. She told me I am 'psychic', and not cursed. I hope she is correct."
"I'm also in Mis Ephebe's class for all the normal stuff, and I have Mr Krays as my necromancy teacher" Listens to both of them. "I don't know Krays or Ephebe...oh wait, is Krays the kobold? I think I spoke with him about murders on the school grounds. Are they helping with your powers?"
"Yup, I'm learning from Mr Krays. He's sooo cool.... oh and Mis Ephebe, she's cool too I guess" "Then we are also class mates, in a way. I believe you are a bit young for the part of the school I attend, but if you ever need any help with anything, feel free to reach me. I lived out here for a year or so before I actually joined the school, so I'm not quite used to not having to hunt for myself yet, and often come out here to do so. Plus, I'm not used to being around a whole lot of people who aren't...uncomfortable...around my abilities. So, that's how I stumbled across you two."
"Are you also students of Avalon?"
Grim blinks a few times "um...who are you?" "My name is Al'rqyq mn Al'kwabys, but you may call me Al."
"I'm sorry? Or, wait, good? Uh.""I understand that completely." "Sorry, I meant the fear part. I have a similar problem."
"I understand that completely."
He bows, but more out of appreciation of letting his blunder go than anything else. "you thought she was my what?" grim looks confused He looks thoughtful for a second, like hes trying to remember something. "There are practitioners of nature magic that adopt and befriend creatures to assist them in their endeavors. I saw your scythe, and assumed you were a young one of those, and she was your companion."
Grim finishes his chunk "It's effective." "Oh...I assumed you were his...well, my mistake. Of course you can't prepare an animal." he has a bit of a nervous laugh. "Umm. There's also more to it than just preparing it for a meal, it's about the most efficient use of the carcass...but if you're a predator, then you probably already eat most of it. Well, sorry for butting in."
Grim finishes his chunk "It's effective." As the two of them are eating, Al quietly lands near them, but not close enough to threaten. "Good hunt, but your skills at preparing the animal are abysmal. Would you like some help?"
Al awakes early, and heads out into the woods to hunt. He hasn't quite taken to having his food prepared for him yet. He catches a healthy rabbit, and prepares it for his meal, sitting up in one of his favorite trees. After his meal, he meditates like Ryleh has shown him, trying to calm his mind.
Looks around, as the lights brighten...
"It tastes good to me," she said. "But it's probably poisonous to you. That was one of the first things I had to learn here. Firebirds shouldn't eat other people's food, and other people shouldn't eat firebirds' food. Your food would make me just as sick as mine would make you," she explained. "Ahh. What about you?" he says to Kezzin. "Looks like you eat normal things..."
He nods. Then he seems to notice what she's eating. "Does that taste good?"
"Indeed. A lot of powerful creatures here, most of which seem to have control issues. Hard to believe it can be safe here, attacks from outside forces or not." He eats some more of his dinner as well.
"It was...and is sometimes..." "Yes, well, no. I came here because it was a way for me to be around others, and have a somewhat solitary place to live. I used to live in the woods outside the school, but have since moved in and become a student.
"It wasn't their choice...a long time ago, my tribe aligned itself with a dark spirit to save them and lead them to better hunting lands. They embraced his guidance for a long time, then he disappeared, or they quit venerating him. He used to claim one of our people as his 'prophet', and it was a good thing. Well, after a few hundred years without a word from him or no one being chosen, they began to realize he wasn't a good fit for our people, and they returned to giving thanks to nature for what it provided. Then one day, I was chosen. The darkness that came with it frightened the elders, and I was exiled for the good of the tribe. My family went along with it, seeing wisdom in the decision, but didn't like it. My people are very family oriented. I have siblings I haven't seen in years..."
"I know a little about how that feels, but at least my family showed remorse at my exile. They felt they had no choice..."his eyes glisten up a bit at this, clearly a sore spot for him.
He looks visibly shaken. He shakes his head. "I don't understand. What would they have to gain from treating their children that way? Who will take care of them in their elder years? This makes no sense..."
"Who did this to you?" he asks, calmly, with a slight growl in his voice...
Looks puzzled "Is it common to be locked away? Is that to protect females?"
"It is where I come from. The shamans venerate spirits, good and bad. On each hunt, we thank the animals for giving up their lives for us to live: bones for tools, hides for homes and warmth, flesh for food. We realize that all life is a circle, normally. Eventually we will return to the land and nourish it." "Do you have similar customs? Your people?"
"Why do 'oo talk to 'ur food?" Asha asked with her mouth full, curious because she'd never seen anyone pray over a meal before. He finishes his bite, then swallows. "Talking to my food...? Oh, the prayer? I was thanking the spirit of the beast that gave it's life so I may eat it. Old habits..."
He looks unsure for a brief moment, then follows Kezzin to the table and sits down. He mumbles a short prayer, then begins to eat.
"Ah, good advice. I can smell most of the spices, but couldn't identify the meat. Curses of a sensitive nose, I guess." he grabs the meatloaf, and a few random sampling of stuff around it. "Thank you for your help."
"Oh. I was looking for something familiar. I'm used to eating what I hunt...this prepared food doesn't look like anything I've eaten. What is that?" he asks, pointing to a meatloaf.
Wanders into the cafeteria looking for some food... He slowly turns around, setting his unintentionly steely gaze upon Asha at the tap. Then seems to be happy? "Hello, there. No, I've been here for a few days, and I understand the lunch line. I am Al'rqyq..." he says with a bow "Who are you?"
Wanders into the cafeteria looking for some food...
That explains the small foot track I found...
She can tell by the passing silence that Al is giving her words the attention they deserve. "I shall reflect on the decisions of the Elders in my meditation as well. It could be I'm angrier with them then they deserve. Thank you for the tea, Gyna'ka, and your guidance as always." he stands and gives a small bow, then leaves.
"I'm sorry, Gyna'ka." "Large families are a blessing. Our prides were large. I have four littermates, two male, two female. They're probably ready to start their own families about now..." he stares off, imagining being with them... "Once I have control of this, I will see them again, elders be damned."
His face betrays a fleeting sign of disappointment. "I take it this is nothing that you've experienced before, then. I won't lie, Gyna'ka, I was hoping you had more insight, but it is what it is. When I see this creature again, I will see what I can learn from it, as you adivsed."He takes a drink of the offered tea, and looks around. "Is it peaceful, watching children play?"
"That would be...interesting," she said slowly. "But I wonder what you have discovered that would have led you to this conclusion. It is difficultly to provide advice without possessing all of the relevant information." Her expression remains serene, providing no clues to what she might be thinking as she sips her tea. He nods. "I went back to my room to get ready for meditation period, and I had a conversation with...myself, in a way. It looked like a distorted version of me, black, slimy skin, exaggerated sharp teeth, tentacles...At first I thought my mind had created this to compartmentalize whatever it was supposed to represent, but it was actually there. It made a comment about how it was happy I was learning control, and that I was becoming some kind of a weapon for Shadow... After that, I could feel it recess into my mind, and it was gone."
Ryleh is sitting at a small table in the garden. She is sipping a cup of tea while she watches a group of children playing in the distance. "Well, I've been doing the meditation techniques you've taught me, and I can keep my aura mostly under control...but somehow in the process, it either unlocked something else or..." he pauses here, not quite sure what to say...then continues. "You've told me that these things that happen to me are facets of a set of mind powers that I need to learn control...and that it's not another entity...what if it's a combination of the two?"
Ryleh is sitting at a small table in the garden. She is sipping a cup of tea while she watches a group of children playing in the distance. He starts to object, but he knows it would be futile. "Yes, ma'am, thank you." He sits down"I had a break through of sorts today..."
Ryleh is sitting at a small table in the garden. She is sipping a cup of tea while she watches a group of children playing in the distance. Al asked the wall where he could find Ryleh, and they lead him to the garden. He approaches where she is sitting... "Please excuse the interruption, Gyna'ka. May we speak?"
Al sits in the meditation room, trying to seek his center and imagine calm fish...to no avail. His experience from earlier still has him worried. He decides to seek out his mentor.
Rough draft of a sketch of Al...his race is the link :P
Al heads back to his room before his afternoon meditation class after lunch. As he washes up, a familiar presence sours his mood. He looks up, and in the mirror sees his shadow self. His eyes go wide, as he sees for the first time the actual face of his tormentor...only to realize it's his own, distorted face.
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