Asha Soleil's page

Asha Soleil wrote:

She swallowed one last giant mouthful of food. "Well, I guess there's nothing else to do but experiment until I get it. Or until I get stuck in a tree and the infirmary staff yells at me again. One of those," she said with a cheerful shrug.

The young lycan chuckles "Let's try to avoid you getting in stuck in any trees. I should be able to guide you enough to prevent any accidents like that"

Lyn, would Sil be able to see Asha when she goes incorporeal via True Seeing?

She's not really invisible when she's incorporeal. Hard to see, but not impossible. With True Seeing it's not even difficult to see her.

She gave a determined nod and set herself in the middle of the clearing again, closing her eyes. She concentrated on seeing a clear plain in front of her and began to walk. Sil can see the moment that her ability kicks in as she begins to blur and becomes totally transparent, just an outline of a girl moving around the clearing. "Am I safe to open my eyes now?" she asks, stopping just short of the tree line, but in the middle of a small shrub.

Asha Soleil wrote:

::Yes, please. I need to figure out some way to see the empty field and what's here at the same time. I have no idea how to go about that though.::

::"Hmm, honestly, I am unsure, though it sounds like something that could just require regular practice. The rest of today is free for me, as is tomorrow, though at some point I need to check in with my sister, once she gets back from the festival she went to"::

She swallowed one last giant mouthful of food. "Well, I guess there's nothing else to do but experiment until I get it. Or until I get stuck in a tree and the infirmary staff yells at me again. One of those," she said with a cheerful shrug.

Asha Soleil wrote:

She tried to giggle, but it came out as a funny burbly sound since her mouth was full of food. ::Yes, I would like it very much if you continued to help me practice! And not just because you fed me afterwards,:: she added, joking right back.

::"Careful not to choke":: He cautions. ::"I will say, you have the most voracious appetite I have ever seen! It's a good thing this feast can feed a small army!" He says again with a mental chuckle ::"Once you've eaten you're fill, would you like to try again? The food will be here for awhile."::

::Yes, please. I need to figure out some way to see the empty field and what's here at the same time. I have no idea how to go about that though.::

Asha Soleil wrote:

::I tried to do what you said, but I couldn't make the tree show up in my empty field in my head. So I decided to do it backwards and leave the tree alone. I thought that if I saw empty it might help. And it worked!!! I actually did it sort of kind of mostly on purpose!!!:: she said telepathically so she didn't have to stop eating. Her cheeks were puffed out with food like a chipmunk.

::"Hey, whatever works right? I'm proud of you for not giving up Asha. I'm sure the more you practice, the better you'll become. If you'd like, we can do these meditation/training sessions whenever you want. If nothing else, I'm a good teacher since I can talk with you telepathically while you stuff your face.":: This last was said with an obvious jovial tone.

She tried to giggle, but it came out as a funny burbly sound since her mouth was full of food. ::Yes, I would like it very much if you continued to help me practice! And not just because you fed me afterwards,:: she added, joking right back.

Asha Soleil wrote:

It takes a few tries and some back and forth for Asha to explain that she can't see anything and if she opens her eyes she'll end up in trouble, so she needs instructions more akin to take two steps left, turn around, take three steps froward, no one more, okay you're clear before she can get back to a clear space. She opens her eyes and breathes a sigh of relief.

"Did I do it? Did I ghost through stuff? Or was I just stumbling around? I really couldn't tell. I had a picture in my head of a clear space so I just kept walking like it was really a clear space....oh, thank you, thank you, thank you," she said, falling on whatever food was currently burnt enough to be edible, stuffing her mouth so full she couldn't even talk.

::"You did! You walked through several trees, a bunch of rocks, it was pretty awesome! Why else do you think you're starving?":: He says this last with a mental chuckle, all the while continuing to burn more food for Asha.

::I tried to do what you said, but I couldn't make the tree show up in my empty field in my head. So I decided to do it backwards and leave the tree alone. I thought that if I saw empty it might help. And it worked!!! I actually did it sort of kind of mostly on purpose!!!:: she said telepathically so she didn't have to stop eating. Her cheeks were puffed out with food like a chipmunk.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha concentrated hard, trying to add the tree into her mental picture. This was surprisingly hard for her. And then she stopped, leaving the landscape as clear as she had pictured it before. ::Wait, I have an idea. I'm going to try something,:: she said, carefully standing up, but not opening her eyes. She saw the clear field inside her mind, but nothing that was around her actual body. She took a tentative step forward. What she was picturing was a clear, empty field and the step felt like it was happening across a clear empty field. She took another step and another and another. As long as she saw the clear empty space in her mind, that was what she encountered. Silnrul saw her go slightly see-through as she stepped through the tree, and a couple of rocks, a small shrub, and so on. ::Ummm.....I think there's a flaw in my plan. If it's working then I don't know where it's safe to stop. Help? I don't think I can keep this up very long. Or I just look like an idiot wandering around with my eyes closed. No idea.::

::"You're doing great! Now, turn around, step through the tree to your left, and you'll be mostly back in the clearing. Then, re-solidify."::

Once she's able to return to normal, Silinrul begins casting a spell that brings forth a large wooden table heavily laden with all kinds of food. Heroes' Feast He then summons forth a flame Produce Flame and begins to sear most of the food, so it's edible for Asha.

It takes a few tries and some back and forth for Asha to explain that she can't see anything and if she opens her eyes she'll end up in trouble, so she needs instructions more akin to take two steps left, turn around, take three steps froward, no one more, okay you're clear before she can get back to a clear space. She opens her eyes and breathes a sigh of relief.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha closed her eyes and the frustrated expression slowly eased as she did as instructed.

::Okay, I think I got it,:: she said telepathically after a few moments, projecting a picture of a silent meadow to show that she had the idea.

::"Oh! You're telepathic! That should make this much easier.":: Comes Silinrul's calm, steady voice inside Asha's mind. ::"Now, keep the image in your mind's eye, but open your real ones. We're going to attempt to have you pass through the small tree in front of us. Picture the tree first in your mind, inside the field. Walk up to it, and think of yourself going incorporeal. Then, do the same in the real world. Hopefully, this should work." He says with reassurance and confidence in her.

Asha concentrated hard, trying to add the tree into her mental picture. This was surprisingly hard for her. And then she stopped, leaving the landscape as clear as she had pictured it before. ::Wait, I have an idea. I'm going to try something,:: she said, carefully standing up, but not opening her eyes. She saw the clear field inside her mind, but nothing that was around her actual body. She took a tentative step forward. What she was picturing was a clear, empty field and the step felt like it was happening across a clear empty field. She took another step and another and another. As long as she saw the clear empty space in her mind, that was what she encountered. Silnrul saw her go slightly see-through as she stepped through the tree, and a couple of rocks, a small shrub, and so on. ::Ummm.....I think there's a flaw in my plan. If it's working then I don't know where it's safe to stop. Help? I don't think I can keep this up very long. Or I just look like an idiot wandering around with my eyes closed. No idea.::

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha pops down into lotus position next to him. She has no trouble slowing her breathing. There isn't even any sign of fidgeting. But after a few seconds she asked uncertainly, "Uh, how? I mean, controlling my body is easy. But how am I supposed to make my mind quiet? My mind likes to wander. Since it was the only part of me that could for a long time. So I don't really understand the instruction."

The young shaman smiles warmly at Asha "Yes, that would make sense. Here, try this. Picture a pleasant field, sun shining, soft grass, puffy white clouds. But no sounds, nothing but quiet. Keep that image in your mind, and just relax into calming it. It doesn't need to completely still right away." He says, trying to guide her into this.

Asha closed her eyes and the frustrated expression slowly eased as she did as instructed.

::Okay, I think I got it,:: she said telepathically after a few moments, projecting a picture of a silent meadow to show that she had the idea.

Asha Soleil wrote:

She nodded. "Yes, because it takes a lot of energy to change from solid to not. I have to eat a lot of food. And if I use up too much energy they have to put food right into my veins....except not in food form obviously. It's liquid then. It's not much fun. And then I still have to eat. That's just to get things stable. And yeah, if you think you can help me learn how to control it, that would be great! It would be a really useful talent to have if I could do it when I wanted...and not just keep falling though the floor. It really startles the music students when you fall into their practice space, let me tell you!"

The young lycan laughs a bit at the mental image of Asha falling through the floor, and landing among the music students "Yea, I could see how that would be bad. Alright, take a seat beside me, and we'll try a little simple meditation."

Assuming she does, he offers the following "Ok, close your eyes, and breathe deliberate, slow breaths. Try to completely clear your mind, or at least quiet it."

Asha pops down into lotus position next to him. She has no trouble slowing her breathing. There isn't even any sign of fidgeting. But after a few seconds she asked uncertainly, "Uh, how? I mean, controlling my body is easy. But how am I supposed to make my mind quiet? My mind likes to wander. Since it was the only part of me that could for a long time. So I don't really understand the instruction."

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha flips right side up and stops to consider the question. "No, I've never done it on purpose. It was always just something that happened because I was startled or scared. If I start to calm down too soon then I get caught partway through things. That's when I end up in the infirmary."

"Hmm, and how full you are is important, right? I could try helping you mediate, and maybe attempt to guide you through going intangible when you want, and not by accident."

She nodded. "Yes, because it takes a lot of energy to change from solid to not. I have to eat a lot of food. And if I use up too much energy they have to put food right into my veins....except not in food form obviously. It's liquid then. It's not much fun. And then I still have to eat. That's just to get things stable. And yeah, if you think you can help me learn how to control it, that would be great! It would be a really useful talent to have if I could do it when I wanted...and not just keep falling though the floor. It really startles the music students when you fall into their practice space, let me tell you!"

As Silinrul comes out of his trance, he blinks a few times, then stifles a laugh at seeing Asha upside down. "It would appear your best bet is to keep practicing to get your power under control. Are you able to do it at all on command, or has it always been an accident or a reflex?"

Asha flips right side up and stops to consider the question. "No, I've never done it on purpose. It was always just something that happened because I was startled or scared. If I start to calm down too soon then I get caught partway through things. That's when I end up in the infirmary."

Standing, the young shaman offers Asha his hand "Come outside with me then, as I find being among nature calms and focuses me."

Assuming she joins him, Silinrul leads her to a quite, out of the spot in amongst the trees. He sits down on the ground, Hunnin perched above him on a tree. "This is going to take some time, but I am hoping it will be worth it" He closes his eyes, and begins the minor ritual, speaking in Sylvan.

He's casting Divination which takes 10 minutes, and has an 86% chance of success. He's going to ask "What's the best way to help Asha learn to control her ability to go ethereal" 1-14 gets nothing 1d100

Asha tries to sit quietly and be patient, but she's easily bored. She does manage quietly at least. After the first minute, she tries standing on her head, which helps for a little bit. Then she's pacing around a bit on her hands. Then she starts with backbends. And a few other stretches for good measure.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha laughed. "Well, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who finds that idea difficult." She had finished every last crumb of her breakfast now and seemed to be more cheerful as a result. "It's too bad Hunnin can't teach me how to control this phasing thing....well, really, it's too bad nobody seems to be able to teach me. So far it's a whole lot of we don't actually understand how this works and you should go see this person, no, I don't know either, go see this person, and so on. It's not magic and it's not psi-on-ic," she said, sounding the syllables of the unfamiliar word out, "and that's all they know."

Silinrul is quiet for a few moments, thinking "Hmm, I'm not aware of anything else it could be, but I do know of a spell that could possibly point us in the right direct. If that doesn't work, I have a few other ideas, but they may not be as reliable."

"Well, I don't see why not. I mean, it's not like anyone else has any ideas. Mostly because they've been too busy. There do seem to be an awful lot of things going wrong at any given time here," she observed.

Asha Soleil wrote:

"I wonder if it was hard for him to learn too, or if he just knew by instinct," she said thoughtfully as she finished her breakfast. "I can kind of understand about people and animals having this spirit stuff, maybe even trees cause they're alive too. But rocks....that's just weird. Not sure I can quite wrap my mind around that one.....I'm sure you know what you're talking about. But some parts of it are easier to understand than others," she said, wrinkling her nose as she tried to comprehend.

"I'm sure he knows how to do it by instinct, as he's always been a spirit." He chuckles at her comment about rocks "Everybody has the same reaction about rocks, even me. But, it's true, they too have a spirit."

Asha laughed. "Well, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who finds that idea difficult." She had finished every last crumb of her breakfast now and seemed to be more cheerful as a result. "It's too bad Hunnin can't teach me how to control this phasing thing....well, really, it's too bad nobody seems to be able to teach me. So far it's a whole lot of we don't actually understand how this works and you should go see this person, no, I don't know either, go see this person, and so on. It's not magic and it's not psi-on-ic," she said, sounding the syllables of the unfamiliar word out, "and that's all they know."

"Spirits are the very essence of a person, place, or thing. Everything has a spirit, even stuff like rocks, and trees. For those who are alive, especially people like you and me, they are similar to souls, except you can send your spirit places. And yes, Hunnin can go through things, should he choose to."

"I wonder if it was hard for him to learn too, or if he just knew by instinct," she said thoughtfully as she finished her breakfast. "I can kind of understand about people and animals having this spirit stuff, maybe even trees cause they're alive too. But rocks....that's just weird. Not sure I can quite wrap my mind around that one.....I'm sure you know what you're talking about. But some parts of it are easier to understand than others," she said, wrinkling her nose as she tried to comprehend.

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Well, as far as I'm aware, we're friends. Potentially with benefits, if that's the right way to say that? I think that's the correct euphemism when you mean you're open to sex, but not wanting a commitment or exclusivity. I'm trying to learn the right phrases because apparently people get uncomfortable when you're too blunt," she said with a nonchalant shrug. "But so far the success rate is pretty bad. Being less direct means people don't understand more. I'm probably messing up the body language or something. Oh, and I won't be offended if you're not interested in that or anything. I know that some people are kinda weird about that stuff outside of a serious relationship. But you can consider it a standing invitation," she said with what she hoped was a flirtatious smile. This sort of thing worked better for Rena. Asha was certain is was because Rena had larger boobs. People tended to stare at them and get the right idea without much prompting. Meanwhile, she was not so well endowed, which was great for gymnastics, but not so great when trying to proposition someone.

She nodded back to the raven as she went back to eating her breakfast. "What's a spirit animal? I'm not really familiar with the concept."

The young man shrugs "I suppose we could be, and I find being direct and to the point is usually best." He offers some of the berries to Hunnin. "My spirit animal is my connection to the spirit world, it's how I get my spells that affect the natural world, as well as being a constant companion."

She beamed at him when he said that he liked direct and to the point. That at least was something that she could do. She was already working her way through the last of her breakfast at this point. She'd eaten it faster than she'd intended. This was what happened when she got overly hungry.

Sil smiles at the bird "This is Huninn, my spirit animal. Hunnin, this is Asha, my friend. Well, I'm pretty sure we're friends." The bird nods a greeting to Asha.

"Well, as far as I'm aware, we're friends. Potentially with benefits, if that's the right way to say that? I think that's the correct euphemism when you mean you're open to sex, but not wanting a commitment or exclusivity. I'm trying to learn the right phrases because apparently people get uncomfortable when you're too blunt," she said with a nonchalant shrug. "But so far the success rate is pretty bad. Being less direct means people don't understand more. I'm probably messing up the body language or something. Oh, and I won't be offended if you're not interested in that or anything. I know that some people are kinda weird about that stuff outside of a serious relationship. But you can consider it a standing invitation," she said with what she hoped was a flirtatious smile. This sort of thing worked better for Rena. Asha was certain is was because Rena had larger boobs. People tended to stare at them and get the right idea without much prompting. Meanwhile, she was not so well endowed, which was great for gymnastics, but not so great when trying to proposition someone.

She nodded back to the raven as she went back to eating her breakfast. "What's a spirit animal? I'm not really familiar with the concept."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"It would be bad because they get super cranky when you show up again right after they've just discharged you. I've almost got the standard lecture memorized now," she said, making a face.

"No, I've got it," she said, starting to wobble, but just barely making it to a table before her food spilled everywhere. Again. This morning.

She sat down and started eating at a rapid pace. "Oh, that's so much better than nutrient drips," she said in between bites.

Silinrul reflexes goes to steady Asha, but is just a tad too slow and her food wipes out. He smiles as she digs in "That's a good, healthy appetite, and yes, much better than nutrient drips, whatever those might be."

While they're in the middle of eating, a ghostly black raven flies in, and lands next to Sil's plate, and starts chattering at him.

"Nutrient drips are what they give you in the infirmary when you get admitted and are hippo something or other. I dunno. I wasn't paying that much attention at the time," she said, in between bites. She is quickly devouring the large pile of food in front of her as if she hadn't eaten in days.

"That's a really strange bird," she said, staring at the raven quizzically, but not pausing her breakfast at all.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha laughed. "I prefer my pancakes charred and covered in kerosene, thanks. Pretty sure berry sauce would send me straight to the infirmary. There's a reason why the firebird food is kept in a separate section."

Once inside the cafeteria, she grabbed a tray and piled it high with charred pancakes, hash blacks, blackened bacon, and so on until it was so heavy she could barely lift it to get to a table.

"Yes, getting sent to the infirmary would be rather bad." The shaman says with a straight face. He gets his berry pancakes, a large fruit smoothie, and a side plate of steak and eggs, and follows Asha to the table "Do you need some help with that plate?" He asks politely.

"It would be bad because they get super cranky when you show up again right after they've just discharged you. I've almost got the standard lecture memorized now," she said, making a face.

"No, I've got it," she said, starting to wobble, but just barely making it to a table before her food spilled everywhere. Again. This morning.

She sat down and started eating at a rapid pace. "Oh, that's so much better than nutrient drips," she said in between bites.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha breathed a sigh of relief as the boy finally went away.

"Okay, let's get some breakfast then...you might want to change back for that. Pretty sure it's easier to carry the tray with hands then it is with wings," she joked to Sil.

Sil turns back into his human form "Breakfast sounds like a lovely idea. I'm not sure if you've had them yet, but my current favorite are these berry pancakes which are blueberry pancakes, top with sliced strawberries and cherry sauce!" He says, his step quickening slightly in anticipation of said yummy meal.

Asha laughed. "I prefer my pancakes charred and covered in kerosene, thanks. Pretty sure berry sauce would send me straight to the infirmary. There's a reason why the firebird food is kept in a separate section."

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha laughed at Sil's antics as a raven, but when Lucas spoke to her she got quiet and took a step back. She shook her head and hoped he would get the hint already.

Too bad he didn't overhear her conversation with Silinrul, it would have explained a lot. :)

his hearing is good enough that he has blindsense 40 ft from it, whenever he bothers to emit the high pitch chirps. So he heard, he's pretending not to, because supernatural overhearing is rude

He bows to her and quickly walks off, giving her space.

Asha breathed a sigh of relief as the boy finally went away.

Asha laughed at Sil's antics as a raven, but when Lucas spoke to her she got quiet and took a step back. She shook her head and hoped he would get the hint already.

Too bad he didn't overhear her conversation with Silinrul, it would have explained a lot. :)

Silinrul fakes being crushed "Ooof! Easy there Asha, I'm delicate" He jokes, chuckling as he hugs her back. "I don't really have any place else to go, thanks to my fancy bug wings. Which, you're squishing. Plus, my sister is here, and we just reunited. Also, I met and became friends with this waterbender Morrivan last night, and she wants to create some sort of sports club, and I promised to help her." This is the most Asha has ever heard Sil speak at once, but he clearly had a lot to say.

He glances towards Lucas "He seems nice enough, but I've learned not to judge a book by it's cover. Why are you trying to avoid him?"

"Because he's a firebird. And a noble. He might not be bad," she added doubtfully. "I talked things over with Fei and he said I should work on not overgeneralizing, but that's going to take time. I don't think I'll have that problem solved before breakfast, that's for sure. And how can you tell the good ones from the bad ones? You can't just ask them. Even Embre would say he was good when asked, but that never stopped him from using me as a punching bag. It's all very complicated," she said, describing her problem in a very matter-of-fact tone.

Silinrul wanders over to the cafeteria, and notices a young girl hiding in the corner of the ceiling, and young man with a large plate of food near. "Excuse miss, is this guy bothering you?"

"Silinrul!" She literally drops down right on him, giving him a big hug. "I haven't seen you in days! I thought you'd left too! I've been trying to make friends, but it seems like they leave almost as soon as I do. It's very discouraging."

Edit: and a reminder that Sil does know Asha at least a little. Well enough to know that she escaped from an abusive family.

Asha Soleil wrote:

wall of text

On her way to the cafeteria walks a somewhat familiar firebird snacking on a platter much too large for a single person.... wasn't that the platter he brought to her?

He doesn't seem to have noticed her quite yet.

Asha panics and quickly backs into a corner, doing a sort of ninja-style climb up the wall and wedging herself against the ceiling. She was so not prepared to deal with this guy again. Not just yet. Talking to Fei had helped, but still...

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Too much physical fitness is kind of what got me into trouble this morning. When I was locked up, I used to climb up to the only window so I could watch. One of the times that I climbed up there I saw some entertainers performing in the square. They could do all sorts of things, but my favorite were the acrobats. I've been practicing ever since. Especially when I feel lonely. I practiced too much last night. Usually just falling through the floor doesn't use up so much energy that I need the infirmary, but I guess with all the energy I used during practice last night...."

"You need to perform some different exercises, then - ones specifically designed to build your body's endurance, in balance with your firebird metabolism. Our physical education instructors have had to learn quickly, given the influx of new firebird students, but I think we can find you the right balance of routines."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Well, anyways, meditation, huh? I'm supposed to start taking that. Professor Shiro thinks it might help me learn how to control my powers. I guess it's multi-purpose."

"Del Sol...that sounds familiar....Oh! I know! That was the name of the girl Embre was supposed to marry, but she ran off and married someone else! He was so mad. I thought she must be pretty smart running away from him like that. I wished I could have too. That was definitely the worst time. I guess that if they just had to deal with that kind of stuff, probably I shouldn't go trying to talk to them today, but it's a good suggestion. I mean, how can I not trust someone my family hates?"
She bit her lip, and frowned as she circled around to the problem at the heart of things again. "So, what you're saying is that I need to stop generalizing? That's what you mean right? Judging individuals by the actions of groups and all that? But....I'm scared. I'm scared of trusting the wrong person. I'm scared of having anything to do with my own kind. I'm scared of being hurt again after I worked

...

"You've given me a lot to think about. Which I guess is what good advice is supposed to do right?" she said, smiling again. "It's not like all of my problems are just going to miraculously solve themselves, but I do feel better for talking things through."

"And now I think I'm gonna go give breakfast another try. I still feel hungry. And I was really looking forward to that plate of charred bacon and hash blacks. Thanks," she said, dashing off with a cheerful wave.

Asha Soleil wrote:

She lets him lead the way out of the infirmary since he seemed to think it was not appropriate to talk there before she starts talking...

Fei remains silent throughout Asha's tale, though his brow is deeply furrowed by the end of it.

"You...have no need to apologize. To me or anyone else. And I have just recently become aware of some of the...atrocities that some of the firebird noble houses have committed against their own people, and helped to stop one of them. The family affected by that actually resides here in Avalon, and I think at some point you should speak with them, as you have common ground to build upon."

"They are the del Sols, and they are...friends of the Sunwake family that helped found this school. One of their daughters is married to one of their sons...but I digress too much. They are good people, and worthy of earning your trust."

"You are right to have this anger, and you are right to be concerned about it. I can tell you, however, that there may not have been very many firebirds (even nobles) who knew the full measure of what transpired. To pass judgment on people you have never even met is to give in to the same hatred that allowed these atrocities to occur in the first place."

"We have instructors here at Avalon who are well-versed in the arts of deep meditation to help deal with such feelings. My own...condition...has benefited greatly from their teachings. They could help you control these feelings you have and channel them into more constructive uses.

"Perhaps something as simple as a physical fitness regimen would allow you to 'vent' your frustrations without harming anyone, especially yourself. Many of the students here do so to great effect."

"I am not sure if they will be helpful, but they are the first thoughts that come to my mind," he concludes with an apologetic bow.

"Too much physical fitness is kind of what got me into trouble this morning. When I was locked up, I used to climb up to the only window so I could watch. One of the times that I climbed up there I saw some entertainers performing in the square. They could do all sorts of things, but my favorite were the acrobats. I've been practicing ever since. Especially when I feel lonely. I practiced too much last night. Usually just falling through the floor doesn't use up so much energy that I need the infirmary, but I guess with all the energy I used during practice last night...."

Asha Soleil wrote:

She allows him to help her, pretty fascinated that he can just heal her with a touch. Normally someone would have to use a match to do that.

"Umm...okay. Thanks. Does that mean that you are willing to listen and give me some advice? Just making sure before I start blathering on."

"Yes I am," he affirms with a quick bow. "As best as I can." (^-^)

She lets him lead the way out of the infirmary since he seemed to think it was not appropriate to talk there before she starts talking. "Umm....I have to start with some background information. It's just information. I don't need pity or attention or anything. I just need to start there because I need to explain the situation first. I was locked in a tower for most of my life. The first time I was let out was because of the evacuation of the sun and then I escaped, mostly because they never expected I could manage to actually escape. My family are....bad people. But powerful. Or they were. It's all a little murky now. It wasn't great when I was little. I was basically neglected and not given enough food to eat and very little attention and practically no education. I saw my parents like once a year I think. That's how I knew when my birthday was. They came to see how I was progressing. They were always disappointed. When I got older, it got worse. The family decided to put my cousin Embre in charge of my education. He's a very bad person. Pretty much what I learned from him was how it felt to have bones broken. He hit me. And kicked me. And occasionally sliced or stabbed me. He got away with it because all it took was some fire to put me back together just the way I was, so I couldn't prove to anyone what he was doing. If I could have ever even gotten the attention of anyone outside the household. Which is hard to do from inside a locked tower. The only window was pretty high up so people couldn't really hear me calling out of it. Or they ignored it. That's just as likely. After I came here to this school, I met my little brother. I hadn't even known I had a little brother. He was hidden away because his powers were considered shameful. He's more of an icebird than a firebird really. Embre took Pyry when he was little and dropped him on a mountaintop to die. Ironically that probably saved Pyry's life cause all that snow was good for him, but it was an accidental good deed, believe me. And I heard some rumors about Embre when the servants thought I couldn't hear them. Stuff about him hurting other people, outside of the household. After I came here, my family put out a death warrant on me. Because I'm considered a stain on the family honor. I can't leave the school grounds because of that. Like I said, bad people. That's not what I need advice about, though. I know why I'm afraid of them and why I'm angry at them. It's the others. The nobles, really. I get why the people with no real power didn't do anything. And as things currently stand, they're happy to stay away from me and I'm happy to stay away from them. It works out pretty naturally. But the ones who had power. Who couldn't have avoided knowing at least some of it. They did nothing. And I feel so angry about that. I don't know what to do with these feelings. I fell through the floor this morning because I ran into the boy my parents wanted me to marry. He didn't know who I was. My parents picked him, so he can't be very good. But then they cancelled the engagement because he did something. I couldn't get details . But he directly disobeyed the council. So he's probably not all bad. And that's hard to process. I feel confused. Mostly I don't want to see him. Like ever. Which can't be that hard since he doesn't know who I am and has like zero interest in me. The other boy, the one who came down to the basement, he was talking with him at that time. He's from some other noble house I think. I'm not sure which. Probably Svarog. There are so many of them that it's the safest guess if you're not sure. And I have all this anger. Maybe I'm wrong. He can't be much older than I am. Maybe he was sheltered. Or was just as powerless as the servants. But when I think about it...how can I ever trust any of them? They did nothing. Embre is still walking around free and I'm just in a bigger cage. So that's my question really. How am I supposed to deal with the people who weren't directly responsible for what happened, but are indirectly responsible through inaction? Where is the line between people who are responsible and people who aren't? And what am I supposed to do with so much anger?"

She paused. "Umm...it's okay if you don't have an answer. I think mostly I just needed to talk through the question. But any advice is appreciated. Really. I'm not very good at knowing how to interact with people. I didn't get much practice before. So I'm really sorry if I overstepped my bounds."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Yeah, you're right," she said, attempting and failing to give a cheerful smile. "Umm....I've been told I have some problems with over-sharing and it makes people uncomfortable. There's...something I want to talk about, but it probably falls under that category. Would it be okay to talk to you? If it's not, I'm not going to be offended. I just....most of the friends I made when I got here have all left to go to Mentor. It's kind of a long story. But that's not what I need to talk about. I need some advice and you seem like a really calm person. So you might be able to help me. If you're okay with that."

Fei looks thoughtful for a few seconds, then nods his head.

"I will do what I can to help, if I am able. It sounds like your subject should wait until you can leave the Infirmary, though. Allow me a moment to check something."

The young monk checks the datapad for Asha, confirming that her vital signs are now stable enough for her to be discharged.

"You should now be able to leave without incident - let me remove the IV seal the puncture, then we may go."

Unless stopped, he carefully extracts the IV, and then places a finger over the the puncture, expending a bit of his healing energies to seal the wound without the need for a bandage.

She allows him to help her, pretty fascinated that he can just heal her with a touch. Normally someone would have to use a match to do that.

"Umm...okay. Thanks. Does that mean that you are willing to listen and give me some advice? Just making sure before I start blathering on."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Oh. Umm....thank you. I really appreciate your help. I don't usually....well, that's the first time I've fainted since I came to this school. I mean, I used to faint a lot, but that was because I wasn't given very much food. But they let you eat as much as you want here, which is amazing, and that's how I learned I can go through stuff, but it takes a lot of energy and I don't really know how to control it, and this is the first time I've used up so much energy from it that I fainted," she said, nervously unable to stop talking while at the same time frantically trying to remember the lessons on not over-sharing.

"You are most welcome," Fei answers with a warm smile. That smile fades to a more concerned look as Asha describes her prehistory of apparent malnutrition.

"You are in a far better place than you have been, from what you have told me. And you are in the best place to learn to control your new ability."

"There is nothing to be nervous about, Asha - you should be well enough to leave in a few minutes, and to enjoy the rest of your day however you wish."

"Yeah, you're right," she said, attempting and failing to give a cheerful smile. "Umm....I've been told I have some problems with over-sharing and it makes people uncomfortable. There's...something I want to talk about, but it probably falls under that category. Would it be okay to talk to you? If it's not, I'm not going to be offended. I just....most of the friends I made when I got here have all left to go to Mentor. It's kind of a long story. But that's not what I need to talk about. I need some advice and you seem like a really calm person. So you might be able to help me. If you're okay with that."

Asha Soleil wrote:

Once she's hooked up to the IV and getting nutrients, her color improves quickly. As she regains consciousness, the first thing she does is reflexively curl into a ball, with her hands around her head to protect it. When she notices the sounds of the infirmary around her, she slowly uncurls. "How did I get here?" she asks, still a little disoriented.

"I brought you here to the school Infirmary after you collapsed," Fei replies with an apologetic bow as he comes back into Asha's field of view.

"Given how you had already over-exerted yourself, I thought it wise to replenish what you needed as quickly as I could. I...am sorry this is not as flavorful as the Cafeteria food, but it is working much faster. Your complexion has greatly improved, and your bouts of shaking have stopped altogether. You are going to be alright," the young monk says reassuringly. (^-^)

"Oh. Umm....thank you. I really appreciate your help. I don't usually....well, that's the first time I've fainted since I came to this school. I mean, I used to faint a lot, but that was because I wasn't given very much food. But they let you eat as much as you want here, which is amazing, and that's how I learned I can go through stuff, but it takes a lot of energy and I don't really know how to control it, and this is the first time I've used up so much energy from it that I fainted," she said, nervously unable to stop talking while at the same time frantically trying to remember the lessons on not over-sharing.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Hot tears of anger and frustration dripped down her face in spite of her best efforts to keep them in. "Can't trust you. 's a trick," she said, her voice starting to slur. "'s always a trick." Her vision blurred, dotted with black spots. Oh, no, not now. This couldn't be happening now, she thought, right before she crumpled to the ground unconscious.

Fei gets a hand behind Asha's head as she slumps down. As he does so he opens a comm channel via his neural lace and powers up his starcaster..

"Infirmary - this is Fei. I am bringing in a firebird student suffering from a metabolic crash and loss of consciousness."

Lucas Svarog wrote:

Lucas looks shocked as she falls over "woah, what's going on with her?"

"Whatever her current medical condition, your presence did not help it. Please refrain from speaking to her for the time being, for her sake," the young monk states flatly as he picks her up, the tone of his speech most definitely statement rather than request.

Without leaving Lucas any time to form a reply, he then teleports himself and Asha to the Infirmary, where he gets her to a bed and helps to gather the firebird-safe IV equipment needed to get fluids and nutrients into her system as soon as safely possible.

Once she's hooked up to the IV and getting nutrients, her color improves quickly. As she regains consciousness, the first thing she does is reflexively curl into a ball, with her hands around her head to protect it. When she notices the sounds of the infirmary around her, she slowly uncurls. "How did I get here?" she asks, still a little disoriented.

Hot tears of anger and frustration dripped down her face in spite of her best efforts to keep them in. "Can't trust you. 's a trick," she said, her voice starting to slur. "'s always a trick." Her vision blurred, dotted with black spots. Oh, no, not now. This couldn't be happening now, she thought, right before she crumpled to the ground unconscious.

Lucas frowns "I apologize if I have done anything to offend you, I was merely trying to make sure you were alright." he bows to her "I am sorry for intruding"

"Oh, that's rich," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "After all this time, now I'm supposed to believe that any of you actually care about my well-being? I'm not that naive. Or that stupid. You won't get anything by being nice to me. My family considers me damaged goods, and I can't leave the school grounds because they'll kill me if they get the chance. Something about erasing the stain on their honor. Because murder and torture are totally okay, but I'm too much of an embarrassment. The only firebird I trust is my little brother. The rest of you? You're either dangerous or too complacent to care about bad things happening to anybody but you. I don't have time for either. So you can just stay the hell away from me," she said, clenching her fists tight and literally shaking with anger.

Asha's entire attitude changed when Lucas showed up, no longer flirtatious, but definitely fearful. "What are you doing here?" she asked, scowling at him. "I mean it's marginally better than the other guy, but definitely not by much. I don't want anything to do with you. Any of you," she said defiantly.

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Oh, I'm totally fine," she said, legs wobbling again, as she abruptly plopped down in the chair. "I'm sure after I rest for a minute I will have no trouble at all making it back upstairs to the cafeteria," she said unconvincingly. "I'm Asha, by the way. I don't think I mentioned that yet. You're kinda cute," she added with a flirtatious smile.

"I am Fei, "the young monk replies with a friendly smile and a respectful bow, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Asha - but I think your body is not quite ready to go where your courage wishes to take you just yet." (^-^)

"It is no imposition - I can bring you whatever sustenance you would like so you may regain your strength."

She sighed and pulled her hair out from where she had sat on it, twisting it around her hand nervously. "I hate to concede the point, but you might be right. I think I might have been overdoing it a little lately. Well, since you're being kind enough to come to my rescue, anything is fine so long as it's firebird safe. Don't go to too much trouble, just enough to get me back on my feet. Sorry to have to impose," she said, batting her lashes at him.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha sat up. "Oh, hey, thanks," she said brightly. "I must have forgot my flashlight this morning because it's not in my pockets and these pockets are specially designed to hang onto stuff when I go all incorporeal. I fell through the floor again. Huh, I don't recognize this room. I must have bounced further than I thought after I hit the bottom," she said, looking around as she stood up. "I'm okay now," she said with a smile. "I just saw someone I really didn't want to see and got scared and then whoosh, right through the floor. And then, whoops," she said again, as she wobbled and nearly fell over. "And apparently that's a bad thing before I've even had breakfast. So hungry...

Fei glances toward the ceiling and the floor as the young woman describes her...somewhat unconventional means of arriving in the room. As she almost loses her footing, the young monk slides a chair over from an adjacent table.

"I think it would be best if you sit for a moment, miss," he politely suggests as he motions to the proffered chair. "I would be happy to bring some food to you, if you feel that would help."

"Oh, I'm totally fine," she said, legs wobbling again, as she abruptly plopped down in the chair. "I'm sure after I rest for a minute I will have no trouble at all making it back upstairs to the cafeteria," she said unconvincingly. "I'm Asha, by the way. I don't think I mentioned that yet. You're kinda cute," she added with a flirtatious smile.

After the bout of activity on the landing pad, Fei decides to wander the streets of Kuros. Given that his new duties would keep him in close proximity to the town, it seemed sensible to familiarize himself with its layout.

After a couple of hours of all but patrolling the town, the young monk then returns to Avalon's Infirmary to make sure all has gone smoothly there. He lingers for a while after finding out about Phaezeriel, sitting in on the vigil over his currently dormant form and silently offering up prayers that his friend will be well.

As dawn approaches, he excuses himself and heads out to the green for his (once again solitary) morning katas. Afterward, he makes his way past the throngs of hungry students in the Cafeteria and down to the training room in the sub-basement. While passing one of the many rooms in the basement level, his ears catch the sound of something either falling or being knocked over.

Fei touches the door panel, opening the portal and turning on the lights...and revealing a student laying on the floor of one of the unused meeting rooms.

"Good...morning. Are you...alright?" the young monk intones to Asha with a quick bow as he tries to visually ascertain whether or not she is injured.

Asha sat up. "Oh, hey, thanks," she said brightly. "I must have forgot my flashlight this morning because it's not in my pockets and these pockets are specially designed to hang onto stuff when I go all incorporeal. I fell through the floor again. Huh, I don't recognize this room. I must have bounced further than I thought after I hit the bottom," she said, looking around as she stood up. "I'm okay now," she said with a smile. "I just saw someone I really didn't want to see and got scared and then whoosh, right through the floor. And then, whoops," she said again, as she wobbled and nearly fell over. "And apparently that's a bad thing before I've even had breakfast. So hungry now. But I should be able to stay solid now no matter what. Cause it takes a lot of energy to fall through stuff."

Asha bounced off of the field that kept her from falling through the bottom of the basement and solidified again on the basement floor. She lay there for a moment getting her breath back and trying to determine where she was.

Asha wandered into the cafeteria, still sleepy. She had stayed up too late the night before. And not for any fun reason. She was lonely since Rena left. And when she felt lonely she tended to drift back into her old habits from her tower days of sleeping only in short bursts at odd times. It wasn't good for her to be by herself. She knew that. But so far she hadn't been given a replacement roommate.

She got a tray and put a lot of food on it. She needed so much energy to power her abilities. She stumbled a little bit under the wait and bumped into a pair of boys talking at one of the tables. She started to apologize when she saw who it was. Igni saw a look of fear and revulsion on the girl's face for just a moment before she literally fell through the floor, leaving her breakfast tray behind to spray food and drink all over Igni and Lucas.

I thought Kezzin was in the cafeteria talking with Al and someone else?

Ooh! Ooh! That would be me! Don't forget about me!

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Well, it kinda makes sense," she said with her mouth full. "With so many powerful beings in one place, if someone needs to be stopped there's lots of other powerful folks around to do it. And the wards are great. I need to use them an awful lot, so I would know. If you get hurt real bad they just teleport you straight to the infirmary."

He nods. Then he seems to notice what she's eating.

"Does that taste good?"

"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.

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Seems like there's a lot of people like that here. With powers too big for them to control I mean. Well, that's what they tell me the school is for. So I bet you'll have this Kwabee thing under control in no time," she said, smiling as she went back to stuffing her face, crunching pieces of charcoal like she was afraid they were going to disappear.

"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.

"Well, it kinda makes sense," she said with her mouth full. "With so many powerful beings in one place, if someone needs to be stopped there's lots of other powerful folks around to do it. And the wards are great. I need to use them an awful lot, so I would know. If you get hurt real bad they just teleport you straight to the infirmary."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"That sounds really hard. I'd be devastated if I was sent away from my brother again. I'm really sorry. I guess that's why you're here? To get help with this dark spirit thing so you can go home?"

"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.
Now I'm being mentored by a powerful psychic to help me get Kwabys under control."

"Seems like there's a lot of people like that here. With powers too big for them to control I mean. Well, that's what they tell me the school is for. So I bet you'll have this Kwabee thing under control in no time," she said, smiling as she went back to stuffing her face, crunching pieces of charcoal like she was afraid they were going to disappear.

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha rested her chin on her hand and examined his expression carefully. "I think these are very different emotions," she said. "I'm the one who exiled myself...and it wasn't an easy escape. I'm happy to be rid of my family. Well, except for my brother, but he's even less in their good graces than I ever was. He's a student here too. So I ended up with more family by leaving than I ever would have had if I stayed. You look sad about leaving your family. At least I assume that is what the extra eye moisture means? They were sorry to see you go and you were sorry to go. That's what you said, right? I'm sorry if I'm getting it wrong. I don't always know how to act around people, and it's hard when there are so many different sets of social rules to learn."

"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..."

"That sounds really hard. I'd be devastated if I was sent away from my brother again. I'm really sorry. I guess that's why you're here? To get help with this dark spirit thing so you can go home?"

Asha Soleil wrote:

Asha tilted her head, considering these words. "I don't think logic has a lot to do with it. Plus, firebirds live a loooong time. They're probably thinking they've got a some centuries to figure that out. And before the council was disbanded, they had a very narrow definition of what a firebird should be like. My brother and I don't meet that definition, so we were considered a shame on the family. They thought that I might still be useful to them, so they locked me away. There was supposed to be an arranged marriage. But it fell through, so then I wasn't any use to them at all." She shrugged. "I basically just work from the assumption that everything they ever told me was wrong. Seems to hold up so far."

"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.

Asha rested her chin on her hand and examined his expression carefully. "I think these are very different emotions," she said. "I'm the one who exiled myself...and it wasn't an easy escape. I'm happy to be rid of my family. Well, except for my brother, but he's even less in their good graces than I ever was. He's a student here too. So I ended up with more family by leaving than I ever would have had if I stayed. You look sad about leaving your family. At least I assume that is what the extra eye moisture means? They were sorry to see you go and you were sorry to go. That's what you said, right? I'm sorry if I'm getting it wrong. I don't always know how to act around people, and it's hard when there are so many different sets of social rules to learn."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"My family," she said simply. "They abandoned my brother on a mountaintop to die. He didn't, but that was certainly not thanks to them. And they locked me up in a tower. I suppose my aunt and uncle must have had some say in it. They're technically in charge of the family. But I've never met them. My parents certainly didn't mind. They came to look at me once a year. They never seemed to like what they saw. And my cousin...he's the one who hurt me. Mostly. Sometimes the servants would hit me for not being obedient, but mostly it was Embre. He liked to hurt me. But it's okay now. That's all in the past. I'm free now, and I'm here at this school, where I can walk around as I please and meet all kinds of people and there's plenty of food to eat and nobody hits me. The Headmaster said that my family wasn't allowed on school grounds, and it's his school so he gets to say who's allowed and not. So I don't have anything to worry about," she finished cheerfully.

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..."

Asha tilted her head, considering these words. "I don't think logic has a lot to do with it. Plus, firebirds live a loooong time. They're probably thinking they've got a some centuries to figure that out. And before the council was disbanded, they had a very narrow definition of what a firebird should be like. My brother and I don't meet that definition, so we were considered a shame on the family. They thought that I might still be useful to them, so they locked me away. There was supposed to be an arranged marriage. But it fell through, so then I wasn't any use to them at all." She shrugged. "I basically just work from the assumption that everything they ever told me was wrong. Seems to hold up so far."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"No. It's not common. And it wasn't for my protection. It was for theirs. They didn't want me to tell anyone about how they hurt me. So I wasn't allowed to talk to anyone. But sometimes I would climb up to the rafters and look out the window, and I would watch the people outside. Their life seemed very different than mine. And after I escaped I found out that it was very different. But until I escaped I didn't actually know that it wasn't normal to be locked away."

"Who did this to you?" he asks, calmly, with a slight growl in his voice...

"My family," she said simply. "They abandoned my brother on a mountaintop to die. He didn't, but that was certainly not thanks to them. And they locked me up in a tower. I suppose my aunt and uncle must have had some say in it. They're technically in charge of the family. But I've never met them. My parents certainly didn't mind. They came to look at me once a year. They never seemed to like what they saw. And my cousin...he's the one who hurt me. Mostly. Sometimes the servants would hit me for not being obedient, but mostly it was Embre. He liked to hurt me. But it's okay now. That's all in the past. I'm free now, and I'm here at this school, where I can walk around as I please and meet all kinds of people and there's plenty of food to eat and nobody hits me. The Headmaster said that my family wasn't allowed on school grounds, and it's his school so he gets to say who's allowed and not. So I don't have anything to worry about," she finished cheerfully.

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Er, no. We...aren't really land people. Well, I guess we have to be now. But I used to live up in the sky. Some people really liked it there. I don't know. I was locked in a tower my whole life, so I don't know that much about what it was like outside. Inside the tower wasn't so great. I had a book of etiquette in my tower. It was a pretty awful book. But it had a chapter on funereal customs. My people go into the Sacred Flame when they die it said. Or they did. Not sure if there still is a sacred flame. Maybe there will be once they find more permanent living arrangements I guess. I don't care much. I don't have anything to do with them anymore. But I don't recall anything about prayers over food anywhere in the book, so probably not."

Looks puzzled

"Is it common to be locked away? Is that to protect females?"

"No. It's not common. And it wasn't for my protection. It was for theirs. They didn't want me to tell anyone about how they hurt me. So I wasn't allowed to talk to anyone. But sometimes I would climb up to the rafters and look out the window, and I would watch the people outside. Their life seemed very different than mine. And after I escaped I found out that it was very different. But until I escaped I didn't actually know that it wasn't normal to be locked away."

Asha Soleil wrote:

"Oh." She finally managed to swallow the enormous mouthful of food she was working on and washed it down with a large swig of oil. "Is that a common custom? I hadn't seen it before, but I've only been here for a week. I see new things pretty much every day," she said, with an apologetic smile.

"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?"

"Er, no. We...aren't really land people. Well, I guess we have to be now. But I used to live up in the sky. Some people really liked it there. I don't know. I was locked in a tower my whole life, so I don't know that much about what it was like outside. Inside the tower wasn't so great. I had a book of etiquette in my tower. It was a pretty awful book. But it had a chapter on funereal customs. My people go into the Sacred Flame when they die it said. Or they did. Not sure if there still is a sacred flame. Maybe there will be once they find more permanent living arrangements I guess. I don't care much. I don't have anything to do with them anymore. But I don't recall anything about prayers over food anywhere in the book, so probably not."