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Post by ventix on Jul 3, 2019 3:37:09 GMT
"My name's not Girl, it's Ruby! Ruby Edelsteen! Anyways, can I learn to do stuff like that?"
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Post by snark on Jul 3, 2019 4:00:51 GMT
"Ruby, they're in the middle of a class," Sapphire reminds her sister belatedly. "I'm sorry for the interruption, sir. My sister is considering joining the Fighting Branch; can you tell us where the proper place to inquire about that is?"
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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on Jul 3, 2019 4:18:44 GMT
"Not here, that's for certain." The instructor informs the pair. "This is the Aura Training Ground, where individuals come to learn about and practice the ways of Aura manipulation. If you do not know what Aura is, let alone manipulate it, there is no reason for you to be here as this is the Advanced class. If you want to join the Branch, head back down the hall to the main area with the branching paths. Head down the path marked with a fist. That's where the people you want are." The instructor waves you off, signalling an end to the conversation as he turns back to the students. He waits for Ruby and Sapphire to leave the area for safety reasons before resuming the lesson.
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Post by snark on Jul 3, 2019 4:37:21 GMT
"Thank you, sir. Again, our apologies for disturbing you." Sapphire takes Ruby by the arm and steers her away before she can contradict this. She may not be as forceful as her sister when it comes to dragging people, but something about her attitude makes it hard not to fall in step with her anyway.
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Post by ventix on Jul 3, 2019 4:50:03 GMT
"Eheheheh, he seems nice. I can't wait to shoot glowing stuff from my hands! But what should I call it...Hadouken? Kamehameha? Nah, those names sound like stuff that's probably been used before..."
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Post by snark on Jul 3, 2019 5:08:08 GMT
"I don't think you impressed him, barging into his class like that. You really need to think about what sort of first impressions you're making, Ruby," Sapphire says, in the resigned tone of one who doesn't expect to be listened to. "That Aura stuff caught your eye, huh?"
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Post by ventix on Jul 4, 2019 23:21:55 GMT
"Yup! Felt kinda familiar for some reason...Can't put my finger on the reason though..." She says, taking off her hat to scratch her Aura-infused hair.
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Post by snark on Jul 4, 2019 23:46:40 GMT
"Well then, let's go see what else the Branch might have for you." Sapphire guides her sister back the way they came, this time taking the path marked with a closed fist when they reach the intersection.
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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 2:06:38 GMT
In the other room, which, naturally, is another training area, there are numerous large blocks of stone that people are...punching and kicking? Shouldn't that hurt? Oh, yes, obviously they have some padding, but not much. In any case, this place seems much more 'active' than the previous area. There are a handful of older individuals walking around observing. A few of the men are even starting to go grey. It's subtle, but it's there. These must be some of the oldest instructors. Not that that means they'd be any less snippy if a certain someone *coughcough* Ruby *coughcough* decided to interrupt loudly like before.
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Post by ventix on Jul 6, 2019 2:21:00 GMT
"What's up, everybody?!" Ruby yells at the top of her voice. "We're here to see about joining the Branch!"
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Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 2:40:15 GMT
As one, over a dozen heads snap towards Ruby and, by proxy, Sapphire. A few of them bear somewhat irritated expressions at the loud interruption. Surely it wouldn't have been so hard to calmly and quietly approach one of the instructors to talk? Well, too late now. Ruby has happened. The expressions soften quickly as everyone slowly resumes what they were doing before after a red-haired woman in a white-purple outfit approaches the newcomers.
"Greetings, potential pupils." The woman addresses Ruby and Sapphire as her magenta eyes take in their appearances. "Would you be so kind as to tell me why you wish to join the Fighting Branch?" Her presence is calm and soothing, yet exudes confidence and grace. Even the normally hyperactive Ruby can't help but feel calmer just by her presence.
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Post by ventix on Jul 6, 2019 4:38:48 GMT
As her excitement fades, so too does her red hair coloring, leaving her with her natural blue hair color, something Sapphire herself rarely sees outside of early mornings and late afternoons. Ruby gives the woman a curtsy. "Ah, good afternoon. My name is Ruby Edelsteen, and I was interested in learning how to control my Aura."
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Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 4:43:48 GMT
The woman smiles sweetly at the girls. "Come with me to my 'office' and we can talk about it." She responds, leading the girls past all the trainees and into another room. Once the door shuts behind them, it's as if all sound has been cut off from the outside. "Would you like some tea? I find that tea helps one get their thoughts in order. It's no trouble, really." This room looks like one of those fancy 'tea rooms' that the twins recall being told about. Maybe they've even seen one before.
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Post by ventix on Jul 6, 2019 4:49:10 GMT
"Why thank you, I would love some." Ruby says, taking the tea and sipping at it instead of chugging it like usual.
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Post by snark on Jul 6, 2019 4:59:26 GMT
"Thank you, ma'am. I'm Sapphire. Uh, also Edelsteen." Sapphire seems slightly flustered by the effect the woman apparently has on Ruby. She's acting like... like she actually listened to all those etiquette lessons as a child! It's a little uncanny.
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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 5:09:51 GMT
"Wonderful." The woman responds. "My name is Ming-Na. I am the current head of the Fighting Branch. Are you here to join as well, young Sapphire, or are you merely looking out for your sister?" If she notices Sapphire's nervousness at Ruby's sudden behavioral change, she doesn't say anything.
While Sapphire formulates a response, the woman also sits down with her own cup of tea and sips daintily at it. A soft smile continues to grace her features as her eyes reflect kindness and safety. "How about you, young Ruby? You say you wish to learn to control Aura. I presume you mean consciously control it, as I can tell your body seems to already be attuned properly to allow it to flow; if in a manner I don't recall seeing before."
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Post by snark on Jul 6, 2019 5:20:04 GMT
"I'm only keeping her company," Sapphire demurs. "I haven't quite settled on a Branch yet myself, but I don't think Fighting is for me. Though I wouldn't mind advice if you have any." Why did she say that? Asking a Branch Leader to recommend one of the others isn't exactly rude, but it feels a bit odd nonetheless. She can't help but think that it's too bad Ming-Na isn't leading one of the branches she does have an interest in, the woman has a reassuring sort of presence... "Ruby first, though, I know that isn't really your business."
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Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 5:34:41 GMT
Ming-Na chuckles softly. "It's quite alright, my dear. No one will fault you wanting to keep close to your family. I'm afraid I can't really give you a recommendation or advice, however, as I don't know anything about you but your name." She sighs slightly. "Alas, even were you to offer insight into your own personality, I still couldn't give you proper advice. Nobody can, really. At least, no advice beyond 'go where you feel you fit best'. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, young Sapphire."
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Post by snark on Jul 6, 2019 5:46:16 GMT
"I'm not asking anyone to make the choice for me. But I only got here today; I don't know where I fit best yet, because I don't know what living in the Branches is really like. All I have to go on are first impressions. That's what I mean when I say advice, I suppose - I just want to know more about my choices before I pick one." Sapphire sighs, then coughs as she realizes - "I'm sorry, I'm distracting you from Ruby again."
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Post by ventix on Jul 6, 2019 5:48:16 GMT
"Hmmm? Whatever do you mean, Miss Ming-Na? Have I been using Aura without knowing it?" Ruby asks, tilting her head ever so slightly.
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