|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 7:22:27 GMT
Ming-Na hmms at both girls before turning to Sapphire first. "It's no trouble, of course. I just don't know how I can help you, really. You could live in any of the Branches and end up having a vastly different experience than someone in another, possibly even a different experience from your roommate, or your sister. There really is no way to say how you'll feel about a place until you make a decision. If you're struggling so much because you feel you don't fit in, then perhaps the Adventurer's Guild is not for you." She holds a hand up to stave off any protest from Sapphire. "I do not mean to say that you should quit, having not even given it a chance, merely that you may need to consider such a possibility if you cannot find a home here." She spreads her hands wide as if to say 'what can you do?'.
Next, she returns her focus to Ruby, the one who seems most determined to find a place within the Fighting Branch. "To answer your question, my dear, your Aura seems to be somehow affecting your personality and manifests visually with a change of hair color. I must say, I certainly do not recall ever seeing such an event before now, and I've been here for quite some time. As I stated before, it seems to be an unconscious act on your part, though I could not say why. The first thing I wish for you to do, young Ruby, is to close your eyes, take a deep breath and relax yourself fully." When Ruby does so, Ming-Na continues. "Next, I want you to focus your mind within. Everyone has Aura within them, usually it is concentrated near the heart or the gut. For you, whose Aura is already active, you should be able to feel it flowing through you. It will feel as if there is a river of energy coursing throughout your body. Let me know when you find it."
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 6, 2019 21:32:06 GMT
Ruby nods and takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. She didn't have to look for very long, feeling the so-called "river" that Ming-Na mentioned. But...
"I do believe I found it, Miss Ming-Na. However, I somehow have the impression that it should be faster...wilder...Like something is holding it back from running amok like normal...does that make sense?"
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 21:38:33 GMT
"Oh? Is that so? Could you try something else for me, dear? Try to imagine that there is a valve. A faucet that releases the Aura from its source. It is "on", so to speak, but if your Aura feels sluggish, perhaps a little turn of the handle will open it up more. Encourage a slightly faster flow." Ming-Na suggests. "Don't turn it too far, now. You still want to be able to control it, and if it flows too quickly it could get away from you."
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 6, 2019 22:09:22 GMT
Ruby nods again, and does as instructed. As she gets the river to flow a bit faster, she feels a familiar feeling of excitement wash over her. From the outside, Ming-Na and Sapphire see the tips of her hair turn red, the color spreading towards the roots as she opens the flow a bit more. "My, this is quite exhilarating!"
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by snark on Jul 6, 2019 22:11:11 GMT
"Oh, is that why her hair changes color to match her mood?" Sapphire asks. "I've always wondered about that."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 22:28:40 GMT
Ming-Na nods. "It would seem that way, yes. Though, as I've said previously, I have never seen Aura act in such a manner before. Normally it is passive until one draws on it, and it doesn't effect cosmetic changes. Certainly nothing so dramatic as this. Quite fascinating if I do say so myself." She tilts her head curiously as she watches Ruby's hair changing colors before their eyes. "Tell me, dear Ruby, what are you feeling right now?"
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 6, 2019 22:48:45 GMT
"I suppose the simplest word I could use to describe it is "excitement", though I suppose if I had to go into detail, I'd say that it's accompanied by an urge to just get up an move around..." Ruby says, her control starting to slip and the red coloring increasing "And there just so many new and wonderful things to see here, I can't help but want to check them all out..." She says, her continence losing all of the calm sophistication it held before as she starts shaking with excitement. "And life is just so much fun that I just want to climb the tallest thing I can find and shout at the top of my voice!" She concludes, jumping to her feet as her hair turns completely red.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by snark on Jul 6, 2019 22:52:13 GMT
Sapphire sighs slightly. The reprieve was nice while it lasted.
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2019 23:33:45 GMT
"Wonderfully descriptive. Now Ruby, I know it may be difficult for you, but I want you to concentrate on a different feeling. What were you feeling before just now? Before I asked." Ming-Na responds.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 7, 2019 1:55:29 GMT
"Before...? I felt...calm." Ruby says, sitting back down. "Calmer than I've ever felt. But...it was more than that." She continues, the red color starting to drain back out of her hair. "It was like...I took a step back from myself and truly looked back on my life...I ended up remembering all those etiquette lessons I took as a young child and decided that it would be proper to act upon them. Mother was quite insistent that we take them after all. I believe she wanted us to grow up as proper young women instead of the tomboy she ended up becoming." Ruby says, sipping on her again as her hair completes its transition back to blue. "I must say, this tea is simply delightful! May I please have another cup?"
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 7, 2019 2:25:07 GMT
Ming-Na nods as she pours Ruby another cup. "While I certainly cannot explain the phenomenon, I do believe we have discovered your two primary extremes in emotion; somehow made more so by an infusion of Aura. Perhaps, with time, you can learn to balance yourself better so as not to swing between all or nothing." She glances at Sapphire out of the corner of her eye, perhaps searching for a reaction, though it lasts only a moment. She's clearly fascinated by Ruby's strange, new Aura ability.
"I feel that, if you can promise me you'll do your utmost to better your control, you would be most welcome here in the Fighting Branch. I will help you where I can, naturally." She turns back towards Sapphire once more. "As for you, my dearest Sapphire, I wish you all the best of luck in your attempts to find a place you feel most fitting."
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 7, 2019 5:40:14 GMT
Ruby stands up and gives Ming-Na another curtsy. "You have my word that I will do everything I can to master my power, Miss Ming-Na."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 7, 2019 6:23:19 GMT
"Wonderful." Ming-Na states with a small smile. "Welcome to Fighting Branch then. If you step outside the room, Instructor Mason ought to be waiting to offer you both a tour. He's such a sweetheart, and don't let him convince you otherwise."
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 7, 2019 6:25:09 GMT
"Many thanks, Miss Ming-Na. Are you coming dearest sister or would you rather stay her and drink tea with Miss Ming-Na?"
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by snark on Jul 7, 2019 6:41:17 GMT
"I'll come with you," Sapphire says, rising and curtsying to the leader. "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Ming-Na."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 7, 2019 7:06:04 GMT
As suggested, an older guy who introduces himself as 'Instructor Mason' is waiting right outside to do precisely what Ming-Na said he would. To give the girls a tour of the Branch. The dorms are fairly spartan, having only the most basic amenities, but they're not uncomfortable. Beyond that is really just the Instructor Lounge, the three major areas (as mentioned in the intro to Fighting Branch), and Ming-Na's room. She's actually the only person who gets their own personal room. Perks of being the Branch Leader, one supposes.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 8, 2019 20:38:50 GMT
As soon as Ruby leaves Ming-Na's presence, the lack of the latter's calming influence cause her Aura to slip out of her control. To anyone watching, it would have looked like Ruby's hair practically burst into flame. "This is so cool! I can't wait to learn how to control Aura!"
Looking over her room, Ruby turns to Instructor Mason. "You wouldn't happen to know where I can catch a Munchlax or Snorlax, would you?"
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jul 8, 2019 20:43:01 GMT
"'Fraid not, Miss. Those Pokemon are rare at the best of times, and take a lot of work to care for. While I'm sure you'd be more than willing to put in the effort, it's the money part I'd be concerned about. Not that I'm stopping you. If you can find one out in the wild, more power to you." Instructor Mason explains.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by ventix on Jul 8, 2019 21:38:09 GMT
"Well that sucks. Thanks anyways. Well, I guess we need to go about finding you a branch, huh sis?" Ruby says, turning towards Sapphire.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by snark on Jul 9, 2019 2:53:32 GMT
"I think I just need time to decide. I've already been to see both Branch leaders, I don't think bothering them again would do me any good," Sapphire demurs. "Maybe I'll go for a walk in the gardens, or... wherever the Poison Branch hangs out. Meet some of the members, not just the leaders."
|
|
