Welcome to Gaia! ::

After all the debating Teiluj had settled on the book looking up at the large tree overhanging the river the young woman let out a deep breath. There was supposed to be a teacher here that went by the name of Takoda. One that would guide her in the path of magic and healing. A path she so desperately wanted to follow, she wanted to be the kind that would help others. Even if she couldn't protect or defend them, she could still have a place in battle with them. That was still honorable, right?

Something didn't feel right. What if the teacher who was waiting for her was only there for a small window of opportunity? Starting out at a brisk run as she followed the mushroom's Teiluj soon found herself spurred on by an urgency that stemmed from a nameless fear. And unspoken dread that clouded her heart. Was there only a limited time that Teiluj would have to show her desire to become a healer? Doubling over as Teiluj reached a large lake she tried to control her breathing but it was hard. There was a stitch in her side and a horrible ache in her lungs. Staring up at the large branch that overhung the lake Teiluj called out.

"I'm here! Please, teach me how to become a healer!"

Teiluj stood there, trying to pull herself together. Clutching the book she had found tightly in her hands. "Please."

Teiluj nearly jumped out of her skin when Takoda spoke. Whirling around to face him her face dusted with color. She knew him, she had met him once before and he had been the one to show her the wonders of magic when she was a youngling. Smiling nervously Teiluj nodded her head, "I'm sorry I'm so late. The path here was hard to find. I... I thought that I had run out of time."

Twisting her right foot in the grass Teiluj looked away as she paused trying to gather up the courage. Nodding at his question she held the book out. "There are so many different things to learn here. But some things... I don't understand. How can I call upon some of the spells?"

Wind rustled her hair absently before her eyes rose to stare at Takoda. How did her mother know this shifter? No, there wasn't time to be focusing on that now. She had to learn how to heal as much as she could as quickly as she could. Gripping the book tighter in her hands Teiluj pulled the book close to her chest again. "This is the path I choose, so please help me."

Giving Takoda a quizzical look, Teiluj moved closer as he had gestured for her to do. Her mind tried to consider all the angles that had been mentioned. Spirits... that answer didn't seem correct. Or more like it didn't feel correct. The idea of it coming from her soul seemed to light a fire in her. Was that the connection he was talking of? Her eyes followed him as he moved towards the small pool of water. Looking back silently as he spoke, it almost seemed to her like he was pained at the memory. She wanted to ask him what it was he meant but something tugged her back. Insisted that asking was the wrong thing to do. She wasn't to step that close into someone elses world. No one would appreciate that.

Nodding as she listened Teiluj tried hard to do as she was instructed. Taking in one slow, deep breath after another until she was sure she was calm. Turning to look at Takoda, Teiluj gave him a tentative smile. She was calmer physically but that didn't make her any less nervous that she would fail.

"How else can my potential be reached." Teiluj finally asked.

Nodding Teiluj moved to the indicated place. Kneeling down so she was facing him, her head lowered submissively her eyes watched the water with interest. The calm surface was like a mirror to the world above, reflecting the worlds beauty. It made her wonder if the water itself was like the eyes of the world. Blinking Teiluj tried to pull her mind away from wandering, to focus on the lesson that Takoda was giving her.

His question had ignited her desire to talk. Opening the book to a singular page Teiluj spun it around. "Here! These plants don't grow far from here, everyone thinks they're useless but they aren't. And here" Teiluj spun the book around to rest it in her lap so she could flip to another page more effectively. Turning the book around to look point at another part in the new page. Smiling as she looked up at Takoda. "This can be used to help ease bruises and stomach pains. And down here, a salve that I was able to make that can help bring back appetite..."

Realizing how quickly she was speaking Teiluj snapped her mouth closed, blushing a few shades darker than before. Closing the book she carefully set it back in her lap. Giving a quick apology.

Quickly looking up at Takoda as he laughed she gave a smile. Able to recognize the difference between the mocking tones and those of actual delight. She felt a little more at ease. She had been afraid he would think her silly for having devoured the information in the book. She couldn't help it, the more she read the more she wanted to know. But there were also spells she didn't even know how to complete. Forget even starting it. Magic was something she had no idea of grasping. She frowned at the thought as Takoda spoke again.

It was the second time he had mentioned his nephew and she secretly wondered if he was really proud of this boy. Again wanting to ask Teiluj struggled to remain on topic. It was harder to focus each time something new was mentioned. Remaining silent as he spoke more about himself. Teiluj wasn't one to give much information away, it often had a way of coming back to her in the worst possible situations. And she rather liked being gaurded about who she was. People couldn't hurt her as easily.

Jerking back to attention when Takoda asked her why she wanted to become a healer. Her face jumped several shades darker as she jerked her head into another direction. "B-because... I... well... Someone I know is hurt a-and he... his memory is gone... NO one will help him... So... I..." Teiluj paused taking in a deep breath. "I want to be a healer that wont reject anyone who needs help!" The last words seemed to rush out of her, as if a dam had suddenly broken and the water was finally free to press forward.

Teiluj looked off to the side. Idly running her fingers through her hair, her mind was still flushed with Nkoles smile. Trying to dispel the images from her mind Teiluj was grateful for the distraction Takoda's voice gave her. Though instantly regretted it when her heart sank at the idea of possible magic. What if she was more Alkidike and could not in any shape or form actually conjure magic? Pouting at the idea Teiluj slumped forward in a slightly defeated manner.

She was uncomfortable with the idea that she would be useless. That her only path left to her was to follow what her mother wanted in the end. Clenching her hands into fists Teiluj didn't look up when Takoda requested for her hands. Relaxing them a little she held them out for him to see. Her eyes still focused on the ground below her. What if he was wrong about her?

Teiluj wanted to pull her hands back when he gave them a gentle squeeze. Resisting her urges Teiluj looked up at Takoda. Awed by the translucent shimmer he had around him. He was surely a powerful individual. She envied him a little from his own abilities. Catching his gaze as he looked at her Teiluj blushed and looked away again. Her fingers twitched against his hold.

The idea of magic being warm caused something inside Teiluj to react. She was afraid to stop thinking, as if pausing for a moment to just feel anything warm would cause tears to flow. Tears she wanted desperately not to let free, to keep hidden within her own heart. Like a tide against a dam meant to keep it all held back.

The feeling of something spreading across her fingertips startled Teiluj. Again wanting to jerk her hands back, and it took all she had to remind herself that this was necessary if she wanted to become a healer, capable of using magic for the things she wanted. She knew it would be hard, maybe impossible but if she wasn't willing to fight to get it. She didn't deserve it.

Willing herself to calm down Teiluj felt something strange spark to life in her hands.

Watching the way the mist swirled around her hand and arms Teiluj allowed it to be part of her. Not wanting to harness it nor banish it from her body. The feeling of pain slowly easing away from the places it touched helped to relax her a little more. Well that was until Takoda had let go. Surprised, Teiluj tried hard to will the magic to stay. Mentally pleading for it to continue, even more surprised when the color of the mist seemed to swirl, a new color merging into the first. A soft sea green was merging with the gold.

Looking up as if to ask Takoda what was going on the only sound that came from her was a yelp. "No don't do that!" Teiluj responded trying to swat away the rock from Takoda with one hand, and reaching out to move his injured hand away from the source. Irritated when the magic she was trying to keep around her was suddenly rushing back towards Takoda as if trying to seep into the cut.

Grunting and letting go Teiluj slumped forward again. How as she not supposed to be disappointing that she had failed?