The sky was bright and clear in the later morning, long after the sun had risen and graced the world with its golden light. In fact, it was close to noon. Nary a single wisp of cloudstuff was present in the vast expanse of cerulean blue. A warm summer breeze brushed along the lush grassy knolls, catching locks of amber hair and tickling a young woman's lightly painted face as she mused about nothing in particular. It was nice to have a moment where one did not have to think or worry; just enjoy the serenity of a fresh day. Shinri did not want to open her eyes, afraid to break the calm in her mind and thus welcome again the day’s frets and worries. The armor she wore was weighty and confining, but as it was merely her practice armor she truly had no room to complain. After all, the full battle armor was much heavier and bulkier. Her practice staff was lying near her just within reach, though she had hoped she might not have to use it again for today. She had been practicing since dawn and both her body and mind were, for the time being, quite exhausted.

As she lay upon the grass and finally opened her golden eyes to gaze upon the world, she thought of the day that had led her to this decision. Amidst her fellow soldiers, as they sparred for practice, one of their own had gone too far and had been seriously injured. It was an accident, of course, but Shinri could not shake the memory of the pain that had been shared to those nearest to her. It had begun to torment her deeply, for Shinri had a tendency to think far too much for her own good. She began to wonder about a day where she truly had to battle; what would happen then? She could only imagine the pain that her opponent might go through and how severely she might feel it. She had begun to doubt herself, her performance starting to fall by the wayside as she could not focus well enough to put her all into it. She had tried to council her fellows, but they did not seem to comprehend just how she felt. In fact, most of them seemed to have built up a resistance to their own empathy. Shinri had cursed herself, for though she was a very courageous young woman, she was rather sensitive despite her resilience and training. Fearing for her position, she looked to the elders within her ranks, hoping that perhaps they might provide her with an answer. They eventually directed her to a retired knight named Eirin Shiyo, who seemed to have knowledge of battle and the toll that it took upon the mind. She had met with her and was greatly impressed by the wisdom that the weathered woman held in her aging mind. She had agreed to be Shinri's mentor and teach her the way to desensitize herself just enough to get by in battle.

It had been a month since then and Shinri was not sure if she had made much progress, not to mention that the tutoring was a bit on the brutal side. Eirin Shiyo was no woman to trifle with. She was strict and forceful, and also quite strong for her age. She took most things with a serious face and a cunning mind, preferring the direct approach to the problem rather than pussyfooting around the issue with frivolous philosophy. Her tutoring sometimes included injuring herself on purpose so that Shinri would feel the empathic pain and then direct her in how to resist and suppress it. Though she healed fast enough and never injured herself far beyond a few minor abrasions, the young soldier could not help but wonder if her mentor was not perhaps just a bit on the insane side. However, she had to admit that it did have an impact. She had built up more mental fortitude, alongside physical strength, and was slowly finding that she did not feel the pain of another quite as powerfully as when they had started.....but she could still feel it, which frustrated and concerned her. How could she be a successful soldier and rise up to be a Knight if she felt so vulnerable......and weak? She felt as though she had let herself down, as well as her fellows and Eirin Shiyo. Had she failed them all?

"Foolish child, did no one ever teach you that patience is a virtue?"

There came a familiar, stern voice which caused the young woman to sit upright, her golden eyes falling upon the towering figure of her mentor, the retired woman's slate-colored eyes gazing down upon her pupil intensely. Shinri froze for a moment, caught in her downward reverie and unsure of what she should do....apart from feeling embarrassed. She was further surprised to see the weathered stony face of Eirin actually seem to soften as she slowly took a seat beside her fretful student. There was a moment of silence between them in which Shinri wondered just what her tutor was thinking about. She knew better than to pry, of course.

Shinri worries far too much. Eirin projected gently, Why does she strive so hard to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time? It was a question that would silence Shinri for a moment. No one had ever really asked such a question, for she had always seemed like a driven, determined person with high expectations and firm goals...yet no one ever asked her why.

"I just...want to be strong." Shinri spoke hesitantly; Shinri does not want to fail her commerades in battle or in spirit. It is difficult to do when one feels as though time and personal obstacles hold them back.

Eirin nodded thoughtfully as she took in Shinri's feelings, yet made no note of her own. She gazed off into the horizon pensively, a rather misty look to her eyes as waves of reminiscence seemed to flow from her momentarily.

If Shinri wishes to be strong, then she first must build tolerance and patience. One cannot expect Name to grant us with the power to withstand our own minds. If that were possible, imagine the chaos that would arise...the destruction it might bring if the Porcelain were so desensitized....like the humans, for example. Eirin looked to Shinri to see the girl shudder visibly as it seemed the visualization hit home. Name and the Silver Empress have their reasons for such things. This is what Shinri must realize and accept. Though she may never truly be able to shut out the ability to feel another’s suffering, she can dull it so that it will not completely debilitate or destroy her.

"But..." Shinri stammered a bit, "Will it be enough?" Her eyes drifted over to her mentor as she took in the wisdom that the woman offered, but still held so much doubt in her eyes. Could she truly be strong if she could still feel another’s misery?

"It will be. You should not be so cruel as to lose your compassion." Eirin's normally stern voice answered with a gentle tone. It was fleeting...but she even seemed to smile. Shinri should eat something and then they should return to training. They will focus more on mental fortitude for the remainder of the day, if that is fine with Shinri.

Shinri looked to the horizon as the sun rose higher into the sky. It seemed that Eirin was teaching her far more than she had planned for, but perhaps this was what she needed to know. She was still young and there was much she still had to learn. No matter how fast she tried to accomplish, she could never defeat time....and no matter how much she learned, there would always be more for Name and the world to teach her.

That sounds fine. Shinri will nourish her body and then Eirin will nourish her mind.