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 Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 8:25 am
"Good, Nivalis," the matron hummed as she felt, with her hands layered over the younger girl's, the push of a bright, faintly green-tinged aura of magic radiating from Niva's palms toward their incapacitated 'patient' beneath them.
While the old woman was against using unnecessary magic on their sisters for fear that it would hinder their bodies' natural healing mechanisms (that, and she didn't want an only moderately trained girl 'practicing' on anyone of import), she held no such qualms against Nivalis practicing on animals. The bird in Niva's hands was small, hardly more than palm-sized and currently still, but slowly becoming more alert.
Healing was not a combat art and wouldn't aid her personally in any struggles she may have with earthlings or wild beasts, but it was still one of the first branches of magic Nivalis had wanted to devote more time to after losing her friend. If she had been more capable at the time- But it was long since past, and it wouldn't do to dwell on it now. There'd been a time when the matron had worried that Niva's mental state would hinder both her magic and communication with the goddess, but that, at least, seemed to have passed with the crippling grief. Now Niva was back to learning, practicing, and looking to the future.
"Let's see it, then. ...Ah, yes." The matron scooped the bird from Niva's hands after a moment, then inspected it dutifully. Now that it was fully awake and supposedly not as injured as it was when brought in, in struggled and, as any untamed creature would. She passed it back into Niva's hands. "Release it somewhere away from here."
Nivalis quirked her head as she accepted the animal. She wasn't fond of beasts, but after expending her magic to care for this one, she didn't know if she wanted to just toss it out the door. "I would like to take it to the lake. May I?"
She waited for permission, then did just that, beaming brightly all the while as she stepped from the mystic's tent and headed through camp.
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Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 7:20 pm
Pruu had taken it a little slower since that day at the ocean. Sticking to smaller bodies of water until she got stronger would be best for now... One couldn't drift off into the horizon in a small lake. Land was always in sight, and there were almost no waves with the surrounding protection of the trees. It felt a bit like a step backward, but she had to admit to herself that it had been too big of a leap forward in the first place...
As it was, a lake could be used for more than swimming. Pruu was running through the shallows, cheeks slightly flushed from the workout. Darting through the foliage was good exercise, but she had discovered that running through the water was even more so! Her feet sunk into the sandy bottom, her shins forced through the water, and her soaked dress weighed her down. Just like when she had started swimming, she could feel different muscles burning from what usual training provided.
She was determined to get stronger! One day, the Elarians would rise to claim the entirety of Yeal as their home, and she wanted to be ready for when that day came...
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 7:05 am
Once at the lakeside, Nivalis paused near the bank, small bird cupped in her hands, and peered out over the water's smooth, glassy surface. With the cover of trees all around, the lake's liquid appeared almost black, lending it a certain air of cool mystery and indifference. It was so still and so quiet. She shivered involuntarily. Niva wouldn't say she was afraid of the water, but she'd never liked swimming, even in the sunshine, and lakewater smelled peculiarly of... mold and dirt.
She'd decided long ago that this was not a pleasant place.
But it would do well enough for a bird, though a serpent could appear from anywhere and snatch it right up. The circle of life. She didn't mind that. She opened her palms wide enough for first a little head to peek out, then wider, for the thing to properly inspect its surroundings. For all the struggling of moment's prior, it seemed almost hesitant now. She understood the feeling. However, since it was just a dumb creature too small to eat of be of use, she didn't have the patience to let it linger.
"Go on, then," Nivalis huffed, thrusting her hands skyward. The bird's talons clutched to her fingers, and instead of taking flight, it bobbed back down as she dropped her hands. "C'mon, now," she griped. "I don't have the time or patience to continue this. Go on your own, or I'll leave you on the ground, and you know you'll be easy prey there..."
The words had hardly left her mouth when the first soft sounds of approaching splashing could be heard. They initially sounded small, though Niva couldn't see where it was coming from from around a cluster of trees. The sound increased at an exponentially rapid rate.
Niva stilled, then fumbled with one hand (bird still in the other) for any kind of blade, because that sound was certainly not coming from any small animal, definitely not a serpent, and she would not be caught unawares-
She yipped loudly when Pruu rounded the bend, flinging her hands, and her patient, into the air. The bird took off just as recognition set in, though it was much too late to calm her rapidly beating heart. "Pruu!" Niva breathed out a sigh of relief as the other girl came into full focus. "Oh, you startled me. I didn't know anyone was out here, or..." Her focus flicked back to the dark, thick-looking lakewater. "Or why they would be."
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 7:35 pm
Pruu was focused on how her body was reacting to the workout. Where in particular were her muscles burning? How much power did she need to keep up her speed? Should she find part of the lake where the bottom was harder?
Lots in those thoughts, seeing a body standing all of a sudden make her stutter to a halt. Almost instantly, both blades came up for the attack in front of her, her flushed face turning into a snarl. At the same time, she recognized the Elarian skin and hair. Not a Yeali scumbag.
Oh! The mystic! Panting softly, she let out her adrenaline through a laugh. "Hello, Nivalis. You were not the only one startled!" she assured, sheathing her blades again. Walking onto dry land, she gave her legs a few kicks to ease some aches. "I was simply training. I have found that the water makes a fine resistance for strengthening my legs. You have made me realize that I should perhaps have a partner with me though, since I did not hear you at all over my splashing about... I do not often see others around the lake. If I may, what brings you out here?"
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 5:55 am
It should've been as expected, if she'd expected to see Pruu at all. As far as Nivalis could tell, her older sister took her training very seriously and seemed to be doing it in some manner at all times of the day. In a place like this, though... Niva's gaze darted out over the water again. Well, she wouldn't have wanted to come alone to actually be in the water, herself. Even if it was close enough to their camp to be convenient, it still felt off to Niva, murky, dark, and foreboding.
She didn't like it, and she hoped there was a better reason for her mistrust of this water than 'because I'm not a strong swimmer.' But it looked peaceful enough for the moment, and Pruu certainly didn't seem worried. She decided to keep her mouth shut on the matter.
"I don't often come to the lake," Nivalis admitted with a shrug. "I came this time to release an injured bird far enough away from camp that it wouldn't think it could come around bothering me any time it was injured." Although, admittedly, creatures as base as birds probably didn't have that type of memory span. Still, nothing wrong with making certain of it. "It's gone now, and I don't have to return immediately..."
She glanced to the slick moisture still clinging to Pruu's legs, then back up sharply. "If you'd like, I can stay on the bank and keep an eye out?" She had mentioned wanting a partner, though Niva wasn't especially thrilled with the water, herself.
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 10:17 pm
Pushing a bit of hair back from her face, Pruu caught herself looking around to see if the bird Nivalis had mentioned was still fluttering about. The heavy air was still though, only faint noises surrounding the placid lake, the lingering fog showing no disturbance. "I had heard you were beginning to learn healing magic. Is it safe to assume that the bird was a practice subject of yours?"
'...and I don't have to return immediately...'
Pruu couldn't help being a little surprised. Surely the mystic had more important things to do than watch her run about. "I.. would appreciate the assistance, if you're certain you don't mind. You are welcome to join me as well if you would like? You could run on the dry areas so that your hearing remains clear."
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 7:35 am
A single, mostly uninjured bird felt like a small success as compared to what Niva thought she ought to be able to do at this point in her life. She wasn't old, of course, but this path was the only one she'd ever been on, the only thing she knew for sure she could be dedicated to, and since it was something she'd always been aware of, it felt like she ought to have progressed farther. Heat crept for her cheeks as she followed Pruu's gaze out toward the water in a fruitless search for her bird.
"That's right," Nivalis admitted after a hesitant moment. "There's still much to be done in terms of advancement... I haven't had a chance to practice with any of my sisters yet. Oh. Not that I'm hoping to, of course," she added quickly. "If it were up to me, no one would ever need use of a healer, but I suppose it isn't up to me, and I want to be prepared for when they do."
She hummed quietly as her gaze scraped along the path from where they stood around the outer edge of the lake. She wasn't the tallest among the Elaria, very close to being the shortest, in fact, and while Nivalis didn't mind running, she didn't think she could keep up with Pruu. Still, having being cooped up for the better part of the day to practice magic, a little physical exertion might be nice. She gave a slight nod. "Thank you for inviting me, sister. I think that would be wonderful."
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 8:52 pm
"It is like any other sort of training then?" Pruu inquired. "There is always a starting place and the advancement as we grow." No healing ever? ..Wouldn't that be a boring life? "The healer is a vital role in any successful clan," she assured with a nod. Such was the life of the mystic, surely; to be vital.
The acceptance to run earned a smile. "It is my honor to have your company. Since I will still be in the water, do not worry about if we don't keep pace together." For her part, she expected to be the slower of the two. Pruu wasn't towering herself, and walking back into the water reminded her of the resistance she was going to be hitting. She went until the water was just below her knees and looked back at Nivalis with another little smile. It would be a nice change to have a companion today. "Whenever you are ready," she assured before kicking off, water splashing up wildly until she found a rhythm of smoother movements.
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 8:24 am
It was like other types of training, in that it required great effort, time, patience, and dedication in order to improve. Nivalis didn't mind devoting herself to practicing the magical arts. It lent an air of diversity to her daily regimen. However, "It's a bit more dull, I think," Niva admitted with a shrug. "There's a lot of sitting still and meditating, and sometimes I think I'd rather be out with my sisters, doing something that required a little more exertion."
But she also wanted to play her part well and do whatever was necessary to ensure the strength and success of her tribe. Sometimes that meant giving herself over to the more spiritual aspects of her role and leaving the physical ones to those born into it.
Niva's gaze flicked down again, to the obvious toning in Pruu's calves from years of strenuous exercise. Nivalis still felt weaker than all of her sisters who didn't need to spend their time studying magic and Elzira's language and the meaning behind dream occurrences. She hoped that one day she could be useful, but for now, it seemed like she was only a useless burden. But that wasn't why she'd come out here, and certainly nothing Pruu needed to deal with.
The younger girl beamed and reached to take her sister's hand. "Let's do our best!" She decided with a nod. "I won't let you get too far ahead!" After releasing Pruu's fingers, she set off at a quick trot, sticking near the very edge of the lake, so that only her toes splashed down into a thin layer of water with every step.
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 5:24 pm
Pruu laughed while she ran at a jog, going just a little slower to allow for conversation. "Mental control is just as important as physical control. The stronger your mental strength, the more effective your physical strength will be." She fully believed that training in both areas were important, and couldn't help a bashful, if not fully ashamed glance to the mystic. "Perhaps you could help me with mental training next time? If you have the time, of course. Unfortunately, I do tend to let those studies fall to the wayside." She was much more physically driven, finding physical labor much more tangible achievement than mental. The two trainings often walked hand in hand, as one did need discipline to train as she did, so she rarely put aside time for only mental workouts...
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 8:59 am
Nivalis' pace faltered slightly as she cast a startled, wide-eyed glance to the other girl. It wasn't often that she was asked to help her older sisters with anything, though whether because she wasn't as talented as them and would be more hindrance than help, they thought she was too busy to devote her time to them, or they simply didn't want her around, Niva couldn't say.
She'd grown accustomed and expectant of a certain distance from most. Even though she was their mystic and wanted to be readily available to all, she wasn't yet old enough to be trusted with major concerns and her talents weren't strong enough to handle the worst problems. She considered herself to be a friendly and approachable person, but perhaps it came off as more naive and simple-minded. But the invitation was there this time, and her gaze brightened immediately.
"I would be honored, sister!" She declared. "I'm sure it won't be as entertaining as jogging or swordplay, but perhaps it won't be so bad if we have the opportunity to tackle it together."
For magic and meditation especially, she'd only ever had the company of the matron- and Elzira, to some extent, but this would be a whole new experience and wonderful in its uniqueness. "Have you showed any signs of possessing magical capabilities? Or are you hoping to forge a stronger connection with our Mother?"
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 12:34 pm
Pruu missed Nivalis' falter, but the excitement suddenly emanating from that voice made he turn to look. Was the mystic really that excited? Perhaps the young one was looking forward to a change of pace. The same thing every day was sure to get tedious.
As it was, Pruu was happy to see the acceptance. Who better than the mystic to train the mind? Nivalis was still young, but the budding potential was still there, and Pruu looked forward to seeing even a hint of that skill. Watching Nivalis grow was quite interesting. "Oh, I have no magic myself." Her jogging slowed a little more, giving the question some thought. "It.. would be nice to be more connected to Elzira," she admitted bashfully, as though worried she was speaking to familiarly about the goddess. She spent her time training to defend Elzira, so her time communing with the tree was.. minimal.
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Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 10:07 am
Whether it was an entirely fair thought or not, it didn't really strike Nivalis as surprising that Pruu hadn't shown any magical promise. Not that there wasn't always time for that spark to develop, but as far as Niva could tell with their limited interactions, Pruu was more steadfast and stubborn, bound to the law of what she could accomplish physically, with little room or desire to branch out from that.
She wasn't especially experienced in magic herself, and she required much practice yet, but from what she did understand, magic tended to be more fluid than what the body could accomplish. If physical strength came from the body, then magical strength came from the spirit. There wasn't so much a 'right' or 'wrong' way to use it. No 'better' or 'worse' way to train the mind, as there were specific ways to do so for muscles. It depended almost wholly on the individual and what worked best for them.
Nivalis didn't know what would work best for Pruu, but she was eager to help her sister discover it.
"I think it would make Mother happy if her children reached out to her more often. I know it is sometimes out of the way," Niva admitted with a roll of her shoulders as she trotted to keep pace with the older girl. "But even if she doesn't say anything back, she listens, and it's nice to have someone to talk to, just the same."
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Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 8:10 pm
Pruu shook her head, lips pressing a little. "There should be no such thing as 'out of the way' when it comes to Elzira... I have no excuse." She wanted to protect Elzira and her people. She wanted to grow stronger, better, and capable. Hiow did she expect to earn Elzira's grace further to grow if she barely ever communed with the mother? Surely she would advance quicker with-
Her thoughts were interrupted when her foot landed on something smooth. She gasped sharply as her foot slip out from under her, quite inexperienced yet in trying to catch her balance in the water. Dropping forward as though her feet had been caught by something, she tried to brace herself before falling face-down into the water. Dress and dreads soaked even further, adding weight when she pushed herself back up with her cheeks flushed hot. Well, that was embarrassing.
It wasn't until she raised her hand to push some hair from her face that she realized there was actual pain. One of her raised hands had been pierced by a spike from the back of a diascia; perhaps shed or fallen off after death. She quickly went to yank it out, but caught herself before she could. Instead, she inhaled to hide the pain and turned to Nivalis, holding out her hand calmly. "Here. You may have some practice now."
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 5:58 am
Well, Pruu wasn't wrong. It was unfortunate, but many of the older Elarian girls only gathered around Elzira for necessary group rituals, and it sometimes seemed as if few of them were especially interested in communicating with their mother for more leisurely reasons. Niva didn't blame them, of course. She knew how frustrating it could be to have so much to say and so many questions that needed answers, but to not receive those answers from a source she knew had them. And the others were busy with their training and their own family matters.
Nivalis found herself beaming at Pruu's assertion. More than just being her duty, she would be happy to guide any of her sisters to speak with Elzira, no matter the reason. If the older girl was willing to devote some of her time to it...
"Pruu!" Nivalis yipped, startled as her sister pitched forward suddenly and crashed toward the water. Niva wasn't so close that she could do much of anything about it, but her body reacted just the same. her steps faltered as she spun to fully face the water, both arms reaching out to try and snag at her sister's limbs, but to no avail. Rather than doing anything to stop her fall, Nivalis wound up only crouching at Pruu's side, with a hand layered over her shoulder and concern on her face.
"Oh!" She winced slightly as her sister extended a hand to her. She'd known this water couldn't be trusted, and sure enough, there were trip hazards and spikes to spear yourself on. Pruu was strong, though. Besides a tint of pink on her cheeks, she managed to look unfazed. "Ah, you're hurt. We should-" Return to camp to allow someone more knowledgeable to handle it? Pruu didn't seem too worried over Niva's capabilities, and it wasn't a dire injury. Giving her sister a hesitant smile, Nivalis nodded and reached to take the other girl's hand.
She inhaled slowly, and reached for the threads of magic within herself. "I'll do my best, but I think it will still be a bit uncomfortable. After removing the spike with a gentle pluck of her fingers, Niva clasped both her hands around Pruu's and pushed outward with a healing spell. Her fingers and then Pruu's glowed with a blossoming warmth for a short while, and then faded.
Niva blinked down at the cut and inspected her work. Her sister's hand was still wet and dotted in red from where her blood had leaked, and the point of injury was still splotchy with some not-quite-fully-healed tissue, but at least the wound itself looked to be closed. Nivalis grinned.
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