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Post by Keaira O'Connell on Sept 29, 2007 12:10:30 GMT -5
((Comming from here... ragedsyphers.proboards100.com/index.cgi?board=transfiguration&action=display&thread=1190195346&page=2 )) Keaira stood guard while Dee opened the room of requirements, although she was used to the idea of walking past the same stretch of wall three times, surely others would find that type of behavior , well odd. As Keaira casually leaned against the wall she kept her eyes moving making sure that no one entered the hall way. With the door opened, she quickly slipped in behind D’rorah, glancing about to see what the room had provided them with this time. The chairs caught her eyes, but Keaira found that they were not what she wished. As D’rorah took a seat Keaira paced back and forth, letting her mind work out where she needed to begin. As she thought her eyes watched the floor and her hands fidgeted slightly. Grasping at her clothing, and intertwine with her other hand. “Well, where to begin… Well, I’m pretty sure telling the headmistress I’m off training is not a good idea, so I’ve come up with a way around that…” She paused; her plan was a little dangerous, but only to her. She intended to open her mind a little bit more than she should, allowing herself to be overwhelmed, but a controlled overwhelming, so she would pass out. She knew quite well that it would cause her to be a little disorientated, and she knew that the school nurses would not be able to revive her. They would send her to St. Mongos, and then James would come and get her 2 days later. From there she would make it to China… but how? And where would she go? “Well for starters, where in china will I be headed? How will I find the place? Can I get some one to Apperrate me there? Or will I need to fly? Are they expecting me? Or do they not know yet?” She let the questions hang in the air, knowing that D’rorah would have to answer these before she continued on, after all there was no reason to overwhelm her in the first volley of questions. She paced a few more times, before allowing herself to fall in to the chair across from D’rorah. So many questions still swarmed her mind.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 29, 2007 12:31:16 GMT -5
D'rorah listened. She agreed that, though she felt a fair amount of ambivalence toward the Headmistress, there was no need to trust anyone unless there was no other alternative at this point. It would make sense that the same mechanisms that had brought the Elemental Masters and Shadow warriors to Hogwart's might well have drawn together those who fought for the other side. However, such thinking did very little to reassure her and she quickly turned her mind from it.
When she finally began answering Keaira's questions, her tone was very matter of fact. "You will be traveling to a monastery in western China, the Xinjiang province. The monastery is fairly close to the border of Mongolian border. My Master, Master Xiu will be awaiting you there. I have seen to the arrangements, so you will be expected." Her eyes followed Keaira as she paced the room; she was well aware of how unsettling it must be to have to travel so far outside of one's comfort zones, to an area of the world she had likely never visited to meet people she did not know... to begin an education she could only just begin to fathom. "I have trained with Master Xiu for many years... he is very demanding and relentless. I cannot expect you to learn everything in only a few short weeks that I have learned over the course of several years... but when you return, you will have advanced beyond the abilities of the other Shadow Warriors who have had no training. I will expect you to assist me with beginning their training and you and I will work privately to further your own." She paused, addressing the remainder of the concerns that had been spoken. "You may apparate outside the monastery walls. When you arrive, sound the bell at the main gate and wait. One of the monks will answer the door in due time. While you are there, do whatever is asked of you... though it may at times seem otherwise, no one there means you any harm. You are actually safer there than you are here with the rest of us."
She sat back in her chair and waited, certain that more questions would soon follow.
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Post by Keaira O'Connell on Sept 29, 2007 22:04:23 GMT -5
As D’rorah answered her questions she thought about what was a head of her. Training, she had been through a small amount of that before. Mostly patience, balance, but she had an understanding of what might be required of her. Although to be fair, she some how imagined that the training in China will be far harder than the training that her father, and James had sort of put her through.
She imagined the way this would change her, and she suddenly felt a little bit afraid of this up and coming task. James would take her from the hospital and bring her home, she would explain everything she could there, and then he would take her to China. As she thought of the training she realized that she really didn’t even know what that entailed.
“D’rorah, what should I be expecting during this training, and do you think that I will really be better than the others? How long have you been training? What do you know how to do? Will I be capable of actually defending myself if the need arises? Will I be able to receive owls at the monastery? What about my classes? How much will I miss, and how will I keep up?”
She was beginning to make heads and tails of her future, she needed this training and this was the best way to do it, since D’rorah wasn’t up to par yet. She relaxed a little, looking around at the room. It was quiet in between the empty spaces of their conversation. A quiet that Keaira knew was just the tension of her own mind and body.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 29, 2007 22:19:08 GMT -5
D'rorah watched Keaira as she spoke. She knew what she was talking about was a major disruption to Keaira's life... but she also knew that it would be the best way to accomplish what needed to be accomplished.
"Do not expect anything, Miss O'Connell," she replied seriously. "Expect that you will be put on guard, pushed to your limits... you will learn combat and weapons training, you will learn to completely separate your emotions in the way that is necessary to fight shadows. You will also learn chants effective against creatures of the Shadow Realm... you will be trained to never falter in them... no matter what happens to you..." she trailed off, remembering that that particular part of the training had been particularly unpleasant.
"I have been training for many years. Apparently Master Xiu identified me as a potential Scribe for the Order... he was a friend of my father's. He classed me and trained me. I learned the chants... but only as a part of my scribal training. Apparently it never crossed anyone's mind that I was a shadow warrior until my parents were killed." Her voice was matter of fact as she spoke about this, betraying none of the deep emotions their deaths inspired in her.
"You will be able to effectively defend yourself when you leave and owls may be received at the monastery. I would recommend not thinking about your classes while you are there. I will assist you with catching up to the rest of the class during the break. Though you are a bright girl, I have little concern that you will not be able to stay abreast of your academics."
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Post by Keaira O'Connell on Sept 29, 2007 23:01:43 GMT -5
Things seemed to be clearing up for her. She had a plan, a way of action. At the worst she just needed to work towards being more comfortable. There was about to be a major change in her entire life. Training, and lessons. That’s what she had to look forward to.
It was nice to hear a bit about D’rorah’s life. She always seemed like such a closed character, so even opening up this little was something amazing. Keaira felt a little privileged to hear these small glimpses in to her life. Keaira felt the pain that D’rorah was hiding as she mentioned the death of her parents, it was a pain that Keaira knew as well, one that she hid each time her grandfather entered her mind.
Her class work did have her a little concerned, however with D’rorah’s reassurances she felt that it was something she could handle. After all, Keaira was a determined individual, and if it only took a bit more work, and effort, she would do it.
A few other thoughts entered her mind as she thought about the things that awaited her. The loneliness that would find her at night, there was something that might help her with that. But it may be a problem, however, where there was a question D’rorah might have the answer.
“Will I be able to take Artemis, my cat, with me? Or should I leave her at my parent’s estate? If anything of importance happens at the school, you should be able to contact me then? Also, is there anything that I will need to take with me? Supplies, or others?”
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 29, 2007 23:22:56 GMT -5
D'rorah watched Keaira as she thought. "Pets are not allowed at the monastery," she remarked after a moment's pause. "The monks feel that animals are their own beings. They have ethical views which prohibit taking animals as pets. And rest assured, I will contact you immediately if anything happens here. I keep in constant contact with Master Xiu so that he knows everything that happens here... the Order is poised to assist us in the event that things here escalate to a level we are unable deal with effectively. They are a very secretive Order... they will not reveal themselves until the last possibly moment. Master Xiu would prefer that the Shadow Mage not learn of their true purpose for existing if it can be at all prevented." She thought a bit more about the next question. "Take basic clothes... modest clothes with you. But make certain you will be comfortable training in those clothes. Anything else you need will be provided for you. The monastery is very well funded."
She made no mention of the fact that she had made a very generous donation to the monastery for this training opportunity. Though the monks had tried to demure and insisted it was not necessary, that it was an honor to train a Shadow Warrior, she had finally won out. After all, she had been left with enough to cover all of her expenses after her parent's deaths and they had been generous supporters of the Monastery themselves. She felt it only proper to continue that tradition.
"Now, I suggest you rest and try to not to worry about the upcoming weeks too much. I am certain everything will work out well."
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Post by Keaira O'Connell on Sept 30, 2007 1:32:31 GMT -5
Keaira listened with a slight disappointment that Artemis will have to stay with her parents or James, It would have been nice to have the comfort of Artemis while she was away, but she would adjust if needed. Keaira thought of her relationship with Artemis, it wasn’t that of pet and master, but that of friends, companions. Artemis was always there for her when she needed someone.
A wave of relief swept over her, as D’rorah told her that she would be contacted if there was a problem. It made her feel safer. If they needed the power of all the shadow warriors, she would be able to get there as quickly as possible. If there was a dire need, surely Dien, or D’rorah could apperate to get her, and then return to the castle…
Keaira thought of the clothing she had, she owned some robes, and even a few outfits that were specifically for training. She knew which ones she would bring, and what she would leave at home. Although she had no clue as to the weather in china for this time of year, so maybe she would pack a bit of everything.
As D’rorah suggested that she get some rest, and relax Keaira smiled. Yes, rest. Although there were a few things that weighed down on her mind still. Things she would feel better about if she knew before leaving.
“D’rorah, there are other things that are still bothering me, How’s Alessandro been? Do we know who the rest of us are? And… I have been feeling very distant from Professor Serlaen, Dien, since his wife’s arrival, is this going to affect our bonding? If we aren’t well connected does this mean we will be less able to work together?”
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 30, 2007 2:02:12 GMT -5
"Alessandro has been doing well since the other night. He has also been avoiding me... I have yet to speak with him regarding that text." She frowned slightly, not accustomed to not getting her own way. Moving on to the next question she continued. "I have located all but the Shadow Warrior of Water, I believe... Fire is held by Miss Edwin and Mister Darko, as you already know. Wind by Professor Kade and myself; Metal by yourself and Professor Serlaen; Water is Professor Spade; and apparently Earth is held by Mister Cooper and perhaps Miss Matthews," she finished. "I am not yet fully certain about Miss Matthews... so I have not yet introduced her to any of the others."
She shook her head at Keaira's comment about Dien. "Professor Serlaen has been losing his ghostly form... I am not certain why it is happening, but I have certainly noticed it. I believe reuniting with his wife may have something to do with that... and he has seemed rather confused since the changes began." She shook her head. "The weakened bond may influence your ability to hold your own emotions if it remains so for an extended period of time. While you are away, I will attempt to speak with him. He is having a rather difficult year, I believe. If we give him some time, things should eventually work out properly.
(ooc: sorry it's short... I'm falling asleep on my keyboard here... nighty night)
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