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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on May 11, 2009 18:52:23 GMT -5
She nodded as Bryan replied. It was true that she didn't consider failure an option. And as a result, she pushed herself too hard. But then, it seemed that the moment she tried to slow down and stop pushing, some calamity befell the entire group. He was right... it was all a big mess, but that was what war was. No one expected it to be neat or to always make sense. The best she hoped for was survival.
"[blue]It is indeed our weakest point,"[/blue] she agreed. [blue]"And that is a weakness I have not yet found a plausible way to augment."[/blue] Certainly, she had tried to speak with them about it. She had made individual overtures to connect with the others... but it seemed her manner was so off-putting that they either suspected other motives or simply did not connect with her at all. She had tried to work on that issue with herself, but there was only so much one human being could do. They were all young, too young to carry this burden... but they were the ones who had been chosen to shoulder it. She knew somehow they all had qualities that needed to work together in order to have some hope of winning, but with such disparate personalities finding a way to work together seemed impossible at times.
She stood by quietly as Bryan surveyed the weapons lining the wall. As his eyes came to rest on the staffs, she regarded the weapon curiously. She had once held a belief that the weapon was weak and easily defeated, but Master Tan had quickly dispelled any notion she might have had of her own superiority of the inherent superiority of her weapons. She remembered having come away from that match with a broken collar bone, bruised pride, and shame that she had allowed herself to be defeated by her haughtiness. It had been a good refresher course in humility.
Bryan's memories as they ruffled through her mind like a light breeze seemed far happier and more wholesome. They were images of a happy childhood and afteroons spent playing with siblings and cousins. D'rorah couldn't recall any such memories herself... she had always been a serious little girl. Bryan's memories were far more entertaining, but she pulled herself away from them as he began studying the staffs lining the wall. She felt no need to rush, and so waited silently as he contemplated his options. She made no comment as he selected a staff and tested its weight and balance in his hand, but stepped back as he unleashed a blade from each end.
She nodded at his choice of weapon. [blue]"It suits you,"[/blue] she remarked thoughtfully. She would have an interesting time training him to use it. Staffwork had never been a strong poing for her. She had always preferred the sleek beauty of her blades, but she could at least begin with the basics for him... and then perhaps Master Tan could take his training further when they all made it to China that summer for training. She scanned the wall and selected a staff as well. [blue]"We should begin with meditation to focus the mind. And then basic forms."[blue] She turned and began leading the way back to the room of Elemental Wind before seating herself once again on the ground. She wondered if Bryan had done any meditation before. [blue]"Just do your best to clear your mind,"[/blue] she offered helpfully. [blue]"I can guide you with my own, if we find it necessary."[/blue]
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Post by Bryan Kelley on May 12, 2009 12:06:12 GMT -5
The weight of the staff felt good in his hand. It felt solid, sturdy. The idea of wielding any sort of weapon did not really appeal to Bryan. As he had told D'rorah, he was not a confrontational person. He didn't go looking to fights and did not really cherish the idea of having to get up and defend himself physically, yet alone actually having to initiate an actual attack. However, the weight of the staff in his hand did a little to alleviate some of that anxiety. It was certainly better having the weapon choice left to him, able to choose something he would be comfortable wielding compared to being forced to take on something that he did not feel right even picking up. Although, swords seemed a perfect choice for D'rorah, Bryan could not even contemplate picking one up and using it to fight, unless he was left with no alternative.
He looked at her after he had declared the staff he held would work. He wasn't sure what to make out of when she told him that it suited him. However, given that the Gryffindor did not know much about weapons to begin with, it was oddly comforting that she felt his choice suited him, that it reinforced the familiarity he felt towards the item when he gad chosen it. In truth, Bryan trusted D'rorah's opinion on things, especially where it lied in regards to this shadow and light fighter war. Perhaps it was because he had met her first of the group and had turned out to be her Elemental Master, but he did not find her appearance or attitude as off setting as other people did the Ravenclaw.
Bryan watched as the young woman selected a staff from the wall as well before she began to speak again. He nodded his head slightly to her words before he followed her back to the Elemental Wind's room. He had never meditated before. Bryan had never had a reason to attempt it before. The closest he had come to meditating had been the time in the tower when D'rorah had led him out of his artist block that had produced the image that had told D'rorah that she had possibly found her next elemental master. It made Bryan contemplate that situation and comparing it this interesting new development with his sketches. He wondered if that had been one of those moments. He had not known what he was drawing them. However, the Gryffindor brushed the thought aside when the Ravenclaw settled herself back down on grass and he had followed suit, folding his legs into a comfortable position as he sat.
He listened at D'rorah spoke again, instructing him in what to do with the meditation. He wondered briefly how it was possible to clear one's mind. As far as he knew the mind was almost something that couldn't be quieted. Thoughts were always springing to mind. However, instead of continuing to following this train of thought, Bryan nodded his head, "Alright," he replied and took a breath before he tried to clear his mind. Although his mind felt clear he felt instead of actually thinking any thoughts his mind had begun to concentrate on making sure he continued breathing, the thought passing through his mind.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on May 12, 2009 14:54:05 GMT -5
D'rorah allowed her mind to become calm and clear, pushing away the various distractions that plagued her in everyday life. She didn't hear Bryan ask for help, and it seemed his mind was calm, at least. It was quieting and comforting to simply be for a change and she breathed in deeply, trying to center herself. She didn't want to take too long, and finally after about half an hour, her eyes opened again. She rose from her seated position, taking up the staff she had selected. The few moments of calm and peace had focused her mind so that she felt slightly clearer, the clearing effect helped along by the wind which ruffled through the room.
She waited for Bryan to emerge from his meditation and join her, figuring it wouldn't be long before he did. When he had, she assumed a starting position, holding the staff before her with both hands. [blue]"Mirror my motions,"[/blue] she directed simply. Slowly, painstakingly, she began going through the first set of forms. She made notes to correct Bryan now, not wanting him to begin his training with sloppy forms or bad habits that sometimes plagued those who were new to the art. It would take some time of slowly learning the forms and perfecting the motions before they would be able to move on.
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Post by Bryan Kelley on May 13, 2009 22:08:11 GMT -5
Bryan had never really understood the reason for meditating. Well, he did grasp a basic understanding of why some people did it. However, for him, it never felt it would do him any good. If the Gryffindor had attempted it in the past, he never really knew what he was suppose to be doing. However, D'rorah had given him one easy enough instruction. Clear his mind. Well that certainly was well in all good. However, he never quite understood it, even in the books he read mentioning it. It always seemed when he thought about trying to empty his mind, in the moments at night when he was trying to sleep, all he ever did was make him conscious of the fact that he was breathing and if he stopped thinking about it he would stop breathing, as silly as it sound since breathing was not exactly an action that a person had to focus on every moment of their lives.
So sitting there, Bryan was aware of his feet falling asleep underneath and how he breathed in and out. He really had no idea of how long he sat there just concentrating on breathing in and out, as it was the closes he could get to clearing his mind. For Bryan, sitting with his sketch book and just doodling was an action that served for calming him and finding his center than just sitting in one spot and clearing ones mind. However, perhaps it was just the Gryffindor's way of meditating. As when he drew he wasn't focusing on much else, but was just remaining calm with an inner balance as he merged with the pencil he was drawing with. However, it was to be almost expected, as not everyone meditated in the same fashion.
Eventually he heard D'rorah move. It was almost a welcome relief, as his mind turned to focus on that instead of his breathing. It took him a moment re orient himself and by that time, D'rorah had picked herself up from the grass and picked up the staff she had chosen to work with. It took him a moment to relieve the pins and needles feeling that had entered his left foot before he stood up, actually using the staff he chosen to help himself off the ground. The proper feeling had turned to his limb shortly before D'rorah had begun to instruct him in the forms of staff work.
Bryan mimicked the forms that D'rorah showed him to the best of his ability. Although the staff felt natural in his hand, the forms did not. They would take time and effort before they came to him smoothly. In response, there were multiple times that D'rorah had to correct the Gryffindor in how he held the staff and how he stood and used it. Bryan tried to take notes of the forms she showed him and of the areas she corrected him in. However, it was still far to easy to slip into the incorrect position that a frustration built on the inside, but Bryan tried not to give into the frustration and instead focused on correcting his form and D'rorah corrected him once more. He knew he would not be doing this perfect the first time through, but there was still that frustration that presented itself all the same.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on May 14, 2009 8:03:51 GMT -5
[blue]"Breathe when you find yourself frustrated,"[/blue] she directed, her voice almost as stern as Master Xiu's had been when she had begun training. She had faced the same problem as a young girl. He had been so exacting in the movements that she had been frustrated to insanity by repeating them over and over again. At the time, it hadn't made any sense why the tiny imperfections he spotted mattered at all. Now however, she saw the wisdom in the way he had forced her to work and she knew how profoundly those slight differences would have affected her fighting had they gone uncorrected.
She interspersed her corrections with encouragement, making sure to note when Bryan executed a motion particularly well. [blue]"Perfect, now do it again. Exactly like that."[/blue] It was good practice for her, training others. It forced her to slow down and think through actions that had become almost automatic for her after years of repetition. After all, there was always something new to learn and there were always tiny things which needed perfecting, no matter how long one had trained. Those first years of painstaking repetition had helped to cultivate her patience and discipline. They had been part of the path to calming her emotions and gaining mastery over them as a young telepath.
Feeling as though she had carried this particular session on long enough, she finally stepped back from her detailed supervision and bowed to Bryan. [blue]"Well done, Mister Kelley. With any good fortune you will have progressed past the basics before we depart for China this summer. Master Xiu and Master Tan will be pleased."[/blue] She realized as she finished that she had managed to successfully place Dylan out of her mind for the time being... of course, the realization was quickly followed by the realization that she had once again thought about him. Ah well, at least she felt soothed by the time with her Element and her Elemental Master.
[blue]"We should train again soon,"[/blue] she added as she made her way out into the anteroom to put her staff away. [blue]"I am due for a hall patrol at present, so I regret that I cannot remain longer."[/blue] She fitted the staff into its appointed holder and turned to face Bryan. [blue]"Find me whenever you have free time and we will work on your craft further... and I would like to know if you draw any more pictures. I have a feeling they may prove to be important."[/blue]
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Post by Bryan Kelley on May 17, 2009 11:37:16 GMT -5
"So much easier said than done," [/color] Bryan had muttered when D'rorah had told him to breathe when he had become frustrated. The comment was probably a clue to that he was frustrated. Usually Bryan would try to follow the direction of the Ravenclaw rather than make a comment on it. However, to him it truly was easier said than done. Bryan did not usually reach such a point of frustration and he wasn't as trained as D'rorah was in this matter. It was easier for her to relax her mind and take a moment to breathe to calm herself down. She had been training with her swords for many years now. Whereas this was Bryan's first time picking up a staff and the first time doing any sort of training in this area. The rational part of his mind picked up on these small things, but frustration rarely allowed a person to act completely rational. However, after the comment, Bryan did try to step back, figuratively and take a few deep breaths to calm the frustration inside of him before he returned his attention to the task at hand and once more mimicked the movements that D'rorah had shown him. The times when D'rorah had given him some praise for performing a form correctly were not done in vain. When just starting it certainly felt awkward and as if he was doing everything incorrectly. There was hardly any flow to his movements as they were foreign to him still. Bryan just couldn't help thinking that this kind of stuff was more suited to Sam than himself. However, it wasn't Sam in this position but him, so Bryan once more buckled down to try and figure out the forms she was showing him. His mind continued to try to take notes of places she praised him as well as where she corrected him. He wanted to remember them so he could practice a little bit on his own before he trained again with D'rorah. He was aware that he could accidentally undo the forms she showed him if he did not note them properly. However, he could not depend on practicing only with D'rorah. He knew that she had other tasks she needed to do within their little group. A light sigh found its way through his lips when D'rorah had declared they had finished for the day. He could already feel some of his muscles beginning their protest at actions he was unused to doing. He smiled at her words as he leaned his weight against the staff. He hoped he could live up to the expectations that D'rorah was giving for him. He did not have quite as much faith in his abilities but he tried to reassure himself that at least he was trying and not just dismissing everything when it seemed too hard. "Alright,"[/color] Bryan stated in response as she told him to find him when he had spare time and if he drew anymore images. "Maybe you can make some sense of them. It would be nice if they can be of any use,"[/color] he stated. Bryan turned his gaze to look at the staff he held. "I'm allowed to keep this and take it out of the room of requirement?"[/color] he asked her. He didn't think it particularly wise to carry it around outside the room of requirement, as it was not like D'rorah's swords which can be easily hidden under her robes. Whereas the staff Bryan had chosen was taller than he by a few inches. He wasn't even sure if he would want to take the item outside the room of requirement to work with, as wouldn't it draw some sort of attention to him if he suddenly carried it out to the grounds to work with or something of that nature when he hadn't before... maybe during the next year where it seemed one had the summer to suddenly pick the craft up or something. However, he wanted to know the answer regardless.[/blockquote]
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on May 18, 2009 7:32:13 GMT -5
D'rorah thought for a moment about the staff. It made sense that it would be able to leave the room. She had previously administered potions provided by the room that did not seem to wear off when the person taking them had left. [blue]"There should be no problem with taking it out of the room; however, I would like to recommend we have a staff commissioned for you over the summer while we are in China. There is something deeply personal in having one made only for you."[/blue] She loved the swords she had now... they had been personally crafted for her by one of the masters after her father's swords had been destroyed by one of the previous Elemental Masters of Metal... he had reformed them so that they looked the same, but they would never be the same to her. The recreations now hung on a wall in her cottage in Hogsmeade. She hadn't known what else to do with them, but she hadn't wanted to continue fighting with them either. Of course, the ones she had now suited her perfectly when she fought with them because they were balanced and proportioned only for her.
She pushed a stray lock of hair that had escaped her tight coif away from her face and back into the others. Her assessing gaze considered both Bryan and the weapon he held. [blue]"I am, however, unsure of where you would practice with it other than the Room of Requirement... but I can certainly understand wanting to have it near you."[/blue]
She turned toward the door, pausing before opening it. [blue]"I hope I will see you again soon. It seems we do not encounter one another often enough."[/blue] She offered a slight smile, feeling somewhat recovered after having pined after Dylan for so long. [blue]"Good day."[/blue] With that, she mentally scanned the corridor to make certain no one else was approaching before heading out and on to face the remainder of her day.
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Post by Bryan Kelley on May 19, 2009 8:10:46 GMT -5
Bryan nodded his head slightly in response to D'rorah's answer to his inquiry. A light smile touched his lips at the mention of having a staff commissioned for him. "If you think it a good idea,"[/color] he stated in response. Bryan knew nothing about weapons and it was seeming that in this area, like all areas he dealt with D'rorah so far, he was deferring to her judgment. Bryan trusted D'rorah inexplicably. It was not merely because she was the one to draw him into the group or because he was privy to all her precious memories. That certainly played a part. The fact was, although D'rorah's presence and appearance may be off setting to some, it had never really bothered Bryan. It was the manner in which she acted and do things that he came to respect and trust in her. Bryan knew he was safe with her as his Shadow Warrior. He knew she feared failing to protect him as she felt she did with her last three elemental masters. However, the fact of the matter was that Bryan was starting to look at the older Ravenclaw as a part of his family, and family in the Kelley clan was always something of deep importance. The Kelleys would do anything to keep one of their brood safe or to help one another. This trait transferred over to into this area of Bryan's life now.
His thoughts transferred to her next statement, mirroring his own thoughts from previous. "I figure I can't really do anything with it really public until after the summer, but I figured I might be able to do some of the forms in my dorm before bed or something of that nature,"[/color] he stated with a shrug of his shoulders. "Or hit my brother over the head with it when he's annoying,"[/color] he then mused with a bit of humor. Whether Bryan would really do such a thing was left to the imagination, though if he did it would never be to the extent of severe physical harm. He loved his brother, he did. It's just like all siblings he grated on the nerves sometimes. Especially when he wouldn't let up when he caught the scent of something. Bryan knew better than to keep anything in his life a secret from Sam, especially to keep him safe, but now Sam was determined to get more information. Bryan was sure the only reason he wasn't snooping around other people yet was because the boy did not have a starting point aside from Bryan yet.
"Alright; maybe I'll take to drawing more in the library now,"[/color] he told her in response to their meeting more often. He knew that D'rorah did not want his name equated with hers too often and aside from the room of requirement, it seemed the library was the next best place. It was her normal haunt and students tended to go there whether to study or just for something quiet time. Bryan knew he would not be a bother to D'rorah if he encountered her in the library. Their first meeting was proof enough of that. Considering the two had sat for the majority of it immersed in their separate projects. As it was, Bryan was sure just their combined presence was a relief. Things always felt better after he had been with D'rorah for a while.
"Stay safe,"[/color] he replied to her when she bid him farewell. He watched as she carefully checked the corridor outside the door for anyone passing by before she would leave the room. Bryan intended to stay a few minutes longer, as it was he needed to retrieve his bag and sketchbook from the elemental wind room. He continued to lean on the staff, glancing at it for a moment. It was crazy to think of what he had been pulled into, but Bryan would not have it any other way. He would not duck out of his responsibility and duty. He was depended on, if not by the others than by D'rorah. He did not want to see her become even more corrupted by shadows if he could help it. He wouldn't abandon her.
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