Post by Daichi Hamamoto on Mar 1, 2013 22:51:08 GMT -5
Daichi tried to stop but soon found himself forced and made direct eye contact with her. Her words for a moment invoked a deeper fear within him, that perhaps she knew more about him than he had originally let on to. But then, she alleviated it with the mention of a focus.
“I understand…” Daichi nodded before he allowed himself to trail off in thought. “…Perhaps I let my mind wander too much. Strength for the sake of becoming stronger, I need a better reason.” He mused to himself. “…Let me think…please.”
The misty forests of Ionia were always one of Akali's favorite places to retreat for any kind of relaxation and meditation, sometimes even practice. Something about dense mist soothed her and enhanced her meditation. It was quite easy to become lost among these forests during conditions such as this, thus many would often stray clear from entering its density. Perfect for solitude and bringing your mind absolute clarity.
The Fist of Shadow sat atop a high thick branch among one of the trees. She had been watching Aimi assist the trainee's hand in the practice of Ki for a good while now, and thought best not to interrupt. She had known Aimi for a good portion of her life now, and had no doubt she'd do well in passing off her knowledge to worthy apprentices.
She carefully adjusted her Bloodmoon mask to rest atop her head, one leg hanging freely below her, swaying it back and forth lightly against the cool floating mist particles. She remembers all the times her and Aimi have practiced together in these parts, a long lost time ago. Even goofing around, when times were more carefree. A time before she had joined the Kinkou.
She watched the young man, her lips forming half a grin as she saw the determination in his eyes. She knew now would not be a good time to intervene just yet, the moment when he's trying to attain true clarity of the mind. He's almost got this. She wanted to watch it unfold.
"Strength without direction or purpose is worthless and wasteful. Strength with a nature...Strength forged though desire or goal, would become something for the opposition to fear. " Aimi quoted in a low tone for Daichi to hear, trying not to disrupt his thoughts but to give them a gentle push. "It is how life progresses forward. It is the same way every creature changes around us, slowly but enough."
Aimi went towards one of the trees. Her eyes narrowed deeply as she knelt down feeling various grooves along the trunk. "The Genzhu, you know them as horned tiger, used these forest as their hunting grounds. No worry, my family has found a way to established peace with them since they lived here. They won't bother us here. . .
"Anyways, there was a time when the prey became smarter than the Genzhu. The Hai, a species of deer, learned they can used the oil from the certain bushes to make their coats slick enough to slip away from the tiger's claws. A genzhu soon found itself unable to feed her cubs due to this moment of craftiness, and could not move on like the other tigers. She hunted for smaller animals until a accident struck her claw against one of the ironwool trees. It cracked her blunt claw...and she found that it was able to grip along the moist foliage around it. From that day, the tiger mother kept slashing at these tree, making her claws more uniquely shaped and jagged...Soon, she managed to catch one of the Hai and her clubs feasted that day. As the other tigers left, her children were free to thrive and also learn the same techniques of their mother to roam these forest.."
As Aimi finished the story, she stood up. Her head turned towards the misty above her. She sensed someone nearby, but a clear mind meant that they were anything but dangerous. She decided not to confront that certain someone just yet.
Last Edit: Mar 2, 2013 23:44:14 GMT -5 by Aimi Sunumi
Post by Daichi Hamamoto on Mar 6, 2013 22:39:12 GMT -5
Daichi grew quiet and listened to the tale she had to offer, advice in the form of a tale. He decided that his intent would have more purpose than simply for the sake of it. The Kinkou did it for the balance, it was where they drew their strength. Even Zed had one. While Aimi would disapprove, Daichi would set his focus on becoming more efficient for his Matron. LeBlanc had sent him down a path which he had welcomed, since his first encounter with her he slowly found himself becoming happier with his life choices and desires. For the first time in his life, he had taken initiative and gone down a path that he wanted to. No one could take that away from him. Not Zed, not the Kinkou, the Institute of War, not his Matron. No one.
“I understand.” With a new focus he rekindled his effort. With the change in motivation, his progress increased two fold. It was…certainly impressive. He was on the right track, but there was work to be done.
Post by Aimi Sunumi on Mar 20, 2013 22:28:14 GMT -5
Aimi nodded in quiet approval. The boy was progressing rather quickly, which was a clear sign of having somewhat a natural talent to Ki control. She couldn't help sensing a sense of conviction in the boy, somewhat similar to her own. She did not care for what path the boy had chosen, but the fact that she could give him a tool to follow a path he wanted. It gave her a great feeling on completion in her mind.
The doctor turned to Daichi, with a stoic feeling in her face. "I think you finished the hardest part of the lesson." She didn't say anything about the presence watching them nearby. Ki Sense was just one of those lessons for another time.
The Kinkou girl watched eagerly from her branch from within the mists. From the boy's concentration, there would be no way she would be noticed. However, she was fairly positive Aimi sensed her from the beginning. There was hardly any doubt in that.
Akali's eyes never left the boy. She focused on him, almost able to feel the energy emitting from him. Progress was definitely underway, she knew this much. He had much to learn in the forms of balance, even if it was not his sole intention. It just became something she could easily notice in people around her, like an unavoidable habit. It would've helped in his current practicing, though.
The girl graciously hopped down from the branch and landed without a sound, remaining expressionless as she approached from the mists.
"You're progressing." She said matter-of-factly, closing her eyes into a nod, before making eye contact with the boy. "But you have a long way to go. I have no reason not to believe Sunumi is a perfect mentor for such. She's good at this." Akali grinned over to Aimi from the corner of her eye.
Returning to the boy, she lowered herself forward slightly in the form of a bow, before straightening herself.
Post by Daichi Hamamoto on Mar 26, 2013 16:09:42 GMT -5
The surprise of familiar words broke his concentration and something else sank in for a moment, perhaps nervousness that he had attracted an audience. He could afford it now he supposed as he matched eyes with the Fist of the Shadow. With his concentration broken, he dismissed his attempt for the time being.
“Daichi Hamamoto…” He wondered if she knew of his family or his ties to the old order of the Kinkou. Or that he had left the order and no longer desired to take the mantle his father had passed on to him, The Iceborn Shadow. “How long were you watch?” He hadn’t sensed her; he would need to amend this if he was going to serve his own Matron effectively. There could be no failings, no weakness if he could help it.
Akali's expression furrowed slightly at the mention of his name. It rung a bell of old times, perhaps not even from her own encounter. Word of mouth? She has never even seen this boy before. She shifted in place, readjusting her posture before him.
"Hamamoto..." She repeated lowly, curiously, almost to herself. Shuffling through her memories to pinpoint just why the name struck her as such. Why do I know your name? She thought. And then it hit her.
"Ah, the ice craft. You are their blood then." Yet, she remained to wonder why she has not seen this young man in the Kinkou. She only just realized she has ignored his question.
"My apologies, but you will have to become used to being watched in due time. I've been sitting up there for a good while. The ability to sense other beings can become key to survival should a situation arise. It is an important technique to master." She grinned and closed her eyes for a moment. "Extra credit should you have noticed me."
Post by Daichi Hamamoto on Mar 27, 2013 1:38:34 GMT -5
“…Yes. I’m Katsu’s son.” He replied. “…Unfortunately, the last of the line.” Zed. It was part of his motivation to get stronger. His challenge against him had been issued and he had vowed to kill him. Not for revenge but for his own pride. To let him get away with something so despicable, to allow him to have hurt him and to have done nothing about it… his time would come. He would freeze his heart solid.
“…Indeed. It’s not something I’ve been able to pick up. My ability with Ki is lack luster.” He frowned. “…I’m a mana user primarily. I’m very proficient with those ways but there’s no reason for me to neglect what I should have mastered.” He averted his eyes from the grin, he had trouble looking her in the eyes and he didn’t know why. “…No extra credit this time…but…I would like the opportunity to learn so that I may earn it the next time about.”
She could see the hesitation flicker from within his eyes. They flickered with much more of a history than he let on. Something from deep within him driving him, motivating him, perhaps something he is only willing to live for. Or die for. Though she was unable to have any clue what it was specifically, she could see the pain behind those eyes as clear as day. At least, to her it was.
She found herself unable to grasp a proper response from his prior statement. The last of the line. He's all alone? For him to suddenly have the desire to learn Ki with as much determination as he showed, and dark past or intentions he likely withheld, she was unsure of what to properly say, except...
"I'm sorry." Only to realize she was unsure how to show sympathy in her voice. It may have sounded like it was obligated and forced. She looked away.
"No one learns these things over night. You'll do just fine."
Post by Daichi Hamamoto on Mar 27, 2013 2:33:54 GMT -5
“But there’s no reason that I can’t start now.”
He gained the strength to look her in the eyes upon hearing what sounded like an apology. After what he thought was denial. Now it was she who was looking away from him… There was an awkward pause that lingered in the air.
His eyes wanted to deviate but he forced himself to keep looking at the Kunoichi before him. He did not want to be denied, he wanted to argue that he could learn quickly and that he could improve quickly. But he wasn’t sure if it was his place or not to press.
Akali let out a soft sigh, and glanced around the forest for a few moments in silence. Aimi had seemed to slip from under their presence, it was like her to do so from time to time on spontaneous notice. She'd likely be back.
Her attention turned back to Daichi. She inhaled deeply, trying to intake as much of the crisp morning mist as she could, before quietly exhaling. She couldn't help but take strong notice of the determination in his voice and from within his eyes. It was perhaps louder than he had intended it to be. She folded her arms, stood firm, and couldn't help but ask the daring question.
"Hamamoto, why is it you seek for this so strongly?"
Post by Daichi Hamamoto on Apr 5, 2013 1:14:40 GMT -5
She was forthcoming and asked a question that Daichi could attempt to dance around. But both were versed in deception. He went silent for a noticeable amount of time. It was clear it was personal for him, that this wasn’t a normal want but a need he needed to tend.
“My life hinges on it. I need this for what will come in my life.” It was honest but how could he tell Akali what he intended to do? How could he trust her to not do anything about his intent? The promise had been issued to Zed’s face. Daichi intended on following through so long as he drew breath yet.
Akali expressionlessly stared at him for several moments, as if time had stood still around them. Perhaps she had been too upfront about the question, but she wasn't one to like beating around the bush. All her life, she was trained to not think about things getting done, but to get them done. It has led to her to become straight forward in all situations. She didn't like to waste time with unnecessary roundabouts.
All she could do was lower her head and close her eyes for a brief moment.
"Fair enough." She looked up at him. "Just don't let it consume you. Taking the time and effort to learn something for the sole purpose of personal desires and none else, well..." She looked away.
"... It won't end well." Her eyes didn't return to Daichi, instead, they looked off into the distance of the dense fog, as if wondering how to divert the conversation into something else.
Aimi's been gone fair while, and though she was known for it and Akali never questioned it, she did wish she would be present at this very moment.
Post by Daichi Hamamoto on Apr 5, 2013 23:17:45 GMT -5
“…I will not allow myself to fall due to blind ambition…” He fell quiet after that. Distracted as well as his eyes turned away and towards whatever Akali seemed to be looking at in the distance. Unease settled over him, he distracted himself by trying to find what she was looking for in the dense fog. Perhaps it was nothing
“…We both avoided eye contact twice now…” He noted aloud. “…I don’t think either of us want to talk about the whys. Am I making you uncomfortable Akali, we can change the subject if you want.”
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