Arriving in the council room, Tinarah was sweating and tired from her workout. The drain of her magic was a part of it all, it took a lot out of her and she was pushing herself hard, she hadn't expected Selene to show up to call her to the council room. She wanted to ask the master for another change of clothes, but right now they had more pressing matters. Finding a spot near the back, Tinarah remembered the last time she was in here, and shifted uncomfortably. Scanning the masters that were gathered, there was several missing, some being the ones she was most comfortable around. Soon enough Gero started to explain where they were, and Tinarah could only think about the fact that she left her stuff in Stamatis' room, and she felt a little weird fetching it when he was not there. She didn't know what to do about that. The announcements continued, some talk about additional training and deaths of masters. Tinarah's eyes flickered towards Fost, the only one sitting before them that she really cared about. Tinarah could feel her heart sinking though, not thinking about him, he was fine and strong, but Choma and Stamatis. They were away from the rest of the council and Tinarah knew that is when A had jumped last time. What if he did so then? Would they all come back? Why would they send Stamatis away when he was just barely healed and was being sought after by the Light Chaser? None of this made sense to her. "So since you sent away the Masters of those of us who are fortunate enough to still have them, except Qamar, do you have a plan of who is in charge of our training, or do we keep fighting random illusions with no real instruction?" Tinarah was a little annoyed that she asked two masters for training, and they were gone the moment that training was supposed to start. She didn't want to train with any of the other masters, unless Fost was willing to train her, which he wasn't even willing to do so in the other realm so she doubted it would happen here.
Over time as Tinarah sat and meditated, she decided to try and channel a small amount of her magic into the necklace, like Stamatis had done for her. It wasn't like she was going to use it for anything right away, but more an experiment of whether or not she could, in fact, do it. The more she tried to focus on the task, the more an image started to form in her own mind. Magic swirled around her, wild and unshaped, her magic. She could make it into anything she wanted to, use it to help flow her trough a passage of time, or heal someone. She was able to create fire and ice with half a thought. This was her talent, her gift, something more than she could have ever imagined on her home world. It was wondrous, beyond her imagination, and if she dared, it could be powerful. Part of her mind nudged her to think that if only she had the gift sooner, she could have saved her mother, but even that was untrue, not at that age. Tinarah forced her mind to move on, focusing more on the spectacle around her than to think of her mother. Unlike Chrono, she had moved on from that, learned to live with it. Even in the other realm, where she was far enough back in time to warn her mother of what might happen, she didn't. She knew her reality, and learned long ago to push away any emotions to do with it, not when speaking about it could not only get her killed, but her brother and father too. Chrono however always wanted more answers, and that is what, in the end drove them both to this point. While she didn't blame her mother for her life since she died, Tinarah did know that there were a few scars that left their marks. Her fear of people leaving her was one of them. That is why she chased after her brother. And while Tinarah had thought she was getting over it during her time in the other realm, that had been flipped on it's head once again when she arrived to find both Stamatis and Fost dead. She had some hope again when Stamatis was willing to take her under his wing here, but Fost had her doubting. She knew why it would be hard for him, and yet she still blamed herself, hated herself for his words. The more she thought about it, the darker her magic turned, until it dissolved around her, leaving her in a dark space feeling like she was gasping for air. Here she was in a space that was supposed to be calming the mind, but when she let her own doubts get the better of her- well Tinarah started to realize what she was seeing in her minds eye. This space was her, the inside of her. The more that she doubted herself, hated herself, and rejected those things other claimed to be true about her, the darker the space became. But when she was relaxed and trying to empower herself she could see the light, the power, and the possibilities. She would never get Fost to take a second look at her like this. He blamed her for almost getting Stamatis killed, so she would become a person that could at the very least hold him off long enough for Stamatis to flee if it had come to that again. While Tinarah had no delusion of becoming powerful enough to beat him any time soon, she could become enough to at least be effective in some manner. As these thoughts cemented themselves in her mind, the magic started to flow and light the area again. Even as Tinarah opened her eyes and stood up, she could still see a phantom image of it around her. placing her hand on a rock, she started to channel some of her magic through it, shaping it and lifting it, she then turned and with half a thought flung it at a tree. Simple enough move, but a good start. Collecting some rocks along the path, Tinarah worked with her mastery over stone, combining smaller ones into one larger one before launching it at a tree, sometimes even enlarging the stone with rock created out of her own magic. When she reached the outskirts of the forest she dropped the remaining rocks, heading towards an outdoor training arena along the side of the castle. Looking at the training dummies she willed not just one magic, but two to appear in her hands, opposing magics, Fire and Ice. It took a moment to get them both swirling at full force, but once she managed it, she sustained them before shooting them both at the same target. Next Ice and Stone, one in each hand, this time aimed at two different targets. If she was going to go anywhere she would have to push the limits of her magic, only then would it grown and she could prove that she would be worth while and she would not be blamed for anything else.
"Wait what are these lists? What exactly are we referring to?" Karina floated with her arms crossed. Of course Luna was a princess, but she didn't know how that related to anything. What her worlds governmental system was, shouldn't affect anyone else, so the fact that this seemed like a big thing confused Karina. "I know I have been away for a while, but some filling in would be nice, knowing what happened while I was gone and what you are referring to. After all I am now a master like the rest of you." There was a small smile that tugged Karina's lips and she looked at Beuce. It was thanks to him of course that she was here after all, now she just needed to figure out what was going on so that she could help with the situation.
"It is his own damned fault." Karina muttered to Steel. "Perhaps if we point that out to him, he will just give us the damned thing. I don't feel like getting smited by the king of the sea. I am pretty sure he hates me enough, and I just got back." She would rather not die before she got to see everyone else again, and before she truly figured out what was going through her own mind with those around her. Caster, for example. It was hard for her to explain her feelings about him, but she enjoyed her time with him. But on the other hand there was Beuce, who always made her feel accepted, and okay about herself and she didn't want to accidentally do something to make either of them hate her. She would need time to sort that out, and trying to steal from the king of the sea might mean the time wasn't there. That being said they couldn't just leave Ariel to try and kiss that prince on her own. They had to do something to help. "We will see what we can do, but Beuce is right we want to make our own contract so you don't screw us over as well. Is that a deal?"
As they entered the entrance, the first thing that Lumen smelled was what seemed to be hot chocolate. He asked to go, and while Chrys seemed indifferent, she could hear the girls stomach growling. "Yeah I can take you there." She told them as she lead them a short way down the hall until she could hear voices coming from the kitchen, some even talking about breakfast. Tinarah tried not to let out an audible sigh as she stopped right in front. "Well the kitchen is ahead. I am sure that Aria will share some of her hot chocolate if you ask, and I think I over heard something about breakfast." Tinarah tried to seem pleasant as she turned away from the kitchen, not stepping for in herself. "I was going to go meditate before I ran into you guys. You will be in good company, I will see you later." With that Tinarah left the two to introduce themselves and headed back for outside. Instead of meditating in one of the nearby gardens like she had first intended to, Tinarah found herself walking for a lone while. She didn't want to be anywhere that anyone could just bump into her. Finding a bit of a wooded area, Tinarah finally stopped and sat on a log. She just listened to what was going on around her, the nature, and took time to breath. It started to remind her of being back at Stamatis's castle. Closing her eyes she remembered her sixteenth birthday with Stamatis and Fost and the three cakes. She missed her uncle, but she knew it took a while to get into his heart, she couldn't just expect it to happen. She would just have to prove she was worth his attention. While she might not know how to do that, she could figure it out, all the while she worked on herself. She couldn't expect him to love a person that couldn't love herself, so that was what she would need to work on first... and then maybe friends. Originally she only had the two of them to cling to, but that wasn't the case anymore, maybe it was time to move on.
"I don't care." Tinarah snapped. She didn't mean to snap, but he was so happy bragging about his music and lute while Tinarah was grasping at straws to keep her head above water. It was unfair, and while she knew that it wasn't his fault, she couldn't help but hold some contempt towards him as he prattled on and on. At least he had wanted to see the council at some point, it meant that she could only show him around until they found a member and then ship him off. Chrys on the other hand just came from the council, but the girl was less happy go lucky and not as high strung, meaning Tinarah felt like she could probably deal with her for longer. While she didn't really know what to talk to Chrys about, she was curious about the girl in many ways. The way that she spoke and acted, it wasn't like the other Light Chaser students that were there, and the fact that she was now here, something must have happened. Glancing towards Chrys Tinarah sighed. "We better keep up before he gets himself lost and pisses off the wrong person." Then she started to ascend the stairs after Lumen, not even sure where to take him. There were certain area's that Tinarah would avoid, such as where the piano was set up. She didn't feel like hearing him announce that he was great at that too, but basic area's, stuff he would need to know and eventually the council. Perhaps she would bring them by the kitchen too, she wasn't sure if anyone had eaten yet. "I'd keep that pet of yours hidden whenever you are around Take... The shorter kid with the dark hair. He isn't a fan." She warned Lumen before entering the front hall, waiting to see if Chrys was following.
"That's unfortunate, that has seemed to be happening a lot lately." There was a sense of apathy to her voice as she spoke to the boy. She didn't mean to sound that way, but after the conversation with Fost she couldn't bring herself to care all that much about anything. She couldn't help but narrow her eyes at him as he played the lute though. She had felt rather unique in a way for being one of the only ones here good at music, it was her singular pride, but between this new guy and one of the other ones, that felt like it was slipping from her grasp as well. Chrys wasn't managing to be much help with conversation either which didn't really help anything. "Um... can I show you guys around the castle or something? I don't know." She couldn't figure out how to be social right now, but at least she was trying. She supposed meditating would have to wait until later since it seemed no one else was willing to go anywhere near any of these new people. She could guess why Take left. She heard enough with why Illiana and Boreas left, so she supposed she could push aside the pain in her chest to be a decent person to these others here.
"I don't know what your definition of strategy is, but what you have all done isn't strategy and we aren't on the last line, not when we have lost people to his students, and nearly lost Take to him. He showed up, twice now. He has kidnapped numerous of us, and still we are out there and you all are here. And I never asked Stamatis to come to me. I contacted him yes, but I was content just talking, he chose to show up." She told him flatly, angry and defeated and hurt, as Nini jumped out of her hands to join Take instead. It hurt more than anything the harsh words that he spoke to her, Tinarah missed her uncle and all she could think of was wanting to go back. She knew that she wasn't strong enough though, not on her own, and didn't know how to ask if Gero would send her back. He had opened the portal once after all. But for now she was left with a different situation, as Fost walked off she was left with two new people, one she had seen before and one that she had not. Take had left because of the arrival of the one, and while Tinarah didn't feel all that hospitable, she couldn't just leave the two of them alone, she had to make at least an effort. "Don't worry I am not going to bite, and despite some of the other reactions here, I don't hate you. If you haven't caught my name by now it is Tinarah." She spoke to Chrys trying and failing to give the girl a small smile. "I don't know your whole story of why you are here, but you were the only one to not yell at me when I went to help my friends, and for that I am willing to give you a chance." After all, Torrin nearly attacked her and she gave him a chance, and it turned out that he was able to save their butts on numerous occasions. Tinarah then glanced over at the new guy who had gotten off what seemed to be a rideable dragon. "No you didn't come at a bad time. The conversation is over. To answer your question we are all here for our own reasons," they were too hard to explain to even bother trying. "so what is your story?" She honestly didn't even want to listen, but she couldn't think of what else to say to him. Tinarah glanced over to Chrys for help on that front, but she had a feeling that she would be equally as lost on what to say.
The words hurt, but Tinarah was beyond tears at this point. She was done being upset and crying to herself as she stared Fost down. "I nearly got Stamatis killed? And where were you? I called and you ignored the plea for help, and yet you have the gall to blame me, when I was the one to get Master Gero out of that place. I was starved and dying and I still did more than you did. I am still not healthy but I was out there fighting for these worlds, fighting the darkness. You are fine sending children to battle for you while all the masters hide from what they view as their failures. I know why you are doing this. I know why you are like this and I know it hurts. By gods I know it hurts. Being betrayed by someone, or how about trying everything you know! When a whole world around you was a lie and controlled by someone else as a means to an end, and it leaves you so broken you don't know how to live, how do you carry on? You do what you have to and fight, not hide like a coward. So you are right, you are not the Fost I know. You are not the one I admired and was proud to call my uncle when I had no other family. No that one was so much stronger than you are, you are just an angry coward, nothing like the Fost I knew. So go ahead and hide behind children and let them go to war for you, but if you dare blame anyone else for anything that happens, I suggest watching your back." Her eyes burned with tears that didn't quite come out, but she stared down Fost. She hadn't been angry with him for not coming to help until now, until he blamed her for it. This wouldn't help her case, she knew. He would never see her, love her the way the other Fost did, but she would be damned if she let him walk around and blame her, or any of her friends for these problems when he wouldn't even stop to help himself. "The Fost I knew died in the war against darkness, along with everyone else. The only difference is everyone else is back now and still fighting."
It was about half way through their walk when Auburn had to get off of Lazuli's hand knowing that soon her strength would return to her, and at that point she would be too big to be riding around like she was. Not a word came out of Auburn's mouth during their travel, she was still getting over the feeling of embarrassment from the whole ordeal, something that she would have to get used to. At this point there was no hiding the fact that this was going to happen every time she used her semblance, a draw back tat could be harmful in battle if they weren't careful. At least her father had taught her already how to keep it from being too much of an issue. If she remembered her training, then there was no reason that she shouldn't be fine in any upcoming battles. As they reached the temple, Auburn found herself staring at the water, admiring it's beauty. She hadn't noticed what Blaine was doing until after the path opened for them. Looking to her team, she waited a moment for someone else to go first, before crossing over to the temple, her weapons in hand just in case something were to jump out at them here. She knew that things would not be a walk in the park, but she didn't quite know what to expect as they continued into the beautiful temple grounds. By no means was Arian pleased with where they ended up, but once there, there was no turning back. He would just have to leave Lloyd and hope that their former team leader could fend for himself for a while. Arian didn't know what pissed him off more, the fact that Lloyd was taken, or the fact that it was the White Fang's fault. Either way there were at this temple now so they had a job to do there. "After you, oh fearless leader." His sarcasm wasn't just because he wasn't happy, Arian also specialized in range fighting, taking the lead would not be helpful if they ran into trouble. They could still be snuck up on from behind, but that seemed less likely and he would still be watching the back if need be.
The look that Fost gave her was enough to make Tinarah freeze. Of course she couldn't just walk right back up and hope that things would be even close to what they were before. Stamatis might have accepted the reality that she laid out before him, but Fost was different. It had taken her years to really see him warming to her, how could she think that it would just happen so easily. Fost had turned back to Qamar after Boreas and Illiana had left, rather annoyed. Anxiety started to rise, she could feel her heart pounding as she tried to think of the right words to say to him, nothing seemed appropriate though. "I'm sorry. I just thought. I wanted to see you, hope that a part of you would remember me just a little. I am sorry if I was wrong I don't mean to be intrusive." She stammered taking a couple steps back, but not running away just yet. There was still a chance that she misread the expression or that he would be willing to talk about it, but she didn't want to force him. No he already had a relationship like this once and it ended badly for him. She wouldn't put him through such things again. The papers tucked in her pocket started to burn and she started to wish she never collected them in the first place, but there was no erasing the knowledge now, only living with it.
After the battle Rae will put 5 points into stamina 3 into attack, and 1 into accuracy I will also buy and equip Water Slide
Okay this was just annoying. She was gritting her teeth against his attacks, not only did they hurt but she couldn't stop herself from flinching, and it was that one moment that was needed for the world to move on around her without her realizing it. She was done with all this magic bullshit, it was time to just deal with this guy, personally. No more hiding in the back, not like she had done that anyways. Raelyn rushed forward and punched the guy in the face, as she did that she released a blast of water at him. "Just die already for fucks sake. I don't want to deal with this any more!" She yelled at him, not backing off to safety after that attack, instead staring Hector straight down to see what he would do when they didn't cower before him, despite them clearly losing. Realyn used Strike and Water Stream
When Nini finished her breakfast, Tinarah went back to the sink and made quick work of cleaning up. When she was done she found herself lacking direction in what to do next, but knew that she had to do something, keep her mind calm. Thinking back to some of the routines that she had with Stamatis in the other realm, they usually started the day with meditation, but since she had not done that yet, or in quite some time really, Tinarah figured it would be a good time to get some fresh air and meditate. Perhaps then she would be more suited to deal with people and they might actually want to talk to her for more than just a moment. Tinarah picked Nini up in her arms carrying the cat with her. She figured Nini would appreciate wondering outside too, and Tinarah didn't think she wanted to be completely alone, the quiet company of the cat sounded pleasant. As she exited the castle into the courtyard, Tinarah noticed a few things. First there was more people outside than she hoped for. Second was that one of the girls who was standing there wasn't one of them, instead one of the Light Chasers students, but the only one who had been nice to her in the fight where- She cut off her thoughts there, forcing them to still into something more peaceful. Tinarah wondered what brought her here, but knew that if it was anything harmful the council wouldn't let her near. She was being escorted by a member of council though... No not a member of council. Tinarah walked closer. "U-Uncle Fost!" She took a few running steps almost like she was going to hug him, but as she got near enough to see his face she stopped and stepped back, the light in her eyes quickly fading. It was instinct to run to him and give him a big hug. She was usually very glad to see him, but this Fost didn't know her and he hadn't even tried to contact her like he had promised. "I-I mean... Mast.. master Fost." It was hard she realized, forcing herself to call him Master. It felt so distant and not like the man she had known. There was so much she wanted to say, but not a word came out of her mouth as she stared at him, waiting to see how he reacted first.
Somehow Karina found herself leading the party without intending to. As she swam off, first she heard something with Luna and Aux going on, but she was far enough ahead at that point that she didn't catch much of her. Karina glanced to her side, expecting at least Beuce to be there with her, but he and Steel fell back to talk to Aux after Luna's little explosion. It all felt so backwards to her. Usually she was the one hanging in the back and going off at people. Whatever had happened to her after Lea made her a leader, she didn't like it, it felt weird. Either way, someone had to pay attention to something outside group conflict, and it looked like this time it would be her. As they got closer there was a flash of light and they were too late. "Damn it!" Karina cursed as they got closer. There was no sign of Ursula but Ariel was there gasping for breath under water. "For Zues sake! Of course this would happen. Lets get her to the surface." They needed to protect the princess but of course no one would listen to her, and now things were going south and quickly. She helped Ariel to the surface where a man greeted her. Karina watched rather skeptical, even after Sebastian said they would stay and keep an eye out. "We will try and be quick. I don't trust him, or this situation. When we are done, I don't care if he smites me, I am going to have a word with that damned king of yours." Karina grumbled before diving back down to find Ursula, looking at the rest of the group. "We better hurry, I know she was obsessed with the people on land, but I don't think it will be safe for her, not with all the crap that has been going on lately. Lets make this quick."
After taking the candy and handing over the jewels Everette gave a quick look to Maira almost like to tell her to hurry up a bit before turning back towards where Lakoda waited for them. He tossed her the bag of salt water taffy, taking a bon bon for himself as he looked up the road, getting a general feel for where they had to go. "So the gentleman over there said we should be able to find our man in the in up the way there. Apparently there was an attack just last night and a family lost a kid. It doesn't sound good the way things have been going here so we better get this figured out quick." After just coming back from a mission where he watched a little girl almost die, he had enough with things hurting children It was unfair and they needed to stop it however they could. He had seen enough children hurt he didn't want to see more if he could help it, but he knew that it was unavoidable. "When Conrad and Maira finish, we should head up to the inn, I am sure that they will be glad to see us." The docks were busy and most of the ships were nothing like the yacht that she had remembered her father owning. Thea had no clue what the man giving out the quest was supposed to look like, but not with the patience to walk around asking everyone nicely, she just started walking down the dock calling out, "Paul Taters? Hello? We are here from Divine Rose! Where are you?" It might not have been the most polite way to get peoples attention, but Thea was certain it would be effective. Someone would at least hear here and point her in the right direction.
With Torrin leaving before he could even bother listening to her reply, Tinarah was left in a nagging silence. She generally didn't mind the silence when it was her choice, but with it coming from people walking away from her, after seeming to only hint at conversation, then not care, it made it worse. She kept her head down as she did the dishes, knowing that at first, that hurt shined in her eyes. She didn't want the masters to see as some brought in their dishes when they finished eating. After a while Tinarah had finished the dishes, just in time to hear a small meow at her feet. After Nini disappearing for most of the morning, it seemed the cat had found her way back. "You didn't get a proper meal did you? Here let me see If I can find you something." Tinarah spoke softly almost trying to bribe the cat to not leave her again as she went to the fridge, looking for milk and food that would be good for a cat. As she did she saw a plate in there with her name on it... or sort of her name. It was spelled with too many r's and it made Tinarah wonder who misspelled her name like that. It made her smile a little bit however as she shook her head and found what seemed to be left over chicken from another night. Putting the milk in a bowl and the chicken on a plate, Tinarah put them down for Nini and sat back and waited for the cat to eat. "Do you think I am unreasonably over emotional?" She asked the cat, knowing she wouldn't get a response. She couldn't stop thinking about how it felt like she got upset too easily and it drove people away, wonder if it wasn't normal to react in such ways after what she had been through.
Tinarah found herself slightly startled by the tap on her shoulder, she was even more surprised when it was Torrin standing there with two scraps of paper in his hand. "Oh... Thank you." Torrin seemed almost as awkward as she was. He placed the scraos of paper away from the water, but Tinarah found herself following, drying her hands as she walked over to look at them. "I will have to put them with the rest later. I... Just thought it would be good for us to get into the mind of our enemy is all." A poor lie to cover up her obsessing. She hadn't even known they were about the Light Chaser until last night. She couldn't even explain her obsessing anymore, not as each one she read made her circumstance hurt more. "Don't worry about the dishes, chores... The structure, it helps." Or at least it was better than just sitting still and letting her mind wonder where she didn't want it to go. Kept her from locking herself in her room like she was prone to doing.
She wasn't entirely sure what her standings with Stamatis was, but she had a good idea. "Well he let me sleep on his couch last night, and agreed to train me, so I think I have a decent standing." Tinarah admitted before pushing herself away from the wall looking around. "You know, I should probably go back and clean up from breakfast, it wasn't good of me to run out and not clean the mess I left." More than anything this was an attempt at giving herself chores and structure, things to do until Stamatis and Choma had some proper work for her to do. It was true that she hadn't cleaned up, but in a way there was a part of her that thought others should pitch in and help too. Either way she wiped the last of the tears from before from her face and turned to head back down the hall towards the kitchen, her heart feeling slightly lighter after just venting some of that to Chrono. Entering she could only sigh at the stack of cooking dishes that had been left, and had a feeling that more dishes would be coming in as the Masters finished their meals. Rolling up her sleeves, she started filling a sink with water, making a mental note to ask Stamatis about more clothes. Even when Choma had rescued her she had not had much for clothing, and that had been six years before. Whatever had remained she had grown out of, escaping jail left her with nothing, and the one outfit from Selene had seen plenty as it was. It was time for her to get some clothing of her own that she wouldn't feel as guilty ruining in combat. That was something that could come after she was done with the dishes however.
