Curiosity and The Battle Mage

[Raven Nightfoot]

17th Summer 512AV Another day in the city of Syliras, many citizens were hard at work trying to repair the damage caused by The Spring Djed Storm, trying to return their city to it's former glory. The sun was bright in the sky, obscured now and then by passing clouds as the breezes shoved them along. Meanwhile outside the great stone walls Raven was making her way to her familiar clearing in the forest, a place she often visited when in need of peace and quiet. As she walked down the main road Raven was greeted by the friendly smiles of those she passed by, although she returned them with much less enthusiasm. The dark haired girl wasn't particularly interested in anything other than getting to her destination, not even being phased by the remarks made as she passed by a small group of young men. She simply rolled her eyes and continued walking. As she neared the point where she would stray from the road and into the forest she noticed a man coming her way, he looked slightly familiar. Raven focused her gaze on the approaching man, he was rather tall and had light blonde hair. After another short moment of observation she noticed the man's brilliant sapphire eyes and she knew who he was. It was Andresciel the mage she had met on the first day she had trained with Xalet. Andresciel had sparred with Xalet as she observed and both had put up an excellent fight. She stopped infront of him with a friendly smile on her face. "Hey Andresciel, remember me? We met the day you sparred with Xalet in hand to hand. I was amazed by your 'Wind-Fist Technique' and was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering a few simple questions I have." she remained friendly and sincere throughout her short speech although she was incapable of completely stopping herself from flirting. Andresciel was after all a very handsome and strong warrior. Assuming he would agree to her request Raven wrapped her arm under his as she lead him off the path and toward the clearing, although to anyone watching it would seem the knight was escorting her. As they walked through the forest Raven began to create a list of questions to ask him, although there was only one she nearly wanted to know. She was curious about magic and how it could help her adapt to certain situations. "So I'm just going to ask you straight out...What is morphing and how can I learn it?" She hoped he would be comfortable answering her questions, curiosity bubbling just beneath the surface.

[Andresciel]

Andre walked along the path from the woods, his steps light, his eyes half closed. He was tired from his long trek into the forest to try, and find a peaceful place. However, his search was in vain because he could hardly quiet down the questioning Avavali that always followed him around. The Ball of smoke was the first to spot the female that was coming up the path, alerting his Knightly partner to the appearance. This brought Andre's sapphire eyes upwards to spot the female. He knew who she was even before she spoke. "It is alright Velenor." He put his familiar at ease even as he stopped before the female.

"Yes Raven. I remember you and teaching my wind fist style." He stated, even as he felt his arm being grabbed, and she began to lead him to a place. He sighs as he looks down at her, "Morphing is the art of shifting a part of your body into something else. As to learning it...I believe I read that it is learned through meditation and practice. I wouldn't know right off. I don't use the art of Morphing."

[Raven Nightfoot]

Raven was glad that Andresciel didn't refuse her request to walk with him, he was the only person she knew that practiced magic. She needed answers to her questions, her actions were being dictated by her curiosity. As he began to answer the question they arrived in the clearing. It was not very large, but the ground was covered in soft green grass with an array of flowers darting the area. It was peaceful in the clearing, the rays of sun shining through the canopy created the perfect atmosphere for relaxing or meditating. She thought for a while on Andresciel's answer, her amber gaze focused on nothing in particular. So he didn't practice it? That meant he couldn't teach her, but maybe he knew of someone, somewhere or somehow she could learn. She took a seat on the soft grass, hands out behind her to remain propped up as she spoke. "Oh okay, but say I wanted to learn Morphing, what would you suggest I do?" Raven wasn't one to take magic lightly, she had always been suspicious of it much like the rest of Syliras, but she was intrigued with the idea of morphing. She looked up at him curiously while patiently awaiting his reply. As she recalled he was both handsome and polite, the perfect knight. He spoke to her in a polite tone and although it wasn't necessary Raven had to admit she did like it. She was too used to men shouting pick up lines and whistling at her. Just because most men were attracted to her, it didn't mean she was attracted to them in return.

[Andresciel]

The Mage watched her as she took in his answer, tilting his head to one side. She showed curiosity towards magic, but if not careful, one would easily fall prey to the darker sides of it. And he didn't want it for this beautiful woman. "One of my brothers might could help you if you became a squire. I know a few Knights who use Morphing." He shrugged, looking down at her, his tone soft, gentle. He shook his head, "But I know no not of where else. And I don't know which of them exactly, but mayhaps I can speak on your behalf." He offered, tilting his head even as Velenor settled down onto the edge of the clearing.

Andre lead her to the center of the clearing, to a rock that would make a decent seat. With her arm in his, he would guide her towards it, allowing her to sit if she wished, even as he sat down, sighing. "Any other discipline I might can help you with? I know that is not the only one in which you have an interest, Miss Raven." He stated softly, looking up at her with those bright sapphire eyes, lit with a sort of intelligence.

[Raven Nightfoot]

Raven allowed him to lead her to the rock before he took a seat. She followed suit and sat beside Andresciel and was now facing him. His eyes seemed as if they were made of magic themselves, a brilliant shining sapphire. Ofcourse the same could be said about Raven's eyes, since they were an unnaturally bright and mesmerizing amber color. So he didn't practice Morphing, nor did he know of how she could learn it. He had suggested she join the knights and allow them to train her, but there was NO way she was doing that. Besides she wouldn't even make it past the all-knowing Windoak, the tree would see that she had no desire to contribute to the knights. Raven smiled apologetically at Andresciel, her amber eyes locking with his sapphire ones. "I'm sorry but I have no interest in becoming a knight, no offense. My parents were both Syliran Knights and so I know more than enough about the knights to know it's not for me." she shrugged hoping she hadn't offended the handsome knight. "As for other magic types I'm not nearly as interested in the other schools as I am morphing. But I must say I'm curious as to what that thing following you around is." she averted her gaze to the orb as she spoke. So he couldn't help her with her desire to learn morphing. Raven was slightly disappointed, she had hoped that the mage knight would have a suggested path to take in order to find a teacher at the very least, but she guessed he could offer her company and conversation if nothing else.

[Andresciel]

He smiled down at her, shaking his head before blinking. He glanced up at the smoke ball, gesturing to it, "This is Velenor. And he is not a thing. He is an Avavali." The Knight stated, "Since we met last, I have entered into a contract with a Familiar. Velenor is that familiar. He is part of me, as I am part of her." He said softly, bowing his head, "And as for joining the Knights, that is every persons individual choice. And no one can be expected to have it forced upon them. Least of all by me." The Knight said softly to her, even as his eyes grew distant. "I have heard that morphing can be learned by meditation and practice. Without the need of a teacher, like the art of Reimancy requires." He looked down at her, smiling once more, "And do not worry about offending me by telling me that something isn't for you. It is your choice what path you walk. I shall simply walk beside you and offer my assistance when you need it."

[Raven Nightfoot]

Raven sat there and listened carefully as Andresciel spoke, his words were polite and he was well mannered, something Raven enjoyed observing. So the ball was his familiar? An Avavali he called it. It even had a name, Raven couldn't help but be amazed. She was glad that Andresciel wasn't going to try and sell her the idea of joining the Syliran Knights, unlike most of its other pride-filled recruits. He went on to tell her that morphing could be self taught, now that was the answer she was looking for. A smile spread across her face, "Really? So I can teach myself? What would I need? A book on morphing?" her questios buzzed with an eager tone. She couldn't help but be excited with the possibility of learning the discipline. She placed her hand assuringly on Andresciel's lower arm as she gave the handsome knight another thankful smile. "Thank you for your help, and for speaking to me politely. It"s not often a man doesn't speak to me like I'm just some beautiful girl waiting to be taken." there was a slight hint of frustration when she spoke. Rolling her eyes at the thought of the horny bastards. She didn't mind ofcourse, because it made it all the more easy to trick them into giving her their money.

[Andresciel]

The Knight smiled at her words, taking them in. He shook his head, "A Book would do. Maybe I can borrow one from the Knights to help you. You can read it while I am out here meditating." He smiles, offering what he could in the way of teaching, and aid. He brought his free hand over to touch her own hand. "That is because you are not just some beautiful girl waiting to be taken. You are a beautiful woman waiting for the right man to touch her heart and earn her love." The Knight's cheeks would turn a soft red, before his sapphire eyes flicked away, watching the trees. "You are waiting..For your Knight in Shining Armor. Or maybe in your case, its The Mage that shall come for you."

[Raven Nightfoot]

Raven couldn't help but smile at Andreciel's offer to allow her to read the book while he meditated, that way he could try and answer any questions that she had while she attempted to learn morphing. This might just work, she might just become a morpher. She smiled back at him her eyes locking with his as she spoke, "You would do that? That would be perfect." she said excitedly. She noticed as his hand went over her own and then he spoke. Raven looked down shyly after hearing Andresciel's words. He was handsome and certainly charming, but he was a knight and that wouldn't end well considering her 'hobby'. Also, although Raven enjoyed the sweet words she wasn't the type for a 'prince charming'. Infact, Raven was independent and so she didn't want any type of man at the moment, no matter how charming or handsome. She simply smiled cutely at the mage knight, "Well you never know, it just might be." she said with a teasing smile before removing her hand slowly. They could be friends for now, but most importantly she needed the morphing book, or books. So she couldn't risk upsetting the mage knight by politely rejecting him, besides...who knows? He could be the man she's been waiting for.

[Andresciel]

He nods at her words, "True." He shook his head, taking his hand off her own. "So. Shall we agree to meet out here once a week for meditations?" He asked, bowing his head, allowing her to further her plans, while doing his best to spread a bit of knowledge about magic. Maybe he could lessen the distrust of mages in Syliras by helping a few people learn the power of magic. Maybe he could make the world brighter, as he looks down at her. "So what day shall we begin your training?"