Aello took a half step forward, and thrust her dagger-wielding arm around in a wide arc. She could hear the blade faintly whistling as it cut violently through the air. The blade turning out to the side while the arm moved in a soft crescent shape, keeping an imaginary opponent at bay. Aello's eyes blazed even though the dagger cut through nothing of importance, they seemed almost as crazed as the bloodied blade itself. As her arm came to a halt before it reached her chest, her mind whispered, do you see? You can control it now. Much more than ever before. There was a slight pause, and if you keep practicing, you will grow to be even more powerful than you are at this state.
"Life is not merely about pursuing power," Aello whispered, as she took a step forward with her left foot. "It is not all about the strength one may acquire. How well they hold onto it," she said, as she pushed her arm back in the direction it had come, the blade slicing the air once more with a soft hissing sound. Are you sure that is how you feel after being in a city where everyone seems to think that way? "Why wouldn't I be certain of my own feelings?" Aello inquired. Sometimes it is difficult to tell, Aello's mind replied as she took a step forward with her right foot again, especially when you try to push the emotions away. Or wield magic. "Just because one uses magic doesn't mean that they cannot think clearly, or recognize what it is they are feeling," Aello replied, as her arm shot forward, in a sort of lunge. Her left leg slid out from beneath her body, and soon trailed about three feet behind her right foot. It was at an angle with the ground, while the right leg was bent at the knee, the dagger-wielding arm simply held out over it, as far as it would go.
No, but using magic as often as someone such as yourself may make your mind cloudy. It may make it seem as though your friends are your enemies, and your enemies are your friends. Aello pushed up against the ground with her right foot, and brought it a few inches closer to the left. Slowly, she slid her left foot forward, so that it was once again, aligned with the right foot. Her right hand was still held out in front of her, the tip of the blade glimmering in the morning light. Slowly, reluctantly, Aello pulled the blade back to her side. Magic clouds the mind Aello. You should use it more sparingly, don't you think? "No," the girl replied firmly. "Magic is what gives one an edge within this city. It is what helps to keep us alive, time and time again."
The mind was silent for several moments, as Aello's chest rose and fell steadily. She had bent her arms once more, and pulled her left leg back again, so that it was in the same position as when she had first resumed her practice. Swiftly, Aello brought the blade forward, to the area just in front of her, before turning it back, in a small arc. The move was essentially the opposite of what she had practiced before, in the sense that as opposed to moving the blade in an arc that circled towards her chest, she moved it in an arc out to her side, or to her back, depending on how far she could reach. The air seemed to melt around her fingers, a cool breeze she had caused herself. It stopped however, as soon as the girl's arm quit moving. Her hand hovered to the right side of her body, waiting to be put into action.
Even spiritism saves you? the mind asked, as Aello brought her hand back around in the way it had come. "You know as well as anyone that the ghosts have helped us many a time," Aello replied. Yes, but they have also nearly gotten us killed several times. "They offer us valuable information," Aello added. And sometimes they lie, and use us to carry out their will. "But that is with anyone, especially those still living." True. "Not to mention that helping the ghosts will make Dira happy," Aello added as she took a step forward with her left foot, and lazily lifted the dagger above her head, before bringing it down in a straight line, and then back up, as though she were trying to slice an imaginary foe in half.
Why does it matter so much if you make her happy? the mind asked. "Why does it matter if you make anyone happy, especially a goddess such as she?" Aello replied, as she turned abruptly on her heels. She raised the dagger above her head again, and then brought it down diagonally, from above her right shoulder, towards her left hip. The air whistled angrily around it. Because you seek her allegiance, the power and prestige that she may offer you. It is the same with anyone you meet. You evaluate them, determine if they are worth your time. Whether or not they have something to offer you. It is like Alenias, she is skilled in areas you are not. She can speak to Yune, and serve as a companion for you. Aello nodded, "it is not all about power or who is worthy of me." There was a slight pause as Aello brought her blade back up, slicing the air from her left hip, to just above her right shoulder. "It is about the principle of the matter as well. That the ghosts deserve someone to help them. The love of the lady of death is simply an added bonus." There was another slight pause, "and it gives us someone to pray to, someone to believe in. Does it not?"
Yes, it does give us someone to believe in, the mind replied, as Aello stepped forward with her right foot. She lowered her blade a little, so that it was more level with her shoulder, before moving it out to the side in a straight line. Now, the blade rested a foot or so to the right of her right shoulder. Swiftly, she brought the blade back around, towards her chest. The first move she had practiced. "She will watch over us, and shepherd us to the proper place when we perish. As she does with all of the dead," Aello whispered, as she lifted her dagger hand upward, until she could do so no more. "It would be best for us to remain on her good side, don't you think? So she doesn't lose us, or take her time coming to claim us?" The mind said nothing as Aello cut the blade across her body, back towards her right hip.
The edges of Aello's face were growing red, and her eyes were still blazing. Her heart was pounding in her tiny rib cage, and her palms were beginning to sweat. Angry over such a simple argument with yourself? her mind asked, in a playful manner. Of course, the tone reminded Aello of a snake. "Angry? No," was all Aello said in response. Then why is your face so red? Why is your heart pounding? it asked. "There is nothing other than determination, a need to practice." If Aello's mind had a face, it would be smiling knowingly, satisfied with its own actions. But, the mind said nothing more for a long time, perhaps to spare the girl whom it belonged to. When it finally did so however, Aello was busy practicing more basic moves. Things such as bringing the blade up and down, slicing through the air at diagonals, and stepping lightly forward to chase a retreating opponent.
Judging by your grip on the blade, and how furiously you slice the air, you are angry. Aello growled, and lowered her hand. She placed the dagger back in its hiding place, as the veins in her forehead began to jump. "That will be enough," she hissed. "It is time for a simple meditation, to quiet the mind, and to get you to shut up."
You cannot silence your own mind, it taunted. "Watch me," Aello replied as she curled her legs beneath her and assumed the lotus position. Her hands rested on her knees, palms facing upwards to the sky. She took a deep breath, in through the nose, and out through the mouth. "Here goes," she whispered. |