Abyssal Road Trip

Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Outpost of the Monastery of the Western Reaches

While they waited for the others, Klipyl and Gail shifted through various forms. While Amdirlain focused on the changing melodies within each, she tried to feel them through Harmony. A teasing echo of the energy at play lingered mockingly within her flesh, but she couldn’t bring it forth without Phoenix’s Rapture activating instead. Before Jinfeng and her students arrived, Amdirlain made hundreds of fruitless attempts, and of the two powers, Shapeshift seemed tantalisingly close.

A grumbled comment drew a nod from Klipyl. “Maybe I should get someone with Change Self to come along.”

“I hadn’t considered going to the lowest evolution of the Power,” admitted Amdirlain.

Klipyl grinned. “Like I told you the other day, sometimes it’s a matter of building up to the moment.”

“Maybe I can use it to get Tove to change species now,” commented Gail. “She could accept a transformation to Hound Archon or a lesser Archon with only Change Self.”

Is she still a Lantern Archon?

“She’s being stubborn?” Amdirlain asked in mock disbelief. “I’m sure that has nothing to do with my influence.”

Gail grinned. “She keeps giving me the excuse of never wanting to wash dishes.”

“I’m sure household chores are the bane of any self-respecting Celestial,” quipped Amdirlain.

Klipyl snorted. “I have hands, and I’ve never had to wash dishes. I’d say it’s more likely she enjoys being a light globe and looking out for people on the Material Plane.”

“True, and I wouldn’t want to take that away from her if that’s something she’s intent on enjoying,” said Amdirlain. “It can’t hurt to ask for help from a new Archon that only has Change Self.”

“Okay, I’ll ask the boss,” said Klipyl. “Everything for you gets the highest priority.”

Klipyl stopped and gave a sheepish cough. “A new Archon is on his way. Ebusuku says he is very new and has no training. Hopefully, that helps with working out the fundamentals of the Power.”

I wonder how many Fallen could have avoided their fate if the Deity they’d been serving paid attention? Then again, the original trio that formed the cloister were led on that path by their Deity's changes over the millennia.

“It’s something to try,” allowed Amdirlain.

“I’ll go collect them from the boundary,” said Klipyl, and she vanished. Out beyond the field Amdirlain heard a Gate open, and a Hound Archon whose theme seemed an almost blank slate emerged.

Amdirlain indicated the ground floor. “If you want to pick a spot over there, the others normally spread out before the blue sparring barrier.”

Gail moved to the platform’s edge and floated in the direction Amdirlain had pointed.

When the others arrived, Klipyl hadn’t made it to the inner gate with the new Archon yet. Rather than hold things up, Amdirlain motioned them to take their positions. The elbow and knee strikes she taught were familiar to them from other styles, but she proceeded through the drills and into the sparring training.

As they eagerly spread out for the second half of the session, Jinfeng signalled a question. “Sifu, some students wondered if it would be possible for others to see the events in their crystals.”

“I had them locked down so that no one had to be concerned about making mistakes and experimenting,” advised Amdirlain. “Anyone who wants to share the memories with others, I can change them after the lesson. However, know it’s not selective once open, so even people you don’t want to show the contents could see them.”

That caused some students to pause, and Amdirlain moved on with the lesson. As her mind touched theirs and started to project foes, she turned to where Klipyl and the new Archon now waited inside the door. The young Hound Archon looked like a Human male of Persian descent, about Amdirlain's height, with a lean marathon runner’s build. Beneath his exterior appearance was a Hound Archon with liquid gold fur and a white streak that ran from his chin down his throat, disappearing into his clothing. When Amdirlain regarded him, he swallowed nervously, dark eyes fixed on his feet.

He has far more of a hound than wolfish feel about him. He feels more robust than the younger students though, even with no classes.

“Please don’t look down,” said Amdirlain. “I understand you were assigned to help me, but I don’t bite.”

Klipyl gestured between them. “Dareios, this is Lady Am.”

It doesn’t resonate like a use name; it’s good that he is already using something that doesn’t need to be changed.

“Looks like you got shooed out the door to me without even a chance to select some classes,” noted Amdirlain.

“Might I join your training after today, Lady Am?” questioned Dareios, in his native Celestial tongue.

“Only if you call me Am, Dareios,” replied Amdirlain casually. “Have you had any training at all?”

“Yes, Am,” agreed Dareios. “I have been attending Master Farhad’s training but haven’t yet gained the Monk Class.”

“Okay, that makes sense,” said Amdirlain. “I’ll have to speak to Livia to see if any conditions for the Monastery apply, but I have no objections. Watch the moves the younger students use in these drills, and I’ll review them with you later.”

“How can I help you, Am?” questioned Dareios. “I was told to follow your instructions until you sent me back.”

“I’m trying to relearn a Power which evolves from a foundation of Change Self,” advised Amdirlain. “Though there are some Chaos influences required in its progression, it overall goes from Change Self to Shapeshift, and then Protean.”

Dareios’ brows furrowed in confusion at Amdirlain’s explanation. Nervously motioning to himself, he spoke, “But I don’t know how to teach you.”

“I simply want to observe while you use the Power to see if I can sense a similar energy within me,” explained Amdirlain.

“That’s it?” Dareios chuffed. “Do clumsy attempts using a Power make it more obvious?”

“Currently that’s unknown territory,” explained Amdirlain. “I found I had better luck getting a feel for Shapeshift over Protean, so the idea was to try the same with someone possessing Change Self.”

“What appearance do you want me to take?” asked Dareios.

“Start with minor changes and move up to bigger ones. Don’t take on the appearance of anybody around here,” instructed Amdirlain. “It's a bad habit to get into since it can unsettle people.”

“Will not my changes unsettle them?” questioned Dareios. “My formation granted me an awareness of different things so I could help those in need.”

“I’ve got an illusion overlaying us so the students won’t hear our conversation or see any changes,” reassured Amdirlain.

“Though you could be my body double,” offered Klipyl.

Dareios scratched his ear and looked Klipyl up and down. “I don’t have clothing like you’re wearing.”

Klipyl beamed. “I’ve told so many people it was the best purchase ever, though it might be something to build up to.”

“Okay,” replied Dareios. “Do you want me to try out Change Self now?”

“Whenever you want to start,” replied Amdirlain. “It might seem like I’m watching the students sometimes, but I’ll be multi-tasking.”

With a confused shrug, Dareios changed his hair red and cycled through other hues. While Amdirlain continued to present combat scenarios to her students, she kept part of her attention focused on Dareios’ shifting appearance. The awkward jumps in his hair colouration and overall appearance made the energy jumps obvious, but her ability to duplicate it remained teasingly distant. A false success came about when trying to force her skin tone to change. Phoenix’s Rapture re-activated and shifted her elven form to a Catfolk appearance that matched the one Dareios had assumed. A low growl of frustration slipped out, and she resumed her standard form. As the lesson wound down, Amdirlain signalled for Dareios to halt.

I wasn’t trying to do more than opponents of their level, and neither Harmony nor Muse’s Insight increased.

The students offered Amdirlain bows as she dismissed them to get breakfast on the viewing platforms. Amdirlain could feel Dareios' gaze taking in their bows, and she could hear his public thoughts as he noted the differences in the style and wondered at the meaning.

I’m glad I’m not the only one curious about the different meanings depending on which hand goes on top when a fist is clasped or the Tai Chi salutes being used.

A globe of churning music appeared beside Amdirlain, and she took in Roher’s message as she acknowledged the last gestures of respect.

I told him I’d have the music for him today, but I’m unsure if I should accept his other request.

Nervously biting the inside of her cheek, she calmly exhaled before replying. “I’ve got lessons this morning, but I’ll have time to meet in six hours.”

“Visitors?” enquired Klipyl.

“Roher and some others will be here at lunchtime,” confirmed Amdirlain. “Why don’t we get back to trying to understand Change Self?”

“I’ll leave you folks to it. I’m going to pass along the good news about the gnarls,” Gail said, giving a wave and a wink before Planar Shift took her to Vehtë.

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

The attempts during the breakfast session hadn’t helped Amdirlain progress, and she saw the others out after they’d finished. As the others headed off for their morning lessons, Kadaklan and Sarah landed in the courtyard.

Klipyl went to handle the introduction, but Amdirlain got in first. “Dareios, this is Sarah and Kadaklan. For the Monastery’s formality, Sarah might be referred to by some as Grandmaster Artificer Sarah and Kadaklan as Master Kadaklan.”

“I’m pleased to meet you both,” offered Dareios. “I’m here to help Am with the acquisition of a Power.”

“Oh?” questioned Sarah.

“I wanted to get rid of a few things worrying me. Since I can’t add Protean back to myself, I attempted to study it along with Shapeshift. Shapeshift felt almost within reach, and Kli suggested getting someone with Change Self to help me study that Power,” explained Amdirlain.

Sarah nodded understandingly and offered Dareios her hand. “Welcome.”

Dareios regarded the extended hand in momentary confusion before Klipyl tugged his forearm and awkwardly got him to clasp hands.

“Heck,” gushed Sarah. “You’re brand new without even a Class?”

“You can tell that as well?” questioned Dareios.

“We’re a pair of cheaters. We’ve got some skills that many people would love to possess,” reassured Sarah. “It isn’t common. Most people won’t notice your age once you get used to social interactions.”

“Now I know why so many hound archons take on the form of dogs when they go to the Material Plane,” remarked Klipyl. “Gives them time to observe all the social cues they don’t get.”

“Do you get them?”

Klipyl nodded. “I find it easy to go with the flow socially even when rebelling against their mores.”

“I’ll try to learn quickly,” stated Dareios.

“Don’t let it worry you,” advised Sarah. “Change into an Elf with a skin tone of your favourite colour, and the locals will think you have different customs. It’s why Am originally took on an Elf form.”

Amdirlain snorted and gave Dareios a reassuring pat on the arm. “That’s true.”

“What do I say if they ask me about my customs?”

“Say you’d much prefer to learn theirs since it is rude for a guest to make a host uncomfortable,” replied Sarah.

Dareios nodded happily. “Thank you for your advice, Sarah. Though, I unfortunately don’t have a favourite colour.”

Kadaklan gave Dareios a friendly wave. “Welcome to the Monastery Dareios.”

“Are there any rules against me teaching him?” asked Amdirlain. “Dareios is helping in my attempts to regain Protean. It’s unfair if I just got him to stick around without compensating him, and he doesn’t have classes yet.”

“You’re in an unusual situation and already teaching others,” replied Kadaklan. “Though I can’t see how anyone could object. It would be like a guest bringing servants with them and us then overriding prior arrangements between them. Guests don’t need to register each servant as long as those servants aren’t directly drawing on the Monastery resources.”

“If a guest brought a bunch of servants and expected them to be fed?” asked Amdirlain.

“That’s a simple matter. They must arrange direct payment to the catering hall to feed them. Or register each servant with a medal so they could pay for their meals as they went to the halls,” confirmed Kadaklan. “However, we still wouldn’t have the right to give the servant orders except in an emergency.”

Amdirlain nodded in satisfaction.

Dareios shrugged. “I don’t need food.”

“Then you’re all set,” Kadaklan declared.

“Many of the students and servants we passed have a similar appearance to Master Farhad,” noted Dareios. “Is such appearance common among humans?”

“That’s not surprising since he was born in the same region of Vehtë,” said Kadaklan.

“I know little about their history. I only emerged from the Domain’s wellspring a few days ago,” explained Dareios.

Kadaklan blinked briefly and looked Dareios over. “You’re like a nature Shen, rising to full self-awareness.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it,” Dareios said hesitantly. “The wellspring determines what species we emerge as, along with our initial powers and skills.”

“And I take it you’re not actually speaking Mandarin despite how you sound?” questioned Kadaklan.

“I only speak Celestial,” advised Dareios. “I have a Power that lets me communicate.”

“While Am practises her Ki Flight, I can help teach you a few things,” said Kadaklan. “When I left my parents’ nest I had much to learn about humans, even with past lives starting to arise.”

Dareios bowed awkwardly, roughly copying the gestures the students had offered upon leaving. “Thank you, Master Kadaklan. Which hand goes on top?”

“It depends on the region; in some areas, females put their left hand atop their right fist, and males do the reverse. In other regions, it’s the reverse, and to make it more confusing, in others, both genders clasp their left fist with their right hand.”

“Does that mean I can just put whatever hand on top that I prefer, like the colour of my skin that Sarah suggested?”

Kadaklan shrugged helplessly. “Pretty much, especially in a monastery.”

Dareios wrinkled his nose. “Perhaps I shall simply bow as Am does with my hands by my side.”

“That’s an Eastern style,” observed Kadaklan. “It doesn’t matter much in any monastery because they accumulate individuals from various regions. The main etiquette item to remember is the junior bows to the senior. Outside a monastery, some might think you’re from a particular region or less cultured.”

“Given the only world that has humans is Vehtë, I doubt the Outlands has a large Human population,” observed Dareios. “Doesn’t that mean all the styles are equally incorrect?”

Is that part of the knowledge he’s just formed with? Levels in Planar Lore, or something else?

Kadaklan grinned. “That certainly isn’t for me to say. Each person needs to come to an understanding about the purposes of etiquette.”

“Properly proportioned etiquette,” corrected Amdirlain.

“Exactly,” laughed Kadaklan, patting Dareios on the shoulder. “You’re not Mortal or even a Shen, so I’ll leave you to your own decision. Alright?”

“I’d still like to learn as many of their local customs as possible,” persisted Dareios. “One shouldn’t decide without a proper grounding of knowledge. Choices are too important to make randomly, and perceived rudeness can prove detrimental to someone’s decision making.”

“I’ll get you the name of someone who can go through them,” said Kadaklan. “I’ve only a surface familiarity of many regions.”

“Thank you,” replied Dareios.

“Master Cyrus mentioned last night that you had gotten your Ki Blast approaching a proper proportion.”

He’s having fun with that word.

“Do you two always update each other?” asked Amdirlain.

“We want to ensure you’re getting the best teaching we can provide,” explained Kadaklan. “We know you’re working on important issues and don’t want your time wasted.”

Amdirlain nodded. “Thanks for all the time you spent talking with me yesterday.”

Kadaklan’s gaze lit up. “I’m glad you two have gotten untangled. Shall we give you something to occupy your mind for a time?”

“Why not,” agreed Amdirlain.

With a nod toward her obstacle course, Kadaklan led the way. “You compressed your sigil successfully. However, for Ki Flight, the technique requires you to expand the sigil within the limits of your form but not to overflow it.”

“Let the essence of the sigil sit under the surface of my skin?” questioned Amdirlain.

“Yes,” agreed Kadaklan.

“Giving me a straight answer, is that allowed?” quipped Amdirlain, giving Kadaklan a dry smile.

“To manage it, you’ll need to understand your sigil so that you can hold a proper balance between you and the power within it,” advised Kadaklan.

“Ki Flight doesn’t use up enough energy to need to cycle,” noted Amdirlain.

“Then it’s just as well you won’t be,” replied Kadaklan. “The cycling was to understand the flexibility of your sigil’s links. Ki Flight uses key points with your sigil to hold you aloft. With this technique, you must stretch all the nodes but keep them evenly balanced beneath your skin.”

“It seems I’ve just found the downside to having so many nodes,” laughed Amdirlain.

“Indeed, and this isn’t the only technique where interaction with all the nodes is needed,” advised Kadaklan. “And you wanted to take the hard way first with Master Cyrus’ exercise.”

“How do I start?”

Kadaklan smiled. “You’ve been cycling energy through your sigil, not me. What feels right to you?”

“Expand outwards from the key nodes I’ve used for Ki Flight until now, gather all the similar nodes, and then move on?” questioned Amdirlain.

“That sounds like you’re expecting me to provide the answer. It’s your sigil, while I’ve told you the end goal. How an individual gets there varies by their understanding of their sigil’s nature,” replied Kadaklan. “So, how do you achieve balance with your sigil?”

“I don’t know,” admitted Amdirlain.

Kadaklan winked casually. “Ignorance is a good starting point, so there is hope for you. Start cycling again, and as the energy moves between nodes, seek to understand the parts and the whole.”

“Do I focus on how it balances?”

“Is knowing only one aspect a true understanding?” questioned Kadaklan. “When you are right, you’ll know enough to lift from the ground.”

He said nothing further, and so just outside the obstacle course, Amdirlain knelt and sat back on her heels. Quickly pouring most of her Ki into a crystal retrieved from Foundry, she started cycling.

As the energy shifted inside her, emotions lingering from the recent upset ebbed and flowed repeatedly, throwing her off balance. Unlike Ki Blast, where she’d turned the emotional energy into fuel throughout the compression, expanding her sigil gave them room to surge forth and roam.

Amdirlain’s struggles with it gave Kadaklan plenty of time to address Dareios’ questions. When Sarith approached, Kadaklan introduced Dareios, and the three casually chatted for a time. When Sarith sat in front of her, Amdirlain pushed the frustration of the exercise aside.

Kadaklan nodded in satisfaction as the chimes tolled. “It’s time to move along, so leave the cycling for this exercise until tomorrow. Why don’t you come with me, Dareios? We can give these two some privacy, and I’ll introduce you to a few people.”

Amdirlain gave Dareios a nod of confirmation.

“Thank you for your time, Master Kadaklan,” said Amdirlain.

He gave her a boyish grin and headed for the doorway with Dareios in tow.

“Good morning, Sarith,” said Amdirlain.

“You looked ready to chew steel,” noted Sarith.

Amdirlain groaned. “The flames in my sigil just don’t want to behave. They flare so wildly that they’re continually throwing the balance off.”

“You’ll either get it worked out or give up and find a new technique to train instead,” commented Sarith. “Do you need to talk further, or shall we try to expand your Advanced Telepathy?”

“Two lessons in Telepathy before Nomein and the others get a chance. What will they say?”

“None of us is going to complain about someone providing you help,” reassured Sarith.

“Sorry for the drama.”

Sarith leaned forward and tapped her nose. “Naughty. I don’t consider what happened as drama.”

“That counted as talking down about myself?”

“Your ability shares the intended meaning. Given the understandable turmoil within your emotions the last few days, you weren't making noise for no reason.”

“Have you come up with exercises I can use for training my mental defences?” questioned Amdirlain.

The change of subject drew a frown from Sarith. “I’d suggest something less confrontational until your emotions are more settled. We both know the dangers of high emotions to others and ourselves. When engaged in mental training exercises, a calm emotional state is key. Metacreativity and other schools are less vulnerable to the emotional flux.”

“Sorry, I should have considered that,” murmured Amdirlain.

“It’s not the risk to myself I’m worried about,” replied Sarith. “In my mind, I have the home advantage. While you possess considerable mental strength, I’d worry about you accidentally drawing the counter in on yourself where I couldn’t help you. I defend myself with mental techniques that work on the aggressor’s flaws.”

“Could we review those techniques?” asked Amdirlain.

“We’re not even going to do that until you’re emotionally settled,” Sarith rebuffed. “We could review simple techniques like the various mental fortresses or discuss anything you want to cover. First though: how did your conversation with Sarah go?”

“I think it went well,” allowed Amdirlain. “Neither of us ran away screaming.”

“Is there anything you wish you could have explained better?” inquired Sarith.

“Are we going to dissect the entire conversation?”

Sarith patted her wrist. “I’ve hours set aside to help you however you need. Where did you two end up?”

“We agreed to work through things together,” replied Amdirlain nervously.

Under Sarith’s composed expression, a happy theme burbled alongside her concern.

“You are a romantic,” grumbled Amdirlain.

“I’m simply glad you’re open to allowing yourself some happiness,” replied Sarith. “I’ll admit I’m also concerned.”

“Why?” exclaimed Amdirlain before Sarith could explain.

“When we open ourselves to another, we are most vulnerable to injury from them, and you’ve many deep wounds already,” clarified Sarith. “The key will continue to be your willingness to communicate, so not isolating yourself when in pain will be your challenge. How do you feel about the conversation overall?”

“We kissed and made up,” quipped Amdirlain.

“You’re nervous about that,” noted Sarith. “Your fixation on your physical form, as you put it, is an issue. Did you set that aside?”

“No, I’m still nervous in that respect, but I concentrated on the sound of her Soul,” said Amdirlain.

“You were nervous about Ori’s memories in relation to Sarah’s Soul yesterday. How did the sound of it help you?”

“I hadn’t considered a possibility that Sarah pointed out,” admitted Amdirlain nervously, trying to still the butterflies roaring inside her.

“Would you share it?”

“Are you being the romantic?” questioned Amdirlain. “Or the healer?”

“The healer. It’s part of positive reinforcement. The same as saying negative things about yourself hurts, repeating positive things about yourself grows confidence,” replied Sarith.

Amdirlain swallowed her nerves and quoted Sarah. “Her words were: those memories show me how different you are as a person, and your uniqueness is what I love. Her song showed me how true that is, and it surprised me.”

“Good, I’m glad she could be so clear with you,” stated Sarith. “Is she listening in?”

Amdirlain smiled. “I’ve already made it so only she can hear us, as I’m fine with Sarah listening while we talk. She can tell me if I misunderstood anything or come and join us.”

From the forge, Sarah gave a happy chuff.

“Let’s get started then.”