Welcome to Gaia! ::

Xitha had re-emerged in time to watch the "bird" land in Lux' palm.

"A bird, eh? Fitting, I think," Xitha said as she backstroked lazily in the water.

Xitha stood and walked over to where Lux was lying, seating herself at the edge, her feet dangling in the water.

"As a Journeyman, you'll only have access to the lower levels of enery. This means you'll be able to call fire, but you won't be able to create a firestorm. You can cause rain, but you won't be able to create a storm. Likewise, you can use wind to guide your shot, but you won't be able to bring down a tornedo as I did.
Also, you'll be able to cast illusions, but you'll be limited. For instance, were you to cast an illusion on me, you'd have to keep my height, my size, my coloring. But were I to cast an illusion on you, I'd be able to change your features easily. I could cast an illusion turning you into a tree or something, also."

Xitha examined Lux thoughtfully as she spoke, hoping this all made sense.

"However, you don't need that much power to be effective. With a small fire you can easily light something-or someone-ablaze. No need for a firestorm to do that. It's all about how you use your power, not how much you have. And you don't really need much; you're already quite formidable in fighting. This magic will just be an added bonus," Xitha explained.

"Just the same way you created that hand. You tell your energy what you want to do and direct it. For instance-" Xitha picked up a dead twig and stared at it closely, ordering it to burn and unleashing her will upon it at the same time.

The twig burst into flames.

Putting the fire out with another thought, she looked back at Lux. "Did you see what I did?"

Xitha laughed. "It certainly will! Quite the secret weapon, eh?"

Xitha heaved herself out of the lake and dried herself off.

"Why don't we go back to the Pagoda? I don't know if the guys have gotten back yet, and I don't want to leave that Shadow alone," she said to Lux as she slipped her clothes back on.

Lux had teleported to just outside the kitchen door; her hand was on the knob when she heard Xitha's mind voice.
Lux instantly turned away from the door and came face to face with a sword.
Reflex sent Lux leaping backward, aiming a kick in the Shadow's direction even as she jumped, but she was caught off-guard. The Shadow easily defended himself and grabbed Lux by the arm, whirling her around so her arms her behind her back, his blade at her neck.

"One false move," the Shadow hissed in her ear "and I slice your throat from ear to ear."

Lux instantly froze, her body tensed.

((grrrr, internet at home has been down since wednesday night ;_; I hope it is back on by tonight))

*Hikari had been too busy swimming off her irritation to notice anyone else by the lake. She must have done 50 laps before she even bothered to pay attention to what was around her. She saw Xitha and Lux by the shore. They were doing spells, and Lux seemed to be the student. As she bobbed up and down in the water, she suddenly realized Adhara had returned. "wonder when she got back" Hikari thought.*

Addie! Over here! Hey, when did you get back?

Why would I call you anything other than your name? Hikari asked with mock innocence.

*Adhara never knew this, or at least, Hikari never outright mentioned it, but Hikari always thought of Addie as her little sister. She hated how alone Addie always was at home and took it upon herself to always be there for her.

...and of course, no big sister worth her salt would let her little sister get away without a lifetime of annoyance from her, at least on the surface*

Want a swim? The lake here is pretty deep and there are some awesome rock formations on the bottom floor

((...back to work ;_ wink )