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Post by Carveus on Dec 27, 2010 22:53:57 GMT
There was a blur and then the woman wasn't there, instead standing, balanced perfectly with one foot on the sword, looking down to her attacker. "You will never even get close to hurting me with such attacks. As I have already said, the answers lie within you, I can merely show you the path."
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Post by Bal on Dec 27, 2010 23:06:43 GMT
The woman paused, blinking and then looking up at the woman now up on top of her blade, and the sudden shock gave her the opportunity to think for a moment.
"...you..." she said, her voice soft, "you're the Guardian of this place... aren't you? No man can move like that..."
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Post by Carveus on Dec 27, 2010 23:33:02 GMT
"That is what they call me, yes," the woman said with a slow nod. "But I am no spirit."
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 0:07:19 GMT
"Then what are you...?" she asked, doing her best to keep hold of the sword lest the other woman fall if she were to release it. "I've already told you I need your help... why do you have to be so... hard to deal with?"
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 0:09:37 GMT
"I am the Guardian." The woman sprung lightly into the air, doing a full spin before landing gracefully, robes fluttering around her for a moment. "And I have offered to show the path, you are the one who refuses to take it."
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 0:43:33 GMT
She paused, looking the woman in the eye and letting the sword drop, clattering to the ground at her feet. "After all I've done...?" she asked, sorrow actually entering her voice for the first time since she had first entered the monastery, "you would still consider even teaching me anything...?"
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 0:52:35 GMT
The Guardian stepped towards her, head tilted to one side with her hands folded behind her back. "You have come here seeking answers. When you are able to seek the path, I will guide you."
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 0:56:09 GMT
"please... I want to learn... I want to know what it is that plagues me... and how, or even if, I can control it..."
By this time the woman had dropped to her knees and was clutching the back of her head, sobbing slightly. It was not tears that rolled down her cheeks, but droplets of blood, crimson red and shimmering in the faint light of the moon.
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 0:58:18 GMT
The Guardian bent down, her face level with the girl's. "Then I shall ask you a question, and maybe you will provide me with an answer, hm?" She smiled softly. "Do you have time for meditation and enlightenment?"
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 18:44:35 GMT
The woman looked up at this point with a more determined look, wiping her cheeks clear of bloodtears with her sleeves. "I don't know," she said, honestly. At this point she sighed and slowly stood up, looking out of one of the windows, out onto the mountains as she walked slowly towards it. "I'm not even sure why I thought this was a good idea..."
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 18:56:25 GMT
"Because you wish to bring peace to the beast within;" the Guardian said slowly, walking so she was next to her. "I know how painful a task that is; and I will not lie and say that it was quick or easy. It took time; and it remains a battle. But I have not hungered now in many years. I can help you find that serenity."
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 20:01:11 GMT
Pausing a moment to look at the Guardian the woman turns back towards the mountains outside. "So... you're not a spirit... you're the same as me..." she said, exhaling a deep breath, seemingly something she had yet to realise was unnecessary in her new state. "I suppose that's better in some ways," she didn't sound too convinced of that however.
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 20:17:55 GMT
"Come and rest for now," she said, stepping back. "I will begin your instruction tomorrow at nightfall. For now I must inform the Sifu that you have arrived."
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 20:19:35 GMT
Another sigh was the response, before the girl nodded and turned to follow the other woman into the monastery to where she could rest. "You could have just told me who you were earlier and avoided this..." she mumbled.
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 20:25:57 GMT
"But then, would you have learned anything?" she replied, smiling slightly as she did, leading the girl to a small monk's cell, the window facing South.
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 20:32:57 GMT
Looking at the other woman, she raised a brow slightly, "I suppose if you were so confident about beating me..." she shrugged, there was no real point in discussing as she stepped into the room and slumped on the mat that would count as a bed, lying on her back and looking up at the ceiling, "I am going to get very bored here I think..."
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 20:48:52 GMT
"Get some sleep, your training will not be easy," was the response, the Guardian sliding the door shut as she left.
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 20:51:45 GMT
She just raised hand in assent of the comment and lied back on the makeshift bed. Sh was rther worn out and it didn't take her long to fall asleep for the day.
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Post by Carveus on Dec 28, 2010 20:53:39 GMT
Only to be roused with the door opening loudly, something thrown at her, made of cloth and scratchy in texture. "Get washed and change."
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Post by Bal on Dec 28, 2010 21:00:52 GMT
She was exhausted and still asleep when the cloth hit her face. She stirred quickly and sat up, "What...?" she asked, somewhat dazed and confued
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