Saiyi had been living on Hagoa for a few months. She had gotten the hang of some basic abilities. Levitation of objects had been her first lessons. She had taken to this quickly and at this point she was able to lift objects about the size of her house she lived in with Sailus. Manifestation had been a bit more of a challenge, but she could manifest small objects of great detail. She found that she did not have the energy to create larger objects yet. Shiwa had assured her that she'll be able to connect with her latent power more as time progressed. Practice was what Shiwa thought she needed. Saiyi, on the other hand, was convinced that she was missing something, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. Saiyi and Shiwa had become very close in this time. Saiyi took to Shiwa as the mother she never had, while Shi had taken Saiyi in as her daughter she could never have. One thing Saiyi had learned about the amulets is that the Chosen were unable to have children of their own. Shiwa was convinced this was by design from the Mother Goddess. Life in the tower had been good for everyone. Saiyi worked hard and slowly she could see it paying off.
Every evening Saiyi had language lessons with Wep. Naturally this was her favourite part of the day. As much as she enjoyed Shiwa's company, Wep had caught her eye from day one. They too were getting on well and Saiyi had settled in to a routine she enjoyed. She would constantly tease Wep and he in turn would try his best to stay professional. Saiyi did not miss his smiles and looks he snuck while he thought she wasn't paying attention. She could never get him to blush, but she didn't have much experience in the romantic. Saiyi hoped that she didn't imagine a connection. She worried that her position forced him to be polite. Her language lessons themselves had been shaky. She had hoped she would have mastered the language much faster, but it was so different from her home language, that she had trouble keeping her sentences in the correct order. Wep reassured her she was progressing at a more than acceptable rate. Again Saiyi hoped her position didn't make him more polite than he would be otherwise. Time would tell she consoled herself, and she had nothing but time now.
One morning about three months after Saiyi had arrived on the island, she could not find Shiwa in the throne room where she normally had her lessons. She eventually tracked her down on the balcony.
"Ah. Hey lady."
"Majesty." Saiyi gave a curtsy jokingly. "Are you feeling a bit claustrophobic today?"
"Not at all. I just thought, with it being such a nice day the balcony would be a great spot for your first flying lesson."
"Seriously? Flying?" Saiyi had did a little dance and squeal from excitement.
"Don't get too excited. Come over here."
Saiyi joined the older Goddess at the balcony edge. Far below the island stretched out into the imperceptible distance. It was difficult even from this high up to believe that they were standing atop a flying island.
"Look down there." Shiwa instructed. Saiyi looked straight down to the wide base of the tower. She took an involuntary step back.
"Wow."
"Indeed. Now besides any assurance I give you that you would survive that fall, I'm still sure your brain will tell you different. Also while you will survive, you are not indestructible. It'll hurt. A lot."
"Should we not practice in a safer space?"
"I think it's important for flying to learn and overcome your fear at the same time."
Saiyi peered over the edge down to the tower base, barely visible eight hundred metres below. It was obscured somewhat by mist from the towers great water falls. Saiyi took a deep breath. Her excitement for flying and her nervousness about the drop below battled in her head. She fidgeted with her clothes for the first time in months.
After some preparations and basic instruction Saiyi was standing with her arms out to the side looking into the sky. She felt a bit silly, but was assured this was a good starting position.
"You're ready." The Healer reassured her. "Now with your mind just push the ground away."
"Push the ground away?"
"Just the spot you're standing on."
Saiyi closed her eyes and imagined the ground moving away from her as if she was pushing it from her. At first nothing happened. It took a few mental resets before she could swear that she could not feel the ground anymore, though she dared not test by moving her toes. She became more and more sure that she had left the ground, but Shiwa remained silent. Her concentration was interrupted by a clapping. She opened her eyes to find that she was indeed floating, but the ground was above her. She immediately fell to the floor. She wasn't sure if her ego or body was more bruised. She opened her eyes to find a set of ugly brown boots before her. She realised she was lying ass up face down in front of Wep.
"If I jump over the balcony will everyone pretend they didn't see this?"
A hand came into her view. It was strong and wide. She took the hand and was helped gently to her feet. Then before she could regain balance she realised she was being held in Wep's arms.
"Have you alright, my lady?" He asked in his best Shadow Speak.
Saiyi could feel her cheeks heat up and steadied herself.
"Quite fine thank you." She brushed her stray hairs back into place. Saiyi turned to see Shiwa looking very impressed.
"First try Sah. Nicely done."
"I have a great teacher."
"Would you like to try again?"
"I think I'll keep my eyes open this time."
"Usually good for navigation I find."
Saiyi got into position after Wep promised not to distract her again.
"I think you would have to be off planet for that." Shiwa had proposed. Saiyi gave her a stern look. Shiwa pretended not to see. Wep pretended to sudenly not understand any Shadow Speak.
Saiyi focussed on a spot in front of her on the ground and focused again on pushing the ground away. She was not sure pushing the entire Cyla away was the easiest way to fly. She was again convinced that she was missing something vital, but could not discern what it was. Once more the ground started to move away. Then without warning her body twisted and she was upside down. She gasped and lost concentration. She closed her eyes expecting an impact again. Her fall was interrupted and she hit the ground feet first. She opened her eyes to find bright green eyes staring back at her. Wep had come to her rescue this time.
"Th… Thank you."
"Anything for you."
"You know perhaps we should Shadow Speak lessons for you too."
Then Wep repeated himself in Sawgiw.
"Anything for you Saiyi."
Saiyi had no response. She blushed openly and shamelessly.
"Get a room you two."
Wep made a face at Shiwa. The two ladies were both shocked. Wep's face dropped, fearing he may have gone too far.
"Cheeky shit." Saiyi volunteered first.
"You two were made for each other."
Saiyi practiced flying for hours but could not seem to correct her position. Shi had demonstrated by lifting off the ground and hovering. This did not help much as practical demonstration was not the same as instruction. Shiwa reassured her that it was not going to be that easy to fly. The body was not built for it and it took some time to get used to. Though despite Shiwa's endless patience and Wep's quick saves, a month later Saiyi was no closer to flying than she was on day one. She want to bed one night feeling utterly run down. Her hopes of seeing her father soon was dwindling. As she lay in bed there was a knock at her door. Saiyi, not expecting much sleep anyway popped out of bed, ready for a distraction of any kind. She opened the door to Wep standing there, looking rather nervous. She had never seen him look anything less that calm and collected.
"Wep. Are you okay?" Saiyi had to concentrate, translating to Sahgiw in her head.
"I'm fine mam. Doing quite well. I do have a suggestion. Please let me know I am overstepping my boundaries."
"You can always word to me Wep. I'm sure by now we're tied enough for that."
"I was thinking about you a lot this week."
"You were?" Saiyi felt an ember ignite in her stomach.
"Well about your orientation problem. I believe you may be in need of some down time."
"Oh, I see." The ember died a sad little death.
"Would you be willing to accompany me on a trip around the island tomorrow?"
"Just two?"
"I believe Lady Shiwa had prior engagements."
"Has she now?" Saiyi slipping back into her home language.
"I thought some lunch at a café I know. And the I have to do some rounds-"
"Yes!" Saiyi calmed herself. "Yes, I think that ears like a healthy idea."
A smile actually crossed his face for the briefest moment.
"Great. I will see you tomorrow morning Saiyi."
With that he left. Saiyi closed the door. He had called her Saiyi. And was that excitement in his voice? Perhaps the last month wasn't a complete waste after all. Saiyi, feeling like a girl again, could barely get to sleep that evening. Her stomach kept doing a jig. When she did fall asleep, it was with a smile on her face.