The wolf-girl's ears seemed to giggle along with her, hiding her lips behind a hand. "I have to admit; it's not simple to get Jotou to do things so easily. It either takes logic or a glare."
Jotou had arranged the stones the best she could and went back to practicing the set of attacks. The slashes of her blade echoed slightly to their viewing.
Master Tensuo, stirred leaves in the boiling water, seeing it turn a yellowish-green before closing the lid, "It's not been the most difficult. Jotou has very much repressed a lot to learn; I'm simply teaching the best way I can."
Master Tensuo and Hotaru sat on comfortable cushions, a table between them and a cup to them each. The master lifted the pot, pouring it into Hotaru's cup.
Hotaru's eyes widened slightly, "It's okay, I don't mind doing it," her hands waved around the steam pouring.
"Nonsense, you are my guest. Please, don't strain yourself," Master Tensuo replied, pouring some for himself.
Hotaru's ears folded, watching him… and the cup of tea she was offered. She smiled, tail moving gently behind her, "Thank you for your hospitality."
She held the teacup; this was unusual for Kria to say the least. For once, she did not have to argue before being served or offered something.
With a bright smile, she blew over the steam to take a sip. "It's delicious," her ears rose up.
Master Tensuo took a sip, "It's mere leaves and hot water young lady, no need to flatter," he gave a gentle smile, looking back to Jotou to make sure she was doing everything properly.
"Simple things can still be complex," Hotaru sighed over her tea.
"That they can be. How many students have I trained and how many can I be proud of? Teaching appeared so simple when I was first given the chance…
Little did I know then, teaching is learning in its own right. Now, I can only guide what's best for each of my students. Okod resents my teachings… Moren wanted more and more, to what end?"
Hotaru listened to the ramblings of an old man. "I didn't know you taught Moren Mataya. Still, I think Jotou's lucky to have someone so wise teaching her," she glanced to Jotou.
Each of Jotou's slices seemed to ring heavier throughout the garden. Getting quicker, not caring for the strands of blonde that bothered her eyes.
"Maybe," he drank, "Maybe I can guide him to use that energy meaningfully. I can only teach him the direction; he will have to learn the way. Every student is unique."
Hotaru's attention focused on Master Tensuo, "'Him?' Oh, so she's told you about her other world?"
Master Tensuo gave a smirk, "He has."
"Honestly, sometimes I forget that part," Hotaru took another sip.
"He told me of his world and somehow ending up here; but he neglected to tell me that he was a boy before."
Hotaru furrowed her brows, "Then… how do you know?"
Master Tensuo glanced at Jotou, her swings hitting faster and harder, "Look at him; he fights like a boy with something to prove.
A boy who's been told to suck it up and move on, never allowing himself to be one with his emotions."
Jotou's swings became swifter with each try. The more she retried the more she memorized the set of actions; the heavier her hits sliced.
"And when he did connect to his emotions, he resented the world that told him not to. Now, she fights with a purpose.
Her actions are fuelled by those emotions and she swings her blade with intent. If she lacks control, I hope my teachings will be enough to guide her to get it back," he poured himself more tea.
"He tells me of your training in magic. You are also his teacher. I presume you can see this purpose as much as I do. With an affinity, you must have something to fuel you; am I correct?"
Hotaru frowned at Jotou, "That's true… A lot of people struggle to find that fuel and to some it just comes naturally. Jotou harbours so much rage…"
"Rage? You think he is fuelled by rage and anger?" Master Tensuo raised a brow.
"It's not that?"
"She will only listen if she wants to; if she doesn't, even logic won't stop her. She will justify whatever she will do with grand presumptions just to not conform.
She is determined to make sure she proves she's correct till the bitter end; the drive to prove someone or something wrong so badly that she won't allow herself to make a mistake."
Jotou's strikes became more decisive, quick, but with a slash that resounded.
"And if she does; she won't stop till she's proven herself. Only when she is absolutely proven wrong will she apologize. She will only conform to those who she thinks its worthy to ask help from.
She fights as such because she wants to make sure her opponent knows they're wrong.
She has traded determination with pettiness; the need to win to revel in her opponent's infuriation. She wants to look death in the eyes and say, 'I'll live'."
Jotou did not spare a glance to their conversation, focused on properly swinging her sword—light grip, twist the hilt by the thumb, spin her body to gain momentum. Hotaru would notice even if Jotou did not keep checking, right?
"Those eyes of hers tell it all. I suspect that she has come close to death before her arrival into this world. This sense of purpose, it's what gives her, her drive," Master Tensuo frowned.
Jotou spun. "Slash!" The wood splintered to the blade's edge. The blonde smiled, her eyes lighting up over her improvement throughout the week.
"You're saying…" Hotaru stared to Jotou, "She's come close to death before… Does that mean…?"
"She has attempted to take her own life many times? An old man can only see so much. I suspect you have more influence than me." Master Tensuo looked to Hotaru.
"Hm? What do you mean?" Hotaru's tail curled into her lap.
"I am her teacher; you are her friend. The way she talks about your party, perhaps that's what drives her so much. To prove to you as well."
"Perhaps," Hotaru looked to Jotou. "So…" Hotaru's eyes and ears drooped, "That's what fuels her; the source of her lightning."
Master Tensuo nodded, "If you think you can do everything without a flaw, pride will take you over. If you think you should give up because you have no chance, you give into despair.
Okod was filled with pride. Moren was filled with greed. Jotou; Jotou is filled with spite. Much like a housecat if she's in a good mood; but like all traits, if one falls too deep into them…
She must guide herself to her path, one that is built on hope and inner strength; to know when she's outmatched."
Hotaru faced the master, almost as if pleading for guidance, "Something so ugly fuels someone so…"
"Look at him," Master Tensuo cut Hotaru off, "Do you think that's the only thing that fuels him?"
Jotou took a breath, back straight and eyes on target. 'One more.' She thought before cutting left! Right! Left! Right! And with a whirl, she—"Swish!~"—she stood still after it.
Her eyes opened—a pleasant smile went over the blonde. She moved her hair away from her eyes, admiring the deep slice she had made and removed the dust off of the blade.
"She may lack respect… but there is compassion and honour within her. Her wit, her want for the easiest life and yet choosing the hardest of paths. Her willpower is built on these and these I will do my best to hone," Master Tensuo retorted.
Hotaru let out a breath as she watched Jotou. Finishing up her tea, "You didn't need to convince me more that she's in good hands," Hotaru jested.
Master Tensuo gave a light chuckle, "How simple are we humans? We are fuelled by such simple desires… Just as simple as this tea.
Yet there is complexity within it. In every living being. Something as simple as a sheet of metal affixed to a stick; so many ways to wield it.
We can't only allow the good traits define us; there's flaws in us all. We must just strive to be better and let those flaws be our strengths. We must just learn to control ourselves before we get too far."
_
Those words stuck with her, alike the lingering taste of tea on her tongue. Her thoughts wandered, what all had Jotou been through?
"Hey, you comin'?" Jotou queried, one foot down and the other on the bike pedal.
"Are you sure you can do that?" Hotaru raised a brow, "A carriage can carry your bicycle. I think the Krialin might catch us if two people go on a bike for one."
"I used to do it all the time with a friend… albeit, when I was younger, but since when did you like the Krialin? That sounds like a stupid rule too. It'd be fun to piss them off and cycle away," Jotou giggled.
Hotaru shook her head, descending down the stairs in the dusk light. The orange skies twirling with purple gave the redhead a glow from the blonde's view.
Jotou blushed slightly, "We'll be careful." Hotaru got on and held onto Jotou's shoulders. Jotou cautiously lifted off and soon they were cycling through the city.
The setting Sun gave quite the view on their way back; several people gave glances to the bright blonde in odd attire and the redhead.
"Aren't you worried someone might recognize you without the hood?" Hotaru questioned, hair and tail flying in the wind. She cared not to hide her ears into her locks.
Jotou could feel the breeze past her ears, taking in the oceanic scent of Kria, "The one picture the public would know is a drawing in black and white. Even if they notice me by description, you think they'll catch us?" Jotou smirked.