*Tyra's POV*
He pushed the office door open, inside was the interior of a log cabin. The wooden logs weren't split into lumber, but left whole, and stacked horizontally upon one another for the walls. It was furnished comfortably for warmth, style, and convenience. The colors were all warm and inviting. They hadn't bothered with decorations much, just necessity for lighting and storage.
He allowed a moment, as I looked about curiously, once I'd looked back at him, he lead me to the door leading outside, with a friendly reminder about the coat. I pulled it on, my lower back already pretty tense at the cold I was already feeling. Then, we stepped outside.
Knowing of, or about something is entirely different from experiencing it. Once we were outside, I say that we were upon a peak of a snowy mountain. As I'd paused, looking about, he encouraged me, "Come, come, we must see the view."
I took the coupled of steps forward that would place me close enough so I could place my hand into his, I grasped two of his fingers, and kept looking around at everything. The cabin, for instance, was much the same as the inside with the logs. It was treated wood, meant to withstand the cold for as long as possible. It looked to be at least two stories high, with a sparse amount of windows, with exceptionally thick glass.
Even the air was icy, and it was a fair bit windy. A strong glacial wind hit us, and I hunkered into the oversized coat. Lightly squeezing the fingers I held onto. We continued forward to the ledge of the mountain, looking outwards, it felt like the sky was endless, stretching on forever. Looking from the sky, which looked so different from the one I was used to, I tilted my head down. The sky connected to the sea, which flowed into a town, and to a city at the base of this mountain, which was actually a mountain range.
Orientating myself to that knowledge, I realized where we were, looking to the right you could see, barely, the desert and especially the mountain I was raised near. Looking to the left there were tiny sparks of light of villages in an ocean of trees, so much like spots of treasure in the dark. Looking about down towards the town, it looked like a charming children's toy I'd seen once in some ruins. Lights were in most of the buildings, but oddly, there was a part of the city I hadn't seen, or noticed, when I'd been there. In the area where we'd met Sarial's friend Dean, there was a shifty and toppling area that wasn't still, though no lights were on there.
Looking back towards Mount Frost's Respite, I said, "My favorite view was from my home's roof at sunrise and sunset. The way the sun lights an area up. This is marvelous. It feels like there is no divide between the earth, ocean and sky." I turned back to the left, "What is that over there?" I pointed to a darker woods, all the way to the West of the area.
"That is what is known as a swamp land. Filled with mischievous spirits and a lot of mosquitoes." Dirthin said, after lifting his head to see where my attention had gone to. "Is there anything you particularly wish to know about it?"
I looked at him, the way the moonlight accentuated his silver fur, making him seem more the mystic than I am. "I've never seen swamp lands before." I tell him. "I can't seem to think of any questions at the moment. I've gained a better understanding of both air and ice, though."
"Yes, the top of a mountain will do that." Dirthin commented, amused. "I don't have a door to the swamps. There doesn't seem to be an active village out there. If you ever feel like you want to explore the Underdark again, I do have a little place set up. A little fortification I set up next to a bioluminescent waterfall."
"That sounds amazing." I say, meaning it. My face turned mischievous, and I decided to check how much mastery I had gained on this unexpexted trip. Surely enough, as soon as I reached for it, an ice and a wind elemental sprang into being.
"Is this a new trick?" He asked.
"Yes. Before it was just the fire one." I tell him, dismissing them.
"Can you do that with lightening? If you had a better standing of it?" He asked, curious.
"Hm. I could cloak the air elemental with lightning. No, the water one would be more dangerous. But no, not by itself." I tell him, after opening my mind to the possibility. "Air, water, fire and ice are the elementals. But I can summon shadow beasts."
"You have quite the menagerie of happy helpers." He said.
"I don't use them. I just set myself on fire and burn anything that stays to close." I shrugged.
"That sounds like an interesting way to fight." He said.
"Oddly enough, it does not keep me from being burned." I tell him.
"Well that hardly makes any sense, if you are already on fire, how can you burn?" He asked.
"There are differences in flame. The one that cloaks my body is harmless, but other flames are not." I tell him, trying to explain.
"So a flame produced through your own power will not harm you?" He asked.
"No. Just the Fire Form. The explosions, elemental, and Rolling Flames can all burn me. If I stand very close. Detonation is particularly nice, because it's an area effect rather than a single person." I tell him.
"You have quite the plethora of abilities. I am afraid my fighting style is underwhelming in comparison." Dirthin said.
"Hardly. I hit you with Brute Strike, then Lethal Strike and you're fine. If I didn't use Iron Resistance I'd have been in trouble even with my natural Immortal Durability." I told him. "Besides, excluding my use of abilities, we fight in a similar fashion."
"I suppose we do. I'm going to assume all those things you mentioned are abilities or spells that made you hit pretty hard." He said.
"Yes, though I cannot do any magic. Brute and Lethal Strike let me hit a lot harder than I naturally can. Arguably, I can hit decently well without it." I explain. "It's all psionic ability that I gained when I became a mystic."
"You just figured out one day that you were a mystic?" He asked.
"Sort of." I said wearily. "When my cousins had left me for dead in the Underdark, I was so desperate to live, that while I stumbled about deliriously, half dead, rotting with infection, I'd unlocked the Immortal Will. It was the extremity of the situation, coupled with the psionics of the Underdark that created the situation for me. Most live for their entire lives in solitude studying the world around them to unlock a fraction of the Mystic's ability." I scoffed, "And I got 'lucky' by being backstabbed and nearly dying."
"Sounds like you came out ahead of the curve." He said. "It's unfortunate that you had to uncover these abilities in such a way."
I smiled at him and said, "The only part that still gives me nightmares is being held down while they scrubbed the wound."
"That does sound quite painful." He said.
"Off topic, but you look so pretty in the moonlight." I tell him.
He appeared a little flustered for a moment, "And you look beautiful in any lighting." He replied.
I lifted his hand up, looking at it. Being silly, I pressed my cheek to that hand, holding onto it with both hands, and turning my eyes up to his. Almost daring him to argue the treatment. His response was to cup my face with both hands and kiss my forehead with a big grin. His hands were so very warm. I purred softly, closing my eyes, and giving him a level of trust I didn't know I had anymore. I didn't even know I could be affectionate.
The wind blew once more, whirling snow about. The gust persisted for the span of four heartbeats before stopping. Even with the stiffness in my lower back, I was comfortable.
"Would you like to head inside for some warmth? I know that the coat is quite thick, but the wind is also persistent." He asked after a moment.
"Sure. This has been a treat, regardless of the cold. Thank you." I tell him, and open my eyes again.
He led us back and opened the door for me and said, "You're welcome. I have never shared my secret places. But it is nice to share the view with someone else."
I went inside and covered my head with his coat, embarrassed that I was the only one he shared this with. As soon as I'd covered my head completely, I'd stopped walking. I heard him shut the door.
"You alright? You just suddenly stopped." He said.
"Yes, I am alright. Just a little embarrassed. So I am hiding until that feeling dissipates. And I can't see where I am going with my head covered. I guess I could if I decided to." I told him.
He scooped me up, easily, and walked a few steps, setting me down on a couch. "There you are," He said, "unfortunately this place isn't stocked with food and drinks, so we will have to return. If there are other places that you'd like to visit or take a look at, I have quite the expansive network of my own."
I took a peek at him, before hiding again. Tucking my legs into the coat as well. My tail was probably left out, though. I swished it a little and asked, "Why do you want to show me?"
"Because I haven't seen anyone truly appreciate a good view. You've shared some of your secrets with me, I wanted to share one of mine with you. It's only fair." He said.
"You're kinda really cute." I said, peeking at him again.
He pulled the top of the coat up and leaned forward slightly, "And you're freaking adorable."
My face showed embarrassment again. Having no words to respond to him with, I caught his hand, and hissed at him playfully. He grinned and gave a low growl in response. I adjusted my position and butted my head gently against his jaw, rubbing my head under his. He pulled me to himself, and cuddled me.
I'd tensed for a moment, unused to the affection, but once I relaxed, I asked him, "Are you tired?"
"Exhausted. But I have no desire for sleep at the moment." He said.
"What do you want?" I asked, tilting my head to look at him. This man is seriously beautiful.
"I feel you don't get asked this a lot, but what do you want?" He asked.
It took me a moment, but finally I said, "I don't know. I'm very satisfied at the moment."
"Then, I think, staying just like this for now is good." He said.
I accepted that, and began playing with his mane. It was odd to me for me to be behaving this way, but it was only that I was letting myself be impulsive, and affectionate. Using Adaptive Body, I didn't need sleep, but he would.
After some time, he fell asleep. Moving slowly, I readjusted our positioning until I lay on my back, and he sprawled on top me. I used a blanket I had in my pack to cover him. I continued to pet him and play with his mane through the night. I'd sent my Phasing Eye out, just before dawn to watch the sunrise. It was the most stunning view I've ever seen.
Dirthin had woke as I watched it, utterly distracted. Groggily, he yawned, tongue curling as he stretched. I made a trilling sound in response. He opened his eyes, then sat up abruptly, ensuring he wasn't on me anymore, and said "I don't.. remember falling asleep." He turned his head, looking at a window, "We should probably get back."
"Dirthin," I breathed, "The sun rise is so beautiful." I was still quite stunned by the glorious sight of the sun rising over the sea and touching the town and city.
"Yes, it is a beautiful sight." He said. "Would you like to see it with your own eyes?"
"Since you woke, yes." I nodded. Sitting up and tackling him with excitement.
He laughed, squeezed me, and took us outside. He really didn't seem to mind my over enthusiastic response. I rubbed my head against him and twisted a little, exhilaration keeping me from being still, until we reached the edge again. We stayed there, watching the sunrise together for nearly an hour. Once the day had truly began, he took us back.
"I'll have to take us on a tour of my favorite spots sometime." He commented, amused, putting me down.
"Oh, did you sleep well?" I asked, calming myself.
He ran his hand through his mane and said, "Better than I have in years."
"I guess that would be because I'm soft." I grinned, joking.
He stroked my face and said, "Yes, your fur is quite soft."
"It is. You're pretty comfy." I tell him.
"I'm just glad I didn't crush you." He said.
"Why would you crush me? You kept me warm." I replied. Offering his coat back to him.
He took the coat and put it away. When he came back he said, "I can only imagine how warm you were with all of this on top of you." He gestured at himself.
I tilted my head, looking him over and said, "You do put off some heat. But you aren't very heavy."
He grinned and said, "Yes, I've been trying to stay light on my feet. But maybe I'll have to hit the weights a little harder and put on some more mass."
I laughed and said, "If you wish to. But I don't think you need it." I approached him and butted my head against his arm, then brushed my body against him, very catlike. "I should go and check on Sky. He'll be waking soon, if not already."
"He does seem like quite the curious one. I believe he'll fit in just right with Seralyn." Dirthin said.
"Oh, the two and Vincent are as thick as thieves already." I replied.
"Yes, I would imagine a dragon would be quite the reading companion for them." He said.
I agreed with his assessment, told him they'd been helping me teach him, then I left his office to go wash up, which I did quickly, so that I could go and check on Sky. He'd washed up this morning, already. Not wanting to hear me fuss at him.
I helped him finish getting ready for the day. By that time it was close to when breakfast is served, so I carried Sky down that way. He was being a little bitey, but I didn't have anything that he could chew on. So I just let him chew on me.
When I spotted Snow, I asked her if she had anything teething related. She did, luckily, and fetched it, so he was able to let the toothy aggression out on something other than me. She'd asked if it hurt, and I'd told her it didn't, just tickled.
The family all assembled for breakfast by that point. "Got some blood on your shoulder." Sarial noted.
"Oh." I said, looking at where. "Good job with that bite, Sky."
Sky didn't comment. Just continued to chew on the teething toy.
"I went looking for you last night to continue our conversation, but couldn't find you. No one had seen you leave." James said suddenly.
"That's not outside of my capability, but was not within my control." I replied.
He looked at Dirthin, then. "Before you say anything at all," Dirthin said, "I'll do what I want."
"Yes, I suppose you will." James said, then turned back to me, "I have come to a firm understanding, I will not pressure you any further, and know that you may obviously," He glanced at his brother, "come and go as you please."
"Does it bother you?" I asked, curious.
"No. It does not bother me. Just means I have more to study." James replied.
"I'll apologize for bullying you, then. I am aware it was a lot." I told him, politely. "I am sorry."
"Indeed it was a lot of information to process. It is why it took me all night. Some of it felt more like filling in the blanks." James said.
I nodded, "Right? It's like it was obvious but only after you knew it."
"Hate this. And I know thieves cant." Sarial announced.
James chuckled and said, "It's information.. that would not truly serve you."
"You are the one who says information is good to have." Sarial pointed out.
"Well if you really want to know this information, I will be writing it all down and placing it within the library soon enough." James told her. "I have a firm understanding of what a Mystic knows and can do."
"Oh, James..." I said, "But that was only the Immortal version. There are six types."
"I feel for just a fraction of it, that is still quite a bit of knowledge." He said.
"It is. The Avatar manipulates or amplifies peoples emotions. The Awakened bends others minds to their own will, and finds secrets of the world easily. The Immortal manipulates and augments their own bodies. The Nomad accumulates knowledge and travels the most to try and know the world's mysteries. The Soul Knife sacrifices knowledge to hone psionics into physical blades." I tell them, "The Wu Jen is master of the known physical world, predominantly elements."
"So that crazy old lady is probably a Nomad or Wu Jen." Sarial says.
"Crazy old lady? The Mushroom Lady?" Mills asked.
"Yeah, apparently. She felt weird, so I tried to understand her, but I gained more understanding than I'd expected." Sarial said.
"Ah... That was rude of her." I say. "She should have taught you then."
"Is this why you wanted to know what a mystic was?" James asked.
"Yes. It was an incredibly strange feeling and my mind directed me to 'Mystic, Master of Psionics." Sarial said. "So I was curious bout it. So you are a mystic, Tyra?"
"Yes." I answered. "And it sounds like you are, too. Have you took the time to examine what you can do?"
She went quiet for a moment, then shyly said, "Not completely. I've been preoccupied with other things."
"That's not good. I recommend you look into yourself and figure out your capabilities...." I tell her, concerned. "I don't know which mystic sort you are, but once you can overreach easily and cause yourself significant backlash by using your life force to do things that are just beyond your capability."
"Well, that explains what happened when I teleported Jasper away." Sarial noted.
I looked at her in horror. Then looked at her family. Their expressions said she wasn't joking. I found myself at a loss for words. I felt responsible for this foolish girl. "This was not within my plans to do by any means, but I will begin teaching you properly." I tell her.
"I don't think I can argue." Sarial said.
"And you don't believe in fate or coincidences." Snow Den said to James.
"Indeed, I do not. Although, this is quite beneficial." James said.
The younger children were talking amongst themselves. Jasper was telling Dirthin about the fight we'd had, along with the training we'd done. The differences between them.
"James, do you know of any place that is explosion proof, or doesn't matter if it's damaged?" I asked.
"I have several such places, but I feel I must ask, why?" James said.
"Because I don't know what your daughter can do, so I need to base it on the worst I can do. I can defend myself, and potentially her from herself should something be triggered, but not the surroundings." I explained. "For example, when Shira was learning magic, she set the entire village ablaze... It's similar."
"..Tyra.." Sky said pitifully, looking at me.
I looked at the child's pained expression. "Ah, hand the chewy here." I said, he did so and I froze it, handing it back to him. "Try that, see if it's better." He went right back to chewing it viciously, it seemed to work to soothe him.
"Handy." Snow said, looking amused and slightly impressed.
"I know several children who could have used such a trick." James commented.
"I only just gained the full comprehension to be capable of it last night." I told them, with a shrug.
"And what gave you such a comprehension of this?" James asked.
"Ice and snow. I hadn't seen it before." I answered.
"And where did you go to see ice and snow?" James asked.
"I don't wish to say, beyond that Dirthin took me there." I said.
"Yes, brother, why the third degree for breakfast?" Dirthin interjected.
James raised his hands and said, "Sorry, habit."
"I don't mind answering questions, unless it is not my place to speak about." I said. "This goes out the window when it comes to my clan, however. I do not respect them."
"I dunno bout that. You don't like answering questions around the younger kids, nor do you like questions about yourself." Sarial said.
"I already told my secret. And sweet cubs, and kids, don't deserve my nightmares." I replied, off hand.
"I'm glad you aren't as feral as when we first met." Sarial said.
I frowned, flicking an ear back. Unsure of how to respond to that. Had I changed?
Dirthin reached over and scratched behind my flicked back ear, affectionately, "Nothing like personal revelations over breakfast," He looked at Sarial and continued, "You are racking up quite the debt for when you are no longer with child."
Sarial grinned and said, "I think she'll forgive me."
"That is a mighty bold assumption, wee one." Dirthin said.
"It's practically a hope, by this point." Sarial admitted, "She's very kind."
"I'm kind?" I asked, confused. "That has never been said of me."
Dirthin laughed and said, "Yes. I can agree to that."
"I don't think I am kind." I protested.
"Ones perception of oneself doesn't matter. It is how others perceive you." Dirthin recited, as though he'd heard it tons of times.
"You are kind. People who are kind, may be harsh, but they help people. Nice people sympathize with a situation but do nothing." Sarial explained.
"So you think I am kind because I am a nosy cat?" I asked her, with a frown.
"You are mean to yourself." Sarial said.
"The battle for self worth is a long one." Dirthin said, without looking at anyone, "Mainly because you can't punch it."
"I'll think it over." I commented.
Sky said, "I think I agree with them."
"I believe you are assaulted on all sides." James chimed in.
"Apparently," I said, "I'll remember it, too."
"Anything, to have you remember me." Dirthin said.
Charmed, I laughed lightly, "I don't think you need to worry bout that."
Dirthin had finished his breakfast now, "I need to get to work. I have errands to run."
Most were finishing up now, in fact. James agreed with his brother, saying he has paperwork to return to. He included that Sarial and I should follow him, so he can take us to where I can train her. Mills asked to come along, and I told Sky to mind Snow Den, who'd offered to watch him. I refroze his chewy and followed, with Sarial and Mills.
Once we got to James's office, he took us inside, then opened the door to what seemed to be a bunker, saying we could use this. Sarial would be able to bring us back, when we were done. Then James stepped back into his office, getting to work.
Once that was done, I put my hand on Mills and applied as many resistances as I possibly could. I then told them what all I'd done to him. Sarial's mouth dropped open in amazement.
Mills had frowned slightly and asked how intense the training would be. I told him, hopefully not at all. But that depended on Sarial and her control, and what she could do. I re-explained that I don't know what she's capable of, and may trigger an ability while showing her what a mystic truly is. Plus, she is pregnant, the offspring may also have abilities, even at it's earliest stages.
He decided he would sit and observe for a time to see what I could teach Sarial about her abilities. I offered to also show him, he declined, saying he didn't think it was knowledge he felt comfortable with. I laughed and pointed out Sarial didn't even have that knowledge.
Getting started, I had her sit comfortably. Then, I took her hand and went through her working knowledge of a mystic and her abilities, which weren't much. Beacon, Celerity, Nomadic Step, and Nomadic Arrow. I took her through those abilities, helped her to gain full understanding of those, then I taught her Energy Beam, and Mind Thrust. I took her through more Immortal abilities. Then, I took her through some elemental things I knew. Fire was fine, but as soon as I took her through Ice Mastery, a frozen storm of ice burst to life around us, and a massive shard of Ice smashed against the doors.
Mills had looked around and commented on it being cold, I told him atleast we didn't get blown up, though, I was shivering and my lower back aching fiercely. I took her through how to cancel these effects. Noting to them that I was surprised ice was what she clicked with. She apologized for the cold.
By this point, she was very tired. I told her I'd take her through understanding of mystics in a much slower compacity. But that we should use this room when I took her through the next bit of elements and other abilities. Agreeing, she took us back to James's office, all of us shivering.
Unfortunately, the pain in my lower back made my legs give out. The scarring had left that area weak and arthritic. I had hoped to last until I reached the solitude of the borrowed room, but luck was not on my side. I clenched my teeth, ashamed, as Sarial checked on me, alarmed.
James got up and came over to us, knelt, and said, "I cannot see one so proud falling to the floor so easily, what ails you so?"
With shame on my eyes, I met his, "The severe scarring of my back is arthritic. Even with all my abilities, I cannot make it better. The cold or a minor hit to it causes this."
"Well then," He said, standing, "This is simple." He held his hand out, tapped his ring and said, "I wish to fulfill a bit of our bargain." A genie appeared, then.
The genie had tawny skin, with eyes like fire, and hair like ice, his silken clothing appeared to move as if blown by a soft breeze, he looked human, if not for the innate power that radiated from him. "Finally," The genie said. "You've been holding onto these things like it's the end of your universe."
James turned away, heading for his desk and said, "Yes, yes. Heal her back. If she's anything like Dirthin, she'll want you to leave the scar, but ask her." He sat and returned to his paperwork.
The genie turned to me, then, and said, "Well, hi, how are you? I hear you have a spinal injury. Would you like option A, I heal the scar, option B, I make it worse, or C, I leave it as it is?"
I felt utterly confused, why would he do that for me? After a brief hesitation, I said, "A?"
The genie threw his hands in the air and said "A it is." He moved behind me and continued, "Warning, I have been told my hands are cold." He then solidly smacked the center of my scar, lifting me up, his hand truly was more than freezing. By the time I was on my feet again, they held my weight, and the scar was numb. "Well then, ladies and gentlemen, would you please inspect my work?" He moved before me, "Don't worry, you can see it, too." He pulled a mirror out of nowhere that showed my back, despite it being before me.
The scar was completely gone as though it had never been, the fur regrown entirely. I was utterly stunned. My greatest weak point had been entirely eradicated. Sarial, was checking it out, and touched my back, the prickling sensation I was accustomed to feeling when someone did so, did not occur.
The genie would say, "With that, I bid you ado." He turned to James, "And you, are down to two." He looked at the rest of us and poorly whispered, "He hates it when I rhyme." Then he poofed.
Sarial looked into my face for a moment, then she pulled me to her, gently, rubbing my shoulders and back. Have I ever been held while being emotional? Probably not. But no one criticized me as I silently cried the pent up emotions I'd kept stamped down.
I was so thankful to them, so touched and confused why and how these strangers could be so much better to me than my own family had ever been. The pain and fear I'd lived with for all these years, fixed by a stranger. And why? I couldn't begin to guess at it.