Completed To Overgive

[Caesi Starguide]

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Spring 87 516av

To Overgive

Caesi rode her strider hard and fast towards the Moresta River. Leaning down until her body was firmly pressed upon the mare, tightening her knees around the girth of the horse, she held on as they flew across the Sea of Grass. Wind rushed past her so fast that silence fell upon her, making her go temporarily deaf. Images were nothing but a blur, as she tightened her long legs further around her Strider, rushing towards the River. Her body was still worn out from the practice she had undergone with Liras a couple of days ago. Reimancy sucked the energy from her body like a leech would blood from a person. However, she was impatient to learn more, had an intense need to feel the rush of magic running through her veins, the power, the seduction it brought forth. It was hard to stop when she was casting. It took will power she some how found deep inside herself, to just stop. The rush of the power was seductive.

Caesi made it to the Moresta River in no time, soon Spring would be ending and with it her lessons with Liras. This may be the last time she saw him, though she hoped she could have a couple more lessons before her pavilion left for the Summer Grounds. She dismounted from her Strider, taking the Yvas off so she could go play in the river, cool off, drink some water. Especially after such a fast and hard run they under went together. She patted the rump of her mare, sending her off into the river. Then she turned her attention to Liras who was waiting on her this time. At least he isn't late this time. Caesi thought to herself, grinning over at the man who was her teacher.

She strode up to him, gesturing a respectful greeting, “Not late today I see.” She joking poked the man, laughing slightly. Liras shook his head, “No I could not chance you practicing by yourself again.” Liras said sternly, making the laughter and smile fade from Caesi's face. She pouted slightly like the young girl she was, “I know.. I am sorry.” She told Liras, bowing her head in sadness. She really was sorry, she now understood how dangerous Reimancy really could be. She learned her lesson, “I promise I learned my lesson.” She told the man, with her head still bent over in disgrace.

Liras placed his index finger under her chin, raising her face up to look upon his own. The stern nature had disappeared, the lines of frustration smoothed out, and a soft smile was on his face, “I know you did. So why don't we learn some more, yes?” Liras said, releasing her face and walking far away from the river where her Strider was playing happily. She gave a longing look at her horse, then at the retreating back of Liras. One day I will have time for fun.. She promised herself as she followed Liras to where ever he was leading her.

The two Reimancers spent a few chimes walking away from the River, to give them distance between their horses, so neither would become harmed if something went wrong. Once Liras was happy with the distance he stopped, Caesi stopping as well.

“This should do.” Liras announced, turning to face her. When he did so he hit her with a small ball of air unexpectedly, causing her to fall backwards onto her back. The air rushed from her body when she landed and she gave a soft groan. “First lesson of the day. Always expect the unexpected.” Liras chuckled as she struggled to her feet. “When you come against a enemy, they will not play fair. Not always any way. Remember that.” Liras told her, as she brushed dirt from her body.

“That was not exactly fair Liras.” Caesi said pouting slightly, as she glared over at the man through her hair that was now in her face. She brushed the tresses away, forming a ball of Res. “My turn.” She said, grinning at him. Igniting her Res she transmuted it into a small rock, pushing with her hands to make it fly forward. The small rock hurdled itself towards Liras who was quicker than she was, as he blew it aside with his Air Reimancy. “Lesson number two of the day. There will always be someone better than yourself.” Liras said laughing as she stuck her tongue out at the man.

Caesi gave a sigh, this was true. She had just begun learning Reimancy and was yet very good at it. There would always be someone more trained and skilled than herself. She slumped her shoulders forward, “I know..” Caesi said a bit defeated at that fact. “But you will get better with time.” Liras reassured her, “Perhaps when you return in the Spring you will even be better than I am.” He said with a bright smile. .

This lifted Caesi's spirits a little and she laughed, “Maybe, who knows.” Smiling she formed another ball of Res, willing it into a long and slender shape, like that of a whip. She ignited all but the center of the whip, transmuting it into a slender vine. She lashed out with her earthen vine, which was scorched away with a fire whip of Liras' making.

“That was a good one.” Liras said grinning, “I did not expect something like that from you.” Caesi shrugged her shoulders, “People are full of surprises.” She said laughing. “I suppose you are right about that.” Liras said, sitting down on the ground. Caesi frowned but followed the man, sitting down herself. Waiting for further instruction on her teacher, she sat there in silence, as the both of them relaxed their bodies.

[Caesi Starguide]

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“Why don't we try making that armor again?” Liras gently suggested, looking at her face to see her reaction. Caesi's face turned into a frown, she had failed last time and her pride was still healing at that. However, if he wanted to keep practicing it she would. “If you want to.” Caesi said, shrugging her shoulders, to indicate she did not really care.

Liras nodded, “Why don't we start off small. Try covering just your first finger with that bark.” Liras said, sitting back and watching her.

Caesi sighed, forming Res she covered her finger with it. Keeping the Res floating about two-inches above her finger she ignited the outer layers, then began to transmute it. The Res obeyed her will, turning into a dark bark that was durable and surrounded her finger. It made her skin there tingle ever so slightly, as she looked down at it in wonder. She was surprised she was able to do it, then she looked up at Liras.

“A smaller area is easier control.” He explained, “When you go to control a larger amount of Res is when it becomes more difficult.” Caesi nodded and looked down at her hand, the finger that was now surrounded with bark, “What if I wanted to place it closer to my skin?” She asked, wondering if it was possible. “You can do it, with time. It could hurt you or have side-effects if you tried to do something you are yet ready for.” Liras explained, as he produced Res that flowed around his hand like water, yet appeared to be a part of him at the same time. It was as if it was his skin, not magic, as he displayed his hand to and fro for her to see. Then he launched it away from them, the water splashing against a tree. Caesi did the same, however it did not go as far as his did.

“When you go to practice alone, remember smaller areas are better controlled. The less Res the easier it will obey your will.” Liras said softly, looking up and over at her. Caesi nodded her head, letting him know she understood what he was meaning. “So small and simple until I get better?” Liras nodded his head, she sighed but understood.

It was not as if she wanted to produce a mountain. Even if she did want to, she would only be able to produce a small hill, or perhaps an ant hill at her level of understanding. She knew it would take time before she was able to do anything large or spectacular. She would have to learn to be more patient with herself. It would take time to learn patience as well as Reimancy.

“Many use too much logic I think.” Liras voice brought her from her musings, as she glanced up tilting her head slightly, “What do you mean?” She asked a bit confused. Liras sighed, leaning back on his hands, “It takes logic when it comes to Reimancy yes. Though some use too much.” He paused, looking up at the sky, “It deals with much more than that I think. Res is a piece of you. It deals more with your soul. It takes your body, mind, and soul in order to make your magic work. At least that is what I have came to learn.” Liras brought his focus back on Caesi, who was sitting there in thought.

She supposed Liras was right. She was overthinking it all, placing too much logic on it, instead of feeling it. If she spent less time thinking and more time feeling, perhaps then she would do a better job at casting. She needed to learn to relax even further, to feel the Djed inside her body, feel it as it came out, feel her soul intertwine with it as she transmuted it, and the toll it took on her body from the energy spent making something with Earth Reimancy.

“I think I have been thinking more than feeling.” Caesi admitted her personal thoughts to Liras, blushing slightly. Liras just nodded his head, “We all do at first.” He said simply, giving her a tender smile, letting her know it was okay that she was not failing completely at it. “I like to think we all possess Djed. It just needs to be awaken. With Reimancy we expel that Djed from our bodies, into a physical form which is Res. You actually get to see the Djed that flows through you. I think it is quite spiritual in a way.” Liras said softly, sighing in content as he leaned back in thought. Caesi absorbed his words, his knowledge. Understanding Reimancy on a more spiritual level than a logical one. I need to feel, respect it, and be more relaxed. The young Reimancer told herself as the two sat there in silence for a few chimes.

“I have to cut this lesson short. I have to tend to some things at my pavilion. I hope to see you again before your pavilion leaves for the Summer. If not, remember to take caution. Respect your Djed. Feel it inside you. And for now think simple and small.” Liras said as he stood up, brushing himself off. Caesi stood up as well, not wanting the lesson to end just yet. “Can you not stay a little longer? I was hoping to try the armor thing once more before we called it a day.” Caesi said in a begging tone, giving him a pleading look like the hunting dogs do when you held up a treat for them.

Liras looked up at the sky, then back at Caesi. He stayed silent a few ticks before nodding his head, “Alright then. Once more then I must go.” He told her, as she sat back down on the ground, Liras following her and sitting as well. “Thank you.” Caesi said with a smile, grateful he was not yet leaving her. She worried this would be the last of their interactions until next Spring, and she was not yet to say farewell to her new friend. He was her teacher but through all they had done together, she also considered him a friend.

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi closed her eyes and instead of over-thinking about it, she let loose and allowed herself to feel. Feeling the Djed that ran through her, consumed her, lived inside her, how they intertwined into one. Djed was just as important as the blood flowing through her veins. It gave life and it could take life away. It was a powerful, sentient, magic that was seductive and lulling. Caesi willed the Res to form at her outstretched palm, feeling the Djed swirl out of her being and into her palm in a small ball of Res.

Currently the Res was a thick liquid form, teal in color. She willed it to change into a more gas like form, becoming more thin, so she could spread it easier upon her person. Once the Res answered and formed into a thin gas, she began to spread it around her palm. She spread the gas as if it was butter on bread. Smooth and even strokes, surrounding her entire hand with no gaps or holes. Once the thin, teal, gas was evenly distributed, she inhaled deeply and exhaled. Calming her mind and body, relaxing herself, so she could gain full concentration.

Focusing on the Res that was around her hand, she began to ignite the multiple layers of the gas. Starting with the first layer, she willed it to ignite. Imagining in her mind, a thin layer of teal gas, igniting in a spark. Then she moved on to the next thin layer, igniting it. Taking her time with the layers, she ignited one at a time, spending ten ticks on each one, feeling them and being cautious. She wanted to do this slowly, one layer at a time, to help her succeed in her efforts.

The layers were all ignited, except the center which was left with Res, so she could control the spell better. Now she began to transmute the Res into a bark that you find on the hardy trees found in the Sea of Grass. She was not sure of their name, but they had to be tough to survive out in the plains. They were tall with tough bark, in a light shade. The trees stood as if they were protectors of what ever river or water source they grew around. The bark felt rough, durable, and unbending. Caesi brought it to her mind, remembering the texture, strength, color, and how they loomed over the water like sentient beings, soldiers, protecting all who came to quench their thirst.

Caesi transformed the Res into the bark slowly, she was not quick about it as Liras was when he cast his spell. She took her time, with her eyes closed, seeing it in her minds eye. Willing it into the picture she saw clearly in her mind. She started with her wrist, transforming the Res into the bark armor. Knowing her will would be done, she opened her eyes, as she transformed the rest of the Res Gas. The wrist now had a circle of bark around it, she moved up with her teal eyes, the glow and swirl of the Res shimmered in the depths of her eyes. Willing it, she transformed the top of her hand and palm into the bark armor, the large parts were now done. Now she had to refine the transformation, the fingers needed to be done now.

[Caesi Starguide]

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Sweet whispers echoed inside her mind, willing her to go forth, promising her success, all she had to do was keep going. The seduction made her eyes swirl with the Djed inside her body, as she transformed her fingers into the bark, it was done. However the whispers inside her mind told her to keep going.

The world around her fell away, crumbling slowly into nothingness. There was only her and the sweet whispers that seemed to surround her from all sides. Whispering to her, seducing and lulling her to continue, to not stop, to feel the power she held inside her. It was as if she was in a dream, the type where you dream of nothing but darkness. Darkness shrouded her, everything around her turning black, the only light she saw was the Res she was producing and swirling and spreading around her arm now. The sweet and lulling whispers that circled her sounded like the whispers of a nurturing and caring mother, full of love, motivation.

Her mind went hazy, all she could think about was igniting the Res, transforming it into bark, covering her whole arm. The whispers filled her with confidence, motivating her to press forward. In her hazy mind, she imagined the whispers were her Goddess Semele urging her forward. Filling her body with her power, to transform her Djed into the Earth. She would do as her Goddess commanded of her, she would turn the Res into the tree bark and cover her whole arm. “Yes Semele..” Caesi mumbled underneath her breath, answering the fake Goddess talking in her dazed and confused state.

More Res poured forth, except it did not come from her palms as it normally did, instead the Res came from her Teal orbs. The teal Res gas flowed from her eyes, spreading around her arm. Somewhere in her conscious she heard a male voice, yelling for her to stop, she felt hands on her, shaking her. However, it all faded away as the whispers lulled her away from it, making her ignoring Liras and his pleading voice for her to stop. Like a river, the Res flowed freely from her, wrapping tightly around her arm. “Now its time..” Caesi told the whispers who were spinning around her mind, around her person, in the dark shroud she had became lost to.

Caesi did not take the caution she did previously. Instead she ignited the Res all at once, not even leaving the center filled with Res as she normally did, she ignited it all. Once ignited she instantly transformed the Res into the bark of the soldier trees. She did not take her time, she transformed it fast, instantly, and her whole arm was covered in the bark, with little tufts of moss here and there.

A laugh bubble inside her throat, flowing through her plush lips. It started off as a whisper, then heralded into a loud and maniacal laugh, bringing the message of madness upon it's lilting and musical tone. She leaned her head back and laughed, she was not sure why, but she did it. The whispers began to fade and panic forced itself into her chest. “Where are you going Semele..” She called out in panic, turning her head everywhere, not seeing anything but the darkness that surrounded her.

Her heart began to beat faster, the bark on her hand released itself, she was not sure where it went. Her heart steadily pounded against her chest, she felt the energy seep from her body, depleting her completely. She called out, not aware of what she said, she just needed help. She felt the grasp of cold hands wrap around her, all she could think was, this was it. As her eyes drifted close she succumbed to the darkness that surrounded her, entering the inky depths and disappearing.

Liras tried to help her, tried to get her to stop, she was lost to over-giving succumbing to the sweet whispers. Liras brought her to her Pavilion and was told to never return by her father and Ankal. He was scorned and a fight almost broke out between her family and Liras. They blamed him for what had happened to Caesi. Caesi was lost to them, in a coma of a deep blackness, swimming in a sea of dark sludge. Not able to propel herself fast enough, fighting to come to the surface. The sludge entered every orifice of her body, drowning her, entering her body in a violation of her spirit and soul. However, in the real world she was pale and the bark still covered patches of her arm, still with clumps of moss as well. Her family was shocked, curious, and frightened at how she looked. She appeared dead and if it wasn't for the steady rise and fall of her chest, they would have buried her. The bark and moss on her arm was an anomaly, something they haven't seen before. They saw it as a sign from Semele, that their daughter was spared by the Goddess and they sent many thanks and offerings to Semele, praying to give her the strength to come back to them.

However, Caesi was lost in that darkness. She would be for many days.

GRADERSAs consequence to the Over-giving I was thinking she would not come back to until the 3rd day of Summer. When she awakes some of her skin will still have the bark to it, with the moss. The bark will last for the first 3 weeks of Summer. Also, her mental demeanor will not be as it usually is. The typical bold, sunny, girl will be lost for the first two weeks of Summer. She will be withdrawn, preferring to be alone, and caught muttering to herself and rumored to have gone a little mad. Thank you for your hard work!

[Khida]

Hi Caesi,

I can't assign consequences for this thread because the armor is central to her overgiving, but as written the armor is comprised of tree bark. As mentioned before, that's not an elemental material Reimancy can produce, therefore actions involving it are invalid. If you would choose an alternate material and edit the posts accordingly, I will proceed with grading the thread.

Please PM me when your edits are made.