[Flashback] Totsumo, the Young Viraya [Solo]

[Totsumo]

492 A.V. Lhavit, often called the "Floating City of Stars", wasn't like that of other cities. Where most cities kept firmly to the ground and worked their way across the land scape, choosing not to rise off the ground too much, Lhavit was quite the opposite. Lhavit had been built along the peaks of five moutain tops located along the western reaches of Kalea. It was a marvelous city, built up, story after story along the mountains, all five peaks interlocked by the structures. The Grand glittering crystal temples and homes forming a stark contrast to the rest of the mountain's green and luscious colors, the rock obviously teeming with life in the area's summer time climate. Totsumo scrambled up the steps as quickly as his small legs would take him. Despite his small stature he made quick work of the winding staircase. Totsumo stopped at the top of the stairs and took a deep breath, trying to still his small beating heart. It seemed even with the energy and dexterity that only a child could possess, the stairs hadn't been easy to travel up at such a quick speed. It only took a short time for his panting to slow. Having finally caught his breath Totsumo glanced up at the sky. It seemed the sun had set not too long ago. Lhavit was unlike mosts cities in the fact that the city came to life at dusk, as opposed to dawn. With the sparse light that torches provide most cities would have found it hard to imitate Lhavit. Lhavit had been made from a material fused with the gnosis of that of the city's goddess Zintila. The material seemed to gain some sort of power from the stars. Every night, when the sun began to dip below the horizon and the stars began to appear in the fading light, the city's walls become illuminated with light, gifted from Zintila. After reaching top of the stairs it didn't take Totsumo long to traverse the remaining distance and Finally arrive at the Shinyama Pavillion. Despite all of his running, it seemed he had still arrived late. The Shinya training ground was already dotted with people. Here was where the Shinya trained, where they sharpened the skills that Lhavit depended on so much to defend it against danger. It wasn't just the Shinya that trained here however, as Totsumo looked on he could see the different colored robes indicating an acolyte here and there training along side their fully elivated shinya brethren. Along with the acolytes dotting the training ground, it seemed Totsumo wasn't the only viraya that had shown up today. It did howeever seem he had been the only one that hadn't made it in time for morning meditations. As always, it only took a few moments for Totsumo to become mezmorized by the training adults. Shinya trained their entire lives, devoted to becoming stronger to defend their home. They didn't simpley train in hand to hand though. Along with those practicing unarmed combat, other light or dark robed shinya could be seen wielding various weapons. A spear thrusting here, a long sword there, the shinya had free reign to train with what weapons passed they wished. The shinya weren't limited strictly to physical weapons, the proof of which could be seen as multiple shinya sat cross legged with objects floating in front of them. Such things weren't the only feats capable with projection. While this was the first time Totsumo had come to the Shinyama Pavillion as a viraya, he had visited it many times before when coming to watch his father and grandfather train. Like them, he was going to devote his life to the shinya, and the protection of his people. "Your late young viraya." The voice wasn't terribly deep. Nor did it seem all that menacing. Despite these things, Totsumo felt an all too cold chill run down his spine. For a moment fear seemed to keep him from being able to move his head. Slowly, carefully he turned his head, looking in the direction the voice had originated from. Before him stood, what seemed to the young Totsumo, to be a giant. In actuality the man stood just shy of six foot. Takashi, his shinya sponsor, didn't look like he was much over his late twenties, yet the state of his body clearly spoke of a life of physical conditioning.

[Totsumo]

492 A.V. Takashi's face, was possibly the most frightening thing that Totsumo had ever seen at that moment. It wasn't the expression stretched across the man's taunt skin that frightened the boy. It was more the situation he currently found hismelf in. It wasn't very well looked upon if a viraya was late for training. It seemed, to his own horror, not only had he broken that unspoken rule, he had done so on his first day of training. Such must have been a grevious insult to his Shinya sponsor. Much to Totsumo's relief the older man's expression only stayed that way for a moment before a gentle light came into his eyes and a smile spread across his lips. "Its alright. I will over look it this time. But don't let it happen again." The older man's voice stayed the same even tone as he spoke, motioning for Totsumo to follow him as he made his way to what seemed like an open space in the training grounds. None of the other practitioners even payed attention to the man leading the boy to their own little training spot. Totsumo tried his best to appear to be the dutiful apprentice but soon his curiousity got the better of him as his head started darting back and forth, his eyes trying to drink in everything at once. "Pay attention Totsumo!" The commanding tone in which Takashi spoke the words, pierced Totsumo's curiousity like that of a blade piercing the air. Swiftly his attention turned back to his master, trying his best to pretend he had been listening already, both of them knowing full well he hadn't. "Listen carefully Totsumo," he told the child. "Of all the things that a Shinya has at his disposal the most useful is his body. Its not your magic. Nor is it whatever weapon you may have." Takashi paused a moment, letting the words sink into Totsumo's head, before continuing. "What if your weapon is out of reach and you don't have enough time to use your magic? In the end your body is your most reliable weapon." As if to illustrate his point, Takashi thrust his fist out, the limb moving almost too quickly for Totsumo's eyes to discern. If it hadn't been the words, it would have been that display of speed. Either way Totsumo was suddenly enthralled by this man that his parents had asked to train him. The rest of the people in the training yard, and they sounds that they were making admist training were banished from his young mind. Seemingly satisfied with his words' effect on the boy, Takashi went on with his train of thought. "However, before someone learns to fight with their body, they must learn to defend themselves. Now do as I do." With those words Takashi moved closer to Totsumo, turning to face the same direction as the young boy, far enough away however for Totsumo to be able to watch and accurately imitate his larger master. The older man turned to his side slightly, letting his left shoulder lead. "This will be the stance you use. With your body turned like this you present less of a target to an enemy. That causes your opponent to focus his attacks on this small opening." Takashi moved his hands up, positioning them near his chin. The teacher glanced back momentarily, making sure that his young student was still mimicing his movements. Much to his delight, the boy was surprisingly mimicing every movement exactly, even the unconsious raising of his leading leg's heel, the leg balancing on the balls of his foot. "With your leading hand positioned here you are able to easily defend your head. This is extremely important. Your head is a vital part of your body and easily hurt. However since you present such a small area for an opponent to attack, your able to defend the rest of your upper body." Takashi moved to stand just in front of Totsumo, his body moving as fluidically as water. "Here let me show you. Go ahead and try to hit me," the Shinya said. Still slightly fearfull of disappointing his new master, Totsumo obeyed. With his small frame still firmly in the stance he had been shown Totsumo trust his left fist, the leading fist, forward as quickly as he could. Despite the older man being twice his size, causing the child's attempt at punching to be aimed for his waist. Even with his target being so far from the man's leading fist, Takashi's forearm pivoted at the elbow, swinging down and knocking his hand away. Visibly frowning Totsumo tried again. This punch met the same fate as the first one. Totsumo was preparing to make a third attempt when the Shinya motioned for him to stop. "Do you see? You can only attack a limited area of my body, an area easily defended." Totsumo paused a moment, letting his mind mull it over for a couple of moments before nodding curtly. "Good good. You seem to pick things up quickly. Thats a good trait to have Totsumo." The expression that passed over Takashi's face would have been comical enough to elect a giggle from the young Totsumo if the words that came with them hadn't chilled the child's blood. "Defend yourself Totsumo!" were the words that came from the man's mouth. Totsumo barely had time to move his arm down, shielding his mid section from the blow. Had he not had such a small frame due to his young age, Totsumo might have gotten more hurt then he was. His size saved him from serious harm however, his light weight allowing his body to get picked up and slung a few feet through the air. The Shinya walked over to the child, helping him to his feel with a gentle light in his eyes and a caring smile on his face. "See my boy? You were able to stop the kick. Your going to do just fine" Those were the precise words that Tutsumo needed to hear. Wiping away the moisture that had been gathering in his eyes, he looked up at his master, a beaming smile on his face.

[Ophelia]

Experience Totsumo: +1 Running, +1 Unarmed Combat Lore Totsumo: Late On Your First Day, The Body As A Weapon, Defensive Stance, You're Going To Do Just Fine Notes Congratulations on getting your first thread done! I look forward to watching Totsumo progress. I felt I could only give one point to unarmed because of the length of the thread, and because you mainly just listened rather than acted. Totsumo is adorable, and I can't wait to see his Shinya adventures! Welcome to Lhavit! Any questions, don't hesitate to PM me.