Topic: The Witch and The Phoenix - Cycles

Lahan

Date: 2014-10-24 13:46 EST
Courtship was an easy word to say. The act though was far from easy. Mako was proving to be a deep, dark well of mysteries that showed no signs of bottoming out. Lahan was not discouraged; quite contrary to what many may believe of the meek, blind witch, Mako's curiosities had magnified her energy to know more about the world and about him. Their usual walks had slowed some, his health still shattered from his captivity to the deposed and defeated Ebony Knight. That said, she found his enthusiasm, energy and interest in her unabated even if his body was uncooperative with his will. This was evident one walk during summer when she could the magnolias trees blooming in the Coven gardens, scenting the wind with natures perfume.

"Have you ever used that staff for more than walking?" Mako spoke, his voice thickened by thought.

Lahan gave his question thought as she listened to a new sound that accompanied her partner; the soft taps of a cane that he had explained away as needed until he recovered more.

"I've used it for the occasional leverage to open something or to measure how deep I've dug some holes for planting." Lahan replied wondering what he was gnawing upon.

"You've never used it for self defense?" He asked.

Lahan frowned a bit, the thought of being attacked an oversight on her part believing being blind would somehow protect her from the attention of a physical attacker.

"No, I've never had a need to defend myself. I assumed being blind, people would simply take pitty and move on leaving me unharmed. It's a foolish notion when I think about this now. I've never thought defense would be possible with me being blind."

She heard Mako rubbing at the whiskers on his chin. "Blind you may be, but you are not helpless. I think it is time we work on opening your world to new possibilities using senses you are probably not utilizing. We'll start in the morning."

Lahan balked, hearing him speak so assuredly as if she was already consenting. Though the thought of being vulnerable was nudging her firmly into silent consent. A small sigh of skepticism wormed into her response.

"Okay. Tomorrow then. I really hope this will be fruitful."

Mako Phoenix

Date: 2014-11-04 19:28 EST
In the early morning light, dew drops glittered among the Coven roses. Mako found Lahan waiting and ready in a small courtyard among the gardens. She was still attired in black and leaned upon her staff heavily. His blue eyes assess her posture and temperament. She displayed no signs of ever having had self defense or combat training with that staff. His own walking cane made a soft, damp rapping on the paving stones.

Lahan turned her head in his general direction; she'd heard the cane and his foot steps that sounded light but measured out a purposeful stride like a stalking cat. "I hear my teacher has arrived." She said.

Mako kept his face neutral, realizing expressions were moot around Lahan. However he bled his mood and expressions into his tone to give her clarity. "Teacher, you say' You are not a student Lahan. A student competes for mastery with his teacher and one day will overcome the teacher and kill him. You are my companion. Someone to work with me, not against me. I will show you more than any student will ever learn."

"That sounds like a rather harsh relationship for learning things." Lahan said.

Mako felt a grimace tug on his face. "Rarely are there master assassins about or alive when they have a student. Either the student dies or succeeds and kills the master, continuing the training in their own fashion and style. We are off topic for now. I want to see you stand without leaning on the staff."

Lahan bit her lip and kept her response silent. She shifted slightly to be on her two feet without leaning or resting on the staff. She could smell Mako as he drew close to her, the scent of rain water and night air deeply embedded upon him. He noticed her breathing in and he smiled. She had clued in on her sense of smell but her balance was wavering in the darkness he could only imagine.

Lahan

Date: 2014-12-10 20:02 EST
She'd let go, willing let go of that anchoring staff's support to stand on her two feet. It felt odd, almost free as she stood tall for the first time in a year and a half of blindness. That freedom was fragile and fleeting like a sparrows wings once the feeling of the earth moving under her started.

Was it the earth moving or was it her own departure from normal balance with each breath she took? She wasn't sure. Had she been leaning on the staff she could feel if the ground gave way from true solidity. Instead she bobbed in darkness like a cork on a long forgotten fishing line. Her eyes could see the ley lines of the living things around her and the essence of Mako's soul as he moved around her in a slow circle. These sights though were far from anything solid, straight lined or even. Direction was lax with ley line energy as it flowed about life.

With Mako though she could tell how close or how far his essence moved. She could hear his cane tap louder or softer as he moved about her. His smell grew stronger as he closed in and faded as he left. Focusing on his essence did little alleviate the bobbing she felt. She wanted security, assurance that the world wasn't moving under and support from falling.

Not daring to use the staff and failing Mako's instructions, she reached out instead to touch him; to prove to him that she wasn't so fragile without sight. Her fingers brushed by silk, a bare whisper on her skin and the sensation was gone, losing him and she felt the world tilt to meet her. It did not smash into her as strong arms wrapped around waist and shoulder, holding her secure.