Indoor Garden

This is the most tranquil part of the garden. A pool and minitature waterfall lie in here, giving off soothing sounds. Some of the brightest lichen are here, growing near the pool.

Reize redhearts: (The classroom is nearly empty. In fact, the combat class room is nearly a dojo by one's prospective. The circle is quite empty, all made of blue soft cushions to prevent extreme damages to the person. Staining beyond the ring are fiery red wood running along the path of the ground. To the walls are made of cherry wood, while the racks are of walnut brown hue. (cont)

There are steel and wooden practice blades along the other. The scent gives off the freshness of flora, as if there is a few plants roaming in the room. Besides the training dummies nearby, there is a few wildflowers brought together, some are daisies from Yua(I forgot her name). Nevertheless, they release a tranquil essence, with sparkles into life in this dreary room. There is no one inside the training facilities, except for a youthful boy. If not the youngest of the students, he is the oddest. The black cat-ears are the first thing that is noticable about the figure. Not only that, but the tail is swishing around. The body is crouched low, and the legs are spreaded about shoulder width. Arms slowly ascending to the air, they lock with a push. The wrist rolls, the hands flowing as if trying to grasp something. The soft eyes are shut, and the strands of his black hair covers close to the eye. Relaxed and focused, Reize is channeling his energy for his training. The Light told him that he had alot of promise, and the Light Warriors said that they will help guide him. But he must accept his past. But how? Slowly, the energy fades, and the look of disappointment is on his face. Eyes reopening softly, revealing the autumn hazel eyes. Mowring softly, he gives a sigh. "...I guess I can't concentrate without accepting my past... But I've done so much..."

Lonneke strides along the halls, her eyes darting from side to side. Her left hand hovers near the hilt of the wooden practise sword resting upon her right hip, and the silk of her black catsuit rustles where it remains free of the oiled leather armor she wears over it. Her silvery ponytail sways with her steps, causing the small bells woven into her hair to softly jingle. As she steps into the classroom, she looks about and mutters, "Hmmm. I am supposed to teach. Here is a classroom, and some students -- and no teacher. I suppose that this is where I belong for the nonce."

Lonneke sees one of the students, a tall boy with soft black cat ears and a fluffy tail, staring into space. Drawing her sword she swiftly crosses the room and presses the tip to the nape of the boy's neck. "Young man, the first lesson you should learn is that the alert survive, and the inattentive die. Were I an enemy and not your teacher, I could have taken your head."

Mirai is perched, in a rather childlike attitude, on the shoulders of one of the fencing dummies, pondering her fate. She is... rather suprised to see Lonneke as the new instructor. Suprised to say the very least. She smiles, and waves, and her smile takes on a distinctly malicious cast as Lonneke illustrates Reize's faults. "Were you an enemy and not his teacher, /I/ could've taken your head."

Legioldur sitting in a corner watching all the new students suddenly notices the strange women enter walking up to a random stupid and putting a sword to back. He decides to casually keep an eye on the two to make sure it's nothing.

Lonneke whirls about and sees the woman perched upon the fencing dummy. "No doubt you'd try, and possibly succeed. You'd pay for the pleasure, however, with your own blood."

Lonneke strides to one end of the dojo and turns to face the students. "Listen, all of you. I am your teacher, Lonneke Alcis. Can any of you explain why you are here?"

Mirai holds up empty hands, hastily. "Here, here, no need to get so defensive. I'm your employer, not your assailant. And in any case, I hardly think highly enough of my sword skills to match you blade for blade. Spellcraft is my preferred tool. I am, indeed, here to learn as much as any of them are."

Lonneke smiles at the sight of the dummy-percher with her hands up, "Were you my assailant, madam, I would have struck with my blade and not the edge of my tongue. Pardon my harshness, but I wish to illustrate that it is useful at time to counter braggadoccio with braggadoccio."

Legioldur stretches out his legs, moving his helmet down over his eyes to pretend to be asleep tho very much awake. Sleeping in his platemail would give him aches in the morning.

Lonneke rakes her eyes across the students. Her gaze alights on the inattentive boy. "Mancat. Tell me your name, if you please, and why you are here since none of the other students appear to have an explanation for their presence in this classroom."

Eyes growing sullen briefly, he ponders over his life. Eh, some of the students talk about him, ever since he showed up. He isn't a kelban, but he is odd elsewhere. However, he is caught by the blade towards his neck. Not again. He urks briefly as Lonneke takes him through his first lesson. Of course, he nods briefly. Right. "Meow...Sorry.." He shakes his head, guess thinking a bit while on training was not too smart. One of his faults. If Reize was still a thief, anything that Lonneke had would of been gone by now. Of course, if she was like Justin, there would of been a battle. Reize idly grips towards his hands over to his waistline, grabbing to the nunchucks nearby him. Of course, he doesn't plan to use swords at all. Martial arts is where his style lies. At Lonneke's request, Reize replies, "Reize Seatlan, I was here trying to channel my ki."

Lonneke whirls her blade in her fist and slams it into her belt. Standing tall, she locks her eyes on Reize. "Reize Seatlan," she says, pronouncing his name and burning it into her mind. "The name has music to it. Your explanation, however, leaves much to be desired." She strides over to Reize and presses her fingertip to the tip of his nose. "You are not here to channel your ki. You are here to learn to fight for your life. The use of ki, of sorcery, of the sword: they are all means to an end, and the end is the defense of your life and the lives of those you love. I expect you to reflect upon this tonight, and attempt to explain tomorrow why this is so."

Reize urks as the fingertips presses onto his nose. The cat-ears sink lower, then he nods. "Yes m'am.." He takes a step back, sweatdropping at the same time. Yes, he will fight for his life, but he will have to use his means to it. However, he will use his means for that. He lived his life as a thief, the unhonorable trait. Of course, he can't tell Lonneke that. Backtalking to a teacher is a bad idea.

Lonneke sees something in Reize's eyes and says, "Do you have something on your mind? If so, I would like to hear it. You may speak your mind, and if you offend me I will have you spar with me."

Mirai opens her mouth to enquire after the nature of todays, lesson, but shuts it as it becomes quite evident. She /likes/ her style, yes indeed.

Reize nods towards Lonneke, he sighs to himself. His number is up. "Yes, I agree with you saying that I must fight for survival... However, I wish to use the means that I have... I used to live my life as a thief, and I am trying to go from that path of backstabbing, not go back on that line for survival."

Lonneke sees the woman on the dummy open her mouth and close it. "Are you getting sleepy, madam? Perhaps you'd be willing to answer a question for the benefit of my students: If a magician suddenly attacks and begins casting a spell, what will you do if you have no time to draw a weapon or cast a spell of your own?"

Legioldur grumbles quitely about the thief comment.

At the back of the class, several students are snickering to each other over Reize's discomfiture, whispering to each other and gesturing wildly at this new teacher. Another poor individual to... overwhelm. What fun.

Mirai gives this question serious consideration. "Myself? Either tackle them or get out of range. Probably get out of range; jumping on them may not necessarily stop their spell."

Lonneke turns from Reize and hears the students snickering. She raises her hand skyward, extending only the first two fingers, and swiftly brings down her hand. A loud thundercrack splits the air and as it echos she roars, "As for the rest of you children. In this classroom you will not speak unless you are spoken to, and you will not make fun of your classmates in my presence!"

Reize blinks a few times, then he yelps at the sound of the thundercracking. The eyes are a bit bewildered, but they later calm down.

Lonneke turns again to Reize and speaks quietly, "When fighting to live, you can and must use any means available. Even "dishonourable" means, for in war as in love: all is fair. If you survived by theft, that is between you and your conscience; it is not my place to judge you."

Lonneke turns again to Mirai after dealing with the snickerers, "You state that you would either tackle the mage or flee. While it is often most prudent to get out of the way, that is not always an option. In fact, I do not consider it an option at all: in such a situation I would, as most spells depend on spoken words of power, punch the magician in the throat to stop him from speaking."

Reize closes his eyes briefly, then he nods. "...Right..." He lowers his gaze, then it draws over towards Lonneke, "Martial arts tactic..." He smiles a bit, then he nods a few times.

Legioldur gets up from his corner and fixes his helmet.

Lonneke hears Reize and smiles, "Yes, a martial arts technique. Also a dirty trick I learned in a tavern brawl when I was 16 -- about 200 years ago. As I said before, all is fair in love and war. As knights, you need only concern yourself with one question: are you the aggressor? If you are not, then morality dictates that you oppose the aggressor with all means available, even if it means a knife in the back."

Mirai dismounts from the dummy, silently, and pads across the room to within a few feet of Lonneke. Easily the shortest person in the room, she looks up, far up, and stretches. "Well. I suppose one must consider who's employing the tactic. I'd wager I'd have a bit of a time striking you in the throat, for instance."

Legioldur says: "So let me get this right, You let a mage walk up to you start casting a spell and wait till the last minute to punch him?"

Lonneke laughs heartily, the sound echoing across the room. "Of course not. I am not nearly as mad as I look, sir. I would punch the bastard as soon as I saw him begin casting."

Mirai would be grinning, again, but for the facade. This should be immensely fun to watch. Oh, yes indeed.

Yet another student, emboldened, pipes up, trying to grab the teacher's attention. "But what if the mage is really far away?"

Lonneke turns her head to Mirai and says, "You might have a hard time punching my throat, but a kick in the guts or even a headbutt may prove sufficient. However, if it's a stone golem casting the spell, even I would bloody well run."

Reize blinks a few times, then he nods. "...Knights?" Of course, Reize isn't the type who would referr to himself as a Knight. He bites his lip, then he is glancing towards Legioldur showing up. Eyebrow is raised, and both ears perk up. "Meow?" Yes Reize, meow. He then ponders, closing his eyes. Morals dictate, accepting his past. Great, more thoughts to confuse Reize.

Lonneke perks up and says, "Good question, sir. If the magician was too far away for a swift punch, I'd take cover."

Legioldur says being the normal trouble maker he is "Any mage that a simple punch will distract them isn't very well trained"

Mirai nods, happily, vindicated in the end, and wanders back along the ranks to perch on her dummy, again.

Reize glances towards the trouble maker, "Though won't the strike to the vital sign keep him from actually casting the spell, well trained or not?"

Lonneke turns towards Reize again, wondering if he's really as lazy as she first thought, "An insightful question. I'll tell you something my first instructor taught me along with my first offensive spell: No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style.

One busy student happens to be on the floor, crouched over a bunch of papers, apprently scribbling something, fast. The students around him are either ignoring him or not paying attention, though, and there are more than a few vacant looks.

Legioldur says: But you said you didn't have time to draw a weapon.

Mirai frowns, faintly. "Well, see, I don't know. Protective spells exist. It's true that a knife will cramp anyone's style, but the question is, can you put the knife in?"

Shiroi sat in the back of the classroom, a quiet amusement over her face. Oh, she can be quiet and listen and learn. After all, she went from a dirty street rat to passing classes in St. Temp. Stirring up the class doesn't seem to be the most benefitial to her right now... after all, one must try and learn as much about surivival as one possibily can. Especially when they'd just crashed onto an unknown world.

Lonneke hisses and snaps her fingers. A small column of flame bursts from the ground in front of the trouble-maker. "You, sir, are a rather unsubtle wizard if you must take all words literally. Kindly remember that I was sent to teach here, and allow me to do my job."

Legioldur says: "I'm afraid you are mistaken", draws his shortsword using runic to absorb her magical fire.

Reize blinks a few times, then he glances towards Lonneke and Legioldur. At the column of fire erupts from the ground, the cat-boy urks a few moments. Okay, at the glance of the fight, this shall be interesting.

Lonneke says, "Mistaken, perhaps, in my assessment of your abilities. All the same, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from undermining me. Allow me to do my job, sir."

Slowly, most of the students begin to edge away from Legioldur, except for the one who's still busy scribbling, and scribbling, and scribbling.

Mirai licks her lips, and speaks up. "I'm afraid she has a point, Legio. Please, if you would. Save the demonstrations until, well, demonstration time. The philosophy is just as important."

Legioldur says: "I meant only that she isn't here to teach me, I am no student, or even a member of BRH as you know Mirai"

Lonneke smiles; she had expected that this lady would prove an adversary, and is pleased to find an ally instead, "I appreciate your support, madam. You mentioned protective spells earlier; perhaps you would care to explain how you would slip past such a magic in order to cramp a wizard's style?"

Reize hrms briefly, then he glances towards Legioldur. He still his his nunchucks in his grasp, yet not drawn out to wield as of yet.

Legioldur says: "Instead of telling these students any one technique to use you need to realize all situations are different and just because a wizard is attacking you a punch to the neck could end up making the situation worse"

Mirai smirks, faintly, and parlays it into a less confrontational smile as Lonneke calls on her to illuminate her point. "A matter of preparation time, and your own abilities. If you're capable of dispelling, or counter-magic, and have the time to employ it, it's your safest bet. Failing that, I'm afraid it gets rather more risky; you need to wait until the target's concentration is elsewhere, and make your attack then; balance the increased protection they have from the spells against the decrease from distraction."

A small group of students appear to be discussing what the new teacher just said, when one of them points to the hastily-scribbling student crouched over on the mats. He proceeds to walk over, apparently to call him over, but runs a little too fast and trips over him, scattering the papers in the process. He hastily remedies the situation by helping him gather the notes, but unobserved by the unobservant, he has managed to retain a few blank leaves of paper, and a pen.

Lonneke bridles. She tosses her hair, causing the bells woven in to ring, "Again, sir, state the obvious. Miss Mirai explained what *she* would do in most such cases, and I did likewise, and then explained my reasons. Each of these students must also be able to evaluate such a situation and choose a course of action based on the facts available. The brain must guide the sword." She turns to the students and says, "Remember that as the first and last rule: the mind must guide the sword!"

Shiroi grined, and snickered quietly at that.

Lonneke considered Mirai's words and says, "What you say makes sense, madam. Would you agree with me, then, that the question is rarely "Can this be done?" but "How do I go about it?"

Taking advantage of the teacher's temporary preoccupation with some stranger to the tower, the group of students quickly fashion a crude sign that says, 'Kick me!'. seemingly out of concern, they go over to the nerdy student to see what's taking him so long, and they actually offer to help him... strange behaviour, that. Of course, it's all just an excuse for them to place the sign on his back, and get him to where everyone else could take advantage of it.

Lonneke notices a shuffling amongst the students. She notices one of the students attaching a piece of paper to another's back and says, "You, sir. The one who just attached a bit of paper to that quiet student's back. Bring that sheet to me at once, if you please!"

Mirai repeats, to herself, 'the mind must guide the sword...', and extends her arm. With brief concentration, she crystalizes her Sword, a long, graceful rapier, frowns, melting it into a heavy wedge-like shortsword, and out into a viciously curved saber, before dismissing it with a sigh. Can't hold it for any length of time. So much for the Mind guiding the Sword.

Reize nods towards Lonneke, "The mind must guide the sword..." Or in his case, his hands, techniques, or nunchucks. Placing the nunchucks down to his waistline, he draws his hand away from it. Though he is learning from three different people, combining all what he learned will help him in the long run. He glances back towards the teacher. Though, an eyebrow is raised towards the children's cruelty. This is what is happening. This is why Coneria is becoming corrupted. However, as he notices the teacher roaring at the student, Reize shifts back towards Mirai, then back to Lonneke.

Properly chastened, the student removes the sign meekly, quivering in some shakes. But then, no one has ever hurt him before, have they? His father would brain them if they dared, anyway. So much for that. His co- conspirators seem to have melded into the group of students, though, and he's all alone. And surprisingly, the nerdy student is too obsessed with checking his 'notes' to even notice what has been going on. So anyway, that student approaches Lonneke, legs quaking and all. And then, he makes the possibly fatal error of trying to use some braggadocio to shake the whole thing off. "And where on your back would you like it, Madam?"

Lonneke smiles cruelly and rips the sheet from the shaking boy's hands. She reads it and says, " "Kick me." Child, you truly are a brainless waste of meat if you think you can get away with taping such a sign to another child's back, and then bring it to me. But, since you've brought me a note that reads 'Kick me,' I can only assume that you yourself wish to be kicked." As the boy takes a step back Lonneke whirls about and sends the boy flying with a high roundhouse kick that radiates pain from his breastbone throughout his body. As he crumples, Lonneke draws power from the air and compresses the air around the fallen student, making him float upright.

Shiroi eyed the foxy lady delivering a somewhat over-the-top punishment to the kid. "Well, I'd say that's over-doing it a bit. No need to get so worked up over a 'kick me' sign, I didn't think..." she muttered to herself. Still looking quite amused.

That student, weakling that he is, has been knocked more or less unconscious. Of course, his co-conspirators are now happily sniggering at him, unaware that the rest of the other students are mostly silent, shocked (although some are more than pleased).

Mirai frowns, and mouths a quick healing chant as she crosses the room. Just enough to save the poor sod from permanent damage, not to abate much of the pain. Having seen to him, she stands down, perhaps wishing she'd dealt similar justice to one or another of the troublemakers in yesterday's class.

Lonneke narrows her ruby-flecked amber eyes as the boy snivels, "Now, witless child, you will tell me your name and what you hoped to gain from this bit of stupidity before you leave my presence."

Shiroi then shrugged to herself. Then again, it's the only way that some people can learn. She sure learned that way.

Reize blinks a few times, then he sweatdrops. Noticing the strike down at the student, his ears perk up a bit. Tilting his head over, he shudders. Sigh, this has been an interesting day for the youth.

The student's wits have been more or less scattered, making that an accurate observation (even if he thinks he's the ruler of the student pack, inaccurate as that idea may be). He tries to act dumb, blinking his eyes woozily and going: "Huh?"

Lonneke sees some other students snickering, and a child with a sheaf of notes in his arms, and snarls, "You children are next. As far as I am concerned, your antics constitute disrespect both for me and for students who wish to learn, and I will not tolerate it!"

Legioldur says: :stands between Lonneke and the student "And you are better than a bully when you beat a child?"

Lonneke glares at Legioldur, "Sir, I will not ask you this time to get out of my way: I order you to do so. As for whether or not I myself am a bully, I am not. Nor will I explain myself to you in front of my students. STEP ASIDE!"

Shiroi whistles slightly. What a comeback, huh?

The sniggering, unsurprisingly, stops and silence reigns over that part of the class for the first time since it started. Except, of course, for the hasty scribbling of whatever the teacher is saying, regardless of whether what she was saying was actually part of the class or not... Of course, this will later probably be filed under 'Dealing with Bullies 101'.

Legioldur says: How soon you forget you can't order me.

Legioldur says: I think you need to calm down before you can teach anyone anything.

Lonneke releases the bully, gently allowing him to float back to his feet. Her tone is gentler now, "Young man, I have no further time for you, nor will you learn from further harsh treatment. Leave now, and return with letters of apology for me and for the student you thought to torment. Go!"

Mirai clears her throat. "/Legioldur/. I'm not ordering you. I'm asking you to stand down. If you really must, I'm sure a sparring match can be arranged. It could prove quite educational. However, now is not the time."

The 'young man' is about to blubber himself... wait till he writes home about this. Looking at the other students for support and seeing none, he throws an attempt at a defiant look (which probably fails miserably) at the teacher, and flees helter-skelter out of class and probably to his bed to weep.

Lonneke turns from the bully, who has left the classroom, to Legioldur, "I forget nothing, sir. Rather, you forget that as neither a teacher nor a member of this clan, you are a guest. Would you tolerate from me what I have endured at your hands if you were the teacher and I the guest?"

Legioldur says: I would not attack anyone for the minor offenses you have if that's what you mean.

Reize urks briefly, then he lowers his arms a bit. However, noticing Lonneke's mercy on the bully, he gives a bit of a smile. Keeping his attention towards both Lonneke and Legioldur. Conflicting paths of teaching, it seems. "Draconian rule, yet benevolent and merciful in a sense."

Legioldur heads back to his wall leaning against it but keeping his shortsword out, satisfied that she let the student go with no more harm.

Lonneke reddens for a moment, "Minor offenses? I do not agree with your premise that bullying constitutes a minor offense, nor am I inclined to tolerate disruptive behavior from students. Most of these children are here to learn. Those that wish to cause trouble will get trouble, and they will not enjoy it. Again, sir, it is not your place to question my methods in front of my students. Persist, and I will ask you to name a time and a place; my patient is ended!"

The note-taking student stares dreamily towards the front of the class, his pen flashing quickly over his papers. Crouched over as he is, the others can't see what he's drawing... err, writing ... and...

Reize blinks for a moment, then he sighs. He idly stands where he is at, still actually awaiting more. Though, watching the arguing, he is learning a bit more through the experience. They say that experience is the best key of learning.

Lonneke notices the scribbler, still at it, and strides across the courtyard. She knows full well that some of the students are looking at her as she walks, and is just a little flattered. Standing over the scribbler she purrs, "Preserving my words for posterity, or were you suddently stricken with ideas for the Great Conerian Novel?"

"Taking notes, ma'am", he mumbles. He's blushing, as he looks up, a face of flaming red which would probably do Lavamen justice. "Please, ma'am, could you enlighten me as to what the Great Conerian Novel is?" His hands scrabble frantically to smudge assorted parts of the paper, and a nice ink blotch suddenly appears in several places. The other students watch, transfixed and quiet. If classes were all like this... there goes their fun.

Shiroi started humming the tune of First Love, as composed and sung by Utada Hikaru.

Lonneke peeks over the top of the scribbler's papers and says, "Being over two centuries old, my eyes are not what they used to be. May I have a closer look? I want to make sure that you missed nothing." Not waiting for the scribbler to resist she plucks the sheaf of papers from the boy's hands and flps through them. She smiles at the almost obligatory "This teacher is a bitch" commentary, notes to friends, and other nonsense. She reddens slightly but does not slow down as she passes over several rather detailed sketches of her nude and in compromising positions with Mirai. Setting the notes ablaze with a softly hissed Elvish phrase she says to the scribbler, "You know, there are times to explore one's feelings, and there are times not to. There are times when paying attention is everything. Try to learn that before you get yourself killed." She turns on her heel and walks back towards the head of the class. One of the students mutters something about how Lonneke earned her position, and Lonneke stops long enough to hiss, "Come with me and repeat that for the benefit of your fellow students."

Legioldur says: Now that's a time when physical action should be used.

Lonneke glares at Legioldur for a moment and whispers, "Patience, sir. I believe it's time for a demonstration of swordplay."

Shiroi sighed, regretting to not have taken a peek at those papers before the foxy lady burned it. Must've been something worth a chuckle or two.

Mirai wonders just what exactly the poor kid was scrawling at there that was so important to hide from Lonneke. Must have been pretty controversial, though. She's very intrigued /indeed/ as she observes her reactions to whatever it was. And at whatever the child said to set her off even worse. Heh. A demonstration of swordplay. "Are you seeking volunteers, or did that lad there, already?"

Lonneke smiles and says, "It depends on whether that boy is man enough to tell us all how I earned my position as a teacher. I daresay you'll find it amusing."

The student shrugs, letting his non-standard cloak drop to the ground, revealing a richly-attired robe indeed, apparently cut to enhance the muscles he -thinks- he has, sneering at the teacher while keeping a wary eye on Mirai. "Why, I just thought everyone knew that you probably had to earn your teaching position begging on your knees, since that's the easiest position for you to deal with the only sword -you- can handle... the one hanging down to a man's knees... -if- he was even a man in the first place. And what we're all dying to know now... (he spreads his hands to encompass the room) is whether you enjoyed it, and perhaps would like to...

Reize is of course pondering to himself. He may as well try to get over his past, one way or another. The ears seem to be perking at every slight sound made. Being a cat-boy has its advantages, hearing things that other humans can't hear. Of course, noticing what the boy said, Reize is wincing over the thought. It looks like he will be in trouble if Lonneke tries something. Teeth trying not to grit, the boy is doing nothing more than skimming his surroundings. "Interesting methods...." He smiles, smiling warmly, "This class will be more exciting than expected." The catboy idly draws his tail to wave around, focusing towards everyone around. Ehn, where is Kaaen or Alishar. None of them have been around to speak with him.

Lonneke leans towards Mirai and whispers, "That scribbler is a bit of an artist; he draws rather good nudes."

Mirai knows damn well how Lonneke earned her position as teacher: skill and experience. Not /that/ skill, /or/ those experiences, either, thank you very much. She grins, faintly. "Pity you burnt them all," she whispers back. Then, a bit louder, for the benefit of the class, "Well, sounds like he's volunteered. Shall you or shall I? Or shall we both? Or perhaps even let Legio show off?"

Shiroi rolled her eyes and started lauching paper balls at the jabbering student who'd just stood up. "Boo! Boo! Get off the stage! Learn to taunt with originality, dumbass!"

Lonneke listens to the pretentious fop in the overly rich robe for a moment and begins to howl laughter loud as thunder. As she recovers, she draws the sword at her hip and points it at the boy, saying, "On my knees, you say?" She turns to Mirai and says, "Oh, no, Mirai. I feel rather selfish today; I want this strutting gamecock all to myself."

Lonneke strides over to the fop and says, "You think that the only sword I can handle is the one dangling between a man's legs? Child, I'd refrain from such speculations when you yourself have not a sword but a paring knife."

Mirai frowns slightly, a bit disappointed. "Oh, well. I suppose it's your right, he did rip on /you/. I'll have to content myself with whatever's left of him. Or maybe one of his grinning buddies back there. Yes, I'm sure there'll be plenty to go around." She seems to be talking mostly to herself.

Lonneke idly whirls her wooden sword about in her left hand as she waits for the rich boy to make his move.>?

The obnoxious twit sheds his robe, touching some extra-special catches, revealing a not-so-well-built (at least in everyone else's perceptions -- scrawny and weak in fact) body, oiled as well as any gladiator's. Full marks for vanity, there, but 0 for prudence and... you get the drift. He's wearing only a pair of sleekly tight shorts, topped with an ostentious belt with an overly fancy and ornamented buckle. He eyes Lonneke with another sneer, snickering under his breath. "And what do -you- have? Perhaps a decent size of balls, but I believe you've gotten them in the wrong place." He somersaults for the show of it, leaving himself wide open to attack, headed for the weapons rack.

Lonneke rolls her eyes and says, "Boy; you'd barely make a snack for the bears outside Tycoon. Most self-respecting dragons would leave you to find bigger game. Pick a sword and come for me; you bore me and I am eager to be done with you.

Mirai can't resist, she just can't. A few muttered syllables, and a feather-light tap, hardly noticeable as he whirls past, and we'll see how much fun he has hefting that weighted wooden blade with his already meagre strength diminished significantly.

Reize would stay along to watch this, but the emotional conflict is too overwhelming. The morals is hard enough, he can't go through physical lessons if he can't handle the disputes in his morals. Once as a thief, he stole from people, he murdered his father in self-defense, he had fueds with Justin, Eikigou, and anyone who tried to attack him. The hatred in him lives against Darkwood. However, he tries to repress it. It won't lead him on the Lightness if he continues to walk down that way. He idly begins to step out, "...I better go for a while..." The voice is faltering, almost if something is wrong. Of course, with all in Reize's mind, there is. The sight of the blood, the images of the raging waters. He will allow the disputes to go on. There was a bit of lesson, and he will keep that in mind, but since it is nothing more than just dealing with the students, there is much to be done with himself. With feline's grace, the child quickly leaps back, and out of the door.

Lonneke presses her hand to her forehead and whispers for a moment. A ghostly image of a clock spinning ever faster blurs before Lonneke before shattering like glass. Saluting the fop with her wooden sword she says, "Are you ready, child?"

Shiroi eyed the boy as he ran past her to get at the weapons' rack, the raven haired girl thought she spotted some sort of an odd glimmer going through the boy... though he certainly doesn't seem to notice. Hmm. More magic, huh?

The kid grabs a long practice sword from the rack, thinking to wave it around in one of those fancy salutes his old fencing master taught him back at home. However, it's a little ... heavier than expected, and he succeeds only in letting it droop to stab himself in the feet.

Legioldur using his runic abilities to notice the magic being used glaring at Mirai as a warning that this is Lonneke's fight.

Lonneke casually heals the boy; she does not want to trounce an opponent who isn't fresh.

Shiroi glanced at the boy beside her, who'd just succeeded in dropping the sword on his foot. Meeting him with laughing eyes, she asked, "Sure you can handle that? Need some help?" Perfectly innocent and helpful, of course.

The twit glares at his snickering co-conspirators, the silly louts who don't know when to shut up. Doing his best to heft the sword, he rushes at Lonneke like a mad bear, shouting something vaguely foreign, but clearly identifiable as an expletive-cum-insult.

Mirai folds her arms, chuckling slightly, and departs for the rear of the classroom, ignoring Legioldur's glare. It isn't really about Lonneke's fight, it's about how much of an ass they can make the fool look before his friends. Properly executed, this could reform the entire little gang at a stroke. Few without Legioldur's runic training wuld've spotted that little enchantment, and she knows, quite rightly, that all eyes are on Lonneke now. Nobody except Mr. Runic Knight Sir seems to be paying attention to little Mirai strolling off to take up a position along side Shiroi at the back wall. "This ought to be fun."

Shiroi turned her eyes on the elf who'd she'd seen around the place all day. "Indeed. Does this happen often? Or is it just me again?" She smirked.

Lonneke sighs at the boy's clumsy insult and doubly clumsy swordsmanship. Faster than the eyes around her, she ducks beneath the boy's blade and strikes three times. Three angry welts that begin to slowly weep blood fan across the boy's chest and a fouth arcs along the ribs of his left side before Lonneke appears again, her sword held before her as she controls the momentum from the aftermath of her strike. She turns about and sheathes her blade as the boy collapses to his knees and begins to sob...

Mirai shrugs elaborately. "You get some in every group. My turn now, I think." She explodes from the back wall, then, jabbing an accusatory finger at a random member of the giggling gaggle supporting our poor fallen hero before he let himself drop. "You! There's no humour to be found in his insults, but there's none to be found in his punishemnt, either. I think you've just volunteered for the next show, child."

And sob, indeed, he does, tears welling up easily in his eyes. "I'm going to tell my Daddy! He'll punish you for this!" He sniffles, a pathetic little sot who's been exposed as the craven idiot he is.

Mirai continues in a softer, but no less dangerous tone, at the original instigator. "Is your daddy an archmagus, then? Or a Runic Lord? I'd love to see him try to punish us. Although I suppose it's been punishment enough having to soil our floors with your like."

Lonneke laughs gaily and draws power. She heals the child's flesh while leaving his wounded nerves to play their roles in the theater of pain. "Will your father believe a word you way when you stand unmarked before him? I think not. Return to your father, and find another to teach you; you are unworthy."

The boy merely continues to sniffle in the corner, indulging with self pity at all and murmuring something about wanting to go home. And joy, not only did he soil his fancy trunks but the mat as well.

Mirai , grinning a most unfriendly grin, steps forward to nudge the fool she'd singled out. "Come on, bucko. I'm not as hard a case as she is, I'll let you choose the format."

The student addressed by Mirai takes one look at her, one look at Lonneke and one look at the sodden heap in the corner, and turns to run out of the room.

Mirai sighs, and makes on odd gesture with her hand, taking a step forward. She vanishes, and reappears stepping forward from the doorway, where with an efficient forearm shiver she arrests her chosen victim's flight. "No, no. No escape. You should've picked a better ringleader."

Lonneke sighs and turns towards Mirai, "From bravado to cowardice they fall, eh? How banal!"

Shiroi kicked her booted feet back on the desk again. Aah, well, certainly more entertaining than the classes she takes in St. Temp... "Turn him into stone! Turn him into stone! Muwahahaha!" Shiroi sang in a chibified voice, something that one would expect of the little devil that stands on the other side of your shoulder.

Lonneke smiles at Mirai, "Well, madam Mirai, since I demonstrated the efficacy of the Haste spell in combat, perhaps you could demonstrate the use of more direct methods of sorcery? Nothing *too* potent, mind. Just give the little fool a hotfoot."

Full of himself, but not that full and confident to take this to phyical stuff, he proceeds to call Mirai a bully instead of a teacher, ignoring the irony of that statement.

Lonneke laughs, and says, "Child, had you shown the proper respect you need not suffer."

Lonneke turns towards Shiroi and says, "I personally favor a chicken's form for these fools, but shapechanging magic is generally more effort than such idiots warrant."

Shiroi nodded. "Hmm, that is something that I wouldn't have any idea about, really." Then she looked thoughtful, and cackled again. "Turn him into a girl! Or at least, not quite a boy anymore!"

Mirai addresses the boy's more immediate remark first. "Bully, ahh, yes. But, no, you see. I'm not out to humiliate you, or cause needless pain. Were I a bully, my entire course of action would consist of this--" One small, booted foot ascends in an abbreviated arc, directly for that most vulnerable point imaginable. She lets him crumple a moment, then dispels the hurt, and the injury, with a brief spell. "Now, you see? A bully would've let you writhe, and laughed at it. I think I am going to take Lonneke's advice, though, and demonstrate some simple attack magic. You have been warned. Prepare yourself as you can."

Shiroi eyed Mirai with her trademark smirk. "You people have the oddest logic... I like it!"

The boy tries to concentrate, to form a shell around himself, but fails. He's too scared, and, well, his mind is kind of obsessing around Shiroi's statement.

Lonneke smiles and says with a gentle voice to the students, "If any of you have tender sensibilities and do not wish to watch this, you may turn away without offending me." Several of the girls do so, but many of the smaller boys look eager.

Shiroi lives to hack your minds, she does. And she cackled again.

Lonneke looks at Shiroi for a moment and says, "Shiroi, please be quiet and pay attention."

Shiroi raised a hand to the level of her eyes. "Ah, yes, numerous apologies." And goes quiet, for once.

Mirai finishes the little countdown in her head, and speaks the Word, and raises her hand. A shimmer in the air begins, builds to a crackling ripple, and then snaps across intervening space and blossoms like a deadly flower in the boy's face. This is what control is about, children; a shockwave which could have levelled Lonneke at one stroke impacts the boy with all the destroying force of a well-flung pillow. In his tensed, fearful state, it's all that's needed to overcome his balance. He flails, and topples, as the blast earths itself with a concussion like a bottled supernova.

Not only does he topple, he squinches his eyes shut, tight, and starts wailing assorted comments about how he has been utterly killed by irresponsible teachers.

Lonneke pads over to the fallen boy and quickly extends her senses over him to examine him. She quickly heals his body and helps him to his feet. She whispers, "Return tomorrow, with a written apology to me explaining why you were wrong to disrupt my class, and all will be forgiven."

Obviously hysterical, more or less, he rolls around flailing and screaming. It's all show, of course, and he doesn't realise how ridiculous he probably looks.

Lonneke turns towards the class and says, "You will notice that the boy was unable to defend himself, because he allowed his emotions free rein. Had he remained in control, he could have reasoned his way through the situation, and, drawing upon his emotions for energy, put thought into action and defended himself. As I stated before, the mind must guide the sword, and when the mind does not guide, the sword cannot defend.

Mirai holds the casting pose for a moment, then shuts her eyes, lowers her hand, and grins, faintly, as is decreed by the Badass Shockwave-Thrower handbook, and then sighs, heavily, and rubs at her face. Takes a lot out of one, phasing /and/ unloading a shockwave.

Lonneke turns towards Mirai and says, "Madam, I would appreciate a second demonstration. This time you will aim at the ground in front of me, and I shall defend myself."

Mirai will try. She's got enough mana left for a few more. "Very well. You get the same 10 count he did." She commences the countdown, gathering her force.

Lonneke after asking Mirai to attack her Lonneke prepares her defenses. A bright white aura shimmers about her, and epheremal wings appear to lift her from the ground. She holds her sword outwards, towards Mirai, and it flashes for a moment before softly glowing...

Lonneke watches Mirai progress through her count as she gathers ambient electricity about her, storing it...

Shiroi watches the near surreal display, suddenly looking very, very thoughtful.

Legioldur yawns, bored with the whole show.

Mirai repeats the hand-gesture, and the same rippling bolt grows, swells, and takes flight, more or less for the tips of Lonneke's toes. There's no death-blossom at the end this time, though; this one means business. Lonneke knows what to do about it, so there's no reason to hold back, right? The blast screams past and splinters the stone floor beneath her, spraying her with stone chips and buffeting her in a sudden breeze.

Lonneke grasps her sword in both hands at point at hilt and holds the blade in front of her. Concentrating, she forces the concussion wave to part around her, leaving her standing with her clothes and hair slightly ruffled. With a casual flick of her sword hand and she releases the point she drives the electricity she stored across the practice floor and into Mirai's chest, driving her from her feet and knocking her to the ground.

Mirai is, indeed, knocked flying. She catches herself before she sprawls too far, and rolls to her feet, the planewalker Sword coallescing in her grasp on its own. With silence, and a faint smile, she launches herself forwards, an upwards, bringing her blade down in a sharp arc towards Lonneke's head.

Shiroi watched on, without a shred of emotion on her face.

Lonneke uses her blade to guide the planewalker's sword away from her own body as, with her free hand, she punches Mirai in the throat and drives her gasping to her knees.

Legioldur laughs at the irony.

Lonneke does not leave Mirai gasping for long; she heals both the lady's throat and the lightning burns before offering Mirai a hand up.

Mirai has pride, to, much like the defeated bullies. And hers can be wounded by a humiliating defeat as easily as anyone's. Unlike the poor fools that preceded her, however, she has a brain. With a slightly embarrassed grin, she reaches up to Lonneke's offered hand, takes firm hold of it, and pours the rest of her stored mana right up her arm. Much like a shockwave, without all that pesky open space getting in the way.

Shiroi nods. Well, they /were/ saying something about there being nothing dishonorable in winning a battle... using whatever option that is available to you...

Lonneke manages to yell "HOLY SHIT!!" as Mirai's little surprise sends her flying. As she descends, however, she maintained control enough to thicken the air beneath her and slow her descent so that she landed on her feet. As she flexes her throbbing right arm, she mutters, "Bloody good thing I'm left- handed." before turning to the class. "Now, unlike your fellow student, I was able to hold my own against Mirai, even when she tricked me. Can any of you explain how I managed this miracle?"

Shiroi raised her hand. "You were prepared for it, possibily?"

Legioldur .oO( because she's slow, she told you the attack was coming, not to mention she got hit with the very move you mentioned at the begining of this 'lesson )

Most of the students throw sidelong glances at each other... none wants to be the next 'demonstration'.

Lonneke smiles at Shiroi and says, "Good, but you haven't struck to the heart of the matter. *Why* was I prepared, and how was I able to prepare, aside from the fact that I knew that Mirai would attack?"

Although, one brave person ventures a guess. "Because you don't trust anyone?"

Legioldur says: Mirai is preditable?

Shiroi arched an eyebrow. "Well, you were obviously in battle. One ought to be cautious in battle, and be prepared for such tricks."

Mirai rushes over immediately, of course, all apologies, and everything. "She was prepared for /something/. Even though I was /clearly/ a defeated foe. And, yes, Leg, I am predictable, particularly when following a course she already layed out to me in advance. But I should think the crux of the matter is wariness. As Shiroi is saying, you should always expect one more strike."

Lonneke laughs happily, "Not quite true, sir. I do not trust unless my trust is earned." She looks at Shiroi and shakes her head. "While you've offered some interesting answers, none of you are quite right. You are thinking in concrete terms when the answer is more abstract. I was able to prepare, because I retained control of my emotions and kept reason foremost in my mind. I remaind fully conscious instead of reverting to 'instinct' or blind panic."

Shiroi shrugged. "Hence... prepared."

Shiroi smirked, and shook her head a bit.

Legioldur says: I would have to disagree instinct in battle is one of the quickest ways to react stoping to think your next move while you are cut in two gets you no where.

Lonneke turns her head to Mirai and laughs, "I'm surprised I still have two hands."

Mirai massages the feeling back into her own mana-burnt hand. "Well. What can I say? I was a bit drained."

Lonneke turns towards Legioldur and says, "However, I did not 'stop to think', I continued to think throughout the battle. Why else was I able to counter Mirai's attack as well as defend myself against it?"

Legioldur mmphs, "cheap tricks"

Lonneke shakes her head, "Sometimes, Legioldur, cheap tricks are all you need. Sometimes a dirty punch learned in a tavern is enough to win a fight. Don't be so swift to sneer on dirty tricks; they might be all you have."

Shiroi sighed, somewhat disappointed. And kicked back on her seat once more. This is starting to remind her of certain 'elites' back at St. Tempus Memoria Academy. Yeah, some people are starting to remind her of Lucifer's favorites.

Legioldur says: Dirty tricks are all very useful but useless in a real fight I wouldn't rely on them

Lonneke hears Shiroi sigh and, ignoring Legioldur, says, "Is something wrong, Shiroi? You may speak your mind here."

Shiroi says: You underestimate dirty tricks.

Legioldur says: You think Mirai's trick would have worked in a real fight when someone didn't stop to take her hand?

Shiroi casted her eyes back over to Lonneke again. "Oh, nothing, I'm just getting slightly bored, as the average teenager have a rather short attention span, you see. Do go on with your debate."

Lonneke turns towards Legioldur. "Not likely," she said, "Had I been more careful Mirai would not have had that chance."

Mirai shrugs, elaborately. "If I'd been thinking a little quicker, I could've caught her hand when she delivered the punch to the throat. And done it there. Had it been a real fight, I would also not have been aiming at the ground before her."

Legioldur says: That punch left you wide open for a slash across your stomach, I would have just taken the weak punch.

Shiroi nods. "Well, our instructor did bring Mirai to her knees with a semi-trick. Punchtodaneck! seems pretty effective."

Legioldur redhearts: Well Lonneke said name a place and time. I'm more than ready for her now that I have seen her fight a few times.

Lonneke grows bored with the argument and says, "I think we can all agree that we both would have acted differently in a real fight, if we were both trying to actually kill one another. However, the fact that I am still on my feet shows that my reactions to Mirai's actions made sense under the circumstances."

Lonneke says, "A time and a place. I did say that, though I did not think you'd choose to fight me in front of the children; if we go all out we might hurt them."

Legioldur says: This is a dojo, I am sure the children can give us all the room we need.

Lonneke nods, "Since you armed, will you allow me a moment to properly arm myself for a duel?"

Mirai shuffles under her cloak for a moment, and comes up with a sword-belt on which hangs a plainish garnet blade. "Ahh, will this work for you?"

Shiroi raised her hand again. "Is this a part of our education as well? Or is class dismissed?"

Lonneke says, "You may stay if you wish, or leave. I think that class is over for now, however."

Eladria knocks on the side of the door. "And new entries?"

Legioldur glances over to Mirai "And and I get the promise no one will interfer with this duel, just between us?"

Most of the students, sensing something strange up, leave quickly.

Lonneke looks at the blade Mirai offers and says, "Thank you, but I have my own arms. I need only get to them." She concentrates, and the wind envelops her in an opaque curtain of dust. When the dust clears. she stands tall, wearing diamond and gold armor over a black suit trimed with scarlet thread. A golden circlet keeps her silver hair from her face and she bears a mithril longsword engraved with elvish script in her left hand. She concentrates, and an accelerating hourglass shimmers before her before shattering, the air distorts as if in heat, walls of light and mirror images envelop her, and her eyes begin to glow softly...

Mirai presses the sword-belt into Lonneke's hands and makes for the closed dooes, pushing them open. "Oh. Kiran. Come one, this should be good. She beckons him inside, adn returns to answer Legioldurs query. "You have my word," she nods, solemnly.

Legioldur prepares himself, glowing softly as he enhances his abilities through magic as well.

Lonneke returns Mirai's sword to her before discreetly gathering the powers of fire, ice and lightning into her blade...

Eladria notes the presence of Lonneke, and stands to the side.

Legioldur already having the power of lightning in his blade takes his defensive posture, a pose that is a unique fighting style used only by him.

Shiroi still remains with her feet propped up on her desk, and her arms crossed. Watching.

Shiroi still remains with her feet propped up on her desk, and her arms crossed. Watching.

Legioldur holds his his blade letting it glow slightly.

Lonneke looses a piercing warcry and streaks towards Legioldur, leaving thunder in her wake. She strikes at Legioldur as frost envelops her blade, and as she slashes him the ice chills his body and binds him in a crystal of frost. She turns, carried by her momentum, and her blade bursts into flame as she cuts deep into the crystal and into Legioldur's body. The ice instantly vaporises, scalding Legioldur as Lonneke turns for the last time. She whirls her blade about and buries it to the hilt in Legioldur's chest as lightning crackles along the blade; Legioldur jerks and flails as the electricity rips through his body, galvanising him. With a second, stronger cry, Lonneke drives the heel of her free hand into the center of Legioldur's chest, driving him backwards as the blade tears from his chest and drips blood onto the floor...

Shiroi , hearing another entering the room, naturally casted her eyes over to the entrance. Oh, yay! Now we have a dwarf!

Lonneke raises her blade skyward and brings it down hard, flinging the blood from its edge. She takes three steps back, and, with her guard still up, asks, "Shall I heal you now, sir, and consider the duel over, or will you continue?"

Legioldur let his armor absorb most of the blows, letting out a hearty laugh

Legioldur says: No that won't be needed

Legioldur runs at Lonneke runic still up but using his reserves to confuse Lonneke as he slashes with his lightning blade.

Lonneke snarls, "Bastard!" and sidesteps the blow. As she turns she sends Legioldur sprawling with a boot in the arse.

Redheart: Legioldur easily spins himself around and using his extra speed spins around and slashes Lonneke again.

Lonneke staggers back as the blade screeches across her breastplate. "I just polished this armor last week!" She strikes, almost too fast for Legioldur to see, buffeting him with several harsh blows. As she steps back, she notices a rent in the sleeve of Legioldur's mail vest just above the elbow. Quickly drawing a stiletto she throws the small blade at the exposed flesh, and the knife sinks in to the hilt.

Legioldur needing only 1 hand to wield his shortsword, swings it again at lonneke this time using thunderbash to double the lightning power of his sword. The polished armor easily conducts the electricity sending it soaring all around her body.

Crulath says: I haven't actually been paying attention, but ehn.

Lonneke focuses her inner strength as the lightning courses through her body, healing her flesh even as the electricity burns it. She screams in mingled pain and effort as she rides out the storm Legioldur unleashed in her body before driving him back.

Legioldur jumps back his runic wearing off, He takes this chance to heal some of his wounds.

Lonneke feels Legioldur's defenses slacken and gathers her power. Lightning streaks from the heavens, transfixing Legioldur as he draws healing magics!

Legioldur takes the lighting falling to one knee but not breaking his chant healing he manages to heals just a little less then tha damage he took form the lighting. Holding up his sword again he powers up his runic some more.

Lonneke draws upon her heart's rage and blasts Legioldur with a lance of flame just before he brings up his sorcerous defenses. As he reels from the blow Lonneke charges, her sword whistling through the air as she brings the blade down with both hands upon Legioldur's head.

Legioldur takes the blow to the head like he has taken many blows before, luckily he had his helmet on to take the most of this blow weakened he kicking her away as he is finally allow to finish his runic.

Shiroi suddenly stood up, looking rather disappointed. Chuckling a bit, she shook her head again, and strode out of the class room, but not before excusing herself from the dwarf who'd taken a seat beside her, of course.

Lonneke rolls and scrambles to her feet. Warily watching her opponent she catches her breath while forcing her body to restore some of its strength. She begins to circle around Legioldur...

Legioldur panting raises his shortsword and dashing at Lonneke with the most speed a person can manage, his magic sword sword of speed adding to the quickness of the attack, saying a silent prayer for his blade to aim true he slashes with confuser for a last chance blow.

Lonneke feels her vision double and her head pound as the shortsword's edge rips a bloody furrow in her cheek. With a snarl she turns from the blade and swings the blade around in a horizontal arc that catches Legioldur just under his left arm. She falls to one knee, panting, as Legioldur staggers, and rasps, "We can go at this all day, and not get anything done."

Legioldur panting with his back now to Lonneke as he went through with his slash. Turning around quickly he bows. "Then shall we concide that a calm mind and instinct both can have there places in combat? "

Lonneke pants, "Yes, I can agree with that."

Legioldur bows, and takes his leave ignoring his oozing wounds for now.

Lonneke forces herself to her feet and calls after Legioldur, "Who will look after your wounds? You should heal them quickly lest they become infected."

Legioldur shouts back without turning around, "Only my wife is allowed to care for my wounds I can manage till I find her"

Lonneke smiles, "I suppose the lady would get jealous if I touched you. I hope that we can fight again sometime, but against a common foe instead of each other. You wield a mean blade."

Legioldur shouts already heading out of the tower, "You too, You too"

Lonneke smiles and drags her bone-weary body towards the bench where Eladria sat. "I hope you weren't too worried about me, old friend."

Crulath redhearts: Eladria smiles, and wipes his brow. "You've always been able to take care of yourself, lady."

Lonneke smiles wearily and says, "And I do such a jolly good job of it too." Shivering a little, she begins to heal herself with magic. Soon her body is whole, if weary and pale.

Lonneke takes a deep breath and says, "I bit off more than I could chew that time, I think.

Eladria shrugs. "I was here, still, in case something went wrong. I'd have stopped the fight, regardless of the wishes of the others. No one needs to die here."

Lonneke places her hand on Eladria's, "I understand your concern, but I think that my pride would have caused me to resent such an intervention; I've died before and returned to life, but I've never had a fight broken up."

Crulath redhearts: Eladria places his other hand on hers. "I've never lost an ally. Or a friend. I hardly intend to start now.

Lonneke laughs, "You would not have lost me; I am far too stubborn a woman to let the Earth go. I'll keep coming back until I'm exorcised."

Eladria smiles. "I can only hope so."