Sep 09 14:17:23 107 PA
From Chronicles
Kingsdale - Plaza Park
A warm autumn day, not quite yet midday. The pleasant day finds the young psychic Jackson sitting under the same tree he enjoys meditating under, but he's not medittaing this time. He has a hand a few feet from the trunk of the tree and every few moments, he looks at it, and the tree shakes. Not much.. but enough to make the branches sway.
The pleasant day brings others to the park, to include one elven huntress. Daeni avoids the excessively exuberant children and even the more calm adults in favor of the trees. Thus, Jackson is readily noted as she approaches, as are his efforts. "You train?"
Jackson doesn't turn, instead he gestures again and the tree shudders above your head. "Yes I am. I've found new ways to use my powers, I'm practicing with one of them. How about you? Doing anything at the moment?" He asks, still seated facing the tree, one palm facing it.
Among those in the park, Sage wanders with seemingly no particular aim in mind at the moment. She may avoid the larger groups of people, but she takes in a mix of scenery and people enjoying it. Her gaze travels slowly about as she moves. As of yet, she hasn't spotted the elven huntress or the man she speaks with.
"Walk." Daeni explains, just prior to her halt near Jackson. "Maybe train, maybe swim after others leave. Is calm day."
Jackson nods gently. "If you like I can train with you. I've grown a bit recently. Depend ing on how exactly you plan on training anyway." He says quietly, standing and turning to face Daeni, a grin on his lips.
Once Sage begins to wander off the beaten path to see if she can spend a little time with the furry creatures that inhabit the park, she ends up hearing familiar sounding voices. As she strays to investigate, she notices the conversing pair. "Hey..." She greets them simply, but keeps to a respectable distance for the moment.
Daeni arches her brows. "Train with fight, run, swim, hunt. Train same as live. Is best way train." When Sage greets, Daeni swivels head and eyes towards the woman. "Hello. Come train, or sit?" There is no notable tone in regards to either assumed possibility.
Jackson mirrors Daeni's look as he considers her statement. "Train to fight I guess. I don't like running, I can't swim very well and I don't hunt. So.. that about answers that." He tells her, watching her, then Sage as she arrives. "Sage, good to see you. How are you?" He asks gently.
Sage hms softly as she begins to wander closer, "I imagine the only one of those that I might be able to give Daeni a challenge might be to run... although, I suspect she would be able to keep going longer than I could." She comments, before giving a shrug to Daeni's question. "Whatever seems like the best idea, I suppose." She adds before looking over to Jackson. "I'm doing well, and yourself?"
"How is shirt?" She inquires of the item casually before Daeni returns her eyes to Jackson for a momentary glance. "If want fight to train, try not break you." Her attention subsequently moves to Sage once more as she notes, "Can run days if need move far, fast."
Jackson looks at Daeni, and wonders just how she might react to what he can do now. but no matter, he looks at the woman who gave him his life back and smiles sweeter. "I'm doing very well thank you. I've had a breakthrough.. I was thinking about things my old mentor taught me.. And I've discovered how to do things just a little differently, better even.. with my powers." He tells Sage, tapping his temple.
Sage's lips curl into a smile of her own as Jackson responds to her. "Oh? And, would this new way of doing things be for good or ill?" She asks with a mildly humourous tone in her voice as she raises a brow faintly. Her gaze drifting to Daeni for a moment, "It is ready... the hide responded well to my efforts." She replies, before nodding faintly to the next comment she makes. "Definitely longer than I can... for now." She replies with a musing tone, "But, perhaps if I'm not too slow I could add you among my running partners." She adds before looking back towards Jackson.
Daeni mirrors a portion of Sage's smile as her own lips curl upwards. "Was good hide, but skill is yours. Can help harvest more if need." She is not terribly surprised by Jackson's statement, yet nods with approval. "Always learn more, be stronger with train. Grow better is why train."
Jackson nods, chuckling to himself, but the memory of himself hanging from Daeni's fist sobers him and the young man looks between the two women. "I'd be happy to train with you.. And as for doing for good or ill. I'll simply say that my enemies have more to fear of me now.. and my enemies are those that hurt others."
"Then I am glad to have been the one to help you back towards a normal life." Sage replies simply, giving a small nod before she glances towards Daeni. "And, I shall wish to see how it fits before assuming my job is done." She comments, then glances between the two of them. "I sometimes train with Tirzah... she is good at goading when I am reluctant to try something." She says softly with a hint of humour in her tone.
"Is good try new. Not learn if not try." Daeni replies to Sage along with a query. "Can try shirt so can see. Before train, after train?" Jackson likewise receives a question, afterwards, concerning the other topic. "How want fight?" As before, she allows him to establish the rules of engagement.
Jackson thinks for only a moment. "I want you to hit me. Just once." He tells the woman, backing up and giving her some space. "I'm practicing my avoidance skills.. so just hit me.
Sage nods faintly to elven huntress' words, "True." She concedes before pursing her lips and glancing towards Jackson. She waits briefly to see what kind of training would be. "I'll leave that up to you." Sage comments as she glances to Daeni, "Before might distract him and make him easier to hit..." She adds with a little bit of humour. "If its after, you'll excuse me if I step back a little to make sure I don't get in the way."
Daeni displays some humor, or perhaps merely bemusement, in her smirk. "Can try now, if have?" She holds out a hand towards Sage in curious expectance. "Is easy hit, distracted, not distracted. Best train to not be distracted." The latter comments are towards or of Jackson, although her eyes remain on SAge.
Jackson had started to raise his hands defensivly, but drops them again upon hearing the conversation. On the one hand, He wants to try his new technique, but on the other.. Daeni needs to try on the shirt.. right?He muses, keeping any other thoughts to himself.
Sage lets her own bemusement grow as the other woman responds, briefly glancing to Jackson before settling her gaze on Daeni. "As you wish." She replies simply before reaching into the satchel she brought with her. She draws out a hide shirt. It doesn't have any elaborate decorations or special colouring to it. It is just the normal hide colour of the animal it came from. To those that have an eye for details, the shirt has been stretched to accomodate Daeni's particular frame. Well-crafted, more than Sage herself might realize. She holds it up for Daeni's inspection.
"Look strong," is Daeni's initial opinion as she surveys the work, "think will fit." There is only one way to be certain, of course, and so she slips her bow and quiver off of her shoulder. Both are set respectfully upon the ground before her current, patched tunic is lifted overhead and also set aside. She is not left completely bare, nor is her clothing limited to hides and homespun cloth, as both are explained by the revealed, rather modern athletic top. Daeni reaches to take the replacement shirt and slip it on and over head and collared neck, followed by her arms with their matching, scaled bands.
Jackson watches, his face calm and untelling of the inward swearing that is taking place. He's very glad he's the only telepath around here at the moment. But he pushes all lewd thoughts of Daeni aside and instead focuses his mind on his power, readying it for when Daeni attacks.
Sage nods faintly to Daeni's words, "I hope so." She replies, before glancing towards Jackson once more. Normally she wouldn't consider dripping into other's thoughts without letting the other know about her ability, but mischief seems to get the better of her as she tries to sample the man's thoughts. If he resists, she'll not press her luck. As for Daeni's changing, she has already seen the other woman like this before so she seems more interested in the fitting of the shirt.
Daeni pulls the shirt into place at hem and sleeves, and follows this with crossing her arms to ensure that the shoulders offer enough room for movement. "Fit is good?" She believes so, yet Sage is the seamstress and final judge. Her arms fall to her sides for inspection, followed by a turn of her head towards Jackson. She studies him, now, perhaps considering whether to answer his challenge in mid-fitting.
Jackson watches Daeni with the fitting, but his mind is not focused on that. Not anymore. He can feel the feather light touch on his mind, and immediatly, his thoughts close off avenues except Mainstreet, blocking off his mental rosters of powers and any skills he might have. His eyes narrow, focusing on finding the one invading his thoughts, while feeding them ever cruder thoughts of Daeni undressing.
Blinking at the images her light brush against the man's mind brings, Sage quickly has to bite her lip from laughing or choking on launghter as she notices the man begin to scowl. Perhaps her mischief is ill-advised. She pulls back fromt he man's mind as he seems to let his mind wander down cruder paths. She clears her throat softly, "Well, let's have a look here." She comments as she steps up to Daeni as she begins to consider the shirt. She takes into consideration the length of the shirt relative to her waist. The amount of room around the wrists. "Hm... so far so good... I suppose if you can get through trying to hit him without feeling hindered, I think it'll do nicely."
How convenient. That criteria is easily put to the test as Daeni whirls to face Jackson. In the course of her turn, and once it is clear of Sage, her leg is lifted to snap around with the rest of her. Perhaps her foot can aid Jackson by removing the scowl from his features.
Jackson feels the touch vanish just in time to see a foot coming up at his face, but he doesn't move. No instead he concentrates, manifesting a bubble of energy to snap into place between him and her, covering her.
With things getting started so quickly, Sage is quick to back pedal her way out of unintended danger. She'll stay on her feet in case there are unexpected changes to the melee that ensues.
Daeni's kick impacts the rapidly conjured dome, to no real effect. Her intent was, and is, to connect, not dismember. "Are quick, now." Her eyes shift over the translucent field. "Not keep in long."
Jackson only smiles and reaches out to Daeni's mind with his own, in the new way he learned to concentrate. He can feel Daeni's mind, feel her phsyical brain. A little touch here.. then watch the magic...
The direction this sparring match takes makes Sage raise a brow as she watches. "Well, guess this is more mental training than physical..." She comments before pursing her lips, "Might not be fair if I tried to help Daeni." She adds, taking a moment to simply lean against one of the trees.
Daeni possess magic of her own, of a sort, although sheer stubborness could also apply. Whatever Jackson's attempt, she shakes it off with a growl and responds to the mental with physical. Both fists and a single kick are swung at the field that encapsulates her.
Jackson watches the field ripple from the inside. Reaching out to tap on it's exterior, he smiles. "You may have a little trouble with this one.." He tells Daeni, then pushes his mind at hers once more.
With her potential offered help ignored, Sage decides not to meddle in affairs. Her gaze shifts to Daeni as she waits to see how the woman deals with the field around her. Her lips purse, but things seem safe enough to remain where she is.
Following her rapid triplet of strikes, Daeni suddenly finds herself all but immobile. The mind is willing, yet her body now acts as if buried in stone. She blinks in surprise, although this alone takes several seconds. Her initial reaction is of disbelief and frustration, with the last vented in a swing that is so strangely slowed that she misses the immobile barrier. Daeni tips forward, unable to counterbalance, until she rests, leaning on the dome.
Jackson smiles seeing the living statue leaning against the field. It took more out of him than he thought it would.. but he still managed it. "Hard to hit things if you can't move my dear.. I'm not quite so weak as you believe, my strength simply lies in my mind, rather than in my back or my arms. Feel free to get up now." He tells her, willing away both the paralysis, and the forcefield, freeing Daeni entirely.
A frown forms on Sage's expression as the woman suddenly becomes inexplicably immobile. Her mind going to another confrontation where a different sort of manipulation was used. She begins to push herself away from the tree, but she just crosses her arms for the moment. The potential for her temper to grow seems to ease at the man's actions. "You seem to have a number of strong abilities." She comments, more a statement of fact.
Daeni notices the removal of the field first, due to the fact that her fall resumes. The return of her mobility is realized shortly thereafter, which is used to tuck the impact into a roll which ends with Daeni upon her feet. "Is strong magic. Is true cannot fight if not move." Her frustration remains apparent, yet without the growled edge. "Will watch for magic, remove head first. No head, no mind."
Jackson acknowledges Daeni's agravation, and her response. "That would work.." He answers her to the best of his diplomatic ability, as the removing of that head would be rather more difficult than her last victory. But that goes unvoiced. To Sage however, he smiles. "I know a thing or two about a thing or two." He answers her. "As I said though.. it's my enemies that will feel the full brunt of my power. Daeni and you are not among them, I simply wanted to practice."
Wandering back towards the two, Sage doesn't seem to interject on the conversation about the results of the sparring. Her gaze focuses on Jackson as he approaches. "In that case, in interest of not becoming an enemy... I will confess that I let mischief get the better of me when Daeni was changing shirts." She comments, "You have my word I wont peek at your thoughts unless we have an understanding between the two of us... I'm sorry."
"Not think are enemy. Talk of other heads, other minds." Daeni clarifies her prior statement, regardless of whether such is required. Sage's admission provokes a curious glance. "Can hear thoughts?"
Jackson inhales deeply as Sage admits she was the touch on his mind, the one he fed frankly pornographic images of Daeni. "So that was you. Probably a good thing you are telling me, rather than me find out for myself. Last guy who dove into my mind without permission ended up as a pile of greasy ash.." He tells her smiling rather nastily. "But I owe you my life, I think I can overlook a few indescretions. No hard feelings." He tells Sage, offering his hand to shake, while glancing at Daeni.
Sage nods faintly, "That was me." She replies, "And, I'm glad it was harmless to us both... but, perhaps I can cook you something if you feel in need of a little compensate for your very male thoughts." She comments with a hint of teasing on the last few words. To the 'greasy ash' comment, she merely nods in response and takes the hand when offered. She glances over towards Daeni at the question, "I can... but, I don't tend to do it often as people can be rather protective of such. Unless the person is willing to allow me the luxury... like a couple of the people I know."
Daeni nods to Sage, a slight edge of wariness entering her expression. "Is not smart steal other thoughts." Following the other woman's slight description of a specific individual's thoughts, Daeni's eyes move to Jackson. She does not require an abacus or slide rule to sum one and one with a result of two. "Think what want, is only in mind. Is best stay only in mind."
Jackson flushes red and chuckles. "Not want, only look." He replies in terms that the huntress might understand. As to Sage however he smiles at the mention of luxeries. "I tell you what. You give me access to your mind, and you can have access to mine. I assume you have to ability to speak telepathically?" He asks her, trying his best to force the flush from his face.
One thing about Sage that people tend to notice after a while is that she always gets a certain kind of smile on her lips when someone else blushes. To Daeni, she gives a nod of her head. "If you wish, I shall promise not to touch your mind without your permission." She comments simply, before looking back to Jackson. "Perhaps we should stick to speaking for now... that way any thoughts are freely given." She suggests, with a raised brow.
"Men always want look." Daeni cannot help but smirk at Jackson's blush, an expression that carries only bemusement. "This world, my world." She subsequently looks to Sage, perhaps for confirmation. "Think is same all words." No matter from where one hails or is born, some facts may be universal. On the other topic, Daeni notes, more firmly, "Not want others in thoughts."
Jackson nods gently at Sage's suggestion. "I can live with that. I thank you for the chance to learn from you." He tells Sages, opening his mind fromt eh paranoid guard he had it under. Daeni's opinion though.. warrants a comment. "Some people do want others to share thoughts. It can be awefully lonely in your own head."
Sage gives nods to each of them in turn, "I didn't always have the ability... but, I know there are some others out there." She comments, before glancing towards Daeni. "I shall respect your wishes." She adds, before she pauses briefly. "There was another scout mission involving Free Quebec recently where I had to use telepathy to ensure a group of D-Bees understood they were in danger... as none of them seemed to speak any language I knew. So, it is not all bad." Then she offers a faint shrug, before glancing over towards Jackson. She purses her lips, letting only a small bit of amusement show at whatever she's thinking. She doesn't make a comment for now, though.
<< You do have your imagination to keep you company... >> She mentally speaks into the man's mind with a mildly teasing tone.
"If want share, will share. Not want stolen." Daeni is not a telepath, so perhaps this compounds her paranoia. "Is different talk from listen." She conveys her concerns as best as she is able.
Jackson glances at Sage grinning. << My imagination is all I have at the moment..>> He returns silently, then looking at Daeni. "Unfortunately.. we can talk to you.. but you can't talk back the same way unless you have the power. And we normally get your surface thoughts wven when just speaking."
Sage lets her amusement linger for a moment before looking to Daeni. "I know people who share your concern... and I would rather not have you uncomfortable around me because of what I might be able to do." She comments, she offers her hand towards Daeni. "I wont touch your mind without you giving me permission to talk or listen... and if it makes you feel better you can name a punishment should I go back on that."
Daeni is startled by the revelation from Jackson. "Can always hear thoughts?" That promptly provokes a scowl of concern, and a pause for thought. Her quiet continues even as she looks to Sage and the offered hand. After several moments, she shakes her head. "If say will not, believe will not. If do, is best I not know." For Jackson, once her eyes pan to him, is a simple, "Your head have many thoughts, not need listen mine."
Jackson has to laugh at Daeni's uninformed responce, and he does, her outburst prompting a loud laugh and chuckle. "No Daeni I hvae not ever and likely will never read your mind. What I meant was.. if I speak to you in your mind I would get a few of your thoughts.. That's all."
Sage nods faintly to Daeni's decision before withdrawing her back back to herself, before glancing between Jackson and Daeni. "But, he might not understand whatever he might pick up... a being touched my mind before I was able to touch others. Its mind was so different that ... it felt wierd and not everything it shared was something I understood." She comments, "But, perhaps you can speak to Tirzah... she has ways of keeping me guessing even when I'm in her head." She chuckles softly.
"Is not funny," Daeni objects, initially, before conceding a nod to Jackson, "but is smart you not try." Much of her shock and concern appears to diminish, and she glances to Sage. "Will talk with her, maybe train better guard thoughts."
Jackson smiles slightly, fighting down his laughter, though Sage would likely know it's bursting at the seams. <> He sends to Sage.
Sage nods faintly to Daeni, before glancing briefly to Jackson. "It isn't like reading a book, though." She comments as she looks back to Daeni. "Its more like seeing ripples in a pond. The more important stuff is always further down and out of sight." She comments further before shrugging faintly. "Perhaps one day, you will trust one of us enough to see what its like." She adds after a brief pause before subsiding. << Perhaps not permenantly... but, there's nothing stopping them from thinking 'I like ice cream' over and over either. >> She replies to Jackson.
Daeni may be unable to hear thoughts, yet she can hear what seems to be a disjointed conversation. Her eyes move between the other two, and she must assume that there may be more to the discussion than what is audible. Both did recently speak aloud of speaking without speaking aloud. "Maybe." The response is as tentative, at best. "I go swim now." Some of the crowd has diminished, and she feels the need to do so. Daeni pivots and moves towards the crater lake.
Jackson shrugs, conceding Sage's point. <<Yes but a determined psychic can get past that.. I could. The point is to give her defences that would foil and frustrate someone on my level right? Another Mind Melter..>> He broadcasts back to Sage. "We might be able to give you some tips and tricks to help keep your thoughts your own. Shouldn't be a problem...
"Enjoy your swim." Sage replies, but is beginning to feel less confident about her potential friendship with the elven huntress. She gives a faint sigh after Daeni has walked a number of steps away. It wouldn't be the first time she's made someone uncomfortable by being who she is. Then glances over towards Jackson. "Leave it be." She comments out loud, << She's probably more likely to resist our help right now than embrace it. >> She adds mentally, before glancing brief towards the sky. "I should probably get going." She decides, << Sense you later? >> She adds with a mildly teasing tone.
There could any number of explanations as to why Daeni excused herself, with the most simple no more radical than she decided it was time to swim. The bow and quiver are relocated to the shore, never donned, and her swordbelt soon follows them. Ignorant of any looks or thoughts on the act, she removes the new shirt and the leather pants that now, incidentally, match quite well. In only the previously-exposed top and similar bottoms, she leaps just shy of ten meters before reaching and descending below the water's surface.
Jackson watches Daeni go, attempting to give her amusing images of Sage nude, concocted by his own mind.. but figures she might take that badly. <<You are probably right.. I'll catch you later. Look me up later if you want a tip or two.. You said you havn't always been psychic. I was born this way..>> He offers silently, turning to walk away.
<< No, not always telepathic. >> Sage corrects as they part.
