Presenting a slight De-tour in the story of Fallen Star
If you are interested in the writer's personal triumph read, if not proceed straight to the story.
A conversation between the authoress (Dani) and her loyal reviewers as a collective voice
Dani: Guess what Guess what Guess what Guess what Guess what!!!!!
Reviewers: 'WHAT?' you all shout, immensely enthusiastic.
Dani: Guess Guess Guess Guess!!!
Reviewers: 'Oh get on with it and tell us' you cry now exasperated and wishing to get on with the story.
Dani: Please try to guess coz I'm ecstatically happy about this!
Reviewers: sighing with frustration, 'Ok fine, er…you've won the Lottery and you are now a millionairess?'
Dani: No this is much MUCH better than that. This is beyond money.
Reviewers: thinking hard, 'You've won a national prize draw and have won a holiday to Barbados?'
Dani: Nope guess again! *Chuckles with glee*
Reviewers: Getting annoyed now, 'You've finally snagged a boyfriend?'
Dani: Don't be mean!
Reviewers: 'We give up!! Just tell us!'
Dani: Ok I'll tell you. Wait for it…drum roll please…I GOT AN A IN MY MATHS COURSEWORK!!!!!
Reviewers: Stare incredulous, 'That's it?'
Dani: I'm hurt! I suck at maths usually. Think about it, first step A in coursework, second step A in Written exam, next I'll be getting A* overall in my GCSE's!!!! Ooooh the possibilities.
Reviewers: 'Although We would rather win the lottery, well done…NOW can we get on with the story?'
Dani: Yeah yeah, fine get on with the story, I just wanted to share my moment of triumph with my reviewers and let them know why I have updated so quickly.
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Okay onto reviewers, I'm really disappointed!!!! I thought after all the people wanting me to update I would get lots of reviews after I updated a week early, and I got ONE! From my lovely NO1 fan (thanks Doughnuts…mmm I love ya). Maybe its coz u didn't expect another chappie for another week. I'm too happy about my A in maths to be too annoyed. I'm expecting more reviews next time!!! You know I live for them. Anyway on wit the story, oh after my reply to my ONE reviewer:
Doughnuts…mmm: Here's your quick update, now u have to go off happy pills 4 eva. On second thoughts, don't coz then I'll have no-one to be addicted to them with me. I'll be all alone, with my happy pill dependency problem, join me oh happy sister, and together we will rule the world of Happyville as the happy queens on high, MWWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Ok the high from my maths achievement has affected my brain, or maybe it was always like this…moving on…(chuckles nervously)
I hope that my brother doesn't become a ladies man, he will be one of those sweet boys who are sensitive to women's feelings and yet is not to naïve to be burnt by wicked man-eaters (there are some out there). He's going to be a good guy! Tell me if you had a choice which would u pick?
Moody bad boy or Good honest farm boy
Dumb athlete or physically challenged intellectual (or in other words your mental equal)
Yeah yeah I know I've been reading too many of my sister's strange girly magazines. Usually they're so trivial, but I like doing the quizzes.
My sister and I have an odd relationship, we're very different people. She's very into boys and make up and clothes and Britney Spears (stereotypical girl I know) but I'm more into books and I like going out on bike rides (outdoorsy type stuff) and listening to music that makes sense. Sometimes we get on, sometimes we don't. There's more of the latter usually. I hate to say it but we're not very close sisters. Anyway we're going to America together after my GCSE's as a reward 4 working hard. Coz we're going on our own, we'll have to get on, and I'll make an effort so it'll be fun.
Anyway, read on and tell me what u think of the new chapter!!! Dani L
For all those who skipped the de-tour you obviously don't care about me, just my story, *tosses her head away huffily and sighs dramatically* but hey, if you review u are forgiven! Here's chapter 14, enjoy!
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Master Nagini thrust forward with kicks, each one as fast as the wind. Dahlia blocked as well as she could but she was on the defensive, Nagini was not allowing her to attack. Dahlia was moving backwards almost unconsciously concentrating her senses around Nagini and herself. As Nagini moved in to strike her down with a swift punch to the belly to knock her off her feet, Dahlia stepped swiftly aside to flip over Nagini and unsteady him with an upward kick. Nagini anticipated this and allowed Dahlia to jump. Dahlia lifted her right leg to attack Nagini, when she found herself hitting the cold edge of the back wall, giving Nagini enough time to dislodge her other leg and throw her off balance. Dahlia landed face first on the mats.
Dahlia lay for a moment on the blue mats stunned and embarrassed. Then she jumped up swiftly and stood opposite Nagini to bow. Nagini looked at Dahlia in the eyes, Dahlia felt her head hurt looking into his deep blue irises, feeling they were drilling through her defences, seeking her thoughts. She held firm and would not let him pass, until he ceased to probe her mind and released her. Nagini paced along the length of the room, not looking at Dahlia now, 'Tell me, what id you do wrong?'
Dahlia re-lived the previous minute, in which it had taken her master to beat her. She had done nothing wrong; her attack was brilliantly executed and would have worked had not her foot collided with the wall.
'I should have attacked from a different angle Master. Had I done so, you would be on the floor not me,' Dahlia did not check herself for being impolite. She was free to speak her mind here, and her mind told her she shouldn't have lost the fight.
'I did not ask what went wrong with your attack, I asked, what did you do wrong,' Nagini had his back to Dahlia and was facing the end wall.
Dahlia was confused; the two questions were the same!
No, Dahlia they are not. Master Nagini inserted his mind into her thoughts, but Dahlia keep close control over her mind so he saw none of her other thoughts.
I do not understand Master. Dahlia was dismayed. What was she missing?
You made a fatal error Dahlia, one that could cost you your life; or the lives of those you would protect. You were not aware of your surroundings. Before you executed the strike, I felt your mind block out everything but my own movements. You cannot afford to make mistakes like that Dahlia. Try again.
Dahlia bowed and it began all over again.
It took four fights for her to beat Master Nagini; and afterwards she was exhausted in mind and body. Before she left Master Nagini had repeated the phrase, 'Be aware of your surroundings or it could cost more than you could imagine,' about three times. Dahlia felt annoyed, she was not a child, yet Master Nagini still treated her like one. She did not need him to repeat things for her benefit; she could manage on her own. Hadn't she thought of the idea of turning her vampire blood to her benefit? He hadn't helped her. He had felt remorse for her but he had not given her hope. A small voice in her head countered her indignant thoughts,
But it is a druid's job to solve puzzles. To manipulate what is already there. He should not have to tell you, it was your responsibility to prove yourself by figuring it out by yourself. Maybe he is trying to tell you something.
Dahlia was thinking about his words when she saw something in the corner of her eye. It was a tiny blue flash, more like a spark in the middle of the air in front of her. She blinked and looked again more closely. There was nothing, just air. Dahlia widened her senses to encompass the air molecules around her to understand what was happening, she felt a slight movement in the air in front of her, and then it was gone. She returned to normal, she was puzzled. What could that have been? She had never read anything in her books about blue sparks flying around. Dahlia racked her brain for anything that could be a reason, and then gave up. I'll research it later, it's probably nothing important, then Nagini's words came into her head, be aware, he had said. Dahlia, who had been going to see Dain in his room to talk about what he had heard in the study, changed direction to find something about blue sparks in the library.
Inside she found Samoya by the windowsill her head bent into a large, black, leather bound book, and her auburn hair fell straight down either side of her obscuring her face from view. Dahlia walked towards her and tapped Sam on the shoulder. She jumped, surprised, and then turned around to face Dahlia.
'Hey, what are you doing here?' Her voice was smooth and silky, it didn't seem real to Dahlia.
'I was just browsing.' Samoya hoped off the sill and snapped the book shut,
'I was just about to leave anyway, I'll see you later maybe we could train together,' and without waiting for a reply she was out the door. Dahlia stared at the door, as it swung shut. I wonder why she left so soon. Perhaps she was upset about that match she wanted to have. Shrugging off Samoya's anti-social behaviour, Dahlia looked at various books on witchcraft, but there was nothing to be found about blue sparks. The closest to it was wild powers, but Dahlia was positive that what she had seen was not this, the wild powers had been extinct for a long time; this was something else. Perhaps she should ask Master Nagini or Master Takeno about it. He had been telling her in the training room to be aware. He was trying to tell her something, but what? Dahlia decided to view this as a challenge, a puzzle, and one that she was determined to solve. She would have to go through what she knew systematically; she must think like a detective and try to elucidate any of the holes.
She knew that the Rejuvenation ceremony was being moved to a closer date, but what she did not know were why and how. Nagini had said she was not ready to know what happens during the ceremony. The time of the ceremony must have something to do with Salix, and it must coincide with what happens to a druid at the time of the renewal. Wait a minute; Dain said something about Karonis, so maybe I can find out what that is.
Dahlia rummaged through the ancient scrolls of druids, some of them were laden with dust, having been undisturbed for months on end. Blowing the dust free, Dahlia pulled out a few sheets of paper, cracked with age. These were the ancient scripture, the heritage of the Druid line, descending from the high priest Llinos, the first. As Dahlia unravelled the parchment she sighed in dismay, I'm thinking I'll need some help translating this. I guess I'll have to wait for Master Takeno after all.
Dahlia returned the scrolls back to the top shelves of the library, and surveyed the mess she had made. There were pieces of parchment and heavy dust settling onto the floor. This is the perfect time to test my druid skills; I've been a bit lax in that department lately. So she summoned her power and felt her mind slip into that familiar state of clear focus. Dahlia concentrated on the particles around her, she sensed the air molecules all around her moving and vibrating, she centred her mind on the particles on the floor, she called to them, beckoned them to her hand. After a moment's resistance she pulled, a sort of tug of the mind, and the bits of parchment and dust had settled into a small heap in the palm of her hand. Dahlia allowed herself to smile; I think I'm getting better. That was easier than it has been before.
'You shouldn't use the Craft of Druidry, for trivial purposes Dahlia,' a seep voice knocked Dahlia's mind out of it's calm status and she swivelled round to face Master Takeno standing in the doorway. Dahlia met his cool grey eyes with her own dark ones and said evenly, 'I was merely testing myself. As I performed so poorly during the previous testing I was trying to improve my performance.'
Takeno quirked the ends of his mouth up in what could have been a smile if he had let it, then said, 'be sure not to tire yourself out, I'm pleased you have sufficient motivation to test yourself.'
Dahlia, pleased with such high praise, from a master who is known for being indifferent to his brightest pupils, bowed reverently to hide the colouring in her cheeks. When she straightened she saw she was bowing to air, as Master Takeno had left. Well I guess I'd better get some sleep; I need to work on my water summoning tomorrow, as well as my experimentation with perception.
With that last thought Dahlia stepped out. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Thin spears of light cut through the otherwise dark bedroom, the light curved over the sleeping form of a young girl. Dahlia stirred, feeling the heat of the sun acutely on her back. Her raven curls tumbled over her head as she sat bolt upright. Glancing at her window she rushed over to open the curtains. As she suspected the sun was already arose and she had not done her daily practise!
Oh damn! If I don't get my practise in today it may not be as strong tomorrow! Dahlia rushed over to the bedside table and looked in the mirror, her panic at the thought of being late for breakfast leading to probing questions about her late awakening, made Dahlia focus on the first form that came into her mind. Dain. Dahlia, almost without thinking felt her bones take form and assume a different body. Dahlia closed her eyes to concentrate and a few minutes later, when she opened them, she almost cried out in horror. She looked…exactly like Dain. To the last detail she WAS Dain. It felt very strange because inside she still felt like herself. Dahlia quickly reversed the transformation it was just too…weird. It was one thing to love your soul mate and accept him; it was entirely another matter when you turn into your soul mate. Dahlia stared at her familiar features, her true appearance in the mirror, reflecting over the past few minutes.
It happened so quickly, it was almost effortless. Either I'm getting better or this not as hard as I thought. I never thought I would be able to turn into exact replicas of people. I guess it's some hybrid of the druid trick of manoeuvring things to suit the druid. I was planning out my own molecules to fit another shape; in effect I shifted into the same creature in a certain variation of my choice. This means I could become anyone and fool people so they never really know what I look like. This is a good tactical advantage. I'd like to see Master Takeno reject me when he sees this!
Dahlia was elated, she had finally made a breakthrough and it would help her achieve what she had always wanted, to become a druid. Then she realised the time. Dahlia raced down the stairs after having a record time shower. Finally she arrived in the dining hall in view of everyone who was seated. The entire centre had waited for her. Dahlia maintained her calm exterior but inside she burned with shame. Why did she wake up so late? Dahlia quickly sat down on an end seat and looked away from the eyes of Master Takeno and tried to block the probing of Nagini in her mind. Master Nagini cleared his throat and requested the students to begin eating.
Dahlia ate hungrily; she was starved after so much mental and physical exhaustion the day before and the shift this morning. A particularly irritating student next to her by the name of Eric, who was commenting on her high level of performance. He was in the middle of talking about her fight with Dain, and how it was 'so exciting,' when Dahlia tuned out. Finishing her healthy and nutritious food she rose to get up and found Eric looking at her questioningly. He must have asked me a question, searching his mind she found he had asked her to teach him some of her moves, who does he think he is? Doesn't he know I'm busy with the druid stuff? The sensible part of her brain answered her, no actually he doesn't. Dahlia kept her face neutral and replied evenly, 'I'm sorry Eric I'm far to busy at the moment to teach you. Perhaps in a month or two when I'll be initiated by the Masters.' With that she left, feeling Eric's disappointed gaze behind her.
Dahlia was walking through the hall to find her bag where she had left it in the room where herself and Dain had been practising yesterday. Suddenly she felt a jolt in her mind and scarcely a minute later she felt herself being pulled by the waist into a small corridor which led to the basement, somewhere only the Masters when in the evenings to retire. Dahlia was shocked to find herself being pushed against a wall with commanding hands around her waist. Then she saw whom the hands belonged to.
Dain! You shouldn't scare me like that!
Hey you weren't scared, you were just about to kick my ass with those nifty ninja skills of yours. Or you could have summoned fire and burnt me or you could have–
Okay point taken, Dain could feel Dahlia's mental scowl, and a scowl that one could only see in someone's head was a strange thing. Anyway, Dahlia continued, how is it you can surprise me and I can't you?
It's because you haven't opened your mind to me fully like I have to you. I felt you get up late this morning, but because you haven't let your mind flow to me, you couldn't feel me.
Oh, well how do I do it?
I don't think that would be a good idea. What with you being linked to Master Nagini, he could find out about us and neither of us wants that.
Remind me again why neither of us wants that. Some druids have been known to marry, maybe it wouldn't be so bad for us to be together, and maybe Nagini might accept it.
You don't really think that Master Nagini would let the druid's future leader swear alliance, not to the lore, but to their soul mate. That is the reason we are being trained you know. Maybe you haven't noticed because you look up to him so much but Master Nagini isn't getting any younger and Master Takeno must be about 67 years old by now. They cant be the druids here forever, and I don't think the druids who take their place, us, will be allowed to train if they know we have…feelings for each other. I know how much your training means to you Dahlia, I know you couldn't live without it.
Dahlia pushed Dain away from her so that they were no longer touching skin to skin. I just hate hiding things from him. He's…
I know how close you are; I've been in your mind, remember?
Yeah, about that I think we need to work out some boundaries. I have to be entitled to some privacy and so I think we should–
'Dahlia you know I love you but sometimes you think too much,' Dain pulled Dahlia to him and their lips fused together. Dahlia wrapped her arms around him; they were in full body contact.
On the other hand, we could just let it ride and have a ball she spoke to Dain in his mind.
Dain pulled away, much to Dahlia's reluctance, and grinned wolfishly, 'I'm counting on it, now you better get your bag or you'll be late for school.' Dahlia scowled at him and mumbled under her breath, 'just because you don't have to go to school, doesn't mean you get to treat me like a school kid.'
Dain sighed dramatically, 'Just think if I did go to school with you; would you be able to handle the distraction?'
Dahlia smiled then slipped out of their embrace, 'All this flirting is time consuming, I have to go, I'll see you later.' And with that she left, hurrying to retrieve her bag. Dain shoved his hands in his pockets and walked in the other direction, time for some real work with Master Nagini, he thought derisively.
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As Dahlia entered her classroom, she sat down for registration in the morning. She ran most of the way to the school in order to be on time. Having a perfect attendance record at school meant there would be no teachers questioning her absence or inquiring after her health. This way she would be left alone and able to say as little as possible. Dahlia answered her name then opened her bag to read the diary of an old druid who lived in colonial times. IT was written in a mixture of Egyptian and Arabic but Dahlia could piece together the meaning from stray words she recognised. It made an interesting read and she had transfigured it so that it seemed like she was reading the diary of Anne Frank. No one could tell the difference. So far in the story, the druid, whose name was Matthew. He was a good Christian and he enjoyed reading. The priest of their local church was a druid but at that time people were scared of what they didn't understand, Dahlia thought that hadn't changed, not really. But in those days the more barbaric forms of punishment for those who were different was more accepted than the present day. Open minds were a rare thing, and Matthew Blake was one of those rare people. He had a thirst for learning, but at only 15 years of age, his parents had forbidden him to be taught about druidry, even by a priest. Brandon, the priest, taught him in secret, he taught him to respect the earth and understand the way things run their course. The teachings were still the same, handed down through generations. But when Matthew was accused of dabbling in the dark arts, he was tried for plotting against the lives of the common folk. Dahlia was reading the extracts written in his prison, awaiting his sentence. She read,
I lie here, in my cell in anticipation of condemnation from mine own kinfolk. Father Brandon taught me to not think badly of those who do not have the knowledge that himself and I possess. As I remain imprisoned here I try to remember his words and wisdom, it keeps me sane knowing that I am not the monster these folk would believe of me. He always says, 'knowledge is a powerful thing when used to advantage, but when it is hoarded and lain to waste, it is worth nothing.' He came to visit me last morn, he urged me to be brave, but I fear I will not live up to his expectations. I am afraid. I fear for my life, there is so much to learn in this world and I will not have the chance to experience it. He tells me this is not befitting of a druid but though I am learned, I am still human, I am still healthy, and for this I should be thankful…
A shadow was cast over Dahlia's page. Dahlia blinked, jolted out of concentration, it was hard translating such texts, and looked up. She saw the white teeth of Tyler Harrison, revealed in a charming smile. Dahlia glanced briefly up at him enquiringly, waiting for him to speak. He looked abashed for a moment then said, 'I'm glad you decided to join the club. I heard about your fight with Malek. I'm sorry to have missed it, he is one of our champions,' again he attempted to smile charismatically but, unnerved by the lack of emotion and expression in Dahlia's face, his smile wobbled into nothing. Dahlia returned to her book and said without looking at him,
'I joined the club for my own purposes, now if you'll let me read my book?' Dahlia was silent for a moment but when the shadow did not go away she looked up again. Tyler was standing there with a stubborn determination diffusing over his face, 'look I'm trying to be friendly here. The least you could do is return the favour.'
Dahlia closed her book making a mental note of the page number and returned, 'Mr Harrison, if you wish to talk to me on a social basis, you can talk to me when I am not doing something.'
'But you're never NOT doing something. You are always busy,' he retorted exasperated, as an after thought he added, 'Please call me Tyler.' Dahlia had to admit he had a point there but she would have to set this boy straight. She did not want to draw attention to herself.
'Look Mister Harrison, I would like to–' Dahlia suddenly realised a lot of the jocks in the corner of the room were listening to their conversation. Dahlia calmed her senses and replied evenly with a large degree of control, 'Very well, Tyler, whatever you want to say, please go ahead, I don't have a problem with it.' Dahlia looked blankly at Tyler expectantly.
Tyler was taken aback, he hadn't expected her to give in so easily, he thought she would be uptight and prudish to the end. So he said as confidently as he could, 'so…what television programmes do you like?' Dahlia replied coolly that she did not own a television. Tyler looked disappointed then moved on to music, Dahlia replied that she did not listen to any of the current popular music such as pop or rap. 'I suspect that you wouldn't have heard of the kind of music I listen to Tyler, it consists mostly of classical and cultural type music. The Shanghai percussion music accompanied by cello is magnificent but I doubt you've heard it.' Tyler admitted he hadn't, he was beginning to feel that finding common ground with this girl was going to be hard, so he fell back onto something he felt was familiar territory.
'So, me and a couple of friends are going to a party tomorrow on Saturday, I was wondering if you would like to join me, I mean, us.'
Dahlia was taken aback for a moment then retrieved her sense.
'Look Tyler I wouldn't like to go out with you. You've had your conversation and although we don't have much in common, it was a nice thought that you tried so hard to be a friend, or even to ask me out. But really I'm not bothered by the fact that I don't know many people here so though the effort is appreciated it is really not necessary. Thank you anyway, now I believe the bell has rung for first period, excuse me.' And Dahlia left Tyler, open mouthed, at her desk. That was the most she had said to him through his entire school life. They had been in the same class together since the age of five, and she had never spoken so nicely to him as she had done now. I have a feeling I'm gonna like this girl. I think maybe she's just misunderstood.
Dahlia went through an uneventful school day. She spent most of her time ignoring the teacher and thinking about her shift that morning, wondering if she could do it again. Today was Friday, so tomorrow she would find out exactly what Master Nagini was talking about when he said Karonis.
Finally the bell rang signalling the end of a gruelling English lesson in which the teacher tried to figure out the difference between blackmail and extortion, not really coming up with a solution. She was a new teacher, Dahlia almost felt sorry for her, but she had more important things on her mind. Shuffling out with the rest of the class Dahlia was free to explore her shifting. She was on the road to cracking this; all she had to do now was fine-tune it. Oh she had to work on the water thing too. So much to do and there is never enough time, I've lost a whole week already!
Dropping her bag onto her bed, Dahlia changed into loose fighting clothes; but she would not be doing much training today. First stop is the kitchen to grab some food then I need to get on with shifting. Dahlia entered the side door that led to the kitchen. It was quite large with two main chefs. The centre had a lot of mouths to feed.
'Hey Dahlia, hungry?' Jessie was a minor ninja, she wasn't a natural fighter, but she had heart. Her main talent was cooking; she could make the most tasteless health food, have flavour and colour, and yet still be good for you. She was working on herbal teas for the Masters in the training room with a few advanced Ninjas. The Elders drank at least three cups a day, it was supposed to clear the mind.
'Yeah, training for ninja's is tough, I need energy!'
'Well I have just the thing for you,' Jessie announced presenting Dahlia with a bowl full of food that looked like porridge with more liquid consistency. Dahlia restrained the grimace that tried to surface on her features. 'Is that what you call food?'
Jessie smiled, 'It tastes better than it looks, trust me,' with that she turned back to the tray of teacups. Dahlia tried it and it had a cinnamon flavour with some crunchy bits. It tasted good, albeit slightly sour on the taste buds. 'It's good! What is it?'
Jessie smirked impishly, 'if I told you what it was, you wouldn't eat it, think live insects and I'm sure that's enough detail.'
Dahlia was unperturbed she had eaten worse.
After the meal she moved straight to her usual training room. Opening the door she found it occupied already, by a couple that was locked together in a tight embrace, they seemed intimate. Dahlia cleared her throat and excused herself, mumbling that she didn't know anyone was in there, when she found her name being called by one of the couple.
'Dahlia wait, we were just leaving.'
Dahlia re-entered seeing Ben's arms around Faye. She wasn't surprised although they could have done it in a different training room. At least they're allowed to be together, a stray thought appeared in her head. Dahlia shrugged it off focussing on what Faye was saying,
'Sorry Dahlia, I know you use this room a lot. I was waiting for you actually.'
Ben was hanging next to Faye, aloof and detached. Dahlia thought perhaps he was shy at her presence. 'No it's okay, it's not my room. What did you want to talk to me about?'
Faye spoke hesitantly as if she didn't want to say this out loud; 'I had a vision.' Dahlia was happy for her friend, 'Great! Was it how you expected it to be? What did you see, who was it for?' Faye looked uncomfortable and bit her lip a trait; Dahlia had learned, that meant she was nervous or upset.
'Well it was about you actually. I saw…I saw you with Dain. I know about you two.'
Dahlia's heart stopped for a moment, then she gained control of herself. 'So what are you going to do about it?' Dahlia realised she could have lied, after all Faye was not experienced in predicting the future; but she did not lie, she was a druid, they were to represent truth and understanding. She waited for Faye to reply.
'Look I'm not going to do anything about it right now Dahlia. I just want you to be careful. You've known him for four days! And you've been working to be a druid for nine, almost ten years. Do you really want to throw that away?'
Dahlia took a deep breath and exhaled. 'Faye, I realise you are trying to look out for my welfare here, but you should trust me to make my own decisions, please don't get involved.' Faye smiled, and then looked at Ben. Dahlia could see the love in her eyes when she looked at him. Can people see that in me when I look at Dain?
Faye looked back at Dahlia, 'Okay. I trust you. You usually know what you are doing.'
Dahlia smiled back then looked at Ben, 'I hope you'll look after her.' For the first time since she'd seen Ben stripped of his powers, he smiled broadly, real happiness shining there.
'Okay now you guys have to go. I need to practise.'
'Don't work too hard,' Faye called over her shoulder.
Dahlia looked in the mirror. She would try to become Faye. Dahlia cleared her mind and focussed. She concentrated on the picture of Faye in her head. Dahlia felt her face change but her body stayed the same. What's wrong? It worked before, what's different?
Dahlia looked at herself in the mirror and saw the face of Faye on her own (Dahlia's) body. Dahlia reversed the transformation. She was perplexed. What happened? What did I do last time that I didn't do this time? She thought back to the morning. She was rushing to get her practise done before breakfast. She was not in control so she rushed to get it done. It was more a case of wanting it to go fast rather than forcing herself to change for practise. Dahlia had to want to change.
Dahlia concentrated again, she thought of becoming Faye, she pictured her emotions and thoughts and facial features. Dahlia closed her eyes and simply thought Faye, when she opened her eyes she was Faye. Dahlia grinned Faye's grin and did a little jump in the air. She didn't usually allow herself to publicly display emotion, but this was worth it. She could become anyone, and it didn't even take that much time, 10 seconds at the most!
Dahlia decided to test how long she could hold it for, when someone entered the room. It was Dain.
'Hey, um, I was wondering where Dahlia was. Have you seen her?' Dahlia suppressed a giggle; her emotions seemed more free in this body. 'Er yeah, she said she would be coming here soon, you could wait for her.'
Dain's face was neutral and he nodded politely. Dahlia was surprised; I guess he only shows his feelings to me.
Dain's face suddenly frowned, he kept staring at her, quietly, very uncertainly he asked, 'Dahlia? Is that you?'
'Yeah you got me. How'd you know it was me?'
Dain breathed a sigh of relief, 'geeze, I thought that was you. Suddenly I started hearing your thoughts and I didn't know why, I mean you look like your friend.' Dahlia controlled Faye's face, so that she was blank. 'Yeah I can shift into other people now. I did it this morning without even realising. I became you. It was very strange.'
'When you take my image, do you take the persons thoughts or personality?'
'No, it's like a normal shift, except to a different variation f the same species. Well almost, I mean you are human. I'm not going to change back until I need to, I want to see how long I can hold it.'
Dain moved closer and reached out for her hand, 'I want to see if I'm still your soul mate in that body.'
Dahlia, taking his hand said in his mind, of course you are. It's just an image, I'm still me.
Is it hard to hold the shift?
No, it isn't. I feel as if I could hold this for a long time, it isn't like when I was making myself older, younger or when I tried to make myself an animal. This is actually quite easy. I think I'll reverse it, now I know I can do this.
Dahlia concentrated on her own figure and felt a slight POP as her body slipped into its natural shape. It felt effortless.
Well that was easy. You must be improving.
Must be, I think I'll work on that water summoning charm; I have to better at it by next week. Takeno's expecting me to be able to do it, can you?
Yeah I'm good with water and the weather, I'm good with fire too, but I need to work on the manipulation of the earth and controlling air molecules. Master Takeno was trying to teach me how to suspend things in air by holding the particles around the object still, I dropped the glass ball about 10 times, and he had to fix it each time.
Well I'm good at that if you want help, then you could teach me how to summon water. I think we could help each other a lot.
Dahlia broke contact, 'so you gonna help me or what?'
Dain smiled and nodded. 'If we do this every day, I think we'll improve a lot. You'll be ready by the time the ceremony starts. Now focus on calling the water. It has a mind of it's own. It's not like fire; it's volatile, liquid, and harder to control. Call it to your hand.'
Dahlia held out her hand and they began.
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There u go, another chapter.
Oh and I've been on the Internet to see that more of you have reviewed 63 reviews!!!!!! Thank you!!!! Here are your replies:
Janie: Awww, can't ditch the revision, I must be strong! I did think that I had rushed the Dain/Dahlia thing but it can't drag on forever you know? I have to stop somewhere, and I wanted to get on with the story. You know when you have really good ideas to write stuff about, you want to get straight to the bits that are interesting? Well I just needed to move it along a bit. Anyway happy u like the story, review and tell me what u think, suggestions are encouraged!
Ice Dragon (aka Kim): I'm always in the mood for praise, but don't over do it, you are inflating my already bloated ego! Not that I'm not flattered but any suggestions would be helpful. Wot do u mean you didn't know I couldn't write that well? U were surprised? Hell I rock at story writing; u should not have been surprised. Oook sorry bout that, now do you realise the effect of over praising me? Anyway thanks for the review, I sent Chapter 14 2 u B4 updating on FF.net. thanks for yr comments review again! Love Dani
Isilwen Telphion: Thanks, and kinky? What did Dain do that was kinky? Enlighten me please! I read your story, it's intense, I like it, and I reviewed aswell so read my comments and write some for me if you have anything to say! Thanx for reviewing and keep reading there is more to come!
Sharmeen: Wow, thanks for reviewing so many times, I came onto the internet and I'd gone from 53 reviews to 63, and several of them were yours. I'm really flattered you think this story is too good to be my first, I try. Yeah there are slight mistakes in the story like the one u mentioned, I aim to find all the mistakes, but it takes too much time to proof read. I hope it doesn't bother u too much. Anyway, now I get my friend who proof reads it before I update so that I don't make so many errors. Sorry bout that. Pleased you like my language, sometimes I think it's too descriptive, and yeah I agree wit you, I do like my characters. Sorry about the perception thing, I'll try to make it clearer who is thinking and saying what next time. Anyway thanks for the praise and criticism, I always appreciate them, and chapter 15 is on it's way, although it may take a while as I'm in the middle of my GCSE's. My parents don't like the fact I spend my time writing fiction, when I could be revising for major exams. Glad u like my story, tell me wot u think of this chapter if ya can! *smile*;)
Yodel: Everyone seems to dislike my summary, but I've already changed it twice. Perhaps you could give me some help? Summaries are one of my weak points. In my English Exam last year, I got A's on all my papers but my teacher was shocked when she found I got a D for my summary on an article. I was gob smacked. But yeah I'm not that good at outlining the whole story in a few sentences. I'm grateful u think I'm a talented writer, I do enjoy reading so that helps; and no I'm not offended, if someone has something negative to say, I want to hear it so I can change it. So thanks! Hope you like this chapter!