Chapter Four: White Mage
White magic. In addition to learning how to summon the Aeons, novice summoners had to learn the healing arts, in addition to soothing the souls of the dead so that they would not become fiends and prey upon the living. For eight years I devoted myself to these studies in the hopes of following in my father's footsteps.
And always, the whispers behind my back:
"Isn't that Lord Braska's daughter?"
"She's half Al-Bhed, right?"
"Lord Braska must be pleased that his daughter is following in his footsteps."
"The Lady Yuna will bring us the Calm, just like her father!"
My teachers and the priests told me that I had a natural skill for the healing arts, and by the time I was ready to submit to Valefor's trials, the villagers were already coming to me for whatever ailed them. As I went on my pilgrimage, I used white magic on an almost constant basis…whether it was to heal the wounds of my guardians and myself, or Sin's victims.
The first time I used the White Mage dressphere, Rikku came up to me after the battle and started pulling at my robes.
"This doesn't look like you at all! Where's the fun stuff, ya know?! My robes and Paine's look far better than yours!"
"Stop it." I protested, pulling away and pushing off my hood. "As long as I can use my healing powers, the outfit doesn't matter."
"Yeah." Paine added, coming over. "Besides, white magic's a serious thing."
"It looks like her old summoner outfit!" My cousin protested.
"So does yours." I replied. "Only difference between ours is that the back of your hood is cut out, and my outer robe is a little shorter."
"You even have your old summoning staff back!" Rikku protested.
"Well, you guys are using two of my old ones, so what's the problem?" I shot back. Rikku shook her head.
"It just looks…confined, that's all!"
"I don't mind. I like it." I say stubbornly. And I do. After all the flesh-baring of the other dresspheres, I don't mind having one that covers me fully. And like Paine said, white magic is a serious thing. I guess that kind of mindset is a result of all my training…I'll probably never get rid of it.
It does feel good to be using magic again, however. And I guess I'll be refreshing Rikku on her curative skills and teaching Paine how to use healing magic for the first time. But in a way, I'm happy that it's not just me that they have to turn to for healing anymore…I know it sounds selfish of me, but it was so aggravating to be the only healer in the group.
Still, it's nice to use magic again.
AN: Thank you for all the lovely reviews so far! And as for the length of the chapters, it'll depend on the dressphere being thought upon during the chapters. And yes, Kamikize, I have been going into how the dresspheres affect the minds of the ones using them, but not too deeply.