Rival Hearts (Closed for now)

[Armphid]

OCC: Rival Hearts takes place in a fantasy world of spirits, ghosts, monsters, and over the top supernatural martial arts.

Setting

The quiet town of Puyo is nestled in the foothills of the Dragon's Teeth mountain range, far from the Blessed Isle (center of the Scarlet Empire) and the glorious wealth of the Imperial City. A small town surrounded by high, forest covered hills and with two rivers running through it, Puyo is a town of farmers, fishermen, and craftsmen. Thousands of such villages dot the Empire, though many are poorer. The only thing that makes Puyo stand out is that twenty-five years ago, the famous martial artist Sagacious Ivory came to town and built a school.

Though many have heard the tales of Sagacious Ivory, few know where his school is. Those who learn send their sons and daughters to learn from the legendary fighter. Sagacious Ivory teaches all who come to his school, charging those who can pay taking even those who cannot, though not all students last long. His school has produced many students of renown, but now there are two students who outshine all others so far, delighting the master in his old age.

Yet all is not well in the Empire, and the weave of Fate will soon change the fabric of the young students' lives.

Character Profile:

Jen Iceheart

Age: 19
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 160lbs.
Hair: Light ice blue
Eyes: Wine red
Favorite Style: Celestial Hero Style
Favorite Weapon: Nunchuk
Special Techniques: Glacier Cutting Kick, Ice Dragon Rages, Thunderclap Fist.

Appearance: Jen has an agile, wiry build of steel cord muscle. His pale blue hair is spiky and unruly, defying efforts to tame it. He wears a white headband with tails that reach to his shoulders to keep it out of his eyes. Jen is on the pretty side of handsome, with high cheekbones and noble features. He usually wears a sleeveless royal blue shirt with cloth frogs on the front, a yellow sash around his waist, white trousers, and brown leather boots that come to mid-calf. He wears open handed bracer/gauntlets that are also brown.

Personality: Jen is the oldest child of three, and much of her personality is shaped by this. He seems himself as a protector of his family, and after training with Master Ivory, of others who can't fight back. He's intelligent and courteous, though he does have a quick wit that sometimes gets him in trouble. Despite his association with ice, he is not cold, but often friendly and warm. He has a fiery pride and temper, that can also result in trouble for the young man. Jen is exuberant, and can get carried away at times. He loves to fight like nothing else, and is eager to test himself against all others. He is also a musician, able to play a variety of flutes.

History: The Iceheart family gets it's name, and distinctive blue hair, from Jen's great-great grandfather who supposedly married an ice spirit. She left the family after her mortal husband died, leaving behind a talented brood of children.

Jen's parents are scholars who work in the Imperial bureaucracy, working as spirit negotiators. Seeking a good education for their children, they contacted Master Ivory and sent all three to live in Puyo as his students. The children see their parents rarely, as their work takes them to all corners of the Empire.

Jen took to the life of the academy well, and enjoys the training immensely. He's fallen in love with martial arts and fighting, and has dedicated himself to becoming the best. His siblings are students at the school as well, both younger than he.
_____________________________________________________________

IC

The attack came in high, driving the youth back as his opponent lashed out with a ruthless kick. He ducked under the blow, his knees bending and then straightening as he launched a counter attack. His foe jerked back, but it was too late. The blue haired youth had leaped up to the level of his enemy's head, one knee cocked forward, slamming into his forehead, rocking him back. The bigger fighter swayed a moment as the blue haired warrior landed lightly on his feet and sprang away. Then he fell like a fresh cut tree.

"Enough!" The fallen fighter sat up, a tall, burly youth with a fresh face and a chagrined expression. "Did you have to hit so hard?"

Jen Iceheart laughed, helping his fellow student to his feet with one hand. "Sorry, I got a little carried away." "But, you did leave yourself open."

"I know." The bigger youth sighed, then shrugged. "I did better than last time, though."

"Yeah, no kidding." Jen rubbed his midsection, grinning, "That snap kick you started off with caught me by surprise." "Great technique."

"Thank you, senior student." The tall youth bowed. "I always learn something when we spar...even if it's only a new place to be bruised." "Buuut I think I've had enough for one day."

"Aww, come on!" Jen crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm just getting good and warmed up."

"Ha!" "Find someone else to beat on, then." The taller boy waved as he moved off, "Besides, I'm supposed to be helping Smiling Fox in the kitchen."

Jen sighed. Then he looked around at the other students who were walking around the buildings of the school. He was standing in a low-fenced circular area, the sparring ring, in the center of the complex. The others were all busy, it looked like, though several smiled or waved as they passed. He sighed again, "Looks like I'm out of luck."

 

[CuteTomboy]

(Hope you don't mind, thought making them almost complete opposites would be cool.)

Character:

Lexi Sunfire

Age: 18
Height: 5' 1"
Measurements: 32C-24-32
Hair: Dark, almost blood red
Eyes: Ice blue
Favorite Style: Terra Pyro
Favorite Weapon: Boken (wooden samurai sword)
Special Techniques: Blazing Slash, Fire Feet, Fissure Strike


Appearance: She is very slender and from a distance, quite frail looking. Up close, she is extremely beautiful, until you stare into her eyes. Most of her opponent's have lost the will to continue upon seeing the determination in her eyes. She typically wears a traditional chinese dress, all black save for the red trim, allowing her to move freely and use her agility when she must fully fight.

Personality: She may seem cold most of the time, but those she is close to are the second most important thing in her world. The first, is to be the best, she is far more combative than even Jen, occasionally pushing sparring into almost life and death situations.

History: Her origins are unknown, she was found at the school when she was barely 6 years old. The teachers caring for her as much as she would allow them to, most of the villagers hate her since, as she was developing her powers she unintentionally burned down several houses. Because of this, she rarely ventures away from the school.

I.C.

She watches from the shadows as Jen and the other student spar, memorizing every movement. Smirking as Jen seems to be in danger of losing for a few moments. She sighs when, as usual, Jen wins with little effort. His words making her ears perk up "I'm just getting good and warmed up." Quickly she leaps to her feet, rushing up behind him, a small fire trail behind her. With one quick punch to the back of Jen's head she stops.

"I thought you were warmed up Jen? Guess I'm still too quick for you."

Quickly jumping back out of his range before he turns.

 

[Armphid]

Jen didn't whip around or attack, he knew she'd moved well out of his range. "Just shows that you know the truth, Lexi." He turned slowly, his handsome face with a slight smirk on it. The smirk did not reach his eyes, however, anger burning in them. "A sucker punch is the only way you'll beat me." He knew she'd hate that. He knew she'd have to fight him. "In a straight-up fight...no chance."

Exactly what he wanted. She was the best here, next to him. Of course, he couldn't fairly say he was better than her. She was very, very good. She'd also apparently made it her goal in life to torment him. Not at first, she was friendly enough when he first arrived at the school with his brother an sister. But after he got good, when he shot through ranks to catch up to her level in barely a year, it became like this. They were the best students in the school, both officially ranked number one. It annoyed him, and he knew it drove her wild. There can't be two number one students. One of them had to be best. But neither had proven it so far. After their last sparring match a few months, his eyes flicked over to the newly rebuilt section of the main hall's roof, they hadn't even trained in the same room. The masters had separated them. At this moment, however, the masters were all busy.

The smirk became an eager grin, as his right hand flicked down his shirt, undoing the cloth frogs until it opened. He pulled it off, the breeze that came off the river cool on his pale skin. He threw the garment out of the ring, not even looking where it landed. His senses were focused on the ring, and on her. His cold and lovely opponent. His rival. He hadn't noticed that the sounds of practice and sweeping had stopped, that students stared at the pair, halting in their tracks to watch what was unfolding. Jen assumed a deceptively loose Monkey Stance. "Want to try and prove me wrong?"

 

[CuteTomboy]

Lexi leaned her head to one side as Jen first spoke, curious as to what the truth was in his mind. His next words infuriated her, clenching her fists and teeth, trying to hold back her rage as he continued to speak. Slowly she relaxes, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Anytime, Anywhere." she said.

Her eyes look over his body as he took off his shirt, watching for his muscles to tense and inevitably betray his movement. Slowly dropping her arms to her sides as he assumes his stance, shaking her head, that was the same stance he started out in during their last match. Images of that intense battle flowing through her mind, analyzing both of their moves as well as she could remember, planning a different attack strategy than last time.

 

[Armphid]

Jen chuckled, Lexi was thinking about the last fight and analyzing the stance he was taking now. She thought too much. This was fighting, not thinking. Fight or think, doing both was a distraction. "Then I choose right here, and right now." "In case one of us is knocked out later...thanks for the fight."

He didn't really have any antipathy for her. He'd goaded her just to be sure that she'd fight him now, while the masters couldn't separate them. The smile on his face was a curious mix of gratitude, eagerness, and ferocious desire for conflict.

They sprang at the same time, Jen's fierce battle cry ringing out. The initial strikes were turned aside easily, perfectly timed blocks and split hair dodges saving both combatants from injuries. Lexi lashed out with a vicious series of kicks, Jen flipping backward to avoid them, being chased across the ring until he flipped forward in a wicked ax kick that she nimbly leaped aside to avoid. The kick cracked the dry earth, shards of dirt flying up in the air between the two fighters.

Around the ring, students gathered, watching the battle in silent awe. Except for when the masters sparred, they never saw fighting like this. They poured out from buildings, abandoning duties and training to watch. One of the younger students ran up to the wall, calling out to those practicing in the rocky hills beyond the school's gates, "Hey!" "Jen and Lexi are fighting!"

Lexi's fast hands grabbed his left arm, twisting and jerking it to open his defense, bringing up a following kick. He dipped his knees and back, the lethal blow passing just over his head. The leg closest to her kicked out, attempting to sweep her front leg, making her release him and dance back. A thin sheen of sweat gleamed on his face and bare chest, and his breathing was heavier. The savagely joyous smile had never left his face. His blood was on fire, singing and pulsing through his veins. This was it! This was what he lived for! "Magnificent!" "You've improved, Lexi!" "But so have I", he thought. "What a warrior you are!" There was a ripple in the air as Jen tapped his chi, and a faint blue glow rose around him. Thus far, they'd been fighting without using any chi or special techniques. "Let's kick this fight up a notch, huh?"

 

[CuteTomboy]

Lexi barely tries against Jen at first, slowly ramping up her effort a little behind him. When the two spring back it's obvious that she's not quite as winded as Jen is. She smirks slightly, crossing her arms as he complements her.

"Poor Jen, I haven't even really started. And you want to step it up?" her eyes widening a bit, seeing the faint aura of his chi.

She slowly leans back on one leg, the other stretched out towards Jen, hands open one by her head, the other outstretched. She stays still for a few moments, until a light red aura starts to show around her palms.

"If you're that eager to lose infront of everyone, then let's do it."

Not two seconds after the words come out she dashes at Jen. One hand outstretched at her side, the light red aura becoming more visible each second. Whispering Burning Slash as she approaches him, her hand and arm engulfed in flame, Jen barely avoids it.

 

[Armphid]

"Poor Jen, I haven't even really started. And you want to step it up?" her eyes widening a bit, seeing the faint aura of his chi. She slowly leans back on one leg, the other stretched out towards Jen, hands open one by her head, the other outstretched. She stays still for a few moments, until a light red aura starts to show around her palms. "If you're that eager to lose in front of everyone, then let's do it."

"Less boasting, more fighting," he snapped back.

Not two seconds after the words come out she dashes at Jen. One hand outstretched at her side, the light red aura becoming more visible each second. Whispering Burning Slash as she approaches him, her hand and arm engulfed in flame, Jen barely avoids it.

The heat from the Whispering Burning Slash beat at his exposed skin, but he was clear of it's damaging effects. "HA!" "That's more like it!" As she finished the motion of the attack, he countered, leaping high with a kick aimed at her head. The delicate-looking warrior ducked, Jen pivoting and launching back at her as his feet touched the ground. He drove her back with a relentless flurry of strikes, fists, knees and feet lashing out a dozen times in a second.

The assembled students gasped, awed at what they saw. Lexi and Jen were moving with beyond human speed as chi enhanced their bodies, making them stronger, tougher, and faster than any human normally could be. A few of those closest to the ring were pushed aside, a girl of perhaps fifteen staring at what was unfolding. She was straight icy blue hair, held away from her forehead by two simple clips. She gasped her fingers going to her mouth, "Oh!" "Brother, stop!" "You know what the masters said!"

Jen barely heard his sister's warning, and ignored it completely. The fight was all that mattered. He was making Lexi work now. He didn't let up, firing attack after attack, until she was against the fence of the ring. "Got you now," he crowed mentally. Leaping upward, he flipped over, swinging his heel down toward her head. As it feel, a cutting edge of cold and ice crystallized in front of it. "Glacier Cutting Kick!" Lexi dove forward, clear of the kill zone but only barely. The post and fence beams jutting out of it froze solid, then shattered as his heel crashed down.

Jen swung back to face Lexi, falling into his preferred style. Glorious. He felt whole, truly himself as only did in these moments, in the fight. The two combatants leaped at one another again, a barrage of kicks and punches being turned aside or neatly dodged, faster and faster, until, ""There, an opening!" Two fists lashed out, and there was a meaty crack as both of their heads jerked back. Jen and Lexi had both scored a blow, each deliver a punch to the other's face. The skidded apart, sliding almost halfway across the ring from the impact.

Jen brushed his bruised cheek with one hand, a thin trail of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. Then he smiled again, dropping back into his stance. With the fingers of his outstretched left hand, he beckoned her come once again.

 

[CuteTomboy]

It takes a moment for Lexi to recover from the blow to her cheek, touching it gently, she winces in pain. The pain quickly feeding her rage, fire almost literally burning in her eyes as Jen calmly moves into his stance. She stands up straight, licking the little trail of blood from her lip. Slowly raising one hand and motioning for Jen to attack, steam rising around her, her Fire Feet technique melting the frozen area she's standing on. The water from the melted ice quickly evaporating to make a screen of steam around her. Lexi quickly darts from the steam and just before shoulder slamming Jen, she jumps high into the air.

"Fissure Strike!" She screams.

Landing on the floor with a thunderous crash Lexi's attack barely misses Jen, her fist buried in the ground. Jen laughs as Lexi seems to be trapped, a smile spreading across her face. The floor begins to crack and split, heading right for Jen.

 

[Armphid]

His eyes went wide as the ground buckled and cracked in a snaking line that shot toward him. "Damn it He hopped back, but the crack followed, far faster than he could move backward. "Too close!" The fissure hit, and the ground exploded beneath him. "GaaaAAAH!" Three columns of rock burst from the ground, slamming into him as his body was peppered with smaller stones. He rose up into the air, sailing upward in a graceful arc before crashing down. The now cut and battered youth laid still, his breathing labored.

The students gathered around the sparring arena had turned their head at the shower of dust and rock, but a collective gasp erupted from them. There were some cheers, some denials at the sight before them. Jen's sister shook her head, "Brother, no!"

The smile on Lexi's face widened, but then her eyes narrowed. Jen rose, unsteadily to his feet. "Nice move." He bled from a number of small wounds, where the little rocks had pierced and shot into his skin. The cloth of the right leg of his pants was all but gone, just a ring of it sticking out of his boot. His forehead was dripping blood into his left eye, the blue haired fighter shaking his head to clear it away. He winced, his face serious. "But don't go thinking you're won." He laughed shortly, the eager grin of battle returning to his face. "I'm not finished yet."

He hadn't used this move in a fight yet, but what better time than now? He got down into his stance, his right arm sliding back, gathering to punch. He began to throw the punch, then he was gone. The crowd gasped again, looking around to catch some sign of him. Suddenly there was a clap of thunder as Jen tore through the sound barrier, appearing directly in front of Lexi. "Thunderclap Fist!"

 

[CuteTomboy]

Lexi couldn't react fast enough and the powerful attack slammed into her full force, sending her flying into pillars on the other side of the room. Gasps could once again be heard from the students watching. She lays still in the rubble for a few moments before slowly standing, her dress torn in several places, a few shallow scars on the exposed parts of her body. Her eyes burning with rage, her aura turning a darker red, fire slowly encasing her body, as the fire rages she slowly lifts off the ground, her rage giving her access to depths of power that she usually can't touch.

"Y..You h....hit me...." her voice deep and full of hate.

The fire encasing her body shoots out orbs of flame that start to circle her. She reaches back, almost as if she's reaching for the fireballs, but she suddenly doubles over, her eyes wide as she collapses to the floor. The reason obvious when the students pull their gaze from her, one of the Masters is a few feet behind her.

 

[Armphid]

Lexi lay still in the rubble for a few moments before slowly standing, her dress torn in several places, a few shallow scars on the exposed parts of her body. Her eyes burning with rage, her aura turning a darker red, fire slowly encasing her body, as the fire rages she slowly lifts off the ground, her rage giving her access to depths of power that she usually can't touch. "Y..You....hit me...." her voice deep and full of hate.

His wine red eyes went wide as he looked at her ragged state. "Those scars...what happened to her?" "Lexi..."

Jen was awestruck by the raw power rolling off of Lexi. He'd never felt anything like this. Even in that stunned state, he couldn't keep from shooting back, "It's a fight." "If you didn't want to be hit, you shouldn't have started it!"

The words rang with bravado he didn't feel. In addition to the surge of power, there was something else that burned in her eyes, that was almost tangible in the air. Murder. A bloodlust so deep and hate saturated it was terrifying. She was going to kill him. There was no doubt in his mind. She reached back, readying herself to lash out with that fearful power. Jen gathered his strength, preparing to unleash his ultimate technique to try and counter her might.

Jen's sister watched from the crowd, her eyes wide with terror. There was a rush of movement, and a tall boy, perhaps a year younger than Jen stood beside her. His spiky, ice blue hair was a mane that reached the small of his back, and his face was serious. "Damn it!" "What are they thinking?" He turned his head, noting a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye, "Huh?" Then he sighed, "Thank the Gods..."

Lexi suddenly toppled to the ground, and Jen blinked, taken aback. "What the hell?" Then he saw why. Master Peerless Ruby stood behind Lexi, his tanned face grave. "Oh, crap." He felt movement near him, and just began to pivot to face it when the blows struck him. His head jerked to the left violently before he too doubled over, falling to his hands and knees, gasping for breath. Next to him was the elegant grace of Master Jubilant Thorn, her face serene and the the glossy glory of her long braid shining dully.

Master Jubilant Thorn turned to the crowd of watching students. The corners of her mouth dipped ever so slightly, her eyes tightening a hair. "Are there no chores or lessons to be done?"

There was a rush of movement and a clamor of raised voices as chagrined students raced away from the scene, back to the errands and training they had left unattended to watch the fight. Only Jen's siblings remained. The two youths looked at one another, and then the girl took a nervous half-step forward, "Sifu..."

"Return to your duties." Peerless Ruby cut off whatever she had been about to say. "We will deal with you brother, and his injuries."

"Yes, sifu," replied the brother, bowing. Taking his sister's hand, the long haired Iceheart led her away from the scene.

There was the sound of soft footsteps, the aged from of Master Sagacious Ivory padding into the wreckage of the sparring circle. "What are we to do about this?" "Two students, clearly disobeying the rules of the sparring circle, damaging the grounds, and each other."

"Sifu...it's my fault." All three masters looked at Jen, surprise on the faces of all but Sagacious Ivory. The ice blue haired fighter was on his knees, his head bowed in humble supplication. "I egged Lexi into sparring with me, even though I was not supposed to." "I wanted the challenge that only she could give me." "Please, sifu, none of this is her fault." "Please let her go, I will take full responsibility."

 

[CuteTomboy]

Lexi lays still, completely incapacitated from the Master's attack. Master Ruby slowly kneels and lifts her limp body from the ground. Master Jubilant Thorn looks her over.

"Take her to the infirmary please Ruby." she says, then looking at Jen. "You come with us."

Ruby and Jubilant walk off while Sagacious seems to just disappear to supervise the students. Sensing Jen following Ruby starts to speak once they are out of earshot of the other students.

"You are lucky we showed up Jen. I hope you know that. She was on the brink of unleashing all her power, an event that has only happened once before." She says.

 

[Armphid]

"You are lucky we showed up Jen. I hope you know that. She was on the brink of unleashing all her power, an event that has only happened once before." She says.

"I don't feel lucky, sifu." It may have been too insolent a response, but it was the honest one. He felt...he wasn't sure what he felt. Nervous, annoyed at being interrupted, relieved, concerned, even afraid. Just a little. Hardly at all, really.

He followed wordlessly for a few minutes, questions turning over and over in his mind. Finally, as they reached the infirmary, he could no longer restrain himself. "Sifu...what do you mean she was going to unleash all her power?" "Why on me?" "We were just sparring..."

Okay, it HAD gotten pretty intense. His bruise and cut body attested to that, but still...it wasn't for keeps. Why had she freaked out? Lexi was always so cold, so in control. "I don't understand why she lost it." There was concern for his rival in his voice, though he tried to ignore it. "She never has before...she's always collected and cool." He paused at the threshold, watching the two masters set the unconscious girl down. "Does...does it have something to do with those scars?"

 

[CuteTomboy]

Once in the infirmary, Ruby sets Lexi down on a cot and lets Jubilant attend to her.

"I have seen your sparring matches before and honestly. Today is the first day you truly hit her, she allowed it the other times."

She is silent for a few moments while tending to Lexi's fresh wounds.

"Today, she was going all out, or as close to it as she can consciously. As for the scars, they are the result of the last time her full power was unleashed. She was very young. She wandered into a small village after her parents, a fire elemental and an earth elemental, had been destroyed by some of the villagers. When she entered the town they somehow knew what she was and tried to kill her too. All that is left of the village and it's people now is a large scorch mark."

 

[Armphid]

Jen felt his pride confirmed and stung at the same time. She'd let him land hits before? He wasn't as good as he thought. Then the rest of the master's tale sunk in, and his eyes grew wide. "A fire elemental and an earth elemental...her parents?" "You mean, Lexi's...not human?" She couldn't be, the child of two powerful spirits. Why was she in human form and in the human world then? "What...why is...?"

He shook his head, trying to rattle his brain into order. He had no idea. He'd never even imagined she was anything but a powerful and talented fighter. This...this changed everything. "She destroyed that town, but she got hurt too." "How did she come here?" Did it really change anything though? He had spirit blood in him. His great-grandmother was Pui-Ti, Queen of the Mountain Snows. But...he was still part human. What did that make Lexi?

 

[CuteTomboy]

Jubilant Thorn is quiet for a few moments, moving to tend to Peerless Ruby's arm, burnt from the flame that had surrounded Lexi.

"Not even I can explain what she is, her memories cannot even provide a clue as to her full origins. Ruby and I, along with Master Ivory himself have helped her try to control her emotions."

She looks back at Lexi, still out cold on the cot.

"Her being here has forced even Ruby and I to train harder, learning techniques for when her rage becomes unmanagable. She has been able to contain it for some time, this was the first outburst in years, the only trigger could have been your fight, when she knew you were at least equal to her, possible stronger."

 

[Armphid]

Jen was quiet as well as he watched the two masters. He felt a little miffed that his own injuries weren't being tended to, but they probably weren't that bad. He couldn't even feel slighted, well, not at that. Instead, his mind was turning over what he'd been told. He stared at Lexi, his eyes uncertain.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Jen looked up at the masters. "It's not necessary for me to know it all, you could have just told me she lost control and left it at that." "Why tell me?" "Especially the part about my getting better being the cause." His eyes narrowed and he stood, "Are you trying to tell me that I shouldn't be training so hard?" "That I should let her get better than me again so she doesn't lose it?"

Jen swung a hand across in front of him, in a slashing motion. "Forget it!" "I've worked hard to catch up, I've sweated and bled to get here, and I'm not stopping!" "If you want her to be better than me, than help her train harder." He'd be willing to train with her, like they used to, but he doubted that was in the cards. "If that's what you want from me...then you've got another thing coming, sifu."

He felt a little better once the tirade was out of his system. Knowing he was probably in even more trouble now, he sank back into the chair. "Besides...I know who and what she is." "She's Lexi, the strongest and prettiest girl in the school." "My rival, and once my friend." "That's all that matters, to me, anyway." "Nothing you've said changes that."

 

[CuteTomboy]

The two masters stop and just listen as Jen rants, both slightly smirking at each other. Thorn slowly turns to look at him.

"Are you done?"

She asks simply once Jen quiets down.

"I told you all about her for good reasons. She cannot get stronger, being elemental has that disadvantage. All she can do is learn to control the power she has. Also, Ruby and I need you to help us contain her rage, both through helping her train and training yourself so that you can stop her. I hate to admit it but, you have more strength in you than the two of us combined, but like Lexi you can't control it all. We had hoped you'd reach an level of emotional maturity to take the next step in training for both of you, were we wrong?"

 

[Armphid]

Jen actually blushed at the gentle chiding the elegant master gave him. He'd gotten carried away again. Her next words though, were mind blowing. He was stronger than her? Than both of them? That...couldn't be. But they were masters, who would know better than them?

He looked past Master Jubilant Thorn at Lexi. His eyes lingered on the scars that were visible on her form. "I want to become the best, the most powerful fighter I can be, to protect my siblings." "That's what I thought at first." "Then, I wanted to protect the other students at the school." "Now...even though she just about almost killed me...I want to protect her too."

"I want to help." Jen's wine red eyes looked back into Thorn's with fearless determination. "I want to take my training to the next level, and I want to do it beside Lexi." "If you think I'm ready, sifu, and worthy, then please." He slid out of the chair to kneel on both knees. "Please teach me."

 

[CuteTomboy]

Jubilant watches as Jen kneels, smiling slightly. Moving from Ruby's side she stands beside Jen and reaches down to pull him back to his feet.

"No need to kneel before me anymore Jen. Soon you will have the other student's bowing before you. I am honored that you think I could train you further, but that is not possible. The next step must be done far away from us, far from the school, the two of you will be able to explore the depths of your own powers as well as eachothers since no one will be around to interfere. However, you must help Lexi keep control above all else, to subdue her it takes my most power mental attack and Ruby's strongest physical strike, but since you have the power of ice on your side it should be simple to find your own way."

Thorn returns to Lexi, gently lifting her. Setting her in Jen's arms.

"You two will leave in the morning, for now, get Lexi to her room to let her rest. You should take the time to bid farewell to your siblings and prepare yourself."

 

[Armphid]

A journey? Alone? Not for the first time, he questioned the masters' wisdom. Jen wasn't sure this was a good idea. He had no idea how to help Lexi now. His ice techniques hadn't helped earlier...

He squared his shoulders, such thoughts were unworthy. He'd just have to find a way. "Yes, sifu." His eyes widened as Master Thorn lifted Lexi and carried her to him. Wordlessly, he stood, taking the girl into his arms. He looked down at her, noting that she looked peaceful now, and that she smelled of wood smoke.

"You two will leave in the morning, for now, get Lexi to her room to let her rest. You should take the time to bid farewell to your siblings and prepare yourself."

"I understand, sifu." He inclined his head, leaving the two masters behind in the infirmary. His mind was in a daze. What did this all mean? He'd become accustomed to life at the school. It's order, it's routine, was his life. Now, in one short afternoon, all that was gone.

Jen glanced down at the sleeping girl in his arms. He knew she was powerful and skilled, but now she looked so vulnerable. He cradled her a little closer as he walked through the grounds to her room. She was so light and so warm. By the time he reached her chamber, he felt a faint pang of regret at setting her down. He kicked the cover off of her bed first, then gently laid her on the thin mattress. Standing back, he watched her slumber for a few moments more. "I never thought anything like this could happen." He knew she couldn't hear him. Maybe that was why he felt he could speak. "To leave like this, just going out into the unknown...I feel nervous." "But, I'll get a grip of myself." "I won't hinder you with this kind of weakness come tomorrow." Jen reached down and recovered the blanket he'd kicked away, taking a few moments to tuck the red haired warrior in.

Before leaving, he wrote a quick note for her, folded neatly in half next to the bed:

"Lexi,

Looks like we got lucky and the masters aren't going to punish us. At least, I don't think so. It seems like they've got something else in mind. If you want to, please come to my house for dinner tonight. My sister always cooks too much, and we can talk about what the masters said.

Jen

Then he padded out of her room and toward the school gate. Now...how was he going to tell his siblings about this?

 

[CuteTomboy]

Lexi sleeps peacefully until the sun starts to set. Quickly, she sits up in bed, her eyes wide, her last memories somewhere in the middle of her fight with Jen. She slowly relaxes, looking down at her torn dress, blushing slightly at how much of her it revealed. She notices the note as she gets up, eyes wide as she reads it, wondering what all happened while she was asleep. She goes to her small trunk, pulling out another dress and slipping into it before leaving her room to find one of the Master's to tell her where Jen lives. It takes her some time to find Jubilant Thorn and awhile longer to convince her that Jen invited her. By the time Lexi makes it to Jens home it's awhile after dark. She raises one hand slowly, knocking softly on the door.

 

[Armphid]

His arrival home had not been the peaceful respite he had wanted. The house was on the edge of the village, close to the walled complex of the school. It was a simple affair; a tall round building with rice paper walls on the inside to create different "rooms." As soon as he slid the door open and stepped inside, "I'm home," it had started.

"Brother!" Mai, his sister, leaped into a hug, innocently causing pain as she embraced his unbandaged body. "You're okay!" "What happened?" She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Did you get in trouble?"

"Of course he did." Jin, his brother, was leaning against the curving outer wall near the kitchen. "You really did it this time." "Breaking the rules AND wrecking the sparring circle."

"Yeah, yeah." "Look, Jin, I don't need the lecture, okay?" Jen frowned at his long haired sibling. "Can't you treat your big brother with some respect for a change?" Jin just snorted, but said nothing else.

"Brother," Mai poked at one of his cuts, "Didn't they treat you?"

"No, Mai, we kinda all forgot about it." "There was...a lot to talk about." Jen looked at his little family, and sighed. "I'm not being punished exactly...but something is happening." "I'm going on a journey to train." "With Lexi."

'You're WHAT?" Both of them shouted it at once.

"A training journey, just the two of us." "I don't know where we're going, or how long we'll be." "All I know is that we're leaving...tomorrow."

There was a lot of noise after that. Mai had cried while cleaning and bandaging his injuries, not wanting him to leave. Jin was just angry. Angry at him for his stupid actions, and angry at the masters for coming up with a punishment disguised as something else. There was a lot of talking and yelling, ending with Jin going out to train some of the anger out of his system, and Mai to make dinner.

The meal was pretty quiet. No one really knew quite what to say. Mai had made a savory stew, and even though the bread she'd bought that morning was kind of hard now, it was still good. After the meal, she and Jin took the dishes into the kitchen to clean up.

Jen sighed, looking out the unshuttered window. "I guess...she's not coming." Or she was still asleep. Which was possible. Then there was a soft knock at the door. Jen hopped up from the table, walking over. "Hold on a second." "I'm-" he slid open the door, blinking at the sight that awaited him. Lexi, in a fresh dress, stood at the threshold with hand raising to knock again. "Lexi!" "I thought you weren't going to come for a while there." He grinned, standing aside and gesturing with one hand. "Please come in, there's still plenty of stew left." "Ummm...how...are you feeling?"

 

[CuteTomboy]

Lexi quickly lowers her hand as Jen answers the door blushing a little. Her mind racing "What is this I'm feeling? Why do I feel so wierd?" she thinks to herself, nodding slowly and walking into Jen's home. When she looks up to see Jen's sibligs staring at her she blushes deeper, her eyes widening as she realizes what she's feeling. She's nervous, something she's never felt before, Lexi remembers being scared a few times, rarely being happy, mostly angry, but never ever nervous.

"I'm alright." she says softly.

She slowly walks to the table, her hands at either side, rubbing the silk of her dress nervously.

"I..Is it alright if I join you?" she asks Jin and Mai.

 

[Armphid]

"Of course, senior student," Mai exclaimed, putting her hands together and bowing low. "It's such an honor to have you in our home." Jen smiled, glad for his sister's courtesy. Partly because it was appropriate, and partly because it gave him time to think of what he should be saying. Inviting Lexi over had seemed like a good idea before, but now that she was here, he wasn't sure. She was definately nervous, and so was he. "Please sit down and I'll bring in the food." "Luckily, it's still warm." The youngest Iceheart sibling gave Lexi a sunny smile and headed into the kitchen.

Jin also bowed, though he only said, "I'd also like to thank you, senior student, for fighting my brother earlier today." "I don't think I've ever seen fighting of that caliber before." He looked from Lexi to his brother, "I'll help Mai."

Jen shrugged as his brother exited the room. Jin was a hard person to figure out. Some of the things he did really contradicted each other. Shaking his head, Jen pulled out a chair for Lexi. "I'm glad to see you up and about." "I thought you might end up sleeping the rest of the day." "It looked like the sifu hit you pretty hard."

He took a seat across from her. "Did...did any of the sifus come and talk to you before you came here?" He wondered if she knew about the mysterious pronouncement that had been made regarding them. He also wasn't sure if he should tell her what he knew about her past.