Exploring the Academic Grounds, and Their People

With official classes out for the day Eostre was happy to spend time getting to know the local area around the Academy now she finally had a chance. Likewise it gave her time to just relax, not have to think about how difficult some of the homework they were set was for a girl who struggled to actually write. There was improvements aplenty, sure, but she just needed some time to step away. Get herself some exercise.

Getting herself ready to leave she grabbed her shawl, and then her staff, sure she looked like a hermit right now and finding she didn't care much. She had one simple goal after leaving her room; find the best ways to get around the Academy, and namely in this time finding the practise field. But of course, she would say a bright hello to anybody she walked by, even if they weren't people from her class. Though any that she did on the way out, she offered the chance to come explore with her.

[Training thread! Woo!]

Amara sat in the hallway, her back against the wall and a thick volume on Seal Theory, specifically material sealing was opened on her lap. Beside her sat her bookbag, which a few white corners sticking out beneath it. The homework had been trivial, and frankly rather boring as far as Amara was concerned. She was looking forward to working the the specialists later on in the month, but for now she was rather bored with all this general instruction. Her time was better spent reading, as it always was as far as she was concerned. As she poured over the material in front of her, people milled about the halls doing their best to not trip over the small red head in the hallway.

While she ignored them for the most part, something caught her attention as it stood out from most of the rest. In fact, the figure looked like it might be some sort of old...person? The gender wasn't easily identifiable to Amara, considering how wrapped up the figure was. It moved too graceful and easily for most of the elderly that Amara had observed. Not elderly then, perhaps simply homeless? There wasn't exactly a homelessness problem in the Republic, but these people still existed. Whether through circumstance or choice, plenty of vagrants and urchins roamed the streets from time to time. Still, for one to make its way into the Academy, that was certainly suspicious. Her book forgotten, Amara blatantly stared at the figure as it moved in her direction. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she forgot any social grace or reminders from her father to not stare.

Things were pretty strange for the young Faunus, she didn't get the reactions she was getting. Sure she was new and probably not recognised, but she was being asked if she 'needed help' far too often. It was really confusing. She was getting a frustrated, and she embarassed a few people who scattered off before really explaining anything. She wasn't going to let it beat her though. One more! Oo! Someone reading. She took a breath, brought the smile back to her face, and made her way over. "Hi! I'm Eost-... Ok this is getting in the way," With the one who was reading being sat, she was forced to look down too much, her shawl was falling right in front of her face  even more. With her free hand she swept it back, better revealing her face. "Ah, that's better. Oh, I think I recognise you! You're in my classes, yeah? I'm Eostre. Not used to being closed in, looking to get fresh air."

Amara regarded this new creature with mild curiosity. She squinted her eyes, studying her face and what she could make out under the robes. There was a long, awkward silence as Amara took this new information in, processing it and considering the girl's words, Ah, a faunus then? She asked, though didn't wait for a confirmation, I've read much about your people. You used to be of the Dobutsu before achieving enlightenment, although much of your history before that seems to be shrouded in mystery. Amara stood as she spoke, closing the book and holding it to her chest as she inspected different parts of Eostre. She looked only with her eyes though, her father had instructed her several times in the past about not actually touching specimens, or people as he referred to them.

Mhmmm she would make DELICIOUS MEAT! Terrence yelled in the back of Amara's mind, but the girl only sighed and muttered, Enough out of you. She looked at Eostre and frowned, Err, not you. That wasn't towards you. Sorry. So Eost, Amara said, having only gotten part of the girl's name, though she didn't know that, Might I walk with you, if you're going outside? I'd love to talk and study you.

Eostre cocked her head, clearly feeling she was missing something when being told 'enough' when it didn't feel she'd even said anything. But if it wasn't meant for her... maybe that was ok then. Just clearly something of the outside world she wasn't used to yet. "Yup! I'm a Faunus. That's what I get called anyway. I'm just Eostre though really." A nice way to politely correct without making it much of a big deal. "I don't know what exactly I have to be studied. I would admit that I planned to do much the same. Very not from around here." She uttered a nervous laugh, but all the smiles still.

She made a movement to start pulling the hood of her shawl back over her head, but with the confusion she decided best to just leave it. She lightly tapped the ground with the end of her staff though and offered a hand to help her up. "We shall study each other, yes?"

Oh yes, that would be most excellent. I never really get to meet people who share my curiosity for...well, everything really. Amara said, taking the offered hand with a thankful nod while taking her thick book with her as she stood. That's such a strange, but beautiful name. I like the way it plays with the tongue. Is a name like that common for your people? Amara asked as she bent over and placed the book in her bag, pulling out instead a rather beaten and well used notebook, or journal from the looks of it. She then slung the book bag over her shoulder and turned back to Eostre. I know the feeling, this is my first time outside of Mahou. The Republic is a wonderful but... She bit her lip, thinking for a moment, intimidating place at times.

Amara walked around Eostre, sizing her up and writing down general guesses at height and weight as she did. And the stick, this is for what exactly? Defense? Support? Do your people have bad joints or is it a medical issue entirely of your own? Have you bonded with the stick and it sentience in some way? I know some Samurai in history have been known to elevate their sword's abilities to such a degree that they nearly become alive. Then there are those strange Weaponkin creatures, fairly new, in terms of ancient history anyway. I really do need to sit down with one of them while I'm here. Amara began to ramble, getting a distant look in her eyes as though she were the only one in the hallway. She shook her head, coming back to reality, Oh err, sorry. That happens sometimes, I'm trying to be better about it.

Eostre simply found Amara rather silly. The way she rambled reminded her much of herself in a way, knowing she so often did the same when something had her focus and interest. "My name is mine," She said it as though the answer was obvious. As if the idea of someone having the same name as her was proposterous. But with the focus drawn towards her staff, she laughed to herself, glancing to it then tapping the ground with it a little harder. "It is... my bond. It marks me as One Who Fights." Once again she was speaking as if she were saying the most obvious things. But with a little more thought it did register on her that this would actually be something nobody outside her tribe would know. "Not everybody in my tribe can fight. And a much smaller number is capable of manipulation. I believe you might know it as Chakra. That is what the sensei called it I think? My staff is a sign that I am capable of that. It tells that I am a fighter, that I fight along side the very nature that surrounds us, to protect. It is like an extension of myself. It is why it's possibly just a stick to many. Because in truth, it is. There is nothing different about it than those still bound to the trees, only that I carry this one."

Right, right, of course. That would make the most logical sense. Amara said, nodding as she jotted down notes in her journal, hanging on each of Eostre's words. So your people are able to harness and utilize chakra, but not all of them. How interesting, and similar to humans really. You are one such individual who can, which explains your enrollment in the academy. Amara tapped her pencil on her cheek, reflecting as they walked. By this point they had exited the classroom building and were passing by the entrance to the training grounds. Would you be interested in demonstrating some of your chakra harnessing abilities? It would be an excellent first hand account for my research and could provide insight into what I believe links each of the races of our world. The discovered ones at least. Amara looked up at Eostre with hopeful, wondering eyes, but she of course wouldn't force the young faunus to do anything she didn't want to. Her curious brain was simply ablaze with possibilities. This first hand research was truly what she craved at any given moment.

"You... want to see?" Eostre repeated back, noticing the peculiar look in Amara's eyes. "I think I might like that. I have not got to see other people's abilities and I am very excited to see." She herself would get the same excitable gaze at the thought of that. "Come, let us find a space." And without a second thought she began to move away at a faster pace towards the training field she remembered seeing. "And yes, it is something like that. But my tribe it is quite rare to harness the chakra as you all do. It is why I was sent to Academy. We were short on teachers and made good outreach."

Finding the field vacant Eostre gave an excited cheer and tossed aside her shawl to better free herself for movements. "We shall practice now, yes?" She said, standing there and twirling her staff in front of her before stabbing it down against the ground.

Spoiler:

Hmm interesting, so most other Faunus of other tribes don't have as much skill in utilizing chakra. That makes sense with what I've read in the past. Amara said, tapping the pencil's eraser to her chin as she walked beside Eostre in thought. As Eostre took off in a hurry, Amara made sure to follow behind her as closely as possible, though she suspected the Faunus girl was probably faster than her. Amara was a book worm, not a gazelle. She took the time running behind Eostre to jot down notes and even a quick anatomical sketch of the girl's jog...for research purposes naturally.

Amara nodded as Eostre asked if she was ready to train, Yes, I think so. I've actually been attempting to master a technique in my spare time. Let's see how long I can hold it now. Amara closed her eyes, placing her book and pencil in her armpit so she could freely use her hands. She formed the necessary hand seals and then opened her eyes. Nothing happened. Holding out the book and pencil, in front of her, they would begin to levitate, the notebook being propped open and the pencil ready and waiting to record more notes. However, strangely they floated just inches above her head with no visible reason why unless Eostre possessed chakra vision. There, Amara said, a bead of sweat running down her cheek as she concentrated in keeping the invisible psionic hands active and holding her tools.

Jutsu Being Learned:

Eostre cooed softly to herself watching Amara work, and the book and pen just floating there in front of her. Without the chakra sense she couldn't actually tell exactly how it was being done. Still, it was cool to the Faunus, and she wanted to see what else it could do. But of course, not knowing what Amara could do, she figured it might be something to do with the book. But to her this was just a fun little spar, something to stretch off their muscles, better understand the differences between them. As such, and having only so far practised with non-combatants, she was hardly using any of her inner strength, swinging her staff to out in front of her, letting chakra flow through as the staff would suddenly and rapidly grow out across an extra 10ft to jab in to Amara's chest.

Spoiler:

Aka holding a one nose stand witnessed the spar happening between the two students. This pleased him greatly, for he's a strong believer of iron sharpening iron. After about ten more seconds, he'd hop onto his feet want walk away from the two.

OOC: Training tech requirements are now halved.