"First Lesson"

Log Date:
	7/24/00

Log Cast:
	Kaiulani, Naiadre

Log Intro:
	If there is anything about which her family has chastised her 
almost as much as her mysterious, never-seen protector without a name, it's
Kaiulani's lack of mental discipline. Though her telepathy is strong, her
thoughts tend to leak erratically out of her mind, broadcasting into the
heads of any who might happen to be near her if she is even remotely 
agitated--which is often the case these days in Haven. This has not failed
to escape the notice of the First Acolyte of Pasiphae even as Kaiulani has
sought the counsel of those who watch over Pasiphae's temple in the 
Korallion, and even as she and Okalani have given Kaiulani advice about the 
matter of her protector, Naiadre has offered something else to the Pandion
maiden: assistance in training her telepathic gifts.
	Today, Kai will get her first lesson....

*===========================< In Character Time >===========================*
             Time of day:  Morning
          Date on Aether:  Thursday, October 30, 3906.
           Year on Earth:  1506 A.D. 
       Phase of the Moon:  Waxing Crescent
                  Season:  Fall
                 Weather:  Foggy
             Temperature:  Cool
*==========================================================================*

Morning -- and a restless, fretful Kaiulani is seizing the opportunity to 
  escape from the Korallion for the moment, at least in as much of an escape 
  as she can manage with Akane and Ronan trailing some distance behind her. 
  Though the shadow of the embassy looms in the water behind her, she's swum 
  out some distance through clumps of coral and waving kelp, claiming the need 
  for some distance and a little bit of privacy. Handy, extremely so, to have 
  the excuse of needing a bit of solitude to practice her mental shields! And 
  truth be told, Kai _does_ intend to try to practice what the First Acolyte 
  has advised her to do... though half her mind is also occupied in intent 
  study of the coral, her sea-green gaze drinking in the sight of each 
  individual growth as though it is of vital importance.

A slim and shadowy figure follows Kaiulani at some pace, and to the Pandion 
  princess, it might seem another guard is trailing in her wake. But the path 
  of the Atlantean is erratic, darting first up to the surface, and then 
  darting through the water, down to the bottom, and up once more, trailing a 
  line of fine sand like stardust. It pauses at one point and darts forward 
  again purposefully, heading directly towards Kaiulani.

Fretful enough is the girl that as soon as she catches sight of this third 
  follower she's gained, out there in the edge of her vision, Kaiulani whips 
  about in the water. Pearlescent hair floating about her head churns about 
  with the violence of her turning, and through those hanging tresses, a flare 
  of keen hope seizes control of her expression -- until the girl realizes 
  that the figured headed her way is not _him_. It can't be... for this is a 
  woman. By the time Naiadre draws near enough that her identity is 
  unmistakable Kaiulani has composed herself, and she inclines her head as 
  graciously as she can manage. Greeting wells forth through her thoughts, 
  though she can't entirely hide the nervousness under her hail.

The First Acolyte draws to a stop before Kaiulani with a flaring of fins and 
  webbed hands. Multi-colored hair streams about her like a halo, the diadem 
  she wears doing little to contain it under the water. A wisp of a 
  landdweller smile crosses her lips, belying how long she has spent among 
  them, that even here their expressions leak out. Her mind brushes Kai's 
  gently, inserting her signature colors of coral and kelp and the red of warm 
  greeting. *Pasiphae's Blessings, Kaiulani. I did not expect to meet you 
  here...and vice versa, I believe? You were hoping to see someone else, 
  perhaps your 'guardian'?* She hazards. A good guess, or more of that 
  exceptional perception that embarrasses Okalani so.

Under the ocean, with the water to cool her skin, a blush is less obvious. But 
  that's only the physical manifestation of the far more obvious wave of 
  embarrassment that rolls across Kaiulani's mind, intertwined with a flare of 
  alarm that her _official_ guardians might overhear the First's seemingly 
  offhand query. Akane and Ronan aren't _too_ far away, their forms 
  distinguishable a good number of yards away; Ronan has perched himself on an 
  outcropping of rock, while his brother appears to have decided to stalk 
  himself a breakfast. Out of conversational range? Kaiulani fiercely hopes 
  so, as she sends as softly as she possibly can in edgy contradiction, 
  *<Acknowledgement: hoped to see her nameless protector> <Worry: dangerous 
  for _him_ if she does, with proximity of guards>* Over the top of this comes 
  what seems to be the reply she _intended_, words forming themselves out of 
  the roiling emotions gripping her, *I'd... wanted to practice, out here. 
  Quieter.* And there's something else she was going to do, too, if the flavor 
  of her thoughts is any indication, but she's not specifying what.

Naiadre listens in silence, casting a glance over her shoulder at the two 
  guards with an arched brow and a light scowl. Features smooth themselves out 
  as she looks back at Kai. Her next sending is even tighter, on a private 
  band, and once more strength is lent to the girl to help her control the 
  broadcasting of her thoughts. *Have no fear, Kaiulani. They're more likely 
  to hear your thoughts than mine, unless they be Magi in telepathy. But let 
  us speak of other things. You came here to practice? Have you had any luck 
  at all?*

*Ronan said I give him a headache,* is the princess' disgusted reply, *and 
  Akane, well.* Kaiulani shoots her distant guardsmen an aggravated glance, 
  though it might be sensed that a good measure of her irritation, at least on 
  this particular matter, is for herself and not for them. *And I've been... 
  giving myself headaches, thinking too hard, I think.*

Naiadre floats nearer with a fillip of fins. *That can happen when one over 
  extends oneself. You must be careful, Kaiulani. Extending beyond your 
  training and resources could end in consumption. Despite that you speak 
  well, perhaps we should start your training at the most basic level there 
  is, where all children begin. Is this amenable to you?*

There trails a small exhalation of bubbles out from Kaiulani's mouth and gills 
  as she sighs; then, reluctantly, the maiden sends her acceptance of the 
  notion. Through the support the First is giving her, she can spend less 
  effort on the forming of words from her thoughts, and so she sends with less 
  care than normal, *I have never had difficulty making myself heard... 
  Mother's tried to claim this is a blessing, but I give _her_ headaches, too.*

Naiadre can sense the lessening of care and winces, turning her head away 
  briefly. *This is because you are shouting, Kaiulani. Telepathy is not about 
  projecting as much as you can as far as you can, it is about sharing 
  thoughts and emotions with finesse. This finesse is the difference between 
  children and trained adults. Your skill is still like a child's. Forgive me, 
  but I find it sad that a royal house would neglect such an important skill.*

Oh dear. Kaiulani visibly wilts... and so does her mental contact, a bit. But 
  she has to admit to herself that Naiadre is right, and even as she makes a 
  face at herself she mutter-sends, *<Apology> They... didn't, really. 
  <Memory: herself, all too frequently inclined to let her thoughts wander 
  when her tutor was trying to instruct her in mental discipline -- that is, 
  whenever she bothered to actually show up for lessons> <Memory: Arguments 
  with her parents, though it was her sister who finally convinced her to try 
  to apply herself>* More embarrassment floods through her, but her gaze 
  doesn't drop. Though her mind's skills seem unhoned, still, this girl _is_ 
  Pandion... and perhaps it speaks well of her nature that she seems willing 
  to admit to and try to correct her own deficiencies? *This is... part of why 
  my sister and I are here.*

Naiadre nods, pale jade eyes steady upon Kaiulani's. *There is no reason to 
  feel shame. It is simply the way things are. But if it was motivation you 
  lacked, perhaps you can find it now. This guardian of yours. It might be 
  easier to sense him with a more disciplined mind. And the pain you are 
  causing others is not at all desirable.* Her mental tone is firm, but 
  gentle, clearly concerned for Kaiulani. Some of her support withdraws, 
  forcing Kai to pick up the slack.

Her protector. If she can reach his mind, she can warn him of the danger to 
  him if he draws too near. This conviction seizes hold of Kaiulani, and if 
  she hadn't already persuaded herself she needs to sharpen her mental 
  control, the First Acolyte would doubtless have won her around with that 
  particular bait. It rolls across her mind in a current of excited 
  possibility -- if she could reach him, what more could she relay? Could she 
  finally get him to talk to her? -- before she manages to exert herself 
  enough to take up the slack in her link with the older woman. There's 
  acknowledgement behind her eyes, too, and chagrin at the thought of herself 
  giving headaches to those around her... but this is minor, compared with the 
  overriding urge to reach her mysterious guardian. Once she's steady in mind, 
  Kaiulani steadies her shoulders as well and inquires succintly, *What must I 
  do?*

Naiadre nods her head as if in approval, casting a glance over her shoulder at 
  the guards once more. Her tone becomes more business-like, taking on the 
  aspect of herself that is the Teacher. *The first exercises we practice with 
  children are those of strength, teaching them to reach beyond themselves to 
  others. You are strong enough for the time being. What you must learn is to 
  speak clearly and only send wha you wish to send. I want you to speak with 
  me, Kaiulani, but no not merely broadcast your thoughts to me. I want you to 
  imagine you are sending them to me through a long tunnel with a pinhole at 
  the end. Focus and tighten them. Pick only what you want to send me and do 
  so.* She falls silent, awaiting Kai's answer.

Off across the way Akane has speared himself a sizeable fish. The little 
  sounds of the creature's flopping carry over the currents, not loud enough 
  to disturb, but merely adding another layer to the soft pops and rustles 
  that make up the background noise for any ears that can hear underwater. And 
  for the time being, occupied with this shared meal, the guardsmen seem 
  comfortable enough for the time being -- though Ronan glances in Kaiulani's 
  direction on a regular basis, his homely features set in an expression of 
  concern in contrast to the almost indifferent attention Akane pays her. It's 
  tit for tat, though, for Kaiulani is studiously ignoring the two young men 
  her cousin and Decemvir have set to the task of protecting her. All of her 
  attention focuses upon the woman before her, as she considers. A tunnel? She 
  can do this... she thinks. It's very easy to imagine one of the winding 
  tunnels through the extended Pandion family's home dwelling, for Kai has a 
  sharp imagination. The trick is putting Naiadre at the end of this tunnel, 
  herself at its head -- and then to narrow in the tunnel. It draws in, 
  tighter, tighter, Kai's fine pale brows winging down over her narrowed eyes 
  in her concentration, till a thought shoots forward through that tightened 
  band:
*Like this? Can you hear me?*

A thought spears back through the tunnel to Kaiulani like an echo, wrapped in 
  Naia's signature hues and resplendent with the orange of approval. *I can 
  indeed. You are doing well, Kaiulani. Now, tell me something...perhaps of 
  your family. But keep your thoughts focused through the tunnel. Emotions and 
  images are important parts of our communication, but that is not all there 
  is. Choose what you send, do not swamp me.* She instructs.

Perhaps in a bit the effort of this tunnel may start draining Kaiulani, but 
  for now she seems to hold it well enough, focusing upon holding the sense 
  and shape of it inside her thoughts with singleminded determination. Family, 
  eh? Naiadre's answer to this is an image of a young woman who looks not 
  unlike Kaiulani herself, though a little older, closer to the First's own 
  age. *This is my sister Alamoana,* the young Pandion identifies her. Eddies 
  of emotion accompany the image for a moment, a sense that this out of all of 
  her kin is the one closest to Kaiulani... this, her adored older sister. 
  Then Kai's features crinkle up a bit as she seems to realize she's sending a 
  bit too much, and her tunnel shivers a little as she tries to tamp herself 
  down.

Naiadre projects a wisp of approval, nodding in lander-style. *A lovely girl. 
  You are lucky to have someone among your kin to hold to. Family is very 
  important, but the bonds can be more fragile than some people realize.* 
  Naiadre replies.

Approval isn't an emotion Kaiulani is accustomed to sensing -- at least not 
  from her kin. Feeling it now, especially in connection with this talk of her 
  older sibling, she can't help but smile broadly. Somewhere, somehow, this 
  girl must have picked up that particular lander expression, for she smiles 
  with great ease, lighting up her features as she does so. Immediately in the 
  wake of that smile, though, her eyes turn a trifle vulnerable and very, very 
  young. *I do not know what I'd do without her, here,* she admits in the 
  enticing privacy of this tunnel she's holding between herself and the First 
  Acolyte, though the rush of sentiment makes its thought-walls ripple for a 
  moment, growing more insubstantial.

Naiadre nudges Kai's mind gently, demonstrating the way emotion can be used to 
  strengthen the tunnel. *Strong emotions can help your projection, but they 
  can also sabotage your control. They need not do so however. Concentration 
  and discipline are the key. In time, you might be able to share the 
  strongest of emotions without losing an ounce of control. It will take 
  practice however.* She withdraws the last of her strength and her mind, 
  leaving Kai with a last thought. *I have shown you what you must practice. 
  It is up to you to do so. Practice with your sister, or your guards even.*

Kaiulani sucks in a breath, bubbles flying up through her pale parted lips and 
  then churning out again through her gills as the salt water shoots through 
  her system. Her mind wavers a little as Naiadre withdraws... but only a 
  little, and perhaps entirely unconsciously, the 'tunnel' she'd tried to 
  shape of her thoughts flows backwards towards her in an effort to make a 
  shield. It's not enough to keep hidden a burst of disdain for Akane, 
  however, and in punctuation of this, the young princess makes a face. 
  *Ronan, maybe,* she grudgingly replies, *but not his brother.* Then, 
  assuredly, *Alamoana will help me...!*

Naiadre smiles slightly, and projects a feeling of assent. *I will leave you 
  now to practice. I hope I see some improvement next time we meet. Farewell, 
  princess.* She inclines her head and flares her hands. With a few strong 
  kicks, she weaves off towards the training grounds, darting amongst the 
  rocks.

Kaiulani sends forth her own farewell, taking a bit of assurance from the 
  meeting. There's promise here, and it kindles a light in the maiden's eyes; 
  if she can learn to do this, who knows what will happen as a result? Only 
  when Naiadre is well out of sight, however, does the Pandion girl turn her 
  attention away from the departing woman... and back, a different kind of 
  light coming into her eyes then, towards that cluster of coral that bears a 
  suspicious resemblance to the pattern on a certain comb....

[End log.]