Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-7262318-20190402000855/@comment-19164168-20190404034030

As Ayane observed Smith's training with Vordel, she remembered some of her earlieer training in the past. Even when she was 10 years old, she wasn't exempted from the standard procedure her home had, but was rather thankful of the knowledge and skill she had accumulated since...

''Meditating on a clearing, the child honed her focus and power, and the various wounds around her body began to slowly close. Beside her was a bloodied steel wakizashi still unsheathed after it's use.''

''It was her first time training with a live weapon after her 12th birthday. The nearby guards that served as her sparring opponents observed Ayane heal her own wounds via her awakened power, their thoughts and opinions of her unknown but to themselves. It was not for them to judge the child. Whether personal reasons or not, they did not question her, but did follow their master's command to the letter.''

''When a man in full armor arrived, the guards bowed before him in respect. the armored man called out "Dismissed." And so the guards left without saying a word.''

''"You've done well, my daughter. You have proven yourself far more superior than many of the children in our fold." the father spoke, causing Ayane to stand up out of both fear and respect due to his known temper.''

''"Thank you, father Mitsuo." Ayane said as she bowed slightly.''

''"Don't thank me just yet, child, for your real test is yet to begin." the man known as Mitsuo answered calmly.''

''"Pardon?" Ayane asked, trying not to sound surprised.''

''"The guards here cannot be trusted to fully complete the extent of your early training. They are too sentimental and hold their blows back against you. They may try to hide it, but I know better." Mitsuo noted to his daughter, before taking the bloodied wakizashi and cleaning it with a simple cloth before placing it back on it's sheath, to give it to Ayane.''

"The final test of your early training begins not here, but outside of home. Speak with master Hiroshi at the meditation room after you make your preparations. He will set you on the path."

''"...Do not fail me, Ayane." he remarked one last time before leaving to resume his daily activities.''

Once she was certain that he was gone, Ayane shook her head with a frown, before heading back the opposite direction towards her quarters where she would prepare.

''On the way in the hallway, she encountered her mother who happened to be looking for her. When she got close enough, she went to pat the head of Ayane, but the child gently cast the hand away.''

''"Mom, now's not the time..." the child spoke up with lament.''

''"I know, but please, may we at least speak a little before you leave?" her mother said.''

"...Alright, but won't dad get mad if I linger for too long?"

"I'll take care of him, don't worry. Now come, there's something I want to show you."

''Unsure of what her mother meant and hoping that she was able to live up to her word concerning her father, Ayane chose to follow her mother towards her quarters. Upon arrival, her mother made sure to close the sliding doors and casted some sort of spell via a mysterious talisman to keep them from being heard from the outside for now.''

"Ayane," her mother started, "For years, I've always looked out for you and loved you as my own. So much time has passed so fast I still could hardly believe it."

"Um, mom-"

''"Shh." Ayane's mother placed a finger on her daughter's lips gently before continuing to speak.''

''"In the months to come, your little sibling will be born soon. And as the eldest child of our family, you are bound to protect those younger than you, no matter what others may say." she said, holding her womb which was large, carrying a child that was yet to be born into the world.''

She then took out something from a large case she brought from somewhere in the room, and opened it for Ayane to take a look at.

" have been forged by our finest weaponsmiths, and now, they are yours to keep. You're old enough now to have these, Ayane. I trust that you will put them to good use in the future.

''Your father has... changed. Soon, you will have to walk your own path. And I do know that you will be destined for greatness. Perhaps even more than that." she smiled warmly at her daughter, before closing the case and handing it over for Ayane to safekeep via her recently-learned dimensional storage spell.''

''"I... th-thank you, mom..! I promise I won't let you down..!" Ayane bowed to her knees out of respect. Her mother shook her head and made the young girl sit up, stretching her cheeks out of amusement.''

The family moment was cut short when the spell wore off however, and a guard calling out "Lady Himari? Ayane's presence is required by master Hiroshi soon."

''"Yes, tell him that Ayane is on her way shortly." Himari answered back.''

''"Yes, milady." the guard bowed slightly from behind the sliding door and left.''

''"Now go out there and do whatever you have to do. Once you come home, I have another surprise for you. So don't keep me waiting." Himari smiled at Ayane and ruffled her hair a little, much to the girl's happiness.''

"You've always been my good girl."