futurology | video | username: pearl

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video | username: pearl

[Pearl was a little apprehensive at first to go ahead about this. But when she thought about it, this would be beneficial to many people here. Especially for people who were not used to missions, or even fighting for that matter.

Swallowing hard, Pearl lifts her head and sets her 'communicator' on a rock in the outskirts of the city. Out of harm's way. Once it was perfect, she starts.]

Greetings everyone of ALASTAIR. My name is Pearl, and I wanted to offer my assistance.

[In her hand, it looks to be a sword, held confidently. She bows in greeting to the jewel, shifting awkwardly. This was so different than what she's used to. Heck, she didn't know if it was even working.

Behind her, another 'Pearl' comes up behind her, with a sword as well, about to strike her over the head with it. But in one swift movement, the opposing Pearl falls to the ground, flickering. Pearl lowers her arm, the sword having penetrated the hologram, which fizzles out of existence altogether.]

I have experience when it comes to swordsmanship, and as well as experience with the use of a spear. I wanted to gather if there would be any interest for some training. We all come from many different backgrounds, myself included. I want to make sure everyone has a chance to defend themselves.

For now, I'm gauging interest. Also, if anyone else is interested in hosting some training as well. I don't... mean to be the 'head' of any group. I merely wish to help where I can. This would help immensely for what might be on the horizon for us.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know. And if you wish to speak to me in person, I'm just on the outskirts here.

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[ That's considerably more enthusiasm she's had thrown her way since...well, ever, really. She finds it rather endearing. ]

Pagen'! Thank you, Pearl. If you would like, we could face each other, though I like your system of projections. It would not be good for either of us to be injured.

[ They'd be fairly evenly matched, she thinks, or at least she hopes. ]

What other skills do you have? You must have learned much, in your travels.

[Pearl smiles a little more, seeing that Kida wasn't taken aback by her sudden outburst of enthusiasm. the Gem rubs at her chin as she considers this. While both of them did have different techniques, the two of them were very skilled. And Kida made a good point. It'd wouldn't help them to be injured after a sparring match.

She contemplates for a moment before she furrows her brow.]

There's dancing, but I know many people don't like dancing. But it's what I incorporate into my battle techniques. It catches my opponents off guard.

[ That makes Kida blink, surprised at the suggestion, but interested none the less. ]

Dancing? I have never seen dance used in battle before.

[ Her people dance in celebration, though they have precious little to celebrate these days. She plants the finial of her speak into the ground, leaning on it as she considers Pearl with that focused gaze. ]

Show me.

[Pearl nods and summons yet another projection. Taking her position in the open landscape, near the torches, Pearl activates the training program. Holding her sword in a firm grip, she watches as the hologram charges forward, thrusting out its own sword at her chest.

Pearl tilts her body, like a ballerina would, holding her arms up high, and craning her body to the side to avoid the sword's deadly tip. She sweeps her feet in a gliding motion, bending her body down low to make her way behind the hologram.

Soon, the two of them engage in a deadly, and yet graceful dance of swords. The swords collide. Their steps precise and calculated. However, it all looks so effortless. There's a rush behind each sword strike. A small gust of wind passing by the torches, causing them to flicker, almost completely out. But once they settled, Pearl found her opening.

The Gem bends down low, in an elegant bow, before she uses her bent knees to thrust herself forward, piercing through the hologram's middle with her sword. In an instant, the hologram poofs into a cloud of smoke.]

[ Kida watches Pearl and her double duel to the sound of a music she cannot hear. She can sense it, in a way, the age-old beat of battle, of hard footfalls in the earth, rucking up dirt. This is a dance she knows in her bones, and she can appreciate the beauty that Pearl adds to it with her flourishes. The line that separates fighting from dancing, after all, is mostly intention.

And Pearl's intention, to strike and to destroy, is evident in every line. Kida isn't prone to fancy, but she tries to keep an open mind. She thinks she could learn something, here. The fire flickers, and in the interstices of light and dark Pearl moves with the hologram, faster and faster, until they too are only a flicker.

Until Pearl stands alone in a cloud of smoke. Kida purses her lips in wonder. ]

You are impressive. You move like water. Can you show me your technique?

[ She can't say if she can merge it to her own style--which to be fair, is no style at all--but she can always use more method, more discipline. ]

You're too kind.

[Pearl laughs lightly and lifts her sword up, letting it disappear in a flurry of sparkles. She smooths out the front of her shirt. She faces Kida properly and nods. She twirls and lifts her leg up and back, almost touching the back of her head with the tip of her foot.]

We can start with some basics if you'd like. [She straightens up again.] While it might look effortless, it's all a matter of trial and error. It took me a long time to learn what I do know.

Edited 2015-10-11 15:26 (UTC)

[ Kida can only strap her spear once more against her back, admiring the way Pearl can simply dismiss her sword. She wonder if it, too, is a projection. ]

Nothing that looks effortless ever is, in my experience.

[ She splays her hands, a gesture of open interest. ]

Time is all I have. What do you suggest we start with?

[Pearl clears her throat and stands up straight, trying to recollect herself. She walks up to Kida and holds out a hand to her gently. Almost like offering a hand to a partner for a dance...]

First.

We'll need to set your spear down. You to get used to your own body's balace before we introduce the weight of your weapon.

[ Kida does as instructed, letting her spear fall into the grass with a dull thud.

That done, she turns her body towards Pearl, framing the slightly shorter Gem with her presence before gently placing her hand over her companion's. ]

It is done.

[She nods and begins to guide Kida through some basic steps of dancing. Large strides, spins, coordinating footwork... Nothing too advanced quite yet.

After about nearly an hour, she pulls herself away from Kida, clearing her throat.]

Now. You can always do a few stretches here or there whenever you have some time to yourself. And you can always practice that footwork. With your bare feet, it should prove to be much more stable for you, for the most part anyways.

[Pearl lets out a small sigh before she laughs lightly.]

That's the first time I've ever taught anyone how to dance. I hope it was at least somewhat informative.

Edited 2015-10-13 22:49 (UTC)

[ Kida is a quick study, and naturally athletic besides. She's never done anything resembling formal dance, but she's had lessons in posture, in ritual, and this is similar. Her muscle control is good, and she's flexible enough to follow along, if not quite as flexible as Pearl. They're close enough that Kida's hair brushes Pearl on the spins, but she's more focused on keeping her hands and feet in the correct position than on her partner.

As the lessons winds down, Kida feels Pearl breathe her sigh and they laugh together, the serenity of their practice breaking. ]

It was! I enjoyed myself.

[ Unprompted, Kida steps away, running through the exercises again, solo this time. She only repeats them once, forming something not unlike a cohesive dance routine, but not quite. Some she can't do without a second body to support her, but she proves that she at least remembers it all. Her legs are a bit shaky from the strain of flexing so much. Finishing, she can't help a bit of pride: it's her first band-new skill in a very long time. ]

Thank you for showing me this, Pearl. I will practice this, and perhaps you can show me more?

Edited 2015-10-13 23:07 (UTC)

[Pearl watches Kida dance, her chest almost swelling with pride as she does so. A little rough around the edges, but that's how people learn. They practice and get better.

The Gem nods furiously.] Mn, of course! I would love to show you more. Dancing is important in Gem culture. I know it's rather recreational in most cultures, but for us, it's very important. I just incorporate it more into my battle techniques.

With enough practice, you'll be proficient in no time!

[ With her legs protesting over-use, Kida relaxes into some cool-down stretches. While she does so, she turns her face to Pearl, conversational. ]

My people only dance to celebrate--celebration is important, but it's not what one might call a necessity. How is it to the Gems?

[ Agh spirits, her calves will object to this tomorrow. ]

[She can see her discomfort and furrows her brow empathetically. She could imagine the pain she would feel the following day, but if she did keep at it, it would be like nothing at all.

Pearl clears her throat once more.]

Gems use it for fusion. [She clasps her hands together.] Where two beings become one. A strong bond between them creating an entirely new being. New personality. A new experience.

[ As she listens, Kida has to blink, because while intellectually she knows Pearl is, well, a pearl, she's also a humanoid as far as Kida is aware and this all sounds very much like-- ]

Fusion is when you mate...?

[Pearl's eyes widen and she shakes her head furiously.]

N-NO! We don't---

[OH DEAR STARS, Pearl shrugs her shoulders up to her ears, as if it would hide the embarrassment on her face.]

Fusion is not a form of. Mating. No. It's just. Fusion.

Makes you stronger. It's.

It's complicated.

[ Kida quirks her brows and gestures as if to say, yes, it does appear to be 'complicated'. Pearl is blushing blue, which is cute, but also tells Kida this conversation just veered off the rails. ]

I see. So you...literally...merge?

[ She brings her hands together, twining her fingers to suggest this notion. ]

[She nods furiously once more and a hologram flickers into view in front of Pearl. A small one, for example, of herself and what looks to be a larger and taller gem.

The two of them dance fora brief moment before their gems glow and they literally form into a single, much larger being.]

I probably should have shown you first. Sorry, I get a little... passionate about these things.

[ She watches the display, and realizes how wrong she'd been. She has the grace to look sheepish. ]

Oh.

[ That's much clearer. By now Kida has finished her stretching, and she moves to sit in the grass, inviting Pearl to sit next to her. ]

That is a very interesting ability. It fusing done for recreation?

Its alright really! [She offers her a reassuring smile before she takes a seat down beside Kida, her hologram disappearing.]

Sometimes it's for fun. It's quite the display sometimes.

Other times, it is necessary for certain tasks at hand.

[ She considers the idea. In the example Pearl had shown, the two gems had fused to form something bigger, stronger. Meaning: ] Something that would require more strength than a single Gem possesses?

[ Her people have no such skill, and she's glad for it. Merging with another...it makes her skin crawl. Who is she when she isn't herself, anymore? ]

What does it feel like...?

Yes. Exactly that. The more gems fused together, the stronger the fusion can be.

[She rests her hands on her knees and lets her shoulders relax.]

I know it sounds bizarre, but it feels just. So amazing. I feel so strong, like I can do anything.

[ She tries to imagine three, four, five gems fused together. ]

And you remain yourself? How do you...think? Do you share thoughts?

[ Kida might be overthinking this, but she finds it both fascinating and gruesome, in a way. She can't imagine sharing body and mind with another individual, but then--maybe she's just never met anyone that meant that much to her, that she trusted so wholly. ]

We do share thoughts. Sometimes one personality will override another, but both gems work in tandem. The shared mind is like a vast plan in which both Gems share the space. They converse with one another, and move the fusion as one.

[Pearl laughs sheepishly.]

Now that I say it put loud, it must sound so... silly.

[ A hand fall on Pearl's shoulder, stable and reassuring. ]

It is not silly. Thank you for sharing this with me. I never knew many outsiders, living in Atlantis, and for many years I considered our way of life superior, and all intruders as tresspassers upon our land.

[ It's her turn to bring her knees up, disguising the gesture of comfort as one of practicality by massaging her legs gently. ]

There's so much I am ignorant of. I want to know everything.

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