Starre, Stevan, Nina, and John were all out somewhere, doing something that Bishel Dragons weren't allowed to do. They called it going to a 'movie theater,' but Rai didn't see the point. Why go out when you could just stay home and do the same thing?
Gana, Kivo, and Io were off somewhere, too. Rai didn't quite know where; the three had become slightly secretive lately, which kind of annoyed her. It wasn't as if she thought they were up to something, but she liked to think that they thought they could trust her.
So, Rai and Kabo were relaxing on her ledge, gazing out over the scenery. It had been a week since Shantel, and Rai was back home. She had met many wonderful bishen back at the Bishen Realm, and she had thoroughly enjoyed the day she spent there. But it was just her and Starre and Kabo again, like the old days.
But the Chaosblood Jewel was new. Rai had not removed it since it was placed on her horns a week ago, and she had been vigerously training. Just to show off to herself, she concentrated hard, and released a puff of thick purple fog. It floated for a moment around her wings, then faded away as quickly as it had come.
Pleased, Rai tried again, this time aiming to release a bolt of red energy. Instead, more fog came out, dancing around her before dissapearing. Groaning in frustration, Rai tried again, concentrating even harder, and managed to release a small zap of redness.
Harder than it looks, Rai said dryly, trying again and again to make the bolt bigger. She managed to get a zap about the length of a yardstick, and just about as thick. Worn out, Rai slumped again.
It'll take practice, Kabo, she confided, turning to her beloved beanie. You think I can do it?
The ragged toy gave her silent support, and Rai giggled. "More fog, then?" she asked, propping herself up with her claws. She concentrated, and released a spurt of fog, but it was smaller than before. She had other things on her mind.
Frowning, Rai closed her eyes, and coiled up with her wings tucked around her body. She focused her mind entirely on her newfound powers. Her mind slowly cleared. She would have been surprised and impressed, but she was becoming more and more detatched from reality. It was a weird feeling; it was as though Rai had become two bishen. There was the Rai about to try to use her powers, and the Rai that was watching from far away.
With this new level of focus and concentration that Rai never knew she could achieve, dark eyes flashed open. The release of the wave of fog was effortless; it filled the tower, swirling in a magical vortex. Rai watched herself in awe as shots of red energy flew from the jewel at her forhead, turning the room a frightening shade of red-violet. The magic filled Rai's body, from the tips of her claws to her muzzle and tail. The power was like nothing she had ever imagined, and it coursed through her veins, running with her blood, giving her new strength.
Then she was herself again. Breathing heavily, she looked around at the fading fog, looking for proof that it was real. It was. Shuddering, Rai leaned against the big window; she was suddenly exhausted. The effort of the spells had weakened her. She knew that, with practice, she would be able to use the magic with ease and even leisure.
The last time Rai had felt this good, the DF had closed. Rai had just done something that was all her own; no one could take her power from her now. Grinning, Rai drifted off to sleep, Kabo at her side.
**--**--**
Starre found Raistlin resting on the ledge with Kabo, breathing heavily and obviously fast asleep. Starre smiled, then paused. Rai looked different, somehow. Then, Starre knew. Rai was smiling; she never smiled when she slept!
"Rai!" Starre hissed, shaking her bishel's arm. "Wake up! What have you been up to?"
Rai's eyes flickered open, and the smile left only briefly. I trained! Rai said proudly, sitting up and puffing her chest out.
"What else is new?" Starre asked dryly, sitting down beside her friend. "How'd it go?"
It was SO COOL! Rai said squeefully. I was thinking about stuff, so I tried to make it all go out of my head, and I DID! And then I floated away and purple fog and red energy all filled up the TOWER! And it was swirling around and everything! Rai finished exhuberantly.
"I gotta see this," Starre said skeptically, assuming that Rai was exaggerating.
I'll see if I can do it again, Rai promised. She closed her eyes, and concentrated on her breathing and her breathing alone. Slowly, she felt the bizzare sensation come over her, and the power returned to her body, taking her over.
Starre's jaw dropped as she watched her beloved Rai go into the deep trance. She was even more amazed and awestruck when the fog swirled out of the Chaosblood Jewel, quite literally filling the room. Rai commanded the Jewel to release the energy next, and it did with vigor.
After a few seconds more, Rai snapped out of it, and the fog slipped away. Grinning, the red terran-arboreal turned to her bondmate, and was surprised at the mortified expression on Starre's face.
What? Rai asked nervously. Starre, are you okay?
"I...yeah," Starre stammered. "It's just...Rai, what happened to you? You seemed so...different! It was scary!" Starre pulled a rather surprised Rai into her chest, and began to cry.
But, Starre! Rai said, looking up at her bondmate. Didn't you see? I made fog and energy! And it was huge! What, you're still scared? Wow, I'm sorry, Starre.... Rai trailed off, frowning and upset.
Starre shook her head. "I'm really proud," she said hurriedly, "but...well, will you always have to do that to make the fog and stufF?"
Rai paused, then shook her head as well. I doubt it. Soon, I'll probably be able to do it without concentrating as much. I'll get better at it, don't worry!
"Okay," Starre sniffled. "That...that was pretty cool, though. If you don't go into the trance-ey thing, do you think you could just make a little, little bit of fog?"
Rai wrinkled her muzzle in a grin. Of course! Rai laughed, releasing a spurt of fog from her Jewel. It was bigger than the ones before, Rai noticed with pride.
She was making big progress.
**--**--**
Several days passed, which Rai spend in secluded, dedicated training. Sometimes, Rai forgot to eat, so Starre would have to come in and force-feed the focused bishel dragon. Other than that, Starre let Rai have the tower to herself; the kin girl knew just how important it was to Rai to be able to use her magical powers. Starre couldn't blame her friend; if she had the ability to create purpley fogness, she would.
Rai got better and better. She was soon able to release a large amount of fog without meditating, though not near enough to fill up the room. She could also release bigger beams of red energy, though she thought that the fog was much cooler.
Rai was very pleased with herself. Very pleased, until she remembered the rest of the Kalian's item description. She could make ILLUSIONS!
Thus became Rai's new goal. She first thought about how one would go about creating an illusion, and decided that it would involve visualizing the scene in her brain, and creating the illusion by thinking it in. Shrugging, she decided to give it a try.
Rai circled over the floor of the tower, etching every single detail into her brain. When she was sure that she had it down, she squeezed her eyes shut and imagined...well, she imagined Halifax sitting down there, having tea with Dum-Dum Dara. The thought was so funny that Rai had to force herself to stop laughing. Fearing that she had messed something up, Rai opened her eyes, only to see something blue flicker below. She saw a very, very vague impression of a jumble of heads, legs, and finned paws, before the apparation faded away into nothingness.
Rai beamed. She had created an illusion! Granted, it was bad and rather pathetic, but it was still something that was not there, and she had made it look like it was.
Now, Rai was a bishel on a mission. She wanted Halifax and Dara down there having that tea, yes sir! So, she circled again, concentrating with all her might, until she no longer giggled at the thought. Then, she focused her energy on the illusion, and snapped open her eyes.
There, for the shortest instant possible, were Halifax and Dara. They looked deep in conversation, both of them holding tea in their right paw. Verdara was curled up on her side, and Halifax was sitting with her legs tucked tight beside her. Then, they were gone.
But they had been there.
Rai was overwhelmed with pride and joy. She could have cried, but she was too happy to even make a sound. She almost fell out of the air, but she caught herself just in time and landed lightly where Halifax and Verdara had just been sitting. She laughed and laughed, reveling in her triumph.