Thread: The Powers That Be (PadanFain and Oreo)

Zack looked at her with a slight glare in his gaze,Have you learned nothing of the basic Shapers' Laws and Codes? I would have thought they taught you that before you got to classes here at Greymarsh. His look turned to the entire classroom as he strode up the isle. Never apologize to a commoner for anything. You are Shapers, they are commoners you are never in the wrong. Shapers decide what is proper, never show insecurity to a commoner. They may decide to think we are weak and rebel. He turned at the back of the classroom and began slowly walking to the front, watching each of them carefully. If you are meeting another Shaper, always be on time. It is disrespectful to be late, and can result in punishment. He paused for effect and his hand slapped down on Wintou's desk, But, most important of all, he glared directly at her with his icy blue eyes, You will never be late for Shaping class. If you arrive late again, expect a whipping. I will gladly hand you over to Derek for chastisement. He loves his job and is eager for you to ...screw up. Have I made myself clear? Wintou met and held Zack's eyes as he reprimanded her. She had been the recipient of several beatings for her kindness exhibited toward commoners. But pain could not break the compassion of her heart. Her parents were commoners. Was she suppose to no longer care for their well being? Perhaps if she had been discovered at an early age she might think differently. As it was, she could not turn her back simply because they lacked talent. She had been completely prepared for a whipping, by Zack's own hand, had he chosen to do so. In fact, she had expected it to happen. That he chose not to this time, caught her of guard. While she tried to never let emotion reveal her feelings or intentions, a look of relief and gratitude filled her eyes. Anyone but a blind man would have been able to read it. Her voice very low, My thanks Zack. It will not happen again. And it wouldn't if she could help it. In the world of her mind, compassion far outweighed punishment. He had just earned her respect more than any whip would have done. His steely visage scanned the class before he returned to his desk, and prepared to start the lesson. You will soon be wielding the ultimate power. Creating life out of nothing but your own will, and Core Matter. It is a grave responsibility and one not to be taken lightly. The repercussions of misusing Core Matter can prove disastrous, not only for yourself, but for those around you, as well as the world at large. New creations can upset the delicate balance of our environment. Shaper Laws were not created without purpose. Order must be maintained, and if a beating is the only way for you to learn...so be it. Records will be kept by you of every creation you attempt. Nothing gets created without the approval of the council. You will create nothing on your own outside of class. The punishment is imprisonment, that is if your creation doesn't go rogue and kill you. Inside your desks you will find folders containing the research notes of respected elders. He waited while the students withdrew the notebooks, You will find every detail of how the oldest of Shapers bombarded frogs, birds and even a few mammals with Core Matter. At the end there are instructions on how to create a Fiora. When you have finished reading we will begin. Wintou listened intently to his words, then began reading the research notes. She thought she had a good understanding of the process. It was similar to the healing she knew so well, she just had to manipulate it at the same time. Eager to try, she already knew how to withdraw Core Matter, it was sometimes necessary in the healing process, but to create a Fiora? On her first day here? Her heart was aflutter with anticipation. She closed the book, and not wanting to disturb the class, simply waited for the rest of them to finish as well. As Zack watched the apprentices, there were a few that appeared overly nervous. It didn't surprise him a bit - most of those born with the gift of shaping came from the poor common folk, those that feared Shapers. Getting accustomed to the idea that they were now well on their way to becoming revered among the populace wasn't an easy change for a the bulk of them. It didn't help that some of the stories about Shapers boardered on the ridiculous. Like the myth of Shapers being able to destroy anything with the wave of a hand. Of course, a Shaper could absorb Core Matter from their creation, but first they had to be able to dominate the will of the creature. If a creation went rogue, no Shaper could absorb it. They needed to be killed by physical means, and most Shapers were far from the classic warrior type. Many of the students had nervous breakdowns before they ever completed their training. These new students had a right to be nervous. Once several of the students had closed their notebooks, Zack stood and wandered close to one of the Core Matter pools. For those of you that have finished reading find a partner and proceed to one of the two pools. The Core Matter by his feet swirled around with an unnatural current, phosphorescent in nature. It seemed to be constantly shifting and changing colors, mesmerizing to look upon, as if it was alive. As you gain experience you will learn to call up the Core Matter from yourself and the Earth. For those of you new to training, the pools will make it easier for you to get a feel for creating. Like any muscle needing exercise, your talent will grow as you utilize Core Matter. His hand extended out over the ground to the side of the pool. Tiny strings of Core Matter began spinning from his palm, fine filaments weaving together into the shape of a creature. Over the course of several minutes a bulky and rather hairy pack hurmet appeared. Shorter than a horse and much sturdier, they were excellent for heavy labor and carrying cargo. Zack's face turned a bit pale at the loss of his own Core Matter needed to create the beast. It would take some time before he was replenished enough to create again, or he could simply reabsorb the beast. However, it seemed a good and sturdy animal, looking expectantly at him for instructions. Derek? Please take the hurmet to my holding pen. I want each of you to try to shape a Fiora. Those who have already attempted shaping before - He shot a look at Rek, who had just entered the room, - can use their own Essence rather than draw from the pool. Once you succeed, you will destroy it and return to your seats. Any questions? Zack had Wintou's full attention as he spoke, but was slightly distracted by the new arrival to the classroom. Well at least she wasn't the only one late. She was not a fool by any means, and had no intention of messing up her first experiment. The essentials were explained and she was ready to give it a try. While the nervous girl next to her made her way to the pool, Wintou scanned the room for a likely partner, her eyes latching on to the newly arrived man. A quirk twinged the corner of her mouth, he looked every bit as anti-social on the outside as she did on the inside. That he chose to wear regular clothes was an oddity in itself. Foregoing the traditional robes, he appeared quite the average shaper, a bit disheveled, but otherwise pleasant looking. While her eyes poured forth compassion straight from her heart, his seemed to care not a wit for anyone. She wondered if they truly reflected his soul. There was only one way to find out. Wintou stood and headed directly toward him. Her walk was as graceful and stately as always, her voice without hint of the nervousness one had while meeting someone new. But her green eyes, sparkling with kindred spirit, stared into his. Her head tilted slightly as she extended her slender hand, I am Wintou. Would you be kind enough to partner with me for the experiment? She tried to hold back her slight gasp at the movement coming from the satchel clutched tightly to his side, but she couldn't stop the wide eyed wonder that he was not only brazen enough to come late, but had something alive with him. Her head shook very slowly from side to side, while a smirk quirked her lip, Wintou wasn't about to say a thing.