[b]Shio[/b]

Shio's trip to Toran had been rather eventful. The mandatory train stop outside of Ward, the Gateway to the West, had given her time to explore a bit of the area before her next train. She had only been to the mountains a few times. They were a common sight, but most people passed through them without a second thought. Shio didn't want to do that anymore and took the time she had to stretch her legs and explore a bit of one of the nearby mountains. She had an hour before her next train. If she had been with her father, he would have demanded that she see how high she could climb in thirty minutes, and if she didn't make it back down in time for the train, he would have left her without a second thought. But with her new found freedom, she could set her own challenges - to see how high she could climb in thirty minutes. Despite his harshness towards Shio, they are challenges she would have likely set for herself anyway.

The base of the mountain was a short run. For most it would probably take ten to fifteen minutes, but Shio could stay at a running pace for much longer than most and was able to complete it in slightly under six minutes. It was a good time, but not her best. The first ascent was also easy, a small path, likely from some Natrelmon, allowing her a quick way to ascend upwards without direct climbing. It wasn't long before a sharp cliff became her only way up. Without a second though, she pushed off, grabbing the highest rock she could with her right, gloved hand. With a strong grip, she pulled her body upwards, kicking off slightly of a lower protrusion in the rock face the moment she could. Working her way up methodically, she spent the next ten minutes or so ascending the small cliff face. At the top, it flattened to a miniature plateau with a few trees that had managed to grip strongly enough into the rock and earth. Even though there was only a mild wind, Shio had respect for those trees, the intense nature of the winds they persevered clear through just her small taste.

Surprisingly, Shio was not the only one on the rock face. Hiding behind one of the trees, something she missed at first glance, was an Eishund, a singular eye peeking out at her. Shio wasted no time in approaching the creature, calling out her Sparwire in a small flash of lightning. It began to back off, but it was evident from its movements that it was already wounded. Gesturing to her Sparwire, she called it off, the small bird landing on a nearby tree branch. Approaching it slowly, Shio was able to corner it against another cliff face, between a couple of trees. When it attempted to dart by her, she wrapped her arms around it, pulling it to the ground with her. After struggling for a moment with her, the Eishund finally calmed, feeling the soothing light coming from her hands as she tended to the wound. Once done, she released the Eishund back to the area.

"Now we can fight to see if I am worthy to capture you," she spoke to it, despite knowing full well it was incapable of understanding her. The Eishund looked at her quizzically, despite her Sparwire being in an offensive position now, having been called over by Shio. She urged the Eishund again to engage her, but the creature refused to attack. Sighing slightly, she called it over, the Eishund not hesitating a moment, even though it was a wild Natrelmon.

"I suppose you just want to come along with me now?" she asked the ice type Natrelmon. The Eishund licked her hand in response. She smiled a bit, letting the light begin to arc from her wrist and envelope the once wild Natrelmon. There was no resistance and Gishiki symbols on her bracelet lit up with a soft blue light before fading. Checking her watch, Shio realized she only had moments to get down to catch her train. With little regard for her safety, she leapt off of the cliff she had just ascended, landing on one of the protrusions a few feet below. It was dangerous - but it was the fastest way down. Repeating as much as she could, alternating between jumping or dropping down, and legitimate climbing, she was able to make it down in a quarter of her ascent time. Her time back to the train was also faster, making the trip in just over five minutes, possibly close to her record time for such a distance.

On the train, she found a private cabin to rest, sweat coming down her body from its exertion. With deep breaths, she was able to quickly settle in and relax, nestling into the cushions of the chair. Out of respect for her new companion, she called for the Eishund, allowing him to sit on the seat with her, his head on her lap as she traveled down to Toran to officially begin her journey.

---

Toran as well, was eventful for Shio. Taking her Eishund with her into the forests around the city, Shio encountered two more Natrelmon - a Narashi and a Kujaku. Unlike her experience with the Eishund, she was forced to fight them. Both put up a respectable fight, but fell to Shio and her Natrelmon, leaving them easy captures for her. She could tell from the way they behaved that they were young and inexperienced. She would rectify that and provide them with the training and structure they needed - the same type of training that made her as effective as she was.

With new companions in tow, Shio was free to explore the city - one of the few remaining major cities she had never been to. She had heard wonderful things about its spicy noodle dishes. Toranese restaurants were always her favorite back home, but now she could experience the real, authentic thing. Even just thinking about it, her mouth was beginning to water. It was her highest priority to find the best restaurant she could. In a rare gesture of kindness, her father had given her access to his line of credit in order to ensure that the price of the restaurant was not an issue - but it was only for food.

Shio hoped she could find a local to advise her.