Genkai

The Trick to Magic

I'm so sorry to hear that!

The loss of a pet is never easy and it's all the harder when it's a young pet. I'm sorry for your loss. Take all the time you need to mourn, don't worry about posting.

The Trick to Magic

~ & ~

Breathing under water wasn't something Hale considered until Luca pointed it out. "I suppose you're right. That would be pretty neat." He nodded, enjoying the image of him becoming some handsome underwater entertainer. Then there was the notion of perhaps warding off water come the next rainfall. That was another interesting concept and it seemed the more he conversed with Luca, the more creative ideas began to take root in their minds. Hale nodded once again, "I bet you could use the wind to bring things to you, or even create some kind of small cyclone that delivers things to people, kind of what Gardenia did with her rocks." He considered. "I bet you'd be able to float and never have to bother with new shoes." He joked a little.

"I could see myself living here, contributing to whatever I can." A renewed sense of purpose was what Hale was looking forward to embracing and it was all the more reassuring to know he could could rely on Luca to take the leap of faith with him. For the most part, everyone was enjoying the opulent meal as it contrasted drastically with anything that they had in the past. Gardenia looked around, still unsure about William and Cynthia who seemed quite uncertain and still guarded. Gardenia understood their apprehension and knew there was little she could do to further attempt to sway them. All of her cards had been laid out on the table, so to speak. And their choice had to be their own to make. If they were to commit to staying, it was one to be taken seriously and it was a choice some did not want to rush.

Gardenia looked to Lola who wished to know more about the man who had been behind this whole endeavor. "My father's research has never been published so none of you would have heard of him, I'm afraid." While scientific discovery and progress was praised, those who did not publish were forgotten to the mainstream folks of society. "My father traveled around the world and finally excavated the shards you all now possess." Gardenia said. "While science is pushed toward practical means, his studies would have been scoffed at even if they say the light of day." She explained to the group as they nibbled and continued to pass around the food. She sighed softly, recalling the struggles and doubts which plagued him. "He has a vision of this world, one that does not focus on sole progress of the public, but on the individual."

"While society requires conformity and compliance, my father wishes to provide people with the ability to be themselves without having to sacrifice their own identity. I know it sounds idealistic to thin that through a simple circus performance that the minds of people can be swayed but that is his intention. Progress needs free-thinkers, not just those with skills but those with ambition." She continued. "I know this is asking a lot. But whether you do agree to help us and see what you're truly capable of, or walk away, the show will go on. His vision will come to life." She said, wanting them to not feel obligated or forced into the position of becoming a performer. "So please eat and consider your choice carefully." She smiled as she got up to go check on dessert, which was far more simple.

The blond with the glasses let out a thoughtful hum as Gardenia returned with a blackberry pie and went around to serve those who felt like they could stomach a bit more to eat. While everyone began to finish their dessert or bits of food left on the table, Gardenia felt herself growing more anxious with the choices that awaited those around the table. "I suppose this is where you take us off to unlock our shards." Hale commented as he wiped his mouth on the white cotton napkin before setting it atop his empty plate where food and pie once sat. "And then anyone who wants to leave can...?" His eyes looked toward the long black haired girl and other strawberry blond male, unsure how they would go since they had been suddenly quite close with their shared uncertainty.

Getting to her feet, Gardenia gave a wide smile, "Yes, if you'd all like to follow me, we can begin the processes right away and do a bit of training before it's time to retire for the night." She explained. The woman pushed in her seat and walked out of the dining room and headed back toward the theater where they were previously. Now in the middle of the elevated stage was a simple solid podium comprised of solid coffee colored rock. She walked up on the stage and gestured for the others to follow her. On the rock was a simple device which resembled a wooden wand. Gardenia picked it up and rolled it between her thumb and index finger, trying not to appear as nervous as she was. The unlocking of the shards would be rather quick and easy but she still wasn't sure how many of them would agree to take part in their extravagant spectacle.

"Okay! Everyone stand in a straight line and we can begin." She directed, waving at them with her wand. Once everyone was lined up, standing side by side, she gripped her wand and placed it against Hale's forehead, a suddenly glimmer of sapphire.

"It tickles." Hale chuckled as Gardenia went on to do the same to Luca, Lola, Cynthia and William.

"See, not bad at all. Give your powers a try but be careful, your energy has been dormant for a long time so it might come out in a rather...big way." She warned. There was no way to safely rid them of their pent up magic but being more skilled at using her rock abilities, she was confident she could prevent any sudden display by shielding the others or confining the magic within a rocky tomb. "Close your eyes and do the first thing that comes to mind. Each of you controls a different element so I cannot direct you individually, however I can help with the basics as well as other tricks, but for the most part, your power is entirely in your hands." Gardenia said quickly, her eyes set upon the group as she awaited what sort of things may finally spring to life. She was anxious to let them finally embrace something new and original.

Hale cleared his throat and stepped away from the line as he placed his left hand out in front of him. He concentrated but nothing happened. He decided if forcing it wasn't working then he had to consider how water behaved, it flowed, it moved freely, nothing stopped water's progression. Suddenly ribbons of faint blue water began to weave through his open fingers. "Woah! It works!" He exclaimed as he looked up and took a deep breath and released an energetic stream of water from his mouth. Gardenia laughed and quickly conjured up a basin made of rock to quickly collect the water before it threatened to ruin the seats of the theater. Hale looked around to the others, his body practically trembling, now able to do something no one else could. He could make water. He wasn't useless or meant to fade into the background. "This is incredible." Part of him had been dubious but that tiny part was now utterly silences as he began to blow various sizes of bubbles around the stage.

The Brentwood Boarding School of Elemental Bending

Oh boy, that does not sound fun but it's probably better to drive with pets than fly these days.

The niche bending was abused in LoK I felt, it really diminished the impact of someone bending something so small or difficult. I will say the metal bending was cool but other than that it seemed like suddenly everyone could bend in LoK and it made it less special in my mind. And adding stones and even maybe thin wood cuffs would be a great idea. I think it's a great way for benders to show some individuality. Maybe on one hand they have one fabric on and the other, something different to offer different styles of bending.

What about the era? Something akin to ALTA, LoK? The mid 90s like Harry Potter? Something modern but vague in location? Or something more rustic? I think the ages are good and mature situations will need to happen with those who are of age, I agree.

We could go the cheesy route and say they all found some special marble or gem that boosts their bending maybe allowing them to create some new element? I do think the major conflict or prophecy could be as major or minor as we'd like. It just depends if we want to keep the stakes low or have them eventually escalate.

In terms of elements you were thinking of, any idea which ones you'd like?

I'd probably like a male or female earth bender, I like the idea of them wearing a lace band around their neck and letting dirt fly out of their mouth at their enemy. XD I also see them conjuring boulders with their hands. I'd say in terms of using the elements, they don't need to be present to be used (like hot you needed water nearby to water bend).

DC and Marvel

Bump.

The Brentwood Boarding School of Elemental Bending

Hello hello.

I'm glad you're interested and already drumming up ideas, I'm hoping with two heads collaborating, the more fun we can make the world. My family and I moved two years back and it was a total nightmare with packing and moving and everything so I wish you a ton of luck with that so should you need to go MIA for a bit, I understand. So a slow pace is probably what we both need. And if you need practice with mature themes, I'm happy to help as I've been told my writing in that area is rather nice. Ahem haha. And keeping it anime themed with pictures that way is also fine with me, I was good either way but couldn't make a decision one way or another, I can be so indecisive.

In regards to the other concepts up in the air regarding: the niche bending (like lava), fabrics (them having to do with bending styles, yay or nay?), ages I'm thinking being 19-20, and the ultimate purpose of them coming together, do you have any thoughts there? If not we can talk more further and see what sounds best.

Correctors Connecting Collisions // C3_

I don't mind waiting until Saturday or so. ^^

The Trick to Magic

Slowly on the mends it seems like, still working on this post. ^^'

How's everyone else doing?

The Brentwood Boarding School of Elemental Bending

The Brentwood Boarding School of Elemental Bending

Concept and Guidelines:

- Basically I’m thinking of something like Hogwarts meets Avatar.

- Originally I wanted this to be a small group thing but I don’t think I have time to manage another group even a small one so I am seeking someone to do this with in a one on one setting where we both double as a male and female. And when I say double, I mean both roles get equal attention and development. I've had partners show one role more love than the other and that's not cool.

- As mentioned above, we will be doubling as male and female.

- A post should come once a week or every every 12 days at the most. I have a life. I am job hunting, I have other RPs here and off-site. I tend to post to those have been waiting the longest, if possible group posts take priority over one on ones. So my partner should be comfortable with a slower pace.

- That said, my partner should be able to talk about the story's progression and help move things along. A lot of the information below is what I've pulled together. I still want my partner to feel comfortable and eager to help me continue to build this together. Should we need to take a break, just let me know. Should we need to readjust the direction, let me know.

- I am thinking each post will be around 6-10 paragraphs. I assume each single character will get anywhere from 3-5 paragraphs which then amounts to double that. If you can post at least three paragraphs for each character, I'll be happy.

- Mature themes will probably come into play at some point. I do write out sexual scenes via PM, otherwise we will be sticking to threads.

- Finally, I have yet to decide if this will lean toward Harry Potter and we use real life photographs and keep things more grounded in reality. Or if we lean towards Avatar and use anime pictures and have a bit wiggle room to stray from reality. If you are interested, I would like input on this matter as it will dictate pictures of characters and locations.

Information:

- Whether this take place in a modern era, something medieval or something in the future, can be hashed out with my partner.

- The boarding school will be broken into four classification groups much like Hogwarts. The school will have Air, Water, Earth and Fire. Each incoming bender will have an affinity towards a single classification that will be determined by them putting a piece of cloth around their neck which will channel the bender’s elemental ability. By taking a deep breath and blowing into the air, the bender will see what element bursts forth, as it is most easy to bend from one’s mouth as an open vessel as opposed to channeling one's energy into an appendage like a like or foot or fingers.

- Benders will be given cuffs to wear around their wrists, ankles and neck (or they can use special socks or gloves) in order to produce their given element. Think of the accessories as a wands for a witch or wizard. The bender can wear something around their wrist, finger, wherever they wish to produce their element, it must be channeled through some kind of fabric that picks up on the texture, allowing the bender’s energy to adjust to the bender’s aesthetic.

- Different fabrics will give someone different results. For instance someone using a lace fabric would deliver a more soft, graceful, almost feather-like quality of bending energy. Should someone have a leather cuff their bending would be smooth and very sturdy in both control and strength. Should someone use a cotton fabric, their bending would be pretty normal/ordinary. If they use a metal or copper cuff, then their bending may be more uncontrollable or chaotic. This fabric concept is tentative, if my partner would do away with the detail of fabric not mattering, that's fine. I just figured since wands have specific parameters if may be fun to do the same with bending but I still would like to maintain the idea of a bender needing a special cuff or item to use bending.

- Benders and non-benders get along fairly well and bending itself is not kept hidden away like magic for Harry Potter.

- At the age of 15, they will get a letter explaining they have bending powers and to report to the closest school or academy. All schools will teach someone from the age of 15 to the age of 20, for five years in total.

- At school they are taught all things academic from math to science to bending. Benders are encouraged to use their bending to further their future careers. Fire benders may consider a culinary career, earth benders would go into construction or architecture, air benders might have an interest in flying planes or hot air balloons for transportation purposes, water benders may focus in making art sculptures out of ice (working with an air bender), it's all up to the individual.

- I will say the small niche bending like lava, metal, lightening (and so on) aren't going to be allowed but it's up doe debate with my partner. I find them a bit unnecessary and flashy, not often useful.

- In terms of class sizes, I foresee them being very small and close-knit. I don't want any rivalries that say Harry Potter had with the different Houses.

- Now the final crux of the matter is that I want there to be some kind of prophecy that four benders of the elements must come together to uncover some magical fifth element like maybe light or something celestial. There's no Avatar per-say who does bend all four. The point of us doubling is so we can represent all four elements together. I want there to be a reason these four friends come together. I don't want the stakes to be as high as saving the world but I want there to be a glue that holds them together. I want there to be a mystery, a threat but nothing overly dramatic. Maybe the school is being closed down due to someone buying the land for their own personal use. The kids, now young adults have grown up in the school and don't want it to close. Or maybe some evil force is kidnapping kids in the city and the four decide to investigate, only them having the ultimate power collectively to stop whatever supernatural force is on the prowl. Like a few other ideas, I'd like to work this out with someone.

- All in all, I am seeking one partner for this, someone who won't just raise their hand but has actually read my thoughts and has ideas of their own, suggestions to make and is inspired to commit themselves. Should you have interest, please post here as I tend to read PMs but forget to reply to them. If you do have interest, give me some input so I know if we're on the same page or at least in the same book of sorts. :)

Correctors Connecting Collisions // C3_

Very true, though some folks wait and then give up, in some cases.

It looks like Vie isn't really voicing whether or not a post from him is in the works so you can post. :)

Whispers in the Dark

@FiroIV While I do understand that reasoning, I do think another world like 'guarded' or as you said 'blunt' may be a better description for her. She does seem to give off a false image of herself or wear some sort of mask, at least that's what I'm inferring. Is that what you're going for?