Thoughts on the Breeze

I can sense you're not focused The silence was broken by Hiro speaking to his little paper mache friend GL. His paper head turned to look at Hiro. GL was his normal size now, not his two foot tall travel size. He had asked Hiro for a training session in meditation, hoping it would help him cope with his new found body. That and it gave him something to do all those times Hiro meditates everytime.

GL began to cross his arm in stubbornness and began furiously shaking his head. I understand it's hard and that you're lazy but you're never gonna learn if you act this stubborn. The paper raised a hand to his chest, as if insulted. Yes I called you stubborn and lazy! GL lowered his head in shame and transformed into a spinning drill mimicking stabbing Hiro in the temple over and over again. What are you saying? I'm not good at charades you know this. Are you saying it's giving you a headache? He transformed back into his two foot tall paper form and nodded his head. How do you even get headaches? You're a piece of paper!

Will both of you cease this insulate whining!

You keep your mouth shut Oni. I'm doing this just so you can leave me alone and stop talking constantly. Hiro replied sarcastically to Oni, his inner demon that has been bothering him for half his life. Just recently has Oni become more prominent in Hiro's life after his acceptance of the demon inside him, something Hiro wishes never happened.

Then burn the blasted paper! GL hovered back a bit as almost in disgust and transformed into a tongue, mocking the demon. That was when a thought hit Hiro's mind.

Wait. Are you telling me you could understand him this whole time? Releasing from tongue form, GL shyly bowed his head and put his hands behind his back. I can't believe you. And here I thought we were friends. Whatever, I'm not doing this right now. I'm here to meditate so that's what I'm gonna do. Join me or not.

The cooling breeze that was present began to pick up a bit more, as the leaves rustled above Hiro. He took this as his cue to close his eyes once more and fall back into meditation. He could feel the grass brushing up against his armor, his sword laying motionlessness on his crossed legs and a small disturbance on his left shoulder. He gave a small smirk as he knew it was GL positioning himself on his shoulder to try and meditate. It was a beautiful day out and it was days like these Hiro would always remember.

At first, Neru had chosen to ignore the sounds of a group in the forest not far from her. They quieted down after a few seconds, so she saw no reason to pry. Her mind was busy enough as is, focusing carefully on the object in her hands. She had noticed only a few days after the fairy had decided to stay with her that Sapho had no shoes. While she could see the sense in what the fairy had told her; that she rarely needed them given her habit of flying, Neru had decided to make a little pair anyway. Rare was the day that she wasn't out and about, and the light mage wanted a way for the fairy to safely get around if she grew tired, or wished to touch down while they were in the guild hall. Sapho herself sat upon Neru's shoulder, watching curiously as she sewed the soles of the little boots on with careful stitches. Long years mending her own clothes had granted her some skill in being able to repair things. Making tiny boots was new, but she supposed that they would do until something more durable could be found.

The voices soon started up again, beginning at a level tone and steadily rising until even Sapho, in her ever-lasting patience, was looking a bit irritated. Sighing, she tucked the crafting items into her bag, pulling the strap over her shoulder before climbing to her feet. Sapho took to the air, fluttering close to her head in curiosity. "It's okay," Neru smiled at her, despite the slight red tinge to the blue her light spheres had ben. "I'm just going to say hi, and maybe ask if they can quiet down a bit."

It wasn't hard to find the other group, despite the fact that they'd grown silent(ish) once more. It seemed to be some guy, and.... nope, nevermind, that was just some sort of paper thing. She found it strange that he kept it on his shoulder, like some sort of pet. He seemed to be meditating, so Neru chose not to speak, simply standing peacefully until she was noticed. Sapho settled on her shoulder again, kicking her feet back and forth in boredom.

GL began fidgeting on Hiro's shoulder once again, unable to truly focus on his meditation. He stretched out his little flailing paper arms as they flapped slightly in the breeze. His focus then caught shape of something behind him and he turned to face a woman and some sort of smaller person on her shoulder. He floated back a bit and quickly formed into a bell and shaking, causing a ringing sound to be heard although he was entirely made out of paper.

Hiro's hand quickly shot up, grabbing GL and stopping the constant annoying ringing. Yes. I am aware there is someone behind me. I could sense their presence. Now enough with the bell. You know how much I hate it. He released his grip on the bell, as it transformed into a tongue and began mocking Hiro once again. Excuse my friend here. He can become quite troublesome for me and others, Hiro spoke with such grace and serenity as he was always taught to speak.

His hands reached up and grabbed his helmet, gently taking it off of his head and putting it on the grass beside him. The hair fell to just a little below his shoulders and swayed ever so slightly in the breeze. He lifted himself up from his meditation pose and turned around, a small smile curled along his face. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Hiro Fusano, a samurai of time. He extended the blade in front of him and put it to his side, giving a gentle bow as he did, a sign of introduction from his clan.

GL soared in front of him, almost getting a little too close for comfort on the woman, carefully analyzing ever part of her. His gaze fell upon the fairy resting upon her shoulder. The paper overcome with emotion shaped into a heart and began to create a throbbing effect.

GL! Hiro spoke with stern as he noticed what the mache was doing. Here. Now! He snapped his finger and GL soared back to Hiro, still maintaining his beating heart form. Enough with this. I've told you, this isn't how you introduce yourself to elegant women! GL shaped back into his normal self, crossing his arms in a pouting fashion. Pardon my friend once again. He tends to be very...prominent...when he looks upon pretty women such as yourselves.

The paper moved, and Neru gave a violent jump and a short yelp of surprise, all of her orbs flashing orange. It's alive!? She thought, hands coming up to cover her heart reflexively. Sapho laughed at her reaction, a beautiful bell-like sound that seemed to cut through the air like a knife through soft cheese. She quieted when the man that the paper had been sitting on spoke up, and Neru had the sudden sense that something had been lost. Sapho's noises, being fairy-speak, sounded like nothing more than little tinkles to her, but they were enrapturing nonetheless. She hoped that one day she could come to understand them, but for now, she was content to hear their sound whenever possible.

Her attention came back to the man when he spoke a second time, this time with words that were of more interest to her, given that they were in their direction. "He seems lively," she replied with her typical air of disinterest, despite her curiosity in the paper creature. Was it a spell? Or was it alive? Was it disguised? Questions flew around her mind like birds, leaving her desperate to ask. She stayed silent, however, aware that that was a question for a little bit later, given they'd barely been through greetings.

Neru had never been raised with much sense of decor on these things, and so she stuck to her normal greeting, well aware that perhaps it was a bit informal if this guy was one that was strict about such things. She clasped her hands in front of her and nodded her head to him, slipping a polite smile into her expression. "Well-met." The paper chose that moment to move forward and she fell silent, unsure if it wished to speak or not. The short flash of orange that rolled through her spheres once more betrayed her amusement at its reaction to Sapho, who lifted her dainty hand to her mouth to hide a giggle. At this point, they were both used to the reactions they received; fairies weren't exactly a dime-a-dozen, after all. She'd heard there was even a guild that was created on the concept of their existence at all. The paper, GL, Neru reminded herself, was quickly reprimanded for its actions. She resisted the urge to follow Sapho's suit in terms of giggling. This Hiro character seemed more offended of the creature's breach in etiquette than either of them had. Though she supposed if it had been told not to do such before, Hiro had a right to be a bit offended at being ignored.

"This is Sapho," she said for the paper's benefit, gesturing to the butterfly fairy. "And I'm Neru Faye. Some people call me the Starlit Fairy, if you prefer titles." She gestured a bit sourcelessly at the title, understanding that between the little lights that consistently followed her and Sapho perched upon her shoulder, her title made plenty of sense. "Don't worry about the paper, GL, you called it? I'm not offended, and neither is Sapho." The fairy nodded in agreement, her wings fluttering a bit and carrying her in the air, where she hovered a bit in front of Neru, giving the two others a small wave. "Thank you for the compliment, though."

Suddenly remembering the reason she'd come over, Neru clasped her hands in front of her, scratching her thumbnail idly. It was a habit she'd picked up over the years and unfortunately found herself unable to get rid of. "I'm sorry if we've bothered you, we were simply curious at the noise you were making. It's not often somebody other than me and Sapho come around here, so we're used to a good bit of silence."

Well met Neru and you as well Sapho, Hiro replied, giving a simple head nod. He could tell that pleasantries were not her strong suite, although he did not mind.And please do not worry. My friend here was already bothering me before you came along. The samurai shot GL a quick glance who was still dancing around in his tongue form.

I was not aware someone else was here, he spoke once more, turning his attention back to the fairies. I had only been here once before for a job. It was an honorable and I promised myself I'd come back a month later to pay proper respects for the man I took the job from. He then went silent quickly, wondering if he was giving away too much information. He certainly didn't want to come off as a man he fought everyone.

He could feel his chest begin to rumble and growl. The samurai cleared his throat. Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet. However, I must get back to my meditation. It's for... he paused for a second again, too nervous to mention anything about Oni. After all, it never went well other times. ...personal reasons. He turned back around and sat once more.

Oh where are my manners? Hiro beckoned beside him. If you've never meditated before you are more than welcome to join me. It's quite a nice way to appreciate the beautiful forests such as these.

A small smile teased the corners of Neru's mouth in reaction to Hiro and GL's interactions. She found it cute, in a way, that they were so close. They reminded her of a pair of siblings, in a way. She'd never had any siblings, but the orphanage had had a few pairs here and there before she'd left. As he continued speaking, Neru found confusion creeping along the edges of her mind.  Pay respects? Was he a murderer of some sort?

The very thought had her stiffening slightly. Murderers didn't belong near her nor Sapho, especially not in the forest. This was a place of peace, not bloodshed. At least, that's how it was in her eyes. The problem was, she had no idea of this mage's power. And if he was stronger than her to the point that she couldn't defend herself... Her eyes drifted to Sapho, wondering if she should put the fairy somewhere safe. A slight growl met her ears and she stiffened further, her lights drawing in in preparation for a possible attack, a few even closing in near the fairy. Sapho sensed the pressure, glancing worriedly at her friend and flying to tuck herself between Neru's hair and her neck.

The moment passed when the man spoke, however, rather than jumping at them. Slowly, Neru relaxed, the pressure of Sapho's gentle hand patting at her skin an aid in that action. He didn't seem dangerous, but she couldn't shake the sense that something was, overall, off. "Meditation?" she asked when she'd found her voice. "I often come here to sit and play my flute, is that similar?" she asked, hesitantly coming to sit down, putting a comfortably safe distance between them.

Some monks I knew back in my village would sometimes play instruments during certain events. My siblings and I would sometimes join these events not for the meditation but rather to hear the beautiful music. Hiro chuckled at the thought of his family, people he missed greatly. But the meditation I do is one without music.
That kind deals with peace and harmony for the people around you. My meditation is more to find comfort and peace within yourself. Acknowledge your troubles, your desires, and make it become one with you.

The samurai took a large breath and exhaled. He could hear the shuffling the grass beside him as he heard the woman sit rather awkwardly away from him. He could not help but give a slight smile, sensing her discomfort and general uneasiness towards him, though he did not blame her. When you meditate for as long as I have, you almost become one with nature, he said spoke on. You can feel the gentle shifts in the ground, the crunching and moving of branches, like the bird the had just perched itself on the tree above me. A small chirp was heard as a bird stood perched just above Hiro, its feathers being a bit ruffled in the breeze. Nature and yourself become connected, almost dependent on each other. And not only that but it also helps you feel the presence of other wizards. For example, I can sense your uneasiness, mostly based on the shuffling of the grass around your feet when you sat.

GL had finally calmed down and reverted back into his normal self, perching himself in between Hiro and Neru doing his best to try and imitate Hiro's actions. Feel the grass brush up against you. Hiro's voice took now into a more hypnotic tone, as if his words were blowing along the breeze. Feel the wind against your hair.
Hear the sounds of the grass and leaves rustle. Understand how all of this is connected and how you too may come to join this cycle. He had finally stopped talking instead now allowing silence to persist. The birds chirped and the wind blew as Hiro's eyes remained closed.