A bit of practice (Kaseki)

"Malm, let me help you." Said the girl.

She held bits of fabric and a bag of who knows what. She just stared at the boy. "He does that...you get used to it. He's actually... Quite fun when you get to know him." Xiaowei said.

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OOC: Figured I'd end the fight, but can still be a social~

Looked over at Xiaowei as he noticed that she was still here. "Uhh... Okay." Malm said as he sat up. He wasn't quite sure what she was going to help him with, but judging from the bits of fabric she had, he guessed it would have something to do with his ruined shirt.

He then nodded as she spoke to him about Kaseki. "I sure hope so..." He said, sounding like he was to sure about what Xiaowei said. To be honest, Malm was kindof afraid of Kaseki. While Malm had trusted the Demon of Life enough, there was always this sense of cautiousness Malm felt like he had to take whenever he was in Kaseki's presence. Because of this, Malm found it hard to really see Kaseki as being 'fun'. Hopefully this would change in the future though.

---

HP: 100%
MP: 70%

Remedy: 1 Post Cooldown

((Alright then))

"You know, it wasn't that long ago." Xiaowei told the boy. She was referring to the first time she had met Kaseki. It was nothing more than a simple escort. She wasn't sure of the man she had been waiting for, for so many years. The only thing she was sure about, was that Kaseki would be the one to help her find him... Just as she would help him find his lost love.

"There's sides to him that not even he knows about." said the girl. "Think of it, you are minding your own business in a meeting then moments later a new world where you don't have a doppelganger after you, but you from the future." Xiaowei gave Kaseki a lot of credit for managing through his obstacles in life. "And don't forget that his daughters are adopted, one whose parents his future self killed, and another who he found orphaned in the forest. I mean... It's admirable in my eyes."

Xiaowei smiled at the thought of it all.

She even forgot her ow last name.

_______
OOC: Well, I guess it's time to reveal a secret plotline~

"I'm sorry, but it wasn't that long ago since what?" Malm asked curiously, not quite understanding the meaning of this statement. While he assumed it had something to do with Kaseki since they were just talking about him, he couldn't tell exactly what.

Xiaowei went on to say the reasons why she admired Kaseki. Admittedly he could understand why. It'd be hard to not admire someone who went through so much trouble in his life and still strives to do good. Yet Malm was afraid that despite how much good Kaseki has done, Kaseki has also done quite a bit of evil as well.

With that said, there was still something that Xiaowei said that Malm found interesting. "Kaseki has two adopted daughters? I didn't know that." Malm admitted as he thought back to see if he had possibly met either of Kaseki's daughters before. It was possible that he saw them during the party at the treehouse, but that whole thing was rushed that Malm didn't really get the opportunity to get any ones names or even remember their faces.

"Yuna Seikatsu, and Maria Zaroff. One the Guildmaster of Nox Animus, the other a legal mage of Lamia Scale." Xiaowei inputted. She had grown to remember every tale that the plant man told, for she was always around to heat them. "I can understand if you fear him, he is a Coming Storm and he had in fact killed a few people... but oddly enough, he only kills dark guildmembers and hired guards, or corrupt officials. It's quite ironic... Being known as a killer, by the killers, when you kill killers. He has never ever planned to harm a kind soul, he never could."

She dropped the bag onto the cool green grass. the top opened up and she reached inside. She pulled out a large garment and a shirt, maybe a size too big for the boy. She extended her arm out to him. "Just like me, you can ask him anything and he'll answer you truthfully. He never lies to those he trusts." She gave a warm smile.

"Well I guess I should be happy and honored you both trust me so. Especially when you both barely know me." Malm said as he looked over at the shirt and garment Xiaowei pulled out of her bag. He guessed that the shirt was meant for him, but didn't make any actions just in case.

The whole thing about Kaseki being a killer still made Malm uneasy. It wasn't a matter of who he killed to Malm, it was the matter that he even kills in the first place. Malm had heard of stories from his grandfather of people who only killed those who they believed deserved it. Few ever kept their ideals for any length of time before finding excuses to kill just about anyone they see. He could only hope Kaseki would be an exception to this.

"I don't have to know you, to trust you." said the girl. "You're Dragon Fang, Malm. We're all family."

She looked off into the trees in the direction of the dark wooded man. "And family means that we fight together, not against each other." She held the clothes. "Take it, Kaseki said you needed it, and I packed it. It's your size... or at least close to it."

"Thanks. I appreciate it." Malm said as he took the clothes. They weren't exactly his style, but he wasn't one to complain. "And could you make sure to give my thanks to Kaseki too. Not just for these, but for helping me train as well." Malm added as he rubbed the back of his head with one hand while having the clothes Xiaowei gave him folded across his other arm.

Malm then paused as he thought about what Xiaowei told him. He honestly never thought of Dragon Fang as a family. Malm has actually only met a small handful of it's members though (with only one or two not being a leader of the group) and he rarely got see those. So maybe that probably had something to do with it. Malm didn't really know. Hopefully given time though, he'll grow to see Dragon Fang as a family.

"It's no problem, really." Xiaowei said happily, "Since Yuna became a guildmaster, and since he became known as a Coming Storm, we, meaning any of us haven't seen him as much. I'm glad we got to spend this time together. Even if it was over sword play."

Xiaowei couldn't help but think of the troubled past he left behind. She felt that something truly bothered him that she was the cause of, but what was it? The more she thought about it, the more she felt her own soul cast itself into the darkness. Xiaowei looked at Kaseki, always seeing the light in him. Over the last few weeks, she watched it dwindle down to a flame. She always had hope in him, since the first day they met.

But it seemed like it was much longer than just a month or so.

"A Coming Storm? What is that?" Malm asked before having second thoughts, "Actually... I don't think I want to know."

Malm then grunted as he began to pull himself off the ground. As he did so though, he flinched as his hand instinctively went over to where the wound on his side once was. While the wound was now healed, it still ached. Yet with nothing he could really do about it, he decided to just ignore it off and smile.

"I will say this about Kaseki. That scythe of his really hurt. I guess I should be happy he didn't take this half as seriously as he seemed to have been. I have a feeling I would of came out of this little spar then with the scratch I did." Malm commented halfheartedly in an attempt to actually add something to this conversation.

"Oh, Malm..." Said Xiaowei as she knelt to the boy. She dropped the bag and quickly put her hands on the wound. "I'm sorry, but this will only hurt for a second. I promise." Her hands begun to glow a faint color, a purple... no, a lavender.

She had learned some things from the insane plant man, one was the ability to heal. Unlike him, she is required to use both her hands. Well, after all, she doesn't know how to enchant the water he uses as well.

But maybe one day.
_____

Xiaowei HP: 100%
Xiaowei MP: 90%

Spell Used:

Malm instinctively moved away from Xiaowei's hand as she attempted to heal his nonexistent wound. "Please save your magic. I'm afraid it's not going to do much seeing how it's nothing more then a little ache. Nothing I can't handle." Malm stated as he stood upright.

"Besides my grandfather use to tell me that one shouldn't use magic to heal every wound he occurs. How else is he gonna learn to avoid such situations in the future?" Quoted Malm as his thoughts went back towards an earlier incident in his life. There was a good reason why he managed to avoid as many of Kaseki's attacks as he did.

"Up to you." Said the girl with a smile on her face. "What's next?" Xiaowei had a many of things on her mind, mostly involving food and/or Kaseki. This little meeting was one thing she was not used to. That alone made her happy. She liked change every now and then. Change was good.

"I don't really know." Malm admitted with a shrug. As he did so, he felt an odd weight on his arm that quickly reminded him of the shirt that Xiaowei had given. How could he have even forgotten about it so quickly?

"Uhh... Actually, I sh-should probably put this on real quick. I'll be back in a moment." Malm slightly stammered with a blush as back up behind a closeby tree. He then soon disappeared behind said tree for a good minute or so before reappearing with the new shirt on and his old shirt folded across his arm. The new shirt was pretty obviously big on the teen as the short sleeves reached to his elbow and was relatively baggy.

"So what do you think?" Malm asked as he was obviously a bit uncomfortable being out of his usual attire. He doubted he would ever be able to fight effectively in this shirt, so he really hoped he could get his old shirt repaired before he had to.

"Really, it's up to you. But I believe you should go home and rest, either it be your own home or at the base of Dragon Fang." Xiaowei was concerned about the boy's energy. She knew how psychically and mentally taxing it is to be in a fight. Even more so when your opponent is a mad man who planned for your every move. She figured the boy could still be reacting to his adrenaline. She had hoped to make a day out of it, but Kaseki had gone away early. She had no idea what to do next.

She had no plan.

Malm frowned slightly as he had hoped Xiaowei would give her opinion on the shirt. Instead she just told him it was up to him. Not exactly an answer he was looking for, especially after specifically asking for her opinion. Oh well... It's not like her answered wouldn't have some bias to it since she picked out the shirt. He was just hoping to hear something to make him feel a bit more comfortable about wearing this shirt.

"Yeah. I guess I probably should." Malm commented offhandly as he looked away from the woman. This was a bit of a lie though as he didn't think either options would be possible. The teen had yet to establish a place to call his own, so the only place he could really call his own was back with his family, which wasn't exactly a short walk away. Going to Dragon Fang seemed even more improbable compared to that though as, the last he checked, it was in a completely different country altogether. Not exactly the most accessible place for those who don't have teleporting powers. Thinking back on the journey over there gave Malm chills as he was surprised that he had even made it there when he did, and it was made all the worst by the fact that the get together/ party really only boiled down to sit down, roll this die, get out. To be quite honest, it felt more like a tease for Xiaowei to mention those options to him.

This really left Malm with two options. Either camp out for the night or get a room at an inn. It's not like Malm wasn't use to such options as he has been stuck with them ever since he started his journey. Though something (his wallet) told Malm that he was going to end up being left camping tonight. At least he wasn't really tired yet.

"Well I guess this is where we're going to have to say goodbye for now, isn't it? Unless you have something else you wanted ask me about?" Malm asked simply.

Xiaowei felt a chill run up her spine. Everything that happened today seemed so out of place. Kaseki had gone into a state of mind that she had seen only once in her life, and it was the one side that scared her more than Kodai. This meeting seemed to be nothing but Kaseki's test of his new magic. Kaseki did nothing but land a few hits to the boy and take a few cuts himself. To her, it seemed that Kaseki wanted nothing than to test the boy, and push him beyond his limit. She herself was powerless compared to the both of them, all she could do was mend wounds. It was her only spells. She took every chance to use her powers, it seemed like she barely got to do that today. However, Xiaowei had a power that not many had.

"Malm..." Started Xiaowei, "I'm really sorry about all of this, and I'd hate to leave you like this. For what it's worth, I'll take you anywhere you like." She smiled in a half-hearted attempt to cheer up the day.

And she was itching to use her teleportation skills.

((Ugh... I feel like an idiot about the fact that Malm's clothes were completely drenched, and just realize that was why Xiaowei had more garments then just the shirt *facepalm*))

"Anywhere I like?" He asked in slight confusion as he didn't exactly knew what Xiaowei meant by that statement. It only took a few seconds though before it clicked in his head. He couldn't believe that he had forgotten about her teleportation abilities.

"Uhh... Sure. That will be helpful. Thanks." Malm said before pausing for a few moments to think where exactly he wanted to go. Well there was one thing in mind he could ask. "Do you happen to know of any inexpensive tailors that are willing to do repair work nearby?" Malm then asked as he rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. His other arm still having his wet and torn clothes slinged folded across it.

"Anywhere. It's not that I get to use my gift often." Xiaowei let out a small chuckle. She was finally useful for once. She didn't just get things anymore, she was a person. Here, in Dragon Fang, she was important. She listened to the boy's words. He wanted to see an inexpensive tailor? No no no... She wouldn't let that happen.

"My family, well the ones that took me in, why they are of noble decedents..." in that moment she remembered her lost love, the nameless boy. He took was a noble, but of magical decedent. He had some gift of fire, or smoke was it... mist? "I will take you to the best tailor in Fiore. Free of charge."

Xiaowei felt the knot tie up in her heart.

It was years since she saw him again, yet it feels like she passes him every second of the day. She couldn't remember his name or even his face. He could be anywhere... but where was he now?

"Your a part of a noble family. Huh." Malm remarked with idle curiosity. He would have never of guessed that Xiaowei's family were nobles. Just one of those situations that he guessed he shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. This did bring several questions to Malm's mind, but he decided to keep them to himself.

"Thanks, but you honestly don't have to do that for me. I troubled you enough as it is. And besides, all I really need is a simple patch job done." Malm said to her, not wanting the woman to go out of her way like that just for him. He didn't want to feel like a burden to Xiaowei, especially after all she has done and offered to him already.

"Bixian, that was the family name. Merchants from Midi. I was with them for as long as I remember..." Xiaowei said it, it wasn't a complete lie. She was with them for a long time, however she remembered her time in the Spirit Wilds too. "But it is no trouble for me. All I have to do is show my face and it will get done." She smiled at the thought. As much as she enjoyed the pampering from the family's servants and other workers, she hated it. She hated using them. But it was half a year since she left. A visit was overdue, she needed to say hello at least. "Let's get out of this forest, it's giving me the creeps."

Malm sighed as she insisted that she do this for him. "Well as long as you don't think it'll be to much of a bother I guess." Malm said as he was still a bit uncomfortable about this, "Just let me get my pack, and we can get going."

With that, Malm ran over where his pack is before returning back to Xiaowei. He had to admit that the idea of getting a professional tailor repairing his shirt for free was kind of nice. He just hoped this doesn't end up reducing her opinion on him.

"Well I'm ready when you are."

Xiaowei extended her hand to the boy. It would only take contact for her to take him. All she had to do was think about that shop in Rose Garden. She had the old man's face in her mind. She wouldn't mess up. Not this time.

"Then away we go.~"

Malm looked at Xiaowei's hand hesitantly. He was starting to grow quite nervous about teleporting. Thoughts rushed through his head of all the unpleasant things that could possibly happen. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to regain control of himself.

"Okay." Malm said as he grabbed her hand with his own, "This isn't going to hurt is it?"

"It never does."

Xiaowei closed her eyes as she condensed and released her powers. To the onlooker it appeared as if it were a prayer to the nature god. And if that was the case...

The god made them disappear in thin air.