mylittlejamjar | 2nd Idea [Accidental Visual]

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2nd Idea [Accidental Visual]

[With everything settling back down again, it should be the best time to relax. But it apparently was the opposite for Tadashi, who could be seen pacing around his room at the commune. His tail flicked with every turn, and the expression on his face was more agitated and troubled than normal for those who had seen him before.

Another passing turn had him pausing, finally noticing the scroll was open. And for a moment he almost seemed to glare at it, his hardened expression persisting as he debated whether to simply roll it up.

But it only lasted a moment before his expression softened, and he managed a small, if somewhat weary smile.]

Anyone feel like grabbing a drink?

...Or taking a walk. Or...something.

[It just seemed like he could use the company.]

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[She laughs a little, still grinning but a touch less...maniacally.]

Aura.

The answer is Aura.

Aura?

[Of course he's heard of aura, but how was that going to help?]

Warriors in my world protect themselves with their souls. Their Aura.

[Her smile softened to something a little more proud.]

Huntsmen and Huntresses like me are able to control our Aura so that we can project it outwardly and shield ourselves from harm.

[The end of her mouth quirked a little.]

If you slashed me with a sword, my Aura would be able to protect me, even if it would have been a fatal blow without it. It can protect the wielder from blunt force too and...

[She paused, hoping Tadashi was starting to see where she was going with this before continuing.]

It can shield you from explosions.

Trust me, I know. Somebody fired a rocket launcher at me once.

[Several times actually.

...Don't ask her what she was doing that led to that.]

[Wait, why...? Never mind, maybe he was safer not asking.

He's really considering this. If it was possible to use his soul to protect himself, then maybe...]

That's...people from your world, though. You think someone like me would be able to learn how to do that?

[She gave a small laugh.]

Why wouldn't you? You have a soul. Whether you're a human or an animal that's all you need.

[So whether Tadashi was a pony or a human, this would still work.]

And anyone can learn how to use their Aura. It just takes practice.

[After all, Huntsmen and Huntresses came from all walks of life.

Besides if somebody like...well, Jaune could utilize Aura, Tadashi would be fine.

The expression on her face grew confident.]

Somebody just has to unlock it first.

[Tadashi's silent as he thinks for a moment. He's not entirely convinced, but it was worth a shot.]

Okay...How do we unlock it?

That's easy. I can use my Aura to unlock yours.

[It'd been years since she first began her own training but it was hard to forget something like that.

It wasn't like it actually mattered though, as given the way Yang was practically exuding confidence and smiles right now it was pretty clear she knew what she was talking about.

This was definitely something she had lots of experience doing.

Yep.]

...Is that dangerous?

[This was all dealing with souls, right? So if she's using her soul to unlock his...

That sounds like stuff can go wrong.]

[She gave a small giggle. Such a worrywart.

The last thing she wanted was for him to find some other reason to not go through with this though, so she smiled reassuringly.]

Don't worry. The worst that could happen would be, well...nothing happening.

[That was honestly the worst case scenario she could think of since this was the best solution they'd found yet.]

It'll be fine. This will work.

[You should talk to his brother, then you'll see how much worrying he actually does.

He still seemed a bit reluctant, but after a long moment he nodded.]

All right. Couldn't hurt to try.

[...Right?]

[She smiled warmly, voice full of cheer despite his reluctance.]

Just trust me, okay?

[Naturally, she followed that sentence up by stepping closer to him, almost nose to nose, and inclined her head a little in a gesture for him to do the same.]

Close your eyes and concentrate. ...Try to think about what makes you "you".

[It was tricky to explain what Tadashi was supposed to focus on when he hadn't grown up in a world where people used their Aura, but hopefully that would suffice. This was mostly on her to succeed anyway.]

[Despite his hesitation, he gave a small smile and nodded.]

Okay...

[At his gesture, he stepped a bit closer, taking a breath.

What made him him, huh?

Closing his eyes, he thought, letting his mind wander as he tried to imagine what exactly that was.]

[Once Tadashi's eyes had closed, she smiled, lightly touching her forehead against his and then closed her eyes as well.

Projecting her Aura in battle was second nature to her now. It was like breathing; she did it almost passively, without really needing to think about it. People could think what they wanted about her and her approach to most things but she had excellent control over her Aura. The nature of her Semblance depended on it. And it was the reason she could explode her Aura outward so violently when somebody made her angry enough.

She could do this. It was different from using her Aura while fighting but she could do this.

Focusing, her eyes snapped open briefly, lavender irises constricting as she amplified her Aura, a yellow-orange glow rising up around her like a flame. Then she shut her eyes again, concentrating her Aura towards Tadashi. If he felt anything at all as she attempted to reach out towards him, her Aura would feel warm. Not the angry, destructive burn of a fire, but that of a bright sun on a perfect summer day.]

[Tadashi took a breath, feeling as that gentle warmth flowed over him, seeming to reach inside him, like someone holding their hand out for him to take.

And as he grasping the outstretched hand, he found the warmth suddenly swell from inside him, pulsing outwards. If his eyes had been opened, he would have noticed the white glow surrounding his body.]

["For it is in passing that we achieve immortality..."

It just wasn't right. That Tadashi would have to die so pointlessly the moment he returned home. Yang could accept death as a natural thing that happened. And it was a risk those in her profession understood well, but...

"Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all..."

Perhaps it would have been different if Tadashi's sacrifice hadn't been almost completely in vain. Trying to save a teacher he trusted, who'd set a fire just for his own selfish gain, leaving Tadashi to die a horrible death.

Leaving Tadashi's little brother Hiro, a boy about the same age as her own sister, with the weight of another loss, on top of those of his parents.

Robbing the two of them of a chance to accomplish their dreams together.

It made her angry.

It made her want to do something about it.

"Infinite in distance and unbound by death..."

While she was concentrating, Yang had lifted a foreleg, resting her hoof gently against Tadashi's chest, feeling his heart beat underneath.

This could work.

It had to work.

It'd at least give him a chance. Maybe not much of one, but it was something. If he could learn how to shield himself with his own Aura, he could survive the explosion and the fire. Even if he couldn't completely protect himself against it, it might keep his wounds from being fatal.

It was worth a try.

"I release your soul..."

Tadashi might not have been from her world, but he had a soul. She was sure of that. She could sense it, just beyond the edges of her own Aura . And with practice he'd be able to manifest his Aura as well.

She just had to unlock it first.

If she could just reach far enough...

Abruptly, it felt like she'd touched something, energy stirring to life and forcing her away protectively. Complete with the sensation of stumbling backwards.

Actually...she may have genuinely stumbled.

"...and by...and by my-...my shoulder...protect...thee..."

Something had gone wrong.

Or perhaps something had gone right and she just hadn't prepared for it.

Her Aura suddenly felt as though it had been all but torn from her through her exertions and the fiery glow radiating off her dwindled down to nothing. A deep fatigue seized her and she slumped forward a little into Tadashi, her back legs threatening to give out from under her. Opening her eyes to try and steady herself, the ground seemed to swirl up towards her and her vision tunneled into black.

Swaying away from Tadashi with a quiet gasp, Yang crumpled limply to the ground.]

[His eyes opened when the warmth seemed to stop so abruptly...not his, not the one from within him, but the one around him.]

Yang...!

[He somehow managed to wrap his forelegs around her, making her descent less of a drop as he carefully eased her to the ground.]

[She hung lifelessly in his hold as he slowed her fall but at least upon a closer look it was clear she was still breathing, merely unconscious.

She'd remain that way for several long moments though, lying prone wherever Tadashi had gently lowered her to the ground before, finally, she began to stir with a soft groan of complaint.]

[In the time before she woke, Tadashi had laid her down on the ground, checking on her just to make sure she wasn't hurt in any other way. Then, not sure what else to do, he'd gone to get something to pillow her head, hoping it'd be of some comfort.

It was when he was considering to get some extra help when she finally stirred, and he looked on with a bit of worry.]

[With how drained she still felt it was really tempting to fall right back into unconsciousness, but Yang opened her eyes a crack, her gaze sliding tiredly over to find Tadashi.

And then she offered a small smile.]

...F-first rule of Aura use...wa-tch overdoing it...

[At least her sense of humor was still somewhat intact.]

[He gave a small, relieved sigh. Least she'll be okay.]

You need anything?

[She shifted, pulling her legs in underneath her although she wasn't about to try getting up just yet, whether she wanted to or not.]

I'm fine...

[The only thing that could really help was time anyway.

She lifted her head up a little groggily, ears going down at the headache that prompted.]

...Did it work?

[She'd sorta blacked out before she could be sure.]

I...think so...?

[He hadn't noticed anything, really. Mostly because he'd had more pressing things to worry about.]

Mmm...

[She winced, wishing she had fingers to rub her temples with.]

I guess we'll just find out when we start your training.

All right...

[A quick glance at her.]

Though we might want to hold off on that for a bit.

[There was a wry smile at that.]

Why? You nervous?

[She knew exactly why though, and she agreed. Any further Aura use for her today was off the table until she was back to full power.]

2nd Idea [Accidental Visual]

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