Trick of the Light [fanfic/talent discovery]

[Avyra]

(Shoutout to Craig and Jenny for letting me use their characters and editing a bit to keep them in character!)

Avyra’s mood had not improved since her last outburst, nearly a week ago when she had snapped at Ravak after he had further rubbed salt into her wounds after another failure in Earth channeling. She was still shocked that she had not been given punishment for her rather unkind words; Ravak had just stormed off, but she also figured that maybe he didn't want to deal with her anymore. That was fine with her. At their first meeting, she might have considered them on good terms, friends even, but now she was downright terrified of him and what he might say. Of course she wouldn't want him around. She didn't even dwell on it. His words hadn't hurt her. Oh no. Not in the slightest. But there was more for her to focus on in the moment. She walked to her next class, enjoying the nice weather. The sun on her back gave her a good amount of joy, something that she, for sure, needed, and she walked with her eyes closed, opening them only a few times to ensure she didn't hit anyone or anything on her way. Such an act worked for a small while, all the way until she felt her nose run into someone's larger chest. Everyone here might as well be a stone wall. She huffed, opening her eyes. “I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to-” She stopped when she saw who it was, and the figure made her narrow her eyes and step back quite a bit. Ravak Gaidin stood in front of her, eyebrows raised as though he didn't believe he almost stepped on the tiny Novice under his feet. “For the love of the Light, can you watch whe-” Avyra was not going to roll over, belly up to this man who seemed to have a knack for finding her and ruining her happiness. “I'm sorry, Ravak Gaidin. I just wasn't expecting a brick wall in my path.” Like Light she was going to let him ruin her pretty day! The Gaidin’s eyebrows furrowed together, and he narrowed his eyes. “A brick wall, eh?" He grinned slightly. "And once again we meet, novice Avyra. I am glad to see you're addressing me properly now. A shame it took attempted dognapping and a trip to the Mistress of Novices to make it so. Her punishments must be having an impact, at last.” He scratched his beard thoughtfully. Avyra tried to move past him, not wanting to deal with any of his remarks about her behavior, but he blocked her path easily with broad shoulders. She huffed at him, biting her tongue to keep from making any other remarks. She had started to watch her tongue, but she also didn't like Ravak, so she was honestly at a small dilemma. However, Avyra was also afraid of the man. He was quite a bit bigger than she, and although she knew he wouldn't attack her, she embraced the Source anyway, holding it without channeling. It was her only defense, just in case. Ravak looked around, then considered her again. “I would like to say-” It all happened in an instant, but it felt like an eternity to Avyra. She didn't want him close, and she needed to think of something to do to keep him back, maybe even, with any luck, scare him away. She could feel something prickling at her. An instinct. She channeled the Source, then, following what her mind told her to. Some Fire and Air, mixed with Spirit. She then expanded the Spirit in one quick motion of her mind. “I wouldn't like your say!" Avyra suddenly snapped, weaving more Air from the Source, her voice booming far louder than someone her size should have been able to do. It even startled her, making her jump. “Stay away from me!” Ravak actually stepped back, looking a bit startled. Only for the moment, though. The Gaidin's face hardened, stepping forward again. However, he seemed to be directing his next sentence to the space above her head. “You do know channeling without supervision is forbidden for novices, yes?" He paused, considering. “However, I do applaud that illusion work.” She instantly released the Source, her experimental weave falling as she startled back again, away from him. What had she-? “I didn't do-” Ravak placed a hand on her shoulder, practically holding her in place with his incredible strength. “And once more," he sighed, "we go to see Mirin Sedai. I'm sure she'd like to know about this event.” Illusion? But she hadn't? Had she? Avyra tried to fight for a few moments, but it was useless. So she let herself get almost dragged along by this Gaidin, off to yet another punishment. ~*~ “You were doing what?!” It went without saying; Mirin was not pleased. Avyra was alone with the Mistress of Novices in her office. Ravak had not waited around, he had given his side of the story. A curt one. He had claimed that Avyra had channeled and used illusion. Mirin had only nodded, waving him off. So now Avyra was here, facing Mirin once again. “Well? What do you have to say for yourself?” “I'm… Sorry?” “For what, child?” Mirin Sedai sighed, turning to her desk to take her cup of tea in her hand. “For risking burning yourself out, or for getting caught?” “A little of both? I didn't mean to, honestly.” She paused. “Ravak Gaidin scares me a bit, Mirin Sedai. I felt like I might have been in danger.” She paused, realizing how silly she sounded. Ravak wouldn't harm her. “I see,” Mirin said. Her gray eyes regarded Avyra calmly. “Yet you channeled, and used illusion. I don't recall scheduling a class in that, child. How did you learn it?” “I didn't know I could do it,” Avyra explained. “It just sort of happened, like my first channeling incident.” Mirin considered this, then motioned for Avyra to sit. The novice did what she asked. “First, I'm assigning you more essays,” Mirin said, taking a seat herself. “Or rather, one, seeing as this was not meant as a prank. I want you to go to the library and research what happens to novices like yourself who burn the Power out of them. Then, write me a research paper on the subject.” She paused, taking another sip of tea. “Would you like some tea?” Oh no, time for tea. That meant they were going to be here a while. Avyra knew she better make herself comfortable. “No, thank you.” “Anyway, Avyra, tell me more about this illusion of yours.” The novice took a step back, instantly closing off, not wanting to reply to the question at hand. She didn't want to get in trouble. Mirin only sighed, watching her as she sipped her tea. “Go on, child. I'm not mad about that. In fact, I would really like to hear more about it. After all, we can get you a teacher, and your talent would prove beneficial to the Tower.” Avyra considered this, then she shrugged. “I.. I'm not sure what I did. Kinda like how I set the kitchen on fire a long time ago. I'm not sure how I did it, it just happened.” She paused. “I was afraid of Ravak Gaidin. I thought he might hurt me. So I decided to embrace the Source, just to offer a cushion of protection. If I needed it.” She could feel Mirin’s disappointment. “And why does he scare you, child? Why do you think he might hurt you?” “He…” Avyra paused. “Just scares me, that's all. No, I don't think he'll hurt me; it was more instinct than anything else.” “Instinct? So when someone bigger than you comes close to you, you feel threatened?” “No, it's not that,” Avyra replied. “It's just, I'm not too sure.” “Hm. Well, we can't have you channeling out of fear. Such a thing could burn you out.” She paused. “Your punishment still stands; write me the essay on what happens to young channelers like yourself who burn themselves out early on. “However, you do have a talent, and that cannot be ignored. I'm going to assign you a tutor, privately. You will learn faster than in the classroom setting offered here.” She thought for a moment. “Torianin also demonstrated a similar talent in illusion. I will assign you to her. I take it you like her teaching you the basics.” Avyra nodded. “Yes. Accepted Torianin is a wonderful teacher, and we go well together.” Mirin Sedai nodded in return, jotting something down on her paper. “That is good to hear. I do like it when my students like their teachers. It always makes learning easier. And teaching easier, too.” She paused. “Will that be all, child?” “Yes, Mirin Sedai, thank you.” The Mistress of Novices poured herself more tea. “Are you sure you don't want more tea, Avyra?” “No, I'm good. Thanks for the offer, Mirin Sedai.” “Well, I'll see you next week with that paper. Do not be late on it. Have a good rest of your day, child.” With that, Avyra stood, gave a small nod of her head, and withdrew.