Lioness in the Flowers (Ye Lin/Moriko)

Ye Lin almost always preferred to conduct her training sessions and meditation (something which she shamelessly refers to as inner cultivation, even though it is simply a bogus term) outdoors rather than the gymnasium. This is because the presence of nature and being under the beautiful sky, regardless of the time, enhanced Ye Lin's concentration and ability to focus on her training. Though she is multi-disciplinary when it comes to martial arts, her favourite forms to practice are the Chen style Taijiquan (Tai Chi). In modern day times, Tai Chi is simply practiced for health benefits. While Ye Lin doesn't disagree with this view, she always took it a step further and believed perfection could only be achieved by balancing the yin and yang, that is to say - practicing both the martial arts aspects and the health aspects of Taijiquan. In every training session Ye Lin has ever done, she has made it a point to strive to maintain a state of bodily homeostasis - a sort of physical equilibrium and stability that would ensure that Ye Lin was always in top physical condition. The medititative aspects would help to cultivate her spirit, or so she says, while training her martial forms would allow her not only to defend herself but also to protect others. In a cleared space in the gardens, Ye Lin could be seen undergoing her personal training - generally, this would consist of form and stance frame practices before actually executing offensive movements. Ye Lin at this point in time could already be considered a master of the old traditional method of Chen-style Taijiquan, and had 'graduated' into learning the more offensive new frame methods.



The benefits of this 'xinjia' (new frame) routines allow Ye Lin to increase her understanding of the older 'laojia' (old frame) routines and forms. Ye Lin discovered on her own that the two systems complemented one another, and focused her attentions on cultivating the new frame routines since it was considerably smaller and more compact in circular movement, which would give Ye Lin more options of counter-action in the event she would need to use this style to fight. The old frame routines were thus nicknamed as 'large circle' and new frame became 'small circle.' Slowly and carefully going through the motions, Ye Lin eventually began to practice the second and third routines of the new frame. After a certain point, loud booming sounds could be heard as Ye Lin began to practice the more explosive strikes, causing gust of wind to disturb the movement of the leaves and the swaying of the flowers...



tag: Moriko Byrne

A frown of concentration tilts Moriko's lips downward. Leaning back against the legs of a stone bench, the smaller girl is curled slightly forward. Her shoulders hunched, she stares intently at the objects that she holds in her hands. In her left is a block of pale, creamy white pine wood. In her right is a short bladed knife. It's straight and clearly very sharp. Sitting to her side is a small wooden box, sealed shut at the moment. It's of a rich, red-brown quality and has small carvings of various wildlife on it. Next to that is a rather small, dark green knapsack. All around her body are curled shavings of the same pale creamy white of the wood block she holds.

Eyes narrowed, Moriko holds the block of wood up, inspecting it. The edges have been carved off into soft curves. There are very light sketch lines that run all over it. Chunks of what was once a perfect rectangle have already been dug into it. Pondering her next move, she brings the gouge up and places it at a precise point. Just as she's about to begin carving, a loud booming sound interrupts her concentration. Almost right on it's heels a gust of wind kicks up, tossing dirt and grass into her face and hair.

Giving a startled squeak, Moriko jumps slightly. The movement is enough for the blade to slip off of the wood block and right into the side of her left pointer finger. Biting back a yelp, the short girl immediately pulls the blade back and stares down at her finger. Luckily, since she knew she'd be in a place where other students could wander, she'd taken precautions. On her left hand is a light gray, cut resistant glove. So, she'd at least not been cut! Still, despite the glove, the blade striking against it still hurts.

Wincing at the pain, Moriko places the wood block down and shakes her hand. Oh man, that stings! Good thing I had this on! She's cut herself plenty of times while carving for her to appreciate when she's missed doing so again. Pain subsiding, she looks around. What was that sound? she wonders. Even as she thinks this, another boom and gust of wind disturbs the area. Curiosity driving her, she quickly gathers her things. Placing the wooden box inside the knapsack, she slings it over her left shoulder. Picking up the block of white pine with her left hand, she lightly holds the carving blade in her right.

Stepping lightly, but quickly, Moriko follows the concussive sounds that ring out into the school gardens. Throwing a brief glance to the sky, she figures that it must be around noontime, according the position of the sun. Since it's the weekend, and still early spring, very few students are actually in the gardens. Which is one of the reasons she's chosen to start her new carving project out here. It's too nice of a day for her to stay cooped up indoors, so a secluded spot in the gardens had seemed like the perfect choice. Now, she's not so sure.

Pushing her way past a few tall bushes, she suddenly comes into a clearing. In the center is a girl, body moving at a blur. Halting in place, Moriko can't help the expression of shock that overtakes her. Bright teals wide, she stares in awe at the unknown girl. Even as she watches, the other girl's fists strike forward and a boom and blast of air follows immediately after.

Raising her right hand to block the dirt and petals that fly up to meet her face, Moriko squints her eyes against the onslaught. Unknown to her, the blade she holds glints in the high sun's light, easily revealing her presence at the edge of the clearing.

Boom, doom!

Ye Lin let loose a final strike into the air before she finally noticed that somebody had bumbled in. Presumably, judging by the fact Ye Lin caught the newcomer protecting her face from being buffeted by wind and leaves, she had come because the noises had disturbed her. Sheepishly scratching her head in an embarrassed manner, Ye Lin immediately relaxed and bowed in apology, cupping her fists together respectfully. However, she also managed to scrutinize the fella who had stepped in - she was wearing some gloves, and holding a block of white pine in one of her hands and a knife - no, a carving blade - in the other. Seems like she was a wood carver. She was in the middle of creating a wood carving, but Ye Lin's fierce training had disturbed her. Quickly coming to this conclusion, Ye Lin approached the wood carver with a faint blush on her face and bowed in apology. However, she still looked intently at the carving knife. Even though Ye Lin was in the wrong and she thought herself to be very courteous in admitting her wrong in disturbing the wood carver, the blade was still a sharp implement. Ye Lin was prepared to defend herself as the shining glint of the metal on the blade didn't escape her senses either.

"Fellow wood carving daoist," Ye Lin said softly yet politely. "I apologize if my training and cultivation ended up disturbing you in the middle of your craft. Please forgive me. It seemed like you were in the middle of something and I was a bit too forceful. I can relocate if you want me to move, though I'm quite interested in what exactly it is you are carving."

Moriko Byrne

A few more ferocious strikes ring out into the clearing. Still squinting against the bursts of wind, it takes Moriko a moment to clear her vision. Lowering her arm, she looks up, blinking a few times. This is when she realizes the other girl has stopped moving. In fact, she's turned... and is looking right at her!

Jumping slightly as a shot of shock shoots through her, the shorter girl's eyes widen when the stranger suddenly heads towards her. Back away a bit nervously at the rapid approach, Moriko can't help the wary expression that takes her over. She shifts a bit and balances on the balls of her feet, ready to run if need be. But before the other student gets too close, she halts in place, bows, and speaks.

Thrown off by the apology, and a bit confused by the way the other girl words her sentences, Moriko just stares. Her mind is completely blank at the moment. How is she supposed to respond? Biting her lip nervously, she raises her gloved left hand to her chest. Looking down at it, she stares at the block of soft white wood nestled in the palm. It's much easier to stare at than at this intensely earnest individual standing before her.

Hesitantly, she responds, her own voice a low murmur. "I didn't end up cutting myself, so it's all right."

Shifting uneasily, she raises her eyes to focus on the other girl. "It's nothing special. I just started on it," she replies to the question about her carving. She hugs the piece of wood closer to herself, her expression still wary. She has no idea who this girl is, but she does know that she's got to at least be pretty strong. How else would she be able to move the air so fiercely, or create a boom, with just her strikes?

"Sorry for interrupting your practice," she adds, her tone filled with worry.

"Aiyo... You seem a bit to be in shock, don't worry about it. It's all on me. I didn't know anybody was here either. And how could I disturb someone who is wood carving? Fellow daoist, you should know that this kind of craft requires the utmost concentration and focus. Even though you didn't end up cutting yourself, my blows surely would have caused your nerves to tensen and you may have made a mistake." Ye Lin sighed and spoke apologetically. "I insist. I shan't bother you anymore, miss," Ye Lin sheepishly scratched her head.

"That said, I am very curious to watch someone in the midst of her craft. Would it bother you if I watched? I wouldn't do anything, I promise. I've only seen finished wood carvings, such impressive things. Especially hand-made wood prints. Those ones made by machines... They lose their soul and essence! I've always wanted to see someone do it from the very beginning." Ye Lin asked, her eyes seemingly sparkling. She no longer carried any of that imposing, intimidating air from earlier when she was practicing. All pretenses of being tyrannical had pretty much dissipated and Ye Lin would suddenly appear to be way more innocent and friendly. Then again, how could Ye Lin skip on the opportunity to learn some focusing techniques from someone who looked experienced in woodcarving?

Even if Ye Lin herself did not do these kinds of things, she felt that she could still learn a lot that she could apply to her own craft.

Moriko Byrne

Again, it takes Moriko a moment to process the other girl's words. Her odd speaking habit is something she'll need to get used to. But once she does register what the other girl has said, she blinks and then shakes her head.

"Oh, no, you don't need to worry. I was just a bit surprised, is all. And curious. That's why I came here to see what the sound was." At the mention of making a mistake, Moriko gives a small smile.

"Someone once told me that in art, there's no such things as mistakes. Just opportunities for creativity." Her lips twist ever so slightly, turning her smile wry. "I'm still working on that part, though."

At the request to watch her work, though, her eyes widen in surprise. Outside of her mother, who was teaching her, she's never really had an audience before. Sometimes her grandmother or father would pop on by to just check up on her, but for the most part, carving has been a rather solitary activity for her. And considering how focused she can get when she's carving, she's never thought about how one would deal with someone who was watching.

Shifting nervously, Moriko holds out her gloved hand and looks down at the small block of wood. "I've never had anyone really watch me carve before," she murmurs, her voice soft and hesitant. "And I've not gotten very far with this one, yet." Looking back up at the other girl's face, even Moriko can tell how enthusiastic she is in her request. Licking her lips nervously, she finally nods her head.

"If you don't think it'll be too boring, I don't mind you watching."