Vast and Empty

[Ruhe Krieger]

Facing off against what was a relatively pronounced and powerful Quincy known as Asmoskon Masurao in the files, she had recovered swiftly from her wounds after medical treatment and was once again in the rank and file of the Vreich. A soldat, she found herself rather complacent in her role, in the rank of private. Though, she could tell that she was already beginning to reach a new level. A new precipice of power that she was just beginning to tap. Day by day, she felt her unique powers developing into a foreign power. She had after all already been granted that "gift" that lay dormant within her.

The young blonde found herself training in her privacy. Usually farther off from those fellow recruits, and she showed a slow advancement, at least to the open eye. Yet, when it came down to prowess as a Quincy, she had already advanced leagues with the short period of instruction she had, as well as her own personal trials and tribulations. The Emperor's blood boiled inside of her, and she could tap into powers that showed perhaps she was chosen.

Blut. Her schrift. She had earned the attentions and apparent praise of two Sternritter, if not for her blatant skill and ability, then at least her potential. In truth, the attention she garnered had made her feel alive, flattered, and she was starved for it. She thirsted for the praise and admiration she never had, and yet, she feared such affections. After all, it was something that she really didn't know. How could she voice her insecurities? What could that possible leave her? Little Ruhe might have been a child, but she was a Quincy first. She was a soldier first. She was the Emperor's tool and instrument.

That was enough. She could grow and develop at her own pace. Though. It became clearer that with the passing of time, the Emperor's chosen were becoming more and more scarce. His Sternritter's ranks thinned more and more by the day. Though perhaps that was because it was his will. Perhaps they were no longer needed for their grand schemes or plan. Or perhaps his standards were only continuing to rise with the passing of time. Who knew really? Perhaps the Emperor favored the meek, ill, and the distraught. She formed her bow in her left hand. The oddly thick and blocky bow she was still used to forming. 

Was there a point in pretending in this farce? 

[Lucien Dantes]

(Using TYBW ticket!)

"There is more to service than this alone you know." A quiet voice said from behind Ruhe. Entering the training grounds, his own bow in hand, stood the Captain-Supervisor of the Vandenreich, Lucien Dantes. His golden eyes glimmered at Ruhe with a gentleness and melancholy warmth that seemed out of place in the militaristic Vandenreich. Lucien's own bow was in his hand, and he stepped beside the Soldat. "I've been watching your progress. I have been curious about you since Lady Helena brought you before us. I can see well that her decision was sound." He noted to Ruhe, then paused a moment to deliver a haggard and hacking pair of coughs into a closed fist.


"But you seem unsettled. Ill at ease. Is there something the matter Miss Krieger?" He asked. There was a strangeness in how Ruhe moved, and in the reflection of her eyes. She was undoubtedly committed to her training of course, but there was something more than that. Lucien could see it plainly. Perhaps it was related to her desperate bid for approval among the Captains and Captain-Supervisors at the meeting not so long ago. She was an unusual girl, but that was to be expected. Afterall, she was not born into the Vandenreich, but inducted. Some adjustment pains were to be expected. Lucien would do what he could to allay her worries, even as he grappled with his own deepseated fears and concerns.

Lucien was all calmness on the surface, but that completely concealed the turmoil and tumultuous thoughts that inhabited his cranium. But there was no reason for Ruhe to know those thoughts. Only the Emperor possessed that privilege. "In any case, speak with me awhile if you would, Miss Krieger. You are not of the Vandenreich but came to recognize his Majesty's divinity. I would be very much interested in hearing your tale if you would tell it, and I would hear your thoughts on our Order. Unfiltered. I know well for those born outside this Sillbern, it may sometimes be difficult to adjust. You need not fear the thoughts of other officers. We are quite safe from prying ears over here." He stated.

[Ruhe Krieger]

It was a surprise, to hear the coughs, before she turns to see a familiar face turn towards her. She recognized him. The voice and the soft tenderness of it surprised her more so. "But I'm happy to serve. To feel needed." She bowed her head in respect, looking upwards with a small, but fairly nervous smile as it was mentioned of the choice to induct her into the Vandenreich. To make her a part of them. Though, in truth, she didn't see the value that others had seen in her. Mainly because while she may have had the power, she never had the love of the people she wanted it the most from.

"...I'm trying to settle. As you say." She found herself dropping her bow, letting it disperse, as she finds herself seated along a bench. "I have. The emperor gives us strength. Gives us purpose, and guides us to a better light. A brighter future." She in truth did find that when she awakened more advanced powers, the ones granted to her did in fact make her believe more and more of his majesty's divine power. That the powers she had were not innate. It was a matter of heredity. Blood. Which showed her that indeed, blood was a very powerful thing.

"I can't say I know for sure. How I feel about the soldiers and organization of his Majesty. Though, I suppose if it has a place. For even someone like me?" She looks up at Lucien with big shining eyes. "It's something I'm willing to follow." Running a hand along her left arm, she proceeds to run a finger through her long blonde hair, resting at the turquoise colored tips. How was she supposed to tell about her origin? The tale of how she came to be?

"I come from Germany. From the Krieger family. The only daughter. My brother. The eldest. Son and heir to the family. He died, when I was very small. They say to my fault. So, as I grew, I was often neglected. Or if I was lucky, I was beaten, or yelled at. You might think that crass. Wrong. Yet. Even being hit or yelled at shows that someone cares." She says, slowly letting her hair obscure her eyes. She didn't want to show just how sad those eyes could be. As she continued her little recounting.

"They dyed my hair. So that the other Quincy in the community would ignore me. Turn me down. They never intended to teach me the Quincy arts. So I had to learn on my own. From what little I could observe. Read. One day, father found me in his study. I showed him what I learned. Hohle Schneide. He beat me, dragged me by the hair. He hit hard. My mother was worse." She said, her shoulders rocked up and down, and with it, she stopped. Taking a deep breath, she realized it hurt to talk about it. A lot more than she thought it would. Yet, when she got started, it felt so odd.

She would have went on, though, she didn't know if she should. As she looked upwards, to gaze upon Lucien's eyes, with her own wet and teary ceruleans. Mainly because she didn't know if he judged her. If he understood. If she viewed her tear filled expression as weakness. If he sympathized. If he empathized. Or if he would call her a stupid girl like Amalia would. Or if he would treat her cruelly as her mistress Amalia did. After all. She was a soldier. Tears were useless to a soldier. Weren't they? What use did the Emperor have of those?

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien folded his hands in front of him, still holding his bow, while listening to Ruhe speak. "You may not have been born in the Sillbern." He began. "But from what you say, it seems you were always destined to become one of us. If you believe in such things." He added. Such fervent loyalty in a new recruit was rare, though based on her performance in the meeting room, Lucien could not be completely certain she was not lying for his approval. Still, if it was an act, it was a good one, and he was willing to take it at face value for the time being.

But then she spoke of her past, and Lucien's eyes softened. ...Then you and I are more alike than you realize. He thought. Lucien, of course, had never had to deal with the physical abuse. No doubt his family would have been overjoyed to have seen him develop such advanced skills so quickly. But he knew what it was to be the unfavorite. He knew what it was to be shunned and pushed aside by those he should love. Lucien's mouth set for a moment, as he thought. Then finally again he spoke. "Walk with me, Miss Krieger. Your training can wait." He stated as a command, and then turned and began to walk back across the training fields toward the initial entrance to the grounds.

As they walked, Lucien contemplated, and then spoke again, softly. "Do you know why I serve his Majesty so fervently?" He asked her. "It is because I believe he seeks to create a world where stories like yours will no longer be. And that he alone, of all beings is capable of creating it. No other has the vision, or the wisdom to create such a utopia." He walked a moment longer. "What happened to your brother was tragic. What happened to you was cruel. But you are one of us now. Chosen by one of our greatest. So long as you stay true to our cause, none shall lay a hand on you in such a way ever again." He laid a hand on Ruhe's shoulder. Their walk had taken them through the halls of the Emperor's palace, through the winding corridors and hallways and had brought them before a large set of double doors.

Lucien approached them and placed his hand upon them. A gentle surge of spiritual pressure caused the doors to suddenly creak and slowly swing wide. As they did, Lucien doubled over into yet another coughing fit, as if triggered by his expenditure of power. The hall beyond was large, and wide. Several crates were set along the walls-- clearly a storage room of some kind, though it seemed to be in the process of being cleared out. Lucien stepped inside. "Now that you have told me this, I can understand why you are holding yourself back." He stated.

"I sense great strength within you Miss Krieger. More than you have displayed. If you are to serve his Majesty to your fullest capacity though, you cannot restrain that power, you must unleash it. If your past has given you cause for pause, let me lift those chains from you." Lucien bade Ruhe enter the room with a hand gesture. "I would like you to show me your full strength. You can unleash it here, with no fear of others seeing it, if that is your concern." He suggested to her, waiting for her response.

[Ruhe Krieger]

"I want to believe in it. I really do. Because if it isn't real, then...What are people like me living for mister?" She looks up with a sad smile for a moment, her eyes looking hopeful, like a puppy, looking to be adopted from a shelter. "I'd be willing to fight for that future." Though. The real surprise came when Lucien asked of Ruhe to walk with him. Her eyes scanned the yard, the field, as she listened.

He asked her. Why he served the Emperor so fervently? Ruhe looked on with a confused face, but would let him continue. Her brother was a tragedy, her story was a product of it. Yet, if enough of those stories were present, wouldn't that mean her story was but a statistic? That was a darker and more cynical thought. Not fit for such a child as they walked through ornate halls of seeming shining marble, granite, or crystal. All until they reached double doors.

Before coming to a set of grand double doors. As Lucien keeled, coughing so harshly, Ruhe came forth, placing her hands upon him, and looking to be someone to lean on for a moment. Her eyes shined with a kindness, soft blues, inquiring wordlessly if he was alright. Though. They found themselves in what seemed to be a large hall. Impossibly large to fit in such a building. As if they were transported across space. It almost felt like a space, just for her.

Turns out? It was. "...Mein Captain." She said, as she stood tall, slowly touching her hand along the Quincy cross that clung around her neck. "I'm weak." She displayed, and with it, she found herself thinking back to how many times she'd been thrown to the ground. Trampled, nearly broken by the adversities. Her parents. The hollows at Cochem. Amalia. The Shinigami that nearly reaped her soul. Though. It was there that as she thought, her blood began to boil.

Blue lines etched into her skin, beginning to spread forth as she activated the power that few Quincy came to unlock. The power of the Emperor's blood. Blut. She could feel that energy rapidly spreading through her entire body, and with it, she felt powerful. In fact, it was at times like this, her power seemed to thrive and flourish most of all. She looked serene, almost doll like, as she formed her bow within her left hand. The thick and blocky bow was even taller and more pronounced, as she began to draw in reiatsu from her fragment, granting her energy and strength.

"This power is only borrowed. Granted by his Majesty. All I can do...Is guide it towards our foes." She says, and with it, she felt her spiritual pressure grow. Become unrestrained as gravity began to press over the area. Once again, she was getting closer and closer to breaking that threshold. To reach that next level of power. Something dormant was inside her and the dam was threatening to crumble. 

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien gave Ruhe a grim smile. "Yes... If not for a higher, eternal purpose what is the point of any of us living for?" He answered, a hint of melancholy entering his tone. The future is the only thing worth fighting for, when the present is so transient. Lucien thought, but did not speak those words. A pity Ruhe did not give voice to the further thoughts, Lucien might have liked to discuss them further, but alas.

When the girl supported her, during his coughing fit, Lucien could not spare the moment to look at her but once it had passed, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you, but it is unnecessary. We all have the trials His Majesty put before us. We must overcome these trials to grow. You have yours, and I have mine." He stated. "You have a kind heart Miss Krieger. That is a wonderful thing. I hope it will not cause you pain in days to come. A kind heart can be a burden at times in this work. But do what you can not to lose it. It is a rare enough thing these days."

Once they were in the room, Lucien sealed the door behind them and watch Ruhe unleash her abilities. It was good. It was strong. Stronger than she'd shown out in the training yard, but there was still something else. "That is impressive power. But you're still holding back. It is true His Majesty grants us his power, but it is not borrowed, it is a gift. We cultivate it, and one day we will return it to Him, when we no longer have any need of it. Until that day this is not His power it is yours, Miss Krieger. This is your growth. This is your will. You can release that. What you unleash here is yours. Now show me." Lucien commanded, his golden eyes glimmering in the darkness-- reflecting the blinding light of Ruhe's power.

[Ruhe Krieger]

She seemed to focus in on herself, focus on her internal spiritual energy. Her pressure, as she felt herself channel her internal energies. "A gift..." She found herself reflecting on that perspective as she found herself focusing on the world around her, her inner senses, before she feels herself reflecting on all of her past experiences. She remembered how she was being devoured, piece by piece. Flayed. She remembered how she had longed for a feeling of relief.

She remembered how she felt herself feeling a loneliness and vastness that seemed infinite in its expanse, and it was there that she came to a sort of epiphany of sorts. She was taken, thrown, molded, and endured many changes. It was there that Ruhe would feel herself look deep into her heart, to feel those feelings, and she came to feel empty. Before her spiritual pressure begins to rise, an obvious change in the environment as she felt herself fall apart. Quite literally and metaphorically. As she felt herself melt away.

Ruhe had turned into a puddle on the floor. Turned into water. Formless, as she felt herself experience an odd sort of metamorphosis. Before she felt a ripple through her own person. As sharpened tendrils lashed and ripped out, piercing through crates and stone as she felt a source of life. Water. Expanding upon it, absorbing it into her, it gave her sustenance. It gave her meaning. It gave her power. It became her. She was the Emperor's Ocean. In a way, it felt as if she was becoming more complete with each passing moment.

Before she began to rise. Slowly reforming. "I feel wonderful." She expressed, her voice calling out calmly, more relaxed, as the water swirled around her person like a defensive ring. A few loose particles floating in the air, infused with spiritual energy and presence. With a raise of her hand, she forms ten arrows out of swirling water, each about a foot long, with sharpened spinning tips. She clenches her right hand, and in that moment, the same arrows fall to her hands, forming a sword, that as she swings outwards, stretches into a watery like whip. 

She found herself limitless, only bound by the amount of water she held, and the subsequent imagination she possessed. Though. It was still incomplete. Immature. Just awakened, the true nature of Ruhe's heart. The desire to conform and take shape of molds. To be fluid. To be a necessity. Those were all things Ruhe in a way desired. Climbing up ranks and echelons, she found herself clenching her fist, and turning back towards Lucien. 

[Lucien Dantes]

Every Vandenreich was different. The nature of their power was cultivated and shaped by the individual. Lucien often attributed the nature of his own powers-- the ability to command and control, as a symbol of his acknowledgement of how little control he really had in the grand scheme of things. A consolation prize. A reminder with every use of his ability, of his insignificance outside the Vandenreich. How any control of the world he had, was only thanks to His Majesty. It kept him focused, and ensured his loyalty, thus Lucien was forced to conclude he had been granted the correct power. Other Vandenreich had their own talents of course. Alexander could raise the dead, Edward could create a body of steel, but such gifts would not have suited Lucien. They would not have kept this thought in mind as he used them.

But for all that the Vandenreich were different, Lucien had not anticipated an ability like Ruhe's, let alone the manner in which it manifested. For a moment, Lucien's surprised expression said that he was convinced that somehow Ruhe had killed herself. That the girl's self-sacrificing and desire to appease others had manifested in an ability that had simply destroyed her on the spot. Only rigid training allowed Lucien to maintain his composure, beyond a slight widening of the eyes, though internally he was shocked at this turn of events. Even the lashing tendrils that resulted in the immediate aftermath had not convinced Lucien otherwise, as while such powers were rare, an ability that created an assault after ones' demise was not unheard of, and far from impossible. Fortunately, Lucien himself had stood well enough back that he was not assailed by the razor sharp blades of water.

But he was forced to acknowledge his mistake, when Ruhe reformed herself out of the water she had become, noticing the water flowing around her. Lucien stayed silent, not wishing to ruin the moment for Ruhe. He watched as she transformed the water from arrows to a blade, to a whip. He watched the water dance around her at her command, and when she finally turned back toward him, Lucien gave a nod of affirmation. "It's a beautiful ability you have been given." He complimented, and stepped forward to place a hand upon Ruhe's head. "You are coming into your own." He stated, then lifted his hand. "If this is the nature of your power, then I have an idea. Please come with me. I realize we only just came here, but we will be leaving the palace for a time." He stated, and turned around again. "Feel free to experiment with your ability as we traverse. As a Soldat, accompanied by a Captain-Supervisor, you are beyond the reproach of any but his Majesty himself and his Sternritters, and I do not believe they will take concern of a talented Soldat, such as yourself, learning to control her power in such a manner." He added.

Lucien turned from the room, and began to walk. He had a destination in mind, though it would take some time to get there. Perhaps half an hour? His destination was his family's own manor. He knew well there was a large pond on the grounds, and several streams that flowed through the Dantes family property. It would be an excellent testing ground for Ruhe to grow and experience her abilities. To see if she could manipulate more than just her own created water, but nearby bodies as well. To establish the limits of her strength, Lucien was more than willing to assist her in this. To invest work into another took his mind off of his own problems, and he had no issue with distracting himself in such a manner for a time.

[Ruhe Krieger]

Beautiful he said. For a moment, she looked on at him, her eyes shining brightly, and with it, she felt herself flush for a moment. For a moment, she felt as if he was calling her beautiful, something she'd never heard. As she rubbed her right arm sheepishly. "Thank you. Captain." As he came forth, raising a hand to her head, she felt herself close her eyes. Oblivious to everything for a few precious moments of comfort.

Before then he told her how she was free. To exercise her power as they traveled. For that reason, she seemed to somber again. The water of which was now part of her began to dim, and then fall to the floor. "I suppose...But I can't help but feel intimidated. In the face of the Emperor's chosen, those that value their strength. Their self importance." She then immediately seemed regretful of her choice of words. As she held her palm to her heart.

"I feel...inadequate. While I've received a welcome by some, most view me as outsider. Foreigner. Impure in blood, and intention. Because I come from beyond." She felt herself step. Only to find water welling in her eyes for a moment, as a single line of tears spill from her eyes. "Yet. My heart is true. My intentions are honest. All I've ever w-wanted is for someone to love me. To take comfort in." She says, crossing her arms behind her back.

How scared she was to make such a confession. "Maybe...I'm too greedy. Selfish. To want those things, but by God...By the Emperor. That's all I've ever wanted." She tried to smile, but she found her cheeks burning hot with embarrassment. Shame. She hid her face and eyes with her hands, to hide herself. She was a stupid girl after all. Amalia reminded her of that somewhat often when faced with her foolishness. After all. Love was a luxury not befitting a soldier, was it? Only the Emperor's love mattered.

Yet. They were all human. As she found herself sniffling. She wondered why it was she clung to that idea. The idea of being loved and adored. It mattered more to her than respect. She could live without that. Pride. She held no such pride in her strength or abilities, only the value that it would be to others and their perceptions of her. She had no need for dignity, for she'd lived her entire life in shame of simply existing. "I-I just want someone to hold my h-hand. A-And tell me I-I'hm g-gonna be okay. That I've been good."

The awakening of this power allowed for Ruhe to be more honest. More open. Not just with Lucien, but also herself. Because for so long as she'd been here, there was an underlying thought of terror, of fear, and a lack of acceptance. She was scared and worried about politeness. Correctness. She feared the threat of death, punishment, and most of all, the rejection. The anxiety. The internal pressure made her feel like she was drowning, sinking into an ocean. In a way. Ruhe wanted someone to pull her up. To save her.

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien listened to Ruhe's misgivings, while he waited. "It is very intimidating. The pressure to succeed. But you will. It's inevitable. We all fulfill our purpose, regardless of how others or ourselves seek to bar it." He stated. He'd learned that lesson not so long ago. Not even five years had Lucien served in the Vandenreich. His own family had sought to prevent his entry, embarrassed by the condition that even now sent him into a fit of coughs, placing his hand on the wall behind himself to support himself. And they had failed. Fate itself had conspired to remove the chosen child from the picture, and Lucien had been put in his assigned place.

"Yes, some of our rank have strong traditional values. They place great value on lineage. But here you stand in the company of one with such lineage, granting you leave to do as you wish." He stated. "Besides. You were born a Quincy. You did not become one. I understand others in your family have served. There is little for you to fear in this matter. You are pureblood." He advised her. "And I do not take stock in such thoughts in any case. If his Majesty accepts you, you are one of us. If his Majesty did not accept you, then you would have been struck down the moment you embraced him. That is all the proof that any dissenters should require."

Lucien understood Ruhe likely did not wish to air that into the room, and so he stood and waited for her to vent her feelings. This desire she spoke of was alien to Lucien-- no. No, perhaps not. While love was not something Lucien had found himself wanting for, acceptance and acknowledgement was, and perhaps it was not so far from the first. "You are young." He replied. "These are not greedy desires, they are natural ones. You are still human. Only His Majesty is above such desires." Lucien responded.

"You will be alright, Miss Krieger." He told her. "We must all balance our lives with our duty. You will find your balance." He advised again, giving her a moment to compose herself. "If your fear as a soldier is at hand, from what I have seen you are exemplary. You are dedicated, skilled and powerful. Your loyalty is not in question. Your only failing that I have perceived is that you care far too much what others think of you." He stated. "You are accepted here." He added, with a gentle tone but one that was intended to be reassuring.

"I am sure you will go far. You will silence your doubters. And you will find what you are seeking. I have no doubt that you will be whole." Lucien advised, with confidence and sincerity in his voice, placing a hand on Ruhe's back. "So let us go. Let us bear witness to the extent of the Emperor's gift to you." He added gently.

[Ruhe Krieger]

Will of the Heart

He spoke to her, and in a way, it really resonated with the young Quincy. Of course, there were always doubts and insecurities, but she was a teenage girl. Of course there was going to be those. No matter what. It was a tale as old as time. Her expression softened, and it was here she felt complacent. So, when she was asked to walk with him, she walked. Softly did her footsteps travel, as she drew in reiatsu from her cross. In a way, things felt strangely empty as she sought something so unattainable.

How sad. Sad it was, the idea that their God was something that was beyond love, warmth, and the adorations of his subjects. So, as she followed after him, she was silent. Instead looking to feel the ripples through her heart, the disturbances of her heart as she came to wonder. As she looked out at the soldiers in this place, looked out across the palace, if there was an understanding. If the Emperor knew she felt this way, or if there were many others that felt this deep seated feeling of despair.

"Of course. Captain. Thank you for your recognition."  Her desire for love wasn't greedy he said, and yet, it felt as if Love was the rarest and most difficult to attain commodity in the entire world. She starved for it, she sought it so desperately. However, she understood that seeking such things was a luxury, a futility in a lot of ways. What she needed first was strength. Admiration. Power. Respect. Though, she did wonder. If people loved her for those things, did they truly love her? The struggle of thinking too much was likely throwing her off guard. 

Eventually, as they came towards that seemed to be a great and luxurious manor in the distance, she took in the serenity with her sky blue eyes. As she stepped closer, she found herself drawn to it in a way. She didn't know all of her abilities, but she could feel the basic principles within her. How she reached out, a small ringlet of water dragging out by her feet to embrace the water before her, as she stepped closer. As her spiritual pressure waved over the area. Drawing it in from her cross. How she felt it become part of her. Her a part of it. 

"...If you could. Could you...have this be between us?" She said, as she waved her hand across. As of now, as she could already feel it. Nearly a hundred feet of water was under her command now. As she expended her reiatsu to control and influence the waves. She found herself experiencing a strange sensation. As she gave a deep breath. Before again. Fading into nothingness. Becoming but a stream of water that fell into the pond. This small lake. Before then, in the solitude of this area, she felt a deep seated peace. Like when she was in the woods of Cochem.

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien walked in silence for several long moments. It seemed Ruhe needed to think, and so he permitted that. Lucien ever maintained the vigil of an ideal soldier. Straight backed, hands at his sides, eyes ahead. He knew Ruhe would be in tow. "We all have our trials" He had said, and meant it. They did. This was to be one of Ruhe's. Whether she would conquer this desire within herself, or find a means to sate it. Both were a means. Lucien had not forbidden her to pursue it after-all. Love was fine. Lucien had love for others. Too much, perhaps. Even love for his sister, whom had been branded a deserter. As long as duty triumphed over love, he was sure the Emperor would accept it. He too was human. He too was flawed. The Emperor knew his flaws and accepted him despite them.

The palace was behind them before long, and the shining streets of the Sillbern were about them. Lucien knew the way home. It was a path he had tread many, many times, even before he had been a soldier in his Majesty's Vandenreich. In younger days. Before he was considered a pariah. While Ruhe battled her inner demons, Lucien was dragged back to a past memory, perhaps drawn up by his recollection of the deserter he had once called family.

Brilliant blue-white bolts streaked through the air. The smaller girl darted aside from one, raising her shield to intercept another. She bull-rushed forwards, the massive, black-iron barrier held aloft between her and her opponent, a taller man, garbed in white, with eyes like gold, and long scarlet hair. A barrage of arrows loosed again with such ferocity that the girl's advance was halted. Too close to dodge, and with too much force to push through, she was forced to brace herself against the storm. The shield held, but the weapon rattled in her hands. The metal would endure, but her muscles wouldn't. Within moments, an arrow skipped off the edge of the shield as it rattled in place, blasting a hole in the marble training room floor, inches from her left foot. A second one, about a foot from the right. The shield shook as if propped up during an earthquake and in moments it would shift so much that an arrow would bypass it.

Watching the scene from an alcove near the stairs to the training hall, was a white haired boy with the same golden eyes as the man below. Lucien's eyes took in every detail. The calculated judgement in his father's face. The grim determination in his sister's. Lucien watched and theorized. What would he do in such a situation...? This unending tide. Could he face it as resolutely as his sister? Could anyone?

Lucien was pulled out of his thoughts as they passed the threshold to his family manor, and he at once turned to the left and strode towards the pond. Though to call it a pond was a vast understatement. Though it could not truly qualify for a lake, it stretched out hundreds of meters, and was deep enough to diving. Lucien stopped a moment to scrutinize Ruhe. "Can you feel it? Control it?" He asked. So she could. Drawing the water from the pond to manipulate about herself. Lucien watched as Ruhe wove the liquid through the air. Some minor clumsiness, but all in all, it seemed natural to her.

Her question, however, caught him off-guard. At first he believed it was her statement about her desires and wants. To which Lucien would of course have answered affirmatively. But it occurred to him, she was talking about her ability. And Lucien paused in contemplation. "...I will from most. But if a Sternritter, such as lady Helena should ask me, I am not at liberty to refuse her." He answered. "Why do you not with this known?" He asked.

[Ruhe Krieger]

As she sank below the depths of the waves, consumed by the waters, she began to assimilate further. Drawing in yet more water, as she began to rise, halfway out of the water, her hands resting atop its surface as if it were solid, as she manipulated the surface tension. She felt natural. As if the water was a part of her own body, in which it was. She found herself rising forth, and with it, she could easily form constructions and structures of which to guard herself.

She could move it intricately. "...Because I don't want people to associate my value with my skills.' Because I don't want to shine out, only for people to treat me differently. I'm nothing special." Rubbing her arm up and down, it showed that after a lifetime of neglect and abuse, it had effected her greatly. Her mentality. Her very way of life. "Because...I'm not ready to be known like that."

It was difficult for her to explain her exact feelings, the way she felt, the way she was living, but she couldn't swallow it that easily. After all, how was she supposed to explain that she felt as if the organization she was in didn't really see her for who she was, but instead what she was. That to be seen for her skill would only burden herself, her heart, and her expectations placed upon her. It was contradictory, yes, and it didn't make much sense, but she felt strange and off about it. It was difficult to really give insight.

"...Besides. I need time. To grow and reflect with myself, and this power. Nobody likes to hear a song that isn't completed. Nobody eats a meal that isn't finished and thinks it wonderful." Though, when he mentioned he'd potentially tell other Sternritter if asked about her growth and progress, she found herself slowly blinking and looking down at the water's surface. Her reflection. "Besides. I've been in here far too short of a time. To be in any position of praise. Little merit."

"I'm sure there's people far above me. Growing faster. Better. Or at least. I'd think so." Though. After these few short moments, as she poured more and more reiatsu into the pool, she'd raise an index finger, and along the water's surface, hundreds of water javelins formed along it's surface, impaling upwards, though semi fluid in their make, ready to change at a moment's notice. It was a simple power, very much so, and for that, it was very powerful. There was a shift, as the young Krieger came to let the water then drop back into the pool.

Ripples. Then stillness. 

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien observed Ruhe practice her abilities quietly. He was still on duty, after-all. She was already at the point she could talk and manipulate the element simultaneously. "Then what do you wish for your value within His Majesty's Vandenreich to be associated with?" Lucien asked her seriously. "Through strength and skill come the opportunities to prove yourself in other ways." He stated as an add-on.

"You have asked me for my silence on this matter, and I will respect your request as far as my position permits me to." Lucien concluded, following her statement about wishing to polish and develop her skills further. "But time is of no consequence. You will rise to where you are supposed to be. No further. No lower. I have served in his Majesty's Vandenreich less than ten years myself. I was promoted within my first year of service when my abilities were recognized by higher officers. You must learn confidence in yourself. If you are not ready, you will not be promoted." He finished.

Lucien gazed about the water for the time being. "Today, you have my permission to use this pond to practice your abilities in private. I will make it known to the servants. I myself must return to my own studies and training. But I do not regret this interaction, nor observing your development. You continue to convince me that Lady Helena and Lady Amalia chose well." Lucien stated, before raising a hand to his chest, over his Vandenreich star in farewell. Then turned on his heels to walk away.

Hours later, while Lucien perfected his aim in the training yard back at the Emperor's palace, he contemplated ways to assist Ruhe in this matter. An arrow struck the ground ahead of him, and a tile from the floor flew up in answer to Lucien's Power Property. Four arrows pierced the tile through before it fell back to earth. Then a second tile was launched skywards, then a third and a fourth. Tiles launched themselves left, right, forwards, back. Upwards and all other combinations of angles. It was somewhat predictable, but Lucien still found that drilling the basics was viable.

It seemed Miss Krieger was advancing beyond the basics though. He could not help but feel disquiet at her refusal to accept her potential. If fate willed it so, then it was inviolate. If Miss Krieger was destined to stand a Soldat for the rest of her life, then no amount of talent with her power would push her beyond that. If she was destined for more, then no amount of attempts to hide her power would suffice either. Out of the corner of Lucien's eye, he thought he saw a flash of lilac hair, on a willowy frame, not unlike his, off in the distance. His head snapped about to look. Alas, it must have been a trick of the light, for Lucien did not see anyone like that now. His eyes still focused on the spot for the moment. ...Yes. No amount of fighting your fate will prevent it coming to pass Miss Krieger...

[Ruhe Krieger]

Ruhe had come to reflect upon the situation. Given time to prepare, to train, to grow, within her privacy. She bowed her head respectfully. "I appreciate your hospitality captain supervisor." The young blonde found themselves cultivating their abilities, their skills, and taking in everything in stride. Though in this time would look to do so from the hidden eye. They found comfort and solace in their training, as they usually did, and with it, she couldn't quite say she had made a "friend" today, but at least a friendly acquaintance.

Her ability to control the water before her allowed her to quickly swallow up the confines of the large pond before her, and with it, she had quickly discovered that her ability allowed her to do many things underneath it. It was as if she were the pond itself. It allowed for her to extend her will, her dominion over it, and with it, it really did feel as if the Emperor had granted her power or dominion of something grandeur and powerful. 

Curiosity sated, she came to quickly leave the facility, deciding that perhaps she'd continue within the confines of another place. Perhaps the ruins of Cochem. Perhaps somewhere else in the world of the living if she somehow found the time and comfort. However, such luxury was rare for a soldat of her status. What Lucien said was most absolutely true. She was coming to her own, and as she developed, she found herself headed down a path that she couldn't say for certain she was proud of. Likely not.

Yet, she was determined to discover what lay down it. What was ahead of her. Who couldn't be excited to find out for sure? She didn't know really. She didn't know if she'd be confronted in some time. She was a thinker. Overthinker. Definitely a big thinker. Though perhaps this was just the way of things. Luckily. She'd grown a lot from this time today, and she'd had a major breakthrough in speaking her thoughts and mind. Honestly. And she didn't get shot in the face for it either. That was a huge bonus.