Date: December 4, 1998
Place: Coral Chamber - Korallion - Haven
Cast: Asrai, Jasmine, Okalani
Scene: Okalani instructs one of her students in the use of telepathy while she chastises a priestess of Pasiphae for improper behavior.

Coral Chamber - Korallion - Haven:
      This spacious chamber is well lit by an array of different colored algae spread across the ceiling. The algae is placed in a precise pattern which, upon closer inspection, depicts the great city of Atlantis itself. On the walls are delicate crushed shells that shine and glitter as you move through the immense chamber. Chairs, tables, and divans carved with ocean scenes ranging from mer-couples in a tender embrace to porpoises springing from the waves litter the floor of the cavern. All the carvings are enhanced with algae and shells that manage to give them the illusion of movement. Even the floor has been painstakingly carved with more of the same murals.
      Schools of fish swim freely in and out of three openings. The first is dimly lit and outlined in black pearls and seashells. The second opening is rimmed with more shells, and although it is less elaborate than the first, it is still tasteful and impressive. Elaborate carvings of ocean waves and animals circle the third opening, and the current seems to be slightly stronger from this one. Beyond it, the vast blue ocean beckons to you.

Jasmine swims through the shell-rimmed opening.

Asrai hovers by a wall, arms crossed tightly over her chest, as she stares at some of the wall's murals. Her emotions are dark and pensive, matching the thoughts that run through her head. It's not been a good day, and it's just about to get worse. Asrai looks up at the presence of newcomers.

Jasmine swims in from the inner chambers and stops as she is confronted by Asrai's dark mood. *Blessings of Pure Water.*

A small dolphin of a pale, bluish gray color appears at the opening of one of the caves. Its delicate figure and intelligent eyes look around at the people gathered before it stops and scoots down to a piece of rock to which a simple white sarong is attached. A shimmer appears around the animal, and when it is gone, one sees instead of the dolphin the High Priestess, Okalani, who quickly brings the sarong around her middle, covering her body. She too reaches out with her thoughts, * Blessings of Pure Water.* It is known to both that she is feeling free and well at ease, but recognizing Asrai's mood darkens hers too, slightly, as she swims up to join them.

Asrai blinks as she looks at Jasmine, clearly not who she had expected. The reply is offered politely, an attempt to be cheerful. * Blessings of Pure Water, Jasmine.* Then does she turn at the sound of Okalani's greeting. Oh dear. * Blessings of Pure Water, High Priestess.*

Jasmine says telepathically, * Blessings of Pure Water, teacher. I did not know you were a shifter?*

Once she's reached their level does the slender figure of the young priestess incline her head to both of them, accepting their greetings before she smiles warmly at Jasmine, * It is something we do not talk about much, but neither do we hide it.* Her eyes close for a moment and one can feel a tension flowing in her as she enjoys the idea of being one of the sea's own creatures. *But student, I would like you to study more about telepathy, how much do you know?* Asrai's not ignored even though Okalani doesn't speak to the older priestess, she merely shows she's preparing a speech.

Asrai's gills flutter in growing agitation, though she remains silent. She clearly wishes this would hurry up and be done with. Her hands clasp behind her back, and the knuckles go white against each other.

Jasmine casts her eyes downward. *Only enough to be able to communicate freely with our people.* She hovers, slightly embarrassed.

Okalani nods slowly, *Yes... but have you yet been able to feel the... subtle thoughts? Or can you only transfer and locate what is clearly directed to you?* Her blue eyes, shining like the goddess' she worships, look at the younger woman.

If noticed at all, Asrai's feelings are nothing for Okalani to be bothered with, she realizes all too well that she's hindering the woman even more, which she deserves.

A tiny cloud of bubbles go zig-zagging up to the ceiling of the cavern with the older woman's sigh. Asrai continues to hover by the wall, watching and listening to the conversation. Where is all that patience you're supposed to get in old age? She could sure use some now.

Jasmine nods, her eyes still down. *I can feel some of the subtle thoughts, yes. Not always enough to be able to identify them. Mostly the stronger ones only.*

Okalani gives an understanding nod to Jasmine, *I think our first lesson will then be to see how much you can feel of the understream of the conversation Asrai and I will be having now.* A faint trace of a smile appears around Okalani's lips as she looks at the named priestess and she crosses her arms in front of her chest. *For this exercise, you should keep your eyes settled on my face so you can see what I am most likely thinking, and thus you will learn to identify certain feelings.*

Jasmine nods. *Yes, teacher.* She is already facing Okalani, and turns her full attention on her face.

Finally! Asrai's chin tilts upwards ever so slightly, dignity offended at the thought that this argument is going to be used for another person's lesson. But... 'Tis not Jasmine's fault, no. Everything inside Asrai tenses. Oh, how this is humiliating.

Okalani now focuses her attention to Asrai and her eyes darken and her features straighten a bit--showing she's drawing the full authority of her office around her so she faces the older woman not like the person she usually shows to others, including the ones she's talking with now. *I have heard some things about you, priestess,* leaving the title, she shows respect for the other's position, but deep down also that she is the leader, *maybe you would like to tell me about them?*

Green eyes flicker towards Jasmine a moment, then, tightening her resolution, Asrai looks back to Okalani. *The rumors you have heard are most likely true, High Priestess.* She bites at those last two words, unable to hide... resentment? *I overindulged in the land-dweller's ale, and I made a fool of myself and a mockery of the Order.*

Jasmine watches Okalani's face closely, trying to name the emotions that cross her face and thoughts, trying to pair the two as her teacher suggested. Difficult to concentrate with so much tension in the air, but... she did so want to learn, and so does concentrate.

*Yes, you did.* Eyes which are normally of a light, almost opaque aquamarine color now seem to become dark, black as the darkest coal of the Varati mines. The simple statement, expressed with the minimum of personal additions thus becomes a sharp emotion of loathing in the eyes of those paying close attention to those feelings. *May I know your reasons for such actions?*

Here we go... The Big Question. Asrai visibly hesitates, warring with her emotions. Does she let the High Priestess have it, and thus end her service in the Order? Or does she try a more meek and humble approach? Her lips tighten... A woman half her age. Yet, she is the High Priestess. *They are difficult to explain, High Priestess. An unclear mind, a moment of weak selfishness. Weariness!* The last word comes almost explosively, as Asrai's control starts to crack.

Is the hesitation noticed? Okalani's eyes narrow and she studies the woman, trying to search for... something? Surely she can't be looking for dishonesty, as that's a thought unthinkable among her own kind, yet she's wary; a wariness flies through her thoughts as she doesn't form the words, but it can be felt by others quite clearly.

Jasmine continues to listen and observe, though the tension curls through her muscles and nerves as she does.

Okalani finally forms one single thought. *I see. It seems you have still not found your strength of mind and will back, Asrai,* the name is called like an insult now, too, and she turns her back to the older woman. *You are allowed now to think of why this was done, as well as explaining why you disobeyed my orders.* Harsh her thoughts are, but softened, maybe because of the fact that she now pays more attention to the girl, *Jasmine... let's swim down so that I can lecture you a bit.*

Jasmine nods. *Yes, teacher.* She prepares to follow.

Okalani swims quickly down with experienced movements of her arms and legs, unhindered by any unnecessary clothing. Once she's reached the rock she shapeshifted earlier upon, she sits down and gestures Jasmine to follow her example. *What did you feel from our conversation Jasmine? And what were your techniques?*

Jasmine tilts her head as she contemplates her answer. *I felt anger, embarrassment, hesitation, an attempt to... to control one's own willpower. Techniques? I am not sure I understand that question. I simply watched, and listened. I tried to clear my own thoughts, so that I could reach out and take in what was there.*

*Did she succeed in controlling her willpower?* Okalani breaks in, looking at the younger woman with an intense light glowing in her eyes, *For one of your power, I mean?*

Jasmine chews on her lip. *For a while, yes. Toward the end, I am not sure.*

Okalani gives a slow nod but lets the topic rest. *What you did... was right. If one wants to learn to listen to the understream of thoughts, one should make sure one's own mind is empty from any emotion, as that could 'blur' the information one receives. It is a struggle of will.* Okalani pauses as she studies the woman, *If one gets more experienced, one will learn how to use to both one's own conversation and ideas and listen to the understream. But that is for much later. Now, I want you to clear your mind.*

Jasmine nods, and empties her mind again as much as possible. She waits for further instruction.

Okalani watches the other one and then she slowly sends a probing thought to Jasmine. The image of Polaris is sent with it.

Jasmine smiles, radiating happiness as she receives the thought.

Asrai remains silent for a long moment, staring at the High Priestess. She is not sure whether or not she wants to offer more, and certainly, she has a lot more to say. She glances back and forth between teacher and pupil, and for now, she only holds her mental tongue.

Okalani chuckles lightly in herself and this can be felt, *Let's go back to the normal class--you now see that it is quite easy to distract you. Practice your will, girl.* Still rather amused, she swims upward to the waiting Asrai and inclines her head to the priestess. *I hope you have gotten some control over your thoughts, too?*

In that time, Asrai has made quite a few decisions. And she nods her head once, solemnly, to the High Priestess. She seems a little more resolved now, a little more rational. But that rationality is but a thin veneer; she's fooling herself. Beneath lurks more dangerous and darker emotions. *In the light of recent events, High Priestess Lehuan Okalani, I hereby submit my request to withdraw from the Order and the services of Pasiphae. I have failed, and my deeds should not sully Her name.* There's a crack... she's starting to slip again. There's a tremendous amount of guilt, as she had spent many long years here, but then... more.

Jasmine blushes. She hadn't realized that the thought was meant as a distraction. She follows Okalani, more subdued, but ready and determined to listen.

As she swims up, she faces the other woman and Okalani sends her an approving thought for her looks. But wariness keeps lingering over it nonetheless, which proves to be true. Now it's the High priest who loses control over both her facial and mental features, and she's plainly shocked, just for a moment, until she pulls herself together and nods slowly. She closes her eyes to think about this a little more, and about what she felt in the priestess... *I can see what you mean Asrai... you are not like a priestess is expected to be, but you are a priestess.* Opening her eyes, she simply stares, *I will relieve you from your duties temporarily so you can clean your soul, until you feel ready again to join us in a ritual cleansing ceremony.*

Jasmine listens careful, having a more difficult time picking up the stray thoughts as Okalani is facing Asrai now. She has difficulty concentrating as she wonders if she should really be listening in on this, but her teacher had told her to. She strengthens her concentration.

Wave after wave of relief suddenly comes gushing from Asrai, and she briefly closes her eyes. Her control is slipping again, and she struggles to keep it restrained. She can't break down. Not here, not now. Slowly reopening her eyes, Asrai gives a deep nod of her head. *I thank you, High Priestess. I will do as instructed.* And she does mean it. But still, there are those little lingering thoughts she just can not bring to light. Perhaps later. Or perhaps with urging. Her control is so thin right now.

Thin enough for Okalani to feel, but she doesn't make any comment on it, yet her expression and emotions can be felt clearly by the others: she's glad she hasn't lost a valuable priestess, a disgrace to the order or not. Though that last is safely hidden from the rest. *Then we will now call this meeting ended, Asrai.* Not 'priestess' anymore... for now. *But if you need my help, I will be there for you.*

Jasmine listens closely, concentrating with all her will. She tries to keep her own stray thoughts away, allowing her to catch the undercurrents.

Asrai studies Okalani with a mixture of puzzlement. Valuable priestess? She doesn't seem to quite know what to make of it. *As you wish, High Priestess.* She pauses, and then says. *As I am no longer of the Order, shall I assume that my quarters here are no longer available?*

A priestess who holds respect in the order, though not at this time, is valuable, especially a good researcher like Asrai. *I think it is best if you just remain in the Korallion, but as a guest. Not in the temple no.* Okalani means it kindly, but is quite stern in the rules. *I also think you should not keep the items saying you are a priestess... for now.*

This concentration is difficult, beginning to give her a headache, but Jasmine listens nonetheless.

Without a word, Asrai reaches up to grasp the headdress from her brow. There is no reluctance as she removes it, nor any haste. Cradling it in the crook of one arm, she removes the other items of jewelry, and then the loincloth. All of these she hands to Okalani. *As you wish, High Priestess.* The roiling emotions are only now beginning to calm, soothed by the realization that she is once again on the right path.

Jasmine tilts her head with fascination at the unexpected turn of emotions.

Okalani quirks a brow. *Perhaps it is better to keep yourself covered, Asrai. The people in Haven are less comfortable about our lack of clothing in the water than we are. I have watched their minds, and I know...* The priestess' voice trails off meaningfully before she takes the artifacts given to her. *I will keep them for your return. Blessings of Pure Water Asrai... Jasmine.*

Asrai lifts her eyebrows at Okalani's comment, then nods. *Blessings of Pure Water, High Priestess.* She seems to have regained most of her control again, and she snaps a lid shut on her emotions until they can be properly released later.

Jasmine says telepathically, *Blessings of Pure Water, teacher.*

FIN  

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