The towering stack of shifting garment boxes threatens to topple over as Marya struggles to keep her grip on them while following Nanette down the hall. They spent the remainder of the day acquiring the supplies needed to attend the Consortium training program. Her arms are so full of bags and boxes that she struggles to see where she is going.
"Here we are," Nanette swings the door open to her new residence. Marya peers inside, wrinkling her nose at the chaos and disarray in front of her. Shifting narrowed eyes at Nanette, she beams a glowing, white smile in response. Pointing, "Your bed is there." She walks to the clean space and gestures, "You have a closet, desk, bed, and mirror, and you are by the window."
Marya blinks at her. Sighing, she attempts to navigate the mess. Tiptoeing, she hops about until one of the wax boxes begins to slip. To avoid a toppling disaster, she jumps sideways to catch the box. Her foot catches on a random clothing article, causing her and her items to crash to the ground.
Face planted, she groans. "Well, that could have gone better," Nanette reaches out a hand when she rolls over.
"Like, yo," they both turn as Bianca stands in the doorway with a bag slung over her shoulder.
"Ah, perfect timing," Nanette skips through the debris-consumed floor. "Why don't you help your new roommate get settled?" Bianca's brow jets upward. "Okay, well, I will leave you to it." Bianca's attention turns to Marya when Nanette steps away.
She watches Marya pick up the scattered boxes and bags. "So," she drops her bag on her bed and begins to assist her. "Like, we are roommates, now?"
"Looks like it," Marya places paper bags on her bed. Scanning the collage of design images on the walls, "What are those?"
"Like, those are my design ideas. I, like, engineer stuff." Opening one of the boxes, "So, like, you're going to be a guardian?"
Marya looks over as Bianca notes the training gee uniform. "Yeah, but," Marya opens another box, "she got me this academic uniform too."
The bed creaks as Bianca leans back on her hands, "Well, like, yeah. Your program is way harder than ours. You have to combat and tactical stuff and still know all about history and whatever." Marya pays her little attention as she continues to find places to put things. "So, like, what is your schedule?" Marya reaches into a bag and retrieves a piece of paper. Handing it to her, Bianca examines it. "Whoa," Marya glances over her shoulder. "You have specialized advanced combat training with the masters." Handing the paper back, "that's, like, pretty crazy."
Examining the paper, Marya shrugs. Bianca pushes off the bed and makes her way across the room. Flopping down, she retrieves a book from her bag and thumps through the pages.
Sometime later, there is a knock on the open door. They both look over at Emmit, reclining on the frame. "You headed to dinner?"
Bianca glances at Marya as she closes the closet. "Are you, like, hungry?"
Emmet follows her gaze. His posture suddenly shifts from relaxed to rigid, "Marya?" His head swivels between the two of them. "You are roommates?"
Standing, Bianca flips her wrist, "like, yeah." The closet door clicks close, "are you, like, coming?"
"Yeah," Marya slings her sword as they leave.
"Do you, like, take that everywhere you go?" Bianca starts down the hallway.
"Yeah, it goes everywhere with me." Emmet, towering over them, follows wide-eyed as they carry on in random conversation.
Everyone is at the table when they arrive together in the dining hall. Emmet is first through the line and joins the others. When Bianca and Marya join them, Charlie places his glass down, "You have decided to stay and follow the path of your parents?"
"Yeah," Marya swirls her fork in some noodles, "I guess I have."
"We are, like roommates and stuff," Bianca stabs a vegetable with her fork.
"That could be perilous," Natalie grins over the rim of her glass, and Marya smirks.
"Like, what are you trying to say?" The table chuckles in response.
Morning comes early for Marya. Bianca cracks an eye when she flicks her lamp on, groans, and then rolls over. The corner of Marya's mouth lifts as she leaves for the dojo.
Her day starts with her fellow guardian trainees doing general conditioning. Next, she changes uniforms and meets with some academics to study. The classes are small, allowing for flexibility and versatility in group conversations. She is given specific reading assignments to catch up on the topics she is behind in. In the afternoon, she returns to the dojo for advanced combat training.
Sliding the door open, she notices the cool, fresh air. Master Gaius sits on the opened porch, puffing his pipe. Looking over his shoulder, he whacks the pipe, clearing the soot. "Ah, good, you are here." Turning his attention to a shadow showing through this wall, "Shall we?"
Marya blinked; she didn't even notice anyone there. They were able to conceal their presence. The shadow of the figure moved, stepping into Marya's view. Sensing her aura, her jaw clenched. Ice-blue eyes look back, sending chills down her spine. Dressed in all black, with a katana at her hip, a gust of wind blows, moving her cape of silver hair.
Master Gaius's face splints with a devilish grin. "This is perfect." Taking his position in the dojo, "Marya, this is Aurélie. She will be your mentor."
Marya swallows hard, "nice to meet you," she stutters. Aurélie tilts her head in acknowledgment.
"Okay," Master Gaius crosses his arms, "let's get started."
The room's silence is interrupted by the ring of cold steel, and Aurélie slowly draws her katana, taking a stance. Marya's eyes widen. Her breath catches as she turns to Master Gaius for guidance. Smirking, "This is your real assessment." Marya's head wheels, "think fast, kid."
She vanishes, leaving reflective vapor in her wake as Aurélie slices through the air. "Ah, yes, devil fruit powers," Master Gaius smirks, "but that is not enough to save you." Reflective red steaks from Aurélie's vision as she lunges. Steele clashes, sending sparks—Marya's heart races when their eyes meet through the rain of slices pommeling down. Aurélie is relentlessly calm and decisive as if toying with her.
An opening finally presents itself, and Marya goes for it. Swinging with all her force, Aurélie spins, throwing her off balance. She fumbles to the floor, her blade announcing the epic loss as it clammers on the ground.
"Hmmm," Master Gaius rubs the scruff on his face. "Again!"
Marya glares at him as she stands to her feet and retrieves her blade. Retaking her stance, she locks in on Aurélie. Taking a calming breath, she closes her eyes. A memory of her father flashes through her mind. "The key to every victory is controlling your emotions."
"Control my emotions," she mutters, "focus and calm." The vision of her father fades, replaced by a sense of motion. Her eyes snap open. Aurélie's blade is almost upon her. As if time has stalled, she watches the attack. Instinct takes hold of her. She moves to block, creating an opening. Then something unexpected happens. Her Haki shifts somehow, and Aurélie evades her swing. Landing on her feet, she swipes, knocking the blade from Marya's hold.
Marya blinks in complete confusion. What the hell just happened? Master Gaius claps, belting out a laugh, "Well done! Both of you!"
Forehead creased, Marya asks Aurélie as she sheathes her katana, "What was that?"
Master Gaius picks up Marya's sword. Examining it, he hands it back to her. "This is a unique blade."
She takes hold of it and nods, "My father had it custom-designed. The hilt and balance are made to accommodate my more feminine physique." Sheathing it, "at least that is what he said."
Master Gaius grins, "Yes, but there is some resemblance to the black blade he carries." Marya shrugs. "Does it have a name?"
"Eternal night."
"Fitting"
Marya turns her attention to Aurélie, "So how did you…"
"It is the feminine nature of Haki," Master Gaius returns to his seated position.
"Feminine nature?" Marya cocks her head.
Master Gaius retrieves his pipe, "Yes. Every form of energy has a masculine and feminine nature to it. You were defeated because you do not understand your feminine nature." Lighting the pipe, "as you can see, Aurélie is a master at it. She will be able to provide you with guidance."
Marya's eyes shift between them, "and you are unable to?"
Puffing, "I can explain it, but I won't be able to help you experience it. Women and men fight differently. For you to meet your full potential, you will need an understanding of the feminine nature of Haki."
"I don't understand."
"A man's nature is to dominate and overpower," Aurélie cocks a hip, resting a hand on the hilt of her katana. "Feminine nature has the ability to bring balance or influence that balance. You have been instructed by a man and are trying to overpower your opponent when you should be trying to alter the balance of your opponent."
"How do I….?"
"That is what I will teach you," Aurélie replies.
"Now," Master Gaius takes a long drag from his pipe, "let's talk about that devil fruit power. What is it?"
"It's the mist mist fruit."
Everyone turns when an ominous crash echoes from behind the mirror. Eyes narrowed, "Pay that no mind," Master Gaius blows out a puff of smoke. "You appear to be someone proficient with it."
"I can turn myself into mist or anything I touch into mist." Everyone starts to disappear as the room is filled with white vapor. "I can also create mist."
"Impressive. Make it go away, please," Master Gaius waves his hand if shewing a fly. "Aurélie is also a power holder." Master Gaius grins at Aurélie's scowl. "Would you care to demonstrate?"
"I would not."
With a mischievous expression, "You are her mentor now. She should know all you have to offer."
Aurélie turns to an expectant Marya. She sighs, her expression flat. Her body begins to morph. Her head changes shape, her hair spikes, and her eyes turn dark, outgrowing the shape of her head. Antena jets from her crown, wings sprout from her back, and her legs segment and morph. "She ate the locust, locust fruit," Master Gaius announces as he turns his attention to Marya. He blinks when she seems to have disappeared. "Marya?" he calls out.
She peeks out from behind the open door of the dojo. Master Gaius smirks, "Marya, are you okay?"
Hand trembling, Marya asks with a shaky voice, "What is that?"
Master Gaius chuckles, "That is not a what but a who. It's Aurélie."
"That is so creepy," Marya ducks behind the door.
Master Gaius belts out a laugh, "Don't say such things. You will hurt her feelings."
Wings begin to buzz. Aurélie hovers into Marya's hiding place. Popping her insect head out the door, she stares down Marya. With a piercing scream of terror, Marya shattered the stillness of the afternoon as she bolted across the open field.
Her eyes were wide with fear, her breaths coming in frantic gasps. Behind her, the monstrous form of Aurélie human-sized locust loomed, her multifaceted eyes glinting ominously. Her wings hummed menacingly, creating a cacophony of echoing teasing. Aurélie's mandibles clicked together with a chilling precision.
Marya's heart pounded in her chest, each beat a desperate plea for escape. Her feet hammered against the ground, her pace driven by sheer adrenaline. Her hair whipped around her face, wild and untamed, as the wind seemed to push her forward, urging her to flee.
Watching the screen of Marya's arm flailing in the air while Aurélie is in pursuit, Master Gaius slaps his hand to his knee, laughing.
Marya calls out, "You're so creepy! Go away!"