#weaver of light --- star guardian verse.

[weavewithin]

At practice, Taliyah makes a point to break the earth into cubes and stack them. Just like in her favorite video game. It's useful in the same way as well, the blocks can be used as shelter.

[weavewithin]

✦━━━━━━━━ Taliyah had been with her team, gathering for a tactical meetup between the Guardian teams, when Janna's voice pierced through her thoughts. Being a new Guardian, she wasn't used to the sensation of telepathy, unsettling even with the First Star's power lacing the technique. Even more surprising was the message about a fellow Star Guardian from Janna's team, Jinx. Taliyah didn't know her well, other than that neither of them had pristine track records as fledgling Star Guardians. She didn't like the connotations of Janna suggesting the two of them could get along.

Travel was swift with Janna's wind. Retaining balance on her board while moving so fast seemed like another test by the veteran Star Guardians. Truthfully, had she not trained, this gust would've capsized her.

How Janna knew where Jinx could be found was a complete mystery. The wind moved decisively of its own accord, leading her to a rooftop. Judging by the near dive towards the platform, she could only take it was her destination, and the place where Jinx could be found.

Her landing was unsteady. It was difficult to time the dematerialization of her board, to prevent it from crashing into anything. She scanned the surroundings aimlessly, while the cloud of starlight that had just been her board drifted away.

Glee at being stationed here, instead of partaking in the tactical meeting, was a feeling she planned to keep strictly to herself. The view of the blazing evening horizon beyond the cityscape brought with it the feeling of freedom that she always yearned for. If she could, she'd fly like this everyday, to new vistas, unbound by duty.

She'd crossed the majority of the rooftop by now, and was reminded she had someone to find, when she heard the warning, shouted in a familiar voice. Jinx-- she was here like Janna said. Taliyah turned towards the voice, and saw the unmistakable silhouette atop a chimney.

❛  Jinx, it's me, Taliyah! ❜

When the fellow Guardian lowered her weapon, Taliyah flew to her. Jinx's scrutiny was no surprise. It must've been bizarre that Taliyah, of all the Guardians, came to her. Taliyah's lips pressed together and she ruminated whether it had been right to disturb Jinx like this. It seemed like she needed the time alone. Perhaps Janna and the others were shooting in the dark when it came to her.

It was strangely comforting to find other Guardians who struggled. That common ground had made her and Rell best friends. Even her team's perfectionist captain's best friend struggled. It seemed to be more common than not.

❛​​​​​​​  I-- yes. Janna asked me to come here and, I don't know why. It's not like you and I know each other and-- it seems like I was disturbing you. I don't think it's right I came here. ❜

Taliyah backed off a little, as if to prove her stance. She recognized a lot of herself in the way Jinx had escaped to cool off. She used to skip classes, simply wandering around at the mall, until she learnt that her doubt had attracted a powerful Void monster to herself. Even after all of that, she still wasn't sure if highschool meant anything to her.

Would Void monsters gather if they didn't fit the strict mold presented to them? Could they only weave the fate of the First Star, and not that of their own? The older Guardians tended to be so strict and controlling, that it seemed they were afraid other Guardians would follow their own paths.

❛​​​​​​​  It feels wrong to say but, maybe Janna doesn't know what's best. My mother always said we all weave our own thread. ❜

[weavewithin]

Taliyah finds herself unable to reach for another slice of pizza. It hadn't been the brightest idea to fetch some, with her family bound to insist they share dinner. The oversight is obvious; of course, her family would jump at the chance to feed their daughter and her friend!

The pastels of her room blur around the glow of the nightlight. Her familiar Aru emits a faint glow as well, lounging on Taliyah's bed. The Guardian isn't there to join him however, as she lays on a colorful island of pillows and blankets on the floor, busy talking to @noxianironmaiden.

❛ Even before becoming Guardians, I sort of liked her. It was weird when we both got chosen. ❜

Voice hushed, her fingers tighten around the cup they hold. Its contents are easier to stare at than her friend beside her. In their friendship of rowdy laughter, this vulnerability is uncharted territory, and she's quick to backpedal.

❛ Anyway, it was easy to get over, with how focused she is on Akali and studying. ❜

Her shoulders lift in a shrug, and she dares to look at her friend again. It's an old matter hardly of significance now, buried under teamwork and duty. At the time, the admiration had been tightly guarded, even at the expense of skipping class and practice. It was one and done, for a while.

Now, she's regularly getting scolded again. Skipped lessons and practices have returned, and with them the predicament she now recognizes.

❛ But-- ugh! You know how I've gotten scolded again lately? It's not Kai'Sa this time but, eh. It's-- embarrassing to say out loud. ❜

She shoots her friend a frustrated, pleading look. Then, she deflates into her oversized hoodie with a big sigh.

❛ I can't keep skipping classes and practice. But he's there. Not that he ever even looks my way but, it's still awkward. ❜

She's ready to bear with teasing or jokes in exchange for advice. It's admittedly ridiculous this has happened twice now. Beneath it all she feels so incredibly guilty-- a lousy Star Guardian, allowing pettiness to come before duty. She can't feel excited about this crush, it's awful and needs to go away immediately. She wonders, if her dear friend has gone through something similar.

❛ Do you know what I mean? ❜

[weavewithin]

Are rock poros! Are also block shaped. Are very serious looking. Do not move much above ground. Do much digging though. Stare at her. Are also snuggly. Snuggly blocks.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 right now; more like an ordinary girl, she sits one knee propped up at her desk, clad in pajamas in her dimly lit room, playing her favorite video game. Her excitement right now is one her Star Guardian powers have scarcely been able to elicit, as she investigates the aftermath of her mod installment. Rock Poros, the mod that is supposed to unleash incredibly cute little skittering, pixelated block-creatures into her world.

And it works. There they are; the cutest, adorablest, busily digging creatures she has ever seen. What blocks do they like? How can she make them love her?! Is it normal that she wants to snuggle virtual cubes?!

[weavewithin]

cont. @noxianironmaiden

✦━━━━━━━━  Taliyah shakes her head as if annoyed, but her smile spoils the effect. She's sure her friend understands her true sentiment. Maybe it's for the best that Rell turns it into a gag, instead of having a heart-to-heart at a pizza joint.

Their Guardian powers allow them to travel pretty much anywhere. The commuting part of the vacation is easily taken care of, but covering the eventual expenses is another matter. Wealth isn't abundant for the Guardians, even though one would think otherwise. The reward for their power is the power itself, and protecting the world.

She's told Rell many times of how she struggles to find meaning in schoolwork, even Guardian training. If she were free to decide, she'd use her power to roam Valoran and the galaxies. The Guardian powers contain the means for total freedom, but oath and duty cast a heavy anchor.

Her best friend also knows, that she can't say no to traveling and exploration. Taliyah used to wander at the mall, skipping classes. Sometimes, she'd go further. She became a bit of a loner and a problem case, something she relates to in Rell.

For doing their duty, they should be able to enjoy their powers. There's an incredibly fun element to the Guardian power, and they should relish it sometimes. As Taliyah lowers her slice of pizza, she eyes her friend across the table.

❛  Well, if you insist. I did just say I'd follow you, and vacation sounds much better than a battle.  ❜

She can't help but smile then, and a little twinkle of excitement ignites in her gaze.

❛  Got a destination in mind?  ❜

[weavewithin]

sg!syndra, still pretending to be the ally, uses her powers to grab one of sg!taliyah's stones and throw it back at her. of course, misses. after all, it's just training. ❝  good. but not good enough.  ❞ @seekspower

✦━━━━━━━━  Taliyah huffs at the challenge, glistening brows furrowing, but fixes her battle stance nonetheless. Syndra is undisputed in her experience, as always, and Taliyah can only believe her. It would be impossible for a new Guardian like herself to have perfect technique so soon. Still, it's frustrating to be reminded of it. She briefly wonders if she can ever be like Syndra, to catch up to her and stand as her equal.

The practice has been strict, at times grueling. Taliyah would lie if she claimed to enjoy it everytime. Truthfully, she'd much rather use her powers to roam Valoran and the galaxies beyond it, and let the journey teach her-- but that would mean leaving her team, and she could never do it. So, she bears with the training. While certainly obliged, she does genuinely enjoy exploring the depths of her powers, and most of all openly being her Guardian self.

Today however, her mood betrays her. It's been difficult to balance her regular life with being a Guardian, and this practice session seemed particularly needless. Almost like they want to tease her about her inexperience! Chest still heaving from the recent sparring session, she draws in a sharp breath, and it's the only warning the older Guardian gets of what's coming.

❛  Good enough for what?  ❜

Along with her words, her arm swipes, and another stone comes alive like a comet, flies past the older Guardian.