Kohra sat in front of the stature, looking up into the wavering face. Instead of feeling comforted, he felt hollow and alone.
“Kohra…” She spoke softly, in a comforting manner, as a mother to her son. “I don’t think you’ll find what you’re looking for here.”
Kohra looked away, feeling embarrassed, though he didn’t know why. “Who are you to say such a thing? You don’t even know me, nor I you.” He was more perplexed than annoyed.
“I know more of you than you think. I’ve been watching you for several months.” She said gently, and took a seat on the dusty floor beside him, looking up into the statue’s face.
He looked down at her, trying his best to look incredulous at this announcement. In reality, he felt strangely comforted, as if he were sitting with a trusted friend he hadn’t seen for years. “What do you mean, watching me?”
“Well,” she looked up at him, smiling brightly “you have very strong emotions. They echo off the city walls. It would have been almost impossible for me not to notice you.”
Kohra frowned at this, visibly confused.
“I suppose I should explain.” She laughed softly at his expression. “I’m an empath. My name is Esbet.”
“That’s an odd name for a Tarutaru.” Kohra spoke without thinking.
“It is indeed.” She offered no further explaination. “Getting back to you; I felt you as soon as I entered the city. I very rarely come to San d’Oria. Your emotions are very strong as I said, but they are chaotic, and run rampant. It was rather overwhelming to hear you actually.”
He turned away, ashamed.
“Now don’t get me wrong dear.” She reached out and patted his arm. “I didn’t mean that as a reproach. I sense much struggle in you, to gain control.”
He nodded mutely.
“Well, this is where I come in. I can offer you aid. I think you would do well as an empath, if you can harness your emotions first.”
“I don’t understand. One doesn’t simply –become- an empathy. You either are or you aren’t, or so I’ve been lead to believe.” Kohra wasn’t sure he liked where this was going.
“In most circumstances I’d say that’s true.” She nodded in agreement. “However, natural talent can be amplified. You already display some empathic power.”
He frowned, pretending to himself he didn’t know what she was referring to.
“You feel other’s pain and suffering clearly enough. You even utilize it to empower yourself.” She said it matter-of-factly, as if it were nothing to be ashamed of.
He jerked his face away from her’s, trying to hide his expression of guilt.
“I think in essence this can be channeled to a better use Kohra, it’s not necessarily bad. But you certainly need to gain mastery over it, rather than allow it to master you, as it does now.” She spoke gently, giving him time to muse.
“Do you really think so?” He asked finally.
“Yes.” She nodded. It will take some time, but if you are willing to put in the effort to train your mind, we can help you.”
“We?”
“The Order of Ancient Whispers. We’re a very small group. Only eight. Our goal is to understand emotions, our own and other’s, and to channel them to one use or another.”
“Such as?” He was expecting to hear some plot to take over the world or something along those lines.
“Well, that’s up to the individual. Our common ground is really just a fiercely emotional mind.” She shrugged. “We don’t have an ultimate goal, or purpose, to be honest.”
“Hmmm… Well, I suppose it’s worth a shot. I’m not getting anywhere on my own.” He sighed.
“Excellent. How about we meet tomorrow evening, in Fei’Yin? Since you’re so familiar with that area, it would be a good place to start.”
“All right. Should I bring anything?”
“All you need is yourself, but feel free to bring whatever makes you feel comfortable.” She hopped up, and made her way to the door, waving over her shoulder, and trotting up the stone stairway.
Kohra was left with a mixture of confusion and excitement.
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