The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 243 - Turns Out The Beauty Of The Shifting Sand Is Meant To Be Part Of The Act

Chapter 243: Chapter 243 - Turns Out The Beauty Of The Shifting Sand Is Meant To Be Part Of The Act

A crowd gathered around two performers in the market area of the competition grounds. A young woman swept and tossed sand in broad motions in front of a man, defining the bulk shapes and movement. Her partner followed each gesture with precise Element manipulation - refining the edges and adding delicate details to the displays.

Their current piece in progress showed a galloping horse, its mane and tail streaming as it emerged on the large tarp. The woman and her movements were almost dance-like for extra stage effect as she tossed material into position. Her partner used subtler finger motions for his focus as he carved definition into muscles and features.

Elua observed their coordination with interest as she watched invisibly. Most cultivator partnerships she’d seen in her old life focused purely on combat applications. Using Aspects together synergistically to become terrors for their enemies. This pair had clearly spent considerable time developing their technique only for aesthetic purposes.

’Small-scale but precise. The kind of patient control that could be applied to carving ritual components. Or other artisan work, if they wanted to learn a trade.’

The piled up sections of the ’horse’ began to fall into flatter sand once more as they took a rest. Some of the crowd clapped as they prepared for their next piece. Though only some of them stayed and most who left did not leave a tip for the showing.

Elua noted how the woman gathered and directed the mass of material while conserving her Physical energy. It wasn’t perfect, but there was far less waste than the average cultivator on the continent and an almost spiritual acknowledgement that her task was a marathon to be paced.

’All that while still being an Enchanter at her age. Hard times, perhaps? Or a talent that was not nurtured.’

Likewise, her partner’s Element control might be limited by his cultivation but he maximized its impact through careful timing and placement. He didn’t try to fight all of the material at once. Only moved what was necessary and balanced his focus.

She decided it was time to do more than observe and started the somewhat tedious process of insinuating her presence naturally into the surrounding crowd. The next piece began taking shape as she did so - a sea dragon emerging from waves. The base managed by the woman created the coiling body while precise Element control defined the fins, spines, and teeth.

"Quite impressive. Your coordination."

The heiress waited to use her ’sweet’ voice to draw the performers’ attention at a point that would not disrupt their work. The woman’s spirit flickered with recognition the moment she looked over and saw the brunette in her simple blue dress. The Goltbred was becoming well known at the competition grounds - just as she had intended.

"My thanks, young miss."

The Sand user spoke up for them while maintaining focus on detailing the sea dragon’s whiskers. His control was clearly taxed by the precision required, making any conversation an impressive display of multitasking at his level. However, it did not surprise the ancient cultivator.

She’d already noted that his spiritual energy was a magnitude above his essence.

"Such little praise deserves no gratitude."

"All good things should be respected and balanced, lest we find ourselves in debt to them."

Inwardly, she smiled half-heartedly at his use of modern philosophical aphorism. Someone comfortable enough to do that on a first meeting was usually a pain to deal with, even back when it was mostly those explaining that trying to kill you was a matter of course.

Outwardly, she nodded sagely and respectfully, like an ’impressionable’ young child.

"Wise. I admit some curiosity about your choice. I am a sigilist with no interest in fighting, but most at the competition prefer more... martial demonstrations."

Her observation sounded as though she were genuinely interested beneath the ’innocent’ tone of ’worry’. The woman answered this time.

"Combat skills are valuable, but they’re not the only measure of control. They are not the only use of the energy we cultivate. Besides, people need beauty as much as protection."

The large sea creature’s form held steady as she spoke, evidence that the man either did not disagree or was very calm by nature. Mint eyes pretended to study their technique more closely with careful consideration. In the way that only ’rich’ young people could... with arrogant closeness and no fear of scolding.

"I see. And might I ask what Guild supports such an innovative approach?"

With the ’naive’ question, the performers exchanged a quick glance. The man’s control momentarily wavered and the dragon’s spines lost some definition before the Sand Element user recovered his focus.

’Well, if he’s calm then I guess I touched a sore spot.’

"We’re... independent, actually. Now. Most Guilds prefer traditional applications."

There was a hint of old disappointment in the woman’s voice. Traces in her spirit suggested some sort of previous rejection as she returned to her fluid dance moves. A pile of sand meant to add more detail to the waves was tossed in an appropriate spot on the tarp.

"The Citrine Fang Society showed interest in our work once. But their support focuses on practical crafts. Entertainment isn’t their priority. Nor did they have the desire to provide us ideas to market it."

Hearing the man’s admission, her ’sweet’ smile gained some ’fragility’. Street performance certainly wasn’t something she expected could rake in more than enough to get by. The moment that became true and known would be the moment everyone with any artistic talent would crowd the markets.

However, their teamwork had applications beyond simple shows. Their individual talents also had more value than she felt they credited. A morning of ’success’ had her feeling greedy... and once she began on a route of diversions, it was hard to shift gears completely.

"Have you considered that beauty and practicality aren’t mutually exclusive? For instance, your precision with small-scale manipulation... it would transfer well into many other crafts."

The creature art dissolved back into flowing sand. The woman looked at the teenager for a few moments while her partner pretended to have no interest. Whether that was because he was seeking greater terms or only to keep from influencing his partner, it didn’t matter much to the Goltbred.

"You may have heard that the Coiled Serpent Guild plans to expand its presence in the region. Of the recently constructed branch. We value... innovative approaches."

"Are you offering some sort of work opportunity?"

Her mind catalogued how the Element user subtly handled multiple particles as a unified mass while still maintaining fine control at the edges. Similar principles would apply to Dust manipulation, though with more variety in the particulate composition. While it was the woman who asked, Elua turned to the man to explain what she could of her reasons first.

"Your control over individual grains across larger forms is quite refined. One of my friends has unlocked a similar Element - though his focuses on... finer particles."

The Sand Element user finally looked at her. His eyes displayed his interest.

"You mean Dust? That’s an uncommon affinity."

"Indeed. While I can offer a bit of guidance on essence fundamentals, certain... technical aspects of manipulating solids are better learned from those with practical experience."

Her words carried the clear implication of tutoring her ’friend’. Really, she was trying to offload some of the struggle of his learning onto yet another mentor. The woman’s spirit showed she caught the underlying offer for them both - potential Guild association in exchange for something unbound to it.

"Teaching requires a different skill set than performing."

The man noted carefully, unwilling to deny his concern.

"Of course. Though sometimes the best instruction comes from watching how others solve similar challenges. Seeing that it *can* be done and *is* attainable."

She pointed towards the sand on the tarp.

"For instance, the way you balanced cohesion versus separation in your displays is a technique that I’m not sure an Air elementalist can articulate in an appropriate manner. I certainly could never show him an example because there is nothing that can be *seen*."

She let a little of her Element billow out and move the particles on the surface. The grains of sand started to pile into a small bird - one rather simple and plain in looks compared to the art they were making. Moving it as a whole cloud was something she could teach easily and planned to do.

But the kind of control Fusand would need to master for more diverse applications would need examples that might require her to admit to her Illusion Astralism. The Visual and Tactile portions at a minimum. Even the Audible portions of what the material did when rubbing against each other would be important for learning.

’Olfactory and Gustatory parts... not so much. But revealing any two beyond manipulation of sight will make it clear that it can only be the higher ranking Aspect.’

The ancient cultivator felt that perhaps one day she would, but if she could put it off *and* gain extra time with Qat by having her disciple bug her less, then why wouldn’t she? It would be two things in one!

"Assuming you aren’t interested in Guild work, I still would not mind keeping in touch for a personal contact. Yet, the Coiled Serpent Guild’s new branch offers similar flexibility in terms of contribution."

The brunette’s words came quicker and her ’sweet’ tone gained some urgency beneath its surface. Even as the real her was already making its way down the street. That remnant of her old disciple was growing near!

"If you’re interested in discussing possibilities, you can visit my family’s camp or seek out Branch Manager Dima - and mention that Elua sent you."

The performers exchanged thoughtful looks, but before they could respond, the small teen was already stepping back with an excessively polite bow.

"I look forward to hearing your thoughts. For now, please excuse me - I have another appointment I must keep."

Her graceful looking retreat through the crowd appeared unhurried, though her spirit coiled with tension as she sensed the curved blade wielder’s presence drawing closer. The moment she got the image of herself out of enough lines of sight, she dispersed the illusion and dealt forcefully with the bits of notice it accrued.

’Is she a *cat* sniffing around when the master is trying to feed her current pet projects?’

The mood that had risen from finding a new group of people diminished at ’encountering’ one from her past.