It seemed to Setsuna that magic users of a certain element tended to employment in certain sort of jobs; some very prestigious, and some less so. Not all magic users were equally endowed with tallent.
For example, if one had tallent at earth crafting one tended to enter either the construction industry, farming, labouring, or cough entertainment industries. In a world where cement and bitument were virtually unknown, magic user sculpted roadworks, stonemasonary, and so forth, out of live rock; shaping and fusing it into new forms and adding touches of magic to the results. Soil could be tilled and ploughed in the same manner, and earthen magic could also increase its fertility. Farm animals could also be influenced in this area. Even earth crafters with less ability to influence their element, could draw great strength from the earth, to one degree or another, though it wasn’t a particularly glamourous option for a magic user. Earth crafting could also influence a creature's earthly desires, and their were always a number of women who might prefer employment where that sort of thing might be useful, rather than common labouring.
Water crafting appeared to be employed mainly in healing, irrigation, ocean travel, and communication. Of these, healing was the most prestigious and it was there that Setsuna found a version of Ami with a very strong elemental affinity for water; on the theory that the true senshi would develop strong magic related to their planetary themes.
The scene Setsuna’s search pattern found was a typical local medical centre from the outside –advertising moxibustion, acupuncture, and such–, but Setsuna was momentarily confussed. Inside the building looked more like a Soapland and the Ami she found in a room filled with small furos, was dressed in a Yukata. It looked very nice on her, but it was more the kind of thing one wore to a hot spring vacation resort than in a reputable place of healing.
Setsuna alternately wondered if she’d got the right Ami, or worried that she had. However, it did make sense that if water magic were employed for healing, actually water would be involved.
Ami walked around the furos, checking the water inside. Setsuna grew relieved at the girls’ action. Ami seemed to do nothing more than reach her hand into the water, then stare distracted into space for a few moments, as if testing the temperature. But water stirred and rippled for no apparent reason in response to her gentle touch. This Ami evidently had some magic; but how much?
Eventually things clarrified when the water in one tub not only rippled, but drew together and raised up into the form of a turtle! The creature was formed out of water –in fact drawing most of it into its form–, with the shell taking on a slightly glacial blue cast, but it seemed both solid and soft enough when Ami reached out to stroke its head. She petted the creature for a moment with obvious affection, the whispered and gestured.
The tutle dissolved back into the water, which began to stir into a vortex. A column rose up in the centre and split into two. Most of the waterspout flowed cleanly back into the furo, but a smaller section was spat out into an awaiting bucket.
When the agitation calmed, Ami carried the dirty water away and poured it down a drain. Ami then return with a fresh supply to replace it. The water left inside the furo sparkled and the tiles had been scoured clean.
A simple act of cleaning using some sort of magical mascot rather than draining the tub, scrubbing the tiles, and refilling the entire thing. More easy than doing it by hand, yes, but considering the size of the beast, a rather ineffient use. Still, Setsuna felt certain that it proved she had probably found the right Ami. None of the others had such a monster, and it only made sense that the senshi’s power would attract strong mascot, didn’t it?
Frowning, Setsuna checked the rest of the building. She found an older version of Ami, dressed likewise and acting as a nurse or secretary, ushering patients into the entrance. She handed the patients over to what seemed to be an older version of Ranma, and Setsuna grew somemwhat conscerned.
Setsuna saved her place, then tried another scrying.
“Ami, Dear, are the tubs ready yet?”
“Almost, Mother. Sapphire has cleaned them out nicely. Father just needs to wait for the heaters to warm them up a little more. It shouldn’t take me but a moment to encourage the fire furies.”
“No, that’s alright, Dear. I can handle it. If yout finished your morning chores, you’d best get ready for school. Oh, and please hurry home early this afternoon. Tofu is expecting guests and I’d like to make a good impression.”
“Yes, Mother,” Ami Ono replied dutifully.
Ami walked along side the cannal, letting Sapphire surge through the water while she buried her head in a book.
Her sense of empathy felt the roiling emotions before the school came into sight, put away her book with a resigned sigh. “Every single morning. Honestly!”
The usual sight greeted her as she made her way up the road towards the gate. Boys, with furies of various sizes and aspects, gathered at the entrance waiting in a mix of eager expectation and nervous readiness. Ami grimaced, as she knew what was coming next.
The boys tensed up, as they saw the arrival of:
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(Posted Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:07)
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