Ruliya's History (and future advancement... hopefully :)

[Chegeek]

On a windswept hillside overlooking the ocean, a very young chubby faced girl is intently watching a caterpillar crawl up a stalk of grass.

"You're neat Mr. Caterpillar. I wonder how you walk with so many legs?"

Foot steps approach, and the girl turns to hear "Hey look, its the spoiled little rich girl! What're you doing up here, ugly? Your mama's gonna be mad!"

"Leave me alone! I'm just watching a bug."

"A bug! Gross! Lemme smash it!"

"Nooo!! Leave it alone!"

A scuffle ensues, and quickly results in the smaller girl running away in tears with an assortment of bruises with the older girl in hot pursuit, leaving behind a stalk of grass with a caterpillar on it waving in the wind.

Later, having escaped her tormentor, she returns to her house, still sniffling.

"Ruliya!!! What is the meaning of this? You're clothes are ripped and you're covered in dirt! What happened?"

-sniff- "I... I couldn't help it Mommy! She's bigger than me! I just asked her to leave me alone!! It's not my fault!"

"Silence! No daughter of mine makes excuses! If you live in this house you must learn to be strong! Now, there will be no supper for you. Go lay down and remember to fight harder next time!"

Ruliya ran to her bed, and cried herself to sleep.

[Chegeek]

Crack! Crack! The wooden practice swords make sharp sounds in the afternoon heat. Two children circle each other in the small dirt training yard, trading blows and blocks while an instructor looks on.

Whack! "Owwww!!!!"

"Enough! This match goes to Ashika. Good work Ashika, you have learned well. Ruliya! You need to watch your opponent more carefully. If you can't predict the next strike you'll never be able to defend yourself. Now, go do five hundred practice swings. Then you may go home for the day."

"Yes sir!"

Later a tired Ruliya returns home.

"Ah, you're back. How was practice today?"

"Good."

"Good? Did you win your match?"

"..... no .... "

"Hmph! It's not good if you don't win!" were the last words Ruliya's mother spoke to her that day.

Later still, in her small and plain room, Ruliya falls into bed and looks out her window at the rising moon reflecting on the ocean.

"Please. If there's anyone out there to hear, please let me win tomorrow." and with that whispered prayer she drifted to sleep.

She dreams......

".... ruliya...."

"Ruliya"

"Ruliya! Can you hear me?"

"Hmmmm? Who's there? Is it morning already?"

"No, it isn't. Do you remember me? You saved my life once."

"S.. Saved you life!?! I've never done that for anyone!"

"Yes you did. Remember. It's been over a year. On the hill you go to. You were watching me. You were punished for protecting me."

"Wait... that was only a bug! Bugs can't talk."

Light tinkling laughter echoes from far away "Ah, but I'm not a bug anymore. I'm dead now you see."

"Wha? But... you said I saved you?"

"You did silly girl!" the laugh again, not mocking but cheerful "I lived a long and full life, for a bug. But that's still not very long you know. But now! Now I've been granted a special wish. A wish I made on that day. I wished that I could give you something in return. Silly I know, what does a bug have to offer? Nothing, to be sure. Until now. Some kind goddess has granted my wish, and I became a spirit when I died."

"Wait... you're a ghost bug now?!?"

"I suppose, yes. Maybe? I don't know too much about it myself. I can sense that I can stay with you if you'll let me. And I can help you. Would you... like me to stay? I'm sure.. we can be friends."

"heh. Friends with a bug huh? Well... why not? Nobody else likes me anyway." Ruliya holds out her hand, and to her amazement, and tiny glowing butterfly appears from nowhere, and gently lands on her outstretched finger. The butterfly flutters its wings a moment, and then, dissolves into particles of light, which sink into Ruliya's hand. A warm feeling flows up her arm. Friendship and peace fill her soul for a moment. And then...


"Wah!!" Ruliya sits bolt upright in bed. The sun streams in at the window, and she holds up a hand to shield her face. "Uhnn... so bright... wait... so bright... that means its late! I've got to run!" And with that she hurries about her day, with no time to consider her dream of the night before. That is, until later.

Crack! Crack! Once again the practice swords strike with surprising force after another day's hard study and training. Strike, block, strike again. Young feet griping the dirt, straining as the combatants push against each other's swords. Breaking free, and then

"sidestep left"

Ruliya darts to the left, and the other sword swings through thin air.

Whack! "Owww!!!"

"S.. stop!" says a surprised instructor. "Ah... Ruliya has taken the match. Well done, you read her attack perfectly. Ashika! It seems it is your turn to do practice strokes. Ruliya, you may go home now."

"Yes sir!"

"That was great! Thank you so much! Just wait till I tell Mom! She'll be so proud! You're the best uhmm... say, what's your name?"

"Ai"

"Thank you Ai. You have made me very happy. I think we are going to be good friends."

(( Attained level one Spirit Shaman. Also the feat "Spirit Guide" ))