A spacious rotunda, the vaulted ceiling disappearing into shadows above. The walls are faced in polished black stone. A bank of windows set into the far wall allows in light from some unknown ambient source. A Helgram Death's Head is patterned into the center of the dark grey carpeting.
        Viola's desk faces the door from the far wall. A small rose carved of amethyst sits in a prominent position on the desktop, stacks of papers and reports cleared away to make room. There is a large conference table to the right. Hanging on the left wall is a tattered banner.
<+views available>

Obvious exits:
Frosted Glass Door

Koori-Henka enters quietly.
Koori-Henka says softly, "Good Turning, Viola."

Viola looks up from her work as Koori steps in. "Ah, Good Turnings, Koori. How are you?"

Koori-Henka says "Very well. Do you have any questions from yesterday's lesson?""
Koori-Henka smiles, "And did Hil recover from seeing you in her form?"

Viola chuckles softly. "I spoke with her at length. And then gave her the rest of the Turning off."

Koori-Henka laughs, "Oh dear. You sounded just like her too."
Koori-Henka says "But you did see the risks of changing into someone else?"

Viola considers a moment. "I think so. Even if it was just an instant, I think I really was Hil."

Koori-Henka waves a finger, "You do not want to go that route. There is a legend among the people of Earthsea, that some of the dolphins are shifters that enjoyed the form too much."
Koori-Henka says "And later forgot who they were."

Viola listens carefully and nods. "I'll remember that the next time I take another's form."

Koori-Henka says softly, "And that is the reason I still act too much like Treaton when I take his form, or sometimes when I take on male forms. Learn from my mistake, aya?"

"Aya," Viola murmurs softly, "Aya..."

Koori-Henka says softly, "Well. Is there any aspect of shifting that you have more questions on, or would like to study some more?"

Viola taps her chin with a mottled finger. "Perhaps some more practice in shadow walking? I am not quite yet confident in that yet."

Koori-Henka starts to shift.
Koori-Henka's form seems to catch fire from within, blue flames. Her features fade, as she bursts into blue flames.

Viola steps away from her desk and removes her gown. She watches Koori a moment and begins to shift herself...

Koori's dress seems to change and melt into an opaque, quicksilver-like substance, which flows to envelop the flames.

Viola's figure disintegrates into a cloud of tiny particles, floating in the air in a pattern which is vaguely man shaped...
The particles begin to swirl, faster and faster, then suddenly explode into violet flames...

*Genkei*
Man-sized, blue flames, surrounded by a cold, white nimbus. Barely visible at the heart of the flames is a set of glowing radioactive crystal rods. Genkei speaks in tones like crystal bells.
Genkei's flames are surrounded by a bluish-grey substance that flows like quicksilver, opaque. It ebbs and flows with the flamelets, rising and falling.

Viola shifts into a Genkei form like Koori's, only purple.

Genkei reaches out a flamelet, toward nothingness, "Ca.ri.be. No. clothes.ok."

"Ca.ri.be." Viola echoes in bell-tones, reaching out her flamelets.

Genkei pulls herself forward
Genkei moves away, slowly fading from view.
Genkei has left.

You begin to add your desires to this place, subtracting that which is incompatible.
...passing through Shadow...

Shadows finally assume the form you desire.

Reception

A large room formed of the native woods. A reception desk stands in the center where a native waits with a few of the small wooden carvings that serve as keys here. To the right a pair of large frosted glass doors let you see the shape of the beach. Flanking those doors are bins containing modesty glasses for the easily offended. Near those doors a path leads off towards the pier that juts out into the deeper waters. On the other side corridors and paths lead off to various cabana that are for rent from the native for 12 credits. A small gift shop is by one wall where you can get souvenirs or a few simple necessities. The natural woods of the room are offset by various pieces of art hanging there, paintings of different places, abstracts, and on one wall a tall metal pylon, silvery and reflective, with an image of a wide open plain inscribed on the surface.
+lhelp available.
Contents:
Genkei
Native(#467OVep$)
Obvious exits:
Lounge  Pier  Frosted Doors

Genkei's form starts to shimmer, and her features fade behind a rising blue mist. White, almost-human features emerge from behind the mist.
The odd silicone-like substance around Genkei seems to melt away, forming a pool at Koori's feet. She steps away from it, she's not wearing any clothes. Oddly her chest is deep blue, with the color fading into her limbs.
The pool of silicone-like stuff forms into hard, crystalline armour. Mecha armour.

Viola's flamelets begin to pale, becoming pure white light which gradually fades. She is a pale ghostly form, not quite human.
~What is this, Koori?~ Viola whispers, dark shadows suggesting eyes peering at the armor.

Koori-Henka whispers "Conjured item. Conjuration and shapeshift. That is the true shape of my clothing."
Koori-Henka says softly, "Should I purchase a room?"

~I see..~ Viola's form becomes more substantial, the pale glow fading... "Will we be staying long?" she asks, once humanformed.

Koori-Henka says softly, "Well, since it took us some time to get here, we should eat?"

Viola nods. "Then let's get a room. And food."

[Koori and Viola make arrangements to rent a cabana...]

Viola speaks to the native at the reception before going to the cabana and orders food. Lots of food.

Koori-Henka puts her armour up in a corner, standing empty.
Koori-Henka grumble, shove, grumble...
Koori-Henka says, plopping down on the couch, " I know, a long way. but I wanted you to get the practice."

Viola collapses into a chair and huffs out a breath. "I will know the way to this Shadow very well, I think."

Koori-Henka says softly, "Where else could you arrive with no clothes on though?"

A knock on the door. One of the natives returns with several trays: fruit salads, barbequed 'something', bread...

Viola chuckles, taking the trays and setting them down on a table. "Quite right. I shall have to make other arrangements for clothing if I go anywhere else."

Koori-Henka grins, "Aya. Food! Most important thing" She moves over toward the table.

Viola has already started, having picked up a huge slice of cantaloup. "That trick with your armor," she mutters between slurping bites, "Is it difficult to learn?"

Koori-Henka hrmms, between bites, "It takes some doing. Not as bad as..." munch, "learning this."
Koori-Henka munch, "Er, learning, this shifting stuff." munch.

Viola pours a tumbler full of lemonade and drinks greedily. "Ah... I might want to learn that one too. It's a bother having to worry about my clothes all the time."

Koori-Henka munches, "Mozman. Daoud. Better at. Than me."
Koori-Henka's attempts at conversation will go away for a while. Viola is allowed to chatter until then - but Koori's eating.

Viola stuffs a chunk of bread into her mouth. "Mmrph er..." She pauses to swallow. "I'll speak with one of them when we get back."
Viola's appetite has certainly increased since beginning training. Perhaps it's the exertion of it all. She falls silent as well as bite after bite vanishes down her gullet.

***time passes***
Koori-Henka eats enough for a family of four.
Koori-Henka mmphs, "It's going to be." munch "some food bill."

Viola wipes the corner of her mouth delicately with a napkin, having thoroughly gorged herself. "We are their best customers."

Koori-Henka sits back, "Ahhh....that was good. By the way, I met Niamh."

Viola settles herself in a comfortable chair nearby. "Ah? And what did you think of her?"

Koori-Henka hrmms, "Fine girl. Well mannered. Sent her to Alexy to study all of the general information in the Archives, especially Chaosian law."
Koori-Henka smiles, "And we both like snow."

Viola laughs softly. "Yes. Those Russian winters."

Koori-Henka grouses, softly, "Wish Don had brought a wife too, the House needs more women."

Viola shifts in her seat and colors faintly. "Yes...Helgram does seem to be predominantly male. A little strange."

Koori-Henka says softly, "Katarina. Usagi. Hirume. Armelle. Ophelia. Most of the women...are dead."
Koori-Henka says "And some, never joined the House because of it's masculine orientation. One of the bad points of Leslie's reign...."
Koori-Henka says "And Shevaun and Arien are at Jesby, aya?"

Viola lifts a brow curiously and then nods. "Yes, I see..."

Koori-Henka says softly, "Audre. Niamh. Well at least the ratio is getting better."
Koori-Henka grins, wickedly.

Viola snorts lightly, amused.

Koori-Henka decides her brain's addled, and takes a nap on the couch.

**Later...**

Koori-Henka yawns, muttering something in tones like crystal.

Viola stirs at last on her couch. Her eyes slowly blink open.

Koori-Henka sighs, "Now you seen why gentlemen prefer Trumps."

Viola eases to her feet and rolls her shoulders, stretches out her arms. "Aya, I see. Much less tiring."

Koori-Henka rises slowly to her feet.
Koori-Henka yawns again.

Viola pads to the window and peers through the blinds. Flickers of moonlight dance in the surf. "Nighttime, Koori," she murmurs.

Koori-Henka smiles, "Jet lag?"

Viola laughs softly. "Must be something like that." She yawns.

Koori-Henka smiles, "Well, you all seem to be doing well in diplomacy. Looks like there will be no Kern."
Koori-Henka yawns again.

"Yes. This time around at least." Another yawn, infectious, then Viola peeks again out the window at the beach. "I could use a walk before we head off again."

Koori-Henka says softly, "Let's go." She runs her fingers through her ice hair, to the accompaniment of a faint tinkling sound.

Viola stretches one last time and follows Koori out to the beach.
 
[Koori and Viola walk out and sit by the beach...]

Near the water, Viola looks out at the water as she sits with Koori by the beach. "I wish there was a quicker way here," she murmurs softly. "Such a peaceful place."

Near the water, Koori-Henka says softly, stretching out on the beach, "Well. Should I travel, or should I stay home more for a bit? I will have to see about getting Charius ready..and there are all the new members. Sure there is. Trump."
Near the water, Koori-Henka says "Or Pattern? Or Logrus? Shapeshift is the scenic route."

Near the water, Viola sits down next to Koori, toes digging lazily in the sand. "The scenic route." She chuckles softly. "A privilege then?"

Near the water, Koori-Henka says "It depends how you want to think about it.""

Near the water, Viola tilts her head and regards Koori. "I suppose. How is Charius settling in in the trade ministry?"

Near the water, Koori-Henka says "He just got there. So.... And it's just me, him and the demons and staff."

Near the water, Viola says "I am glad we were able to find something for him. Lord Ian thought very highly of him, though I did not think him best for diplomacy."

Near the water, Koori-Henka shakes her head, with a chuckle, "He will sail."

Near the water, Viola nods, looking out at the water. "I believe he mentioned having a ship." A pause and she frowns. "Or stole a ship. Or was that someone else?" She shakes her head.

Near the water, Koori-Henka laughs, "Ohh. Well now he will have more ships. And not stolen."

Near the water, Viola chuckles softly and then falls silent, considering the ocean waves. "Koori," she says then, "You mentioned dolphins earlier..."

Near the water, Koori-Henka says "Yes? You want to swim?"
Near the water, Koori-Henka grins, evilly, "It is more friendly than my shark form."

Near the water, Viola turns to Koori, smile flashing in the moonlight. "I would like to try it. The dolphin. I've never before cared much for the sea, but I would like to see what it's like."

Near the water, Koori-Henka says softly, "We need to wade out a ways, and then shift."

Near the water, Viola nods slowly. "Of course, I see... Otherwise we'd be beached dolphins."

Koori-Henka rises to her feet, and gestures out toward the water.
Near the water, Koori-Henka says "You can swim, right?"

Near the water, Viola says "Enough to manage."

Viola steps with Koori toward the water, mottled feet sinking into the wet sand before being washed over by the surf.

Koori-Henka heads out into the surf, shifting slightly.....
Koori's hair turns darker. She becomes shorter, more muscular. Her skin takes on a pinkish, rather than bluish hue.
Koori-Henka takes true humanform.
Near the water, Koori-Henka says "Can't have me freezing the water?"

Near the water, Viola chuckles softly. "Good point."

Koori-Henka heads further and further into the surf. Up to her knees in water. To her hips, to her waist. She seems unconcerned.

Viola follows Koori into the water.

Koori-Henka hesitates, when the water reaches her chest, and the waves nearly splash over her head. She turns in the water, and starts to float on her back.

Viola watches Koori and follows suit, kicking her feet and fluttering her hands to keep herself floating near the surface of the waves.

Koori-Henka starts to shift, as she lazily floats on her back.

In the water, Viola looks over as she treads water and watches Koori's shift.

Koori-Henka's legs join together, a long tail flipper of grey forms where her feet were, her whole body takes on a smooth rubbery greyish sheen, except her chest, which is white. Her head reforms, with a beakish snout, her neck shortens......
Koori-Henka takes on dolphinform, and rolls over and dives into the surf.

Viola laughs as she watches Koori disappear beneath the surface. Then she settles against the rolling waves. Her form begins to melt and change.

Viola rolls her body into a back dive into the water. As she does so, her head blends into her shoulders and forms a dolphin's snout, arms draw in, flatten, becoming flippers, legs meld together, forming a tail as she sinks below.

[place prefixes removed, because even though we were supposed to be in the water, we forgot to move to ocean. Ooops...]

Koori-Henka playfully nudges Viola with her nose.

Viola tests her voice, a happy shrill cry which carries far in the water.

Koori-Henka does a barrel roll, and zips out into deeper water.

Viola curls her tail and shoots through the water after Koori.

Koori-Henka dives, and waits for Viola. She has a fish in her jaws, which she is crunching on.

Viola catches up with Koori. She swims around in lazy loops, perhaps searching for her own meal.
Viola darts forward suddenly and catches a fish in her jaws. She munches it down quickly, then kicks back up toward the surface.

Koori-Henka moves up in the water, in a smooth movement, stealthily following Viola.

Viola breaks through the surface, expelling her breath and drawing another one before slipping again below the waves.

Koori-Henka nudges Viola teasingly with her nose, or tries to.

Viola yelps a happy dolphin cry and curls away in the water. She loops around smoothly in the water and noses Koori.

Koori-Henka whistles back, rising to the surface herself, for a breath.

Viola rolls in the water - her belly is white like a dolphin's, but mottled in purple - and swims deeper beneath the waves.

Koori-Henka splashes with her tail at the surface, and dives, with a series of rather silly barrel rolls.

Viola circles around, exploring the underwater features with a natural curiosity.

Koori-Henka plays peek-a-boo with a puffer fish.

Viola dives playfully into a school of tiny fish and scatters the formation, only to have it reappear shortly afterwards, hardly diverted from its course.
Viola loops lazily back to the surface. She begins to shift back into humanform.

Koori-Henka rises to the surface, in dolphinform.
Koori-Henka starts to shift.

Viola breaks the wave tops, human features beginning to reform themselves from the dolphin's snout.

Koori-Henka glances over at Viola, and then human features start to reform themselves around her dolphin snout as well..

Viola's skin looses its grey sheen, paling. Flippers shift into hands and lengthen to form arms. Humanform now, she gasps, treading in the water beside Koori.

Koori-Henka's nose shortens, her skin takes on a whitish-pink tone. Her back fin splits into legs, arms form from her sides...
Koori-Henka takes on humanform, and swims, with long sidestrokes.

Viola catches her breath and then bobs after Koori back toward the shore.

Koori-Henka swims like a poled barge, but eventually gets to shore.

Viola wicks seawater off of her body as she steps onto the beach.

Near the water, Viola takes a deep breath and smiles a trifle wearily. "Well, that was fun!"

Near the water, Koori-Henka laughs, "I thought you didn't enjoy shifting a lot?"

Near the water, Viola chuckles low. "I never tried shifting into a dolphin before. Maybe that has changed."

Near the water, Koori-Henka laughs, "Well, I think we should rest again?"
Near the water, Koori-Henka says "Or is it suppertime?"

Near the water, Viola huffs another breath. "Yes, both. We can stay here another night and not lose much, right?"

Near the water, Koori-Henka says "No, four days here is one I think?"

Near the water, Viola nods, then grins. "Let's go run up our room service tab again."

Near the water, Koori-Henka laughs .

Koori-Henka rushes out toward the rooms, laughing.

Viola chuckles and hurries after Koori.