Great Light [Open!]

[starbolts]

In this Sensorium, art class was in session!

Or, to be more precise, Starfire's attempt at sculpture was underway. Armed with discarded items from around the ship and her own starbolt powers, she donned some protective equipment and got straight to work. This was going to be a difficult effort, but it would be well worth her patience. Her fellow Outsiders could have worse gifts cluttering their headquarters than her crystal flame. When made with pure positivity, it was said to bring peace and good luck to all who approached it.

Hours of bending, melting, and sculpting later, the torch was ready to be lit. This was the most important part of building such a light sculpture: the emotions powering the lighting blast had to be pure and true. Any resentment, anger, or lack of tranquility would forever taint her work, turning its presence into a curse.

And a gift to her teammates could not be allowed to become a curse. Before lighting it, she would spend a few more moments in reflection.

But what was that noise? Starfire circled around it and glanced to the open door, the as-of-yet unlit crystal flame standing tall behind her.

Comments

[blownup-wasp.livejournal.com]

Waspinator for reasons unknown to anyone but him, was flying in the Sensoriums hoping to find some peace and quiet. However, he found Starfire sculpting. Rather than leaving he momentarily found himself mesmerized. "Ooh. Fleshie bot is talented."

[starbolts]

"Flesh...bot? I am not a cyborg, but I thank you."

Starfire laughed, her thoughts drifting back to her old friend. His technology pieces were art of their own, she thought.

But her art? It wasn't quite perfect, and it melted in some places. "Are you searching for something?"

[blownup-wasp.livejournal.com]

To Waspinator you are either a 'fleshy-bot' or a Transformer. Be thankful Starfire, you're not meeting Inferno or Megatron. "Waspinator never see such a thing before. Even on Cybertron."

[starbolts]

"This is my attempt to recreate the traditional sculptures of my planet. When it is completed, it will burn with an inner light representing our passion. Did you have other forms of art?"

Starfire tried to picture where her new acquaintance may have come from. A city full of pipes and metal? A stop on a grand highway? Somewhere in the stars?

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"The hell is this?" Zetta asked as his minion hauled him through the door. It wasn't a pejorative question; Zetta just used mild profanity to indicate he didn't understand.

Uh, Starfire, what did you say about resentment, anger, and lack of tranquility? Because you may have just invoked the patron god of those forces.

[starbolts]

"Lord Zetta!"

Well, she wouldn't be ready to light the flame any time soon. But that was all right. She shot over to him, preparing to explain.

"This is a modification of a traditional sculpture of peace. I traveled through the Art Hall this morning, and I realized that the Outsiders' headquarters might benefit from having this on display. It is said that sculptures crafted and ignited by positive emotion bring luck to those in their presence."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Zetta elected to assume Starfire's exclamation of his name was horror or terror, because he didn't know how to handle it if she was actually pleased to see him. That didn't happen! No one was pleased to see Zetta!

"Uhhh, okay," he said, unintelligently, as she explained. "Why peace?"

[starbolts]

"Because even as warriors, we strive to find a balance within ourselves. We cannot allow aggression to consume us at all times, or our ability to judge wisely will fade. We must remember our goal to bring peace to the world."

Yes, she sounded like a generic self help booklet. But she was being completely honest.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Starfire got the blankest look imaginable from the tome.

He didn't understand a word of that. Not be aggressive? Judge wisely? Peace? What the hell was this crap? Who writes this stuff?

"This must be one of those things demons don't do," he said. Not that he was trying to spare her feelings by hiding the full extent of his thoughts on the subject!

[starbolts]

"Your ways are different. I understand that much---and there are many others who have lost all hope. That is why it also inspires the courage to act in a world that is not peaceful. If we lose our wills to despair, happier days will never happen."

At this point, it was becoming a motivational greeting card.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Hmph. If they've lost all hope, the statue you put out in front ought to be me! Let them tremble in hopeful fear at the most badass freakin' Overlord in the cosmos! On their side! Hyaaa ha ha ha!"

The book bit the laughter shut, and for some reason glared at his minion. "Uh, the statue should be of my real body. Not the book."

[starbolts]

What a funny way to inspire people! Though she supposed her way was strange too, if his reaction was any indication. She giggled.

"I do not believe your minions would craft a sculpture of a book. But I still do not know what your real body looked like."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"I told them to put up a flag to signify the Ultimate Fortress of Zetta! What did I get? Freakin' book! Every single time! Freakin' book!" He leaned backwards, clonking the minion on the head. She didn't seem to mind. "You can't summon good help these days."

The book exhaled, and would thinking calming thoughts if it had remembered to stay irritated. "What I look like? Well... we're in the Sensoriums, I suppose I could..."

[starbolts]

Out of politeness, she refrained from laughing again. How unfortunate he was.

"You could show me?" She looks oddly fascinated by this prospect.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Mmm." Zetta made that reluctant noise even as he spent a moment concentrating, delivering commands to the Sensorium and allowing it access to his memories. Luckily the sensorium was capable of drawing from more than just his consciousness, or else the image that appeared would be... well, ludicrous in its awesomeness.

Instead, Starfire got to see a reasonably accurate picture as it coalesced out of the air.

[hegemonstratos.livejournal.com]

Einhart stared over at Starfire. "Oh... umm... sorry, I was coming down here to train. Didn't realize this one was already in use..."

That wasn't completely true. She had actually come down here to mope think, but even so, more training couldn't hurt. Mostly.

[starbolts]

She shook her head. "You need not apologize. I will be finished shortly---I must train as well."

Starfire approached Einhart with her usual wide eyes. "If you wish me to leave now, I can relocate for the final phase. It will not be too troublesome."

[hegemonstratos.livejournal.com]

Einhart shook her head. "No, no, it's okay! I can wait a bit."

[starbolts]

"I will finish as quickly as possible. I simply need to clear my mind---do you meditate?"

Having a partner like the old days wouldn't be so bad.

[hegemonstratos.livejournal.com]

Einhart nodded. "Yes. I do."

[starbolts]

"I see. So...would you like to do so with me? I understand that some people prefer to meditate alone, but I have also done it with partners."

It was a simple offer, and she suspected it wouldn't end well, but she had to try.

[hegemonstratos.livejournal.com]

Einhart blinked, looking over at Starfire for a moment. Actually, after everything that had happened recently, meditating could do some good.

"... Okay."

[starbolts]

"Then let us begin."

Starfire folded herself into position right in front of the crystal, closing her eyes with a small sigh.

"If this environment cannot relax you, I can alter it."

[hegemonstratos.livejournal.com]

Einhart moved to kneel and closed her eyes as well. "It should be alright. Thank you though."

[starbolts]

Starfire nodded, humming with contentment. This would go well.

The time of peace started. She exhaled, imagining her worries about finding a place to belong leaving her. She inhaled, imagining a warm new light keeping them walking along the right path. From darkness, they would find the light.

She kept this pattern for as long as Einhart needed to clear her mind.