So, the same thing. "I see. The Canadian Fist style is very, what's the word... Synthetic? Combined. Uh. As I said, I'll be happy to learn, Senior Starlight."

"For the first attempt, simply sit cross-legged. You need to learn the basics before we involve stress positions. Now follow my words and instructions carefully..."

Silver Starlight describes the not-quite-physical qi system by relation to places on the body and states of mind. Her instructions flow on, sliding easily into Trys' mind, carried by Starlight's melodious voice. Time blurs a little. Trys' body gradually becomes warmer and buzzes with energy. It really is quite similar to Turtle Breathing, aside from the different results. 

After two more hours of this, Senior Starlight calls time for lunch.

The whole hypnotic instruction thing is still a little creepy still but, one, Silver Starlight is the Wise Old Master here and should be trusted, though she certainly doesn't look old at all, two, it really does seem to be working and results excuse discomfort.

She tries her very best, pushing past her discomfort and focusing as much as she can on this new technique, trying to commit what Senior Starlight is saying into memory. It's a little mind bending.

Lunch sounds good, though she wants to sit and think for five minutes first.

Silver Starlight brings her a cold cut sandwich. "Cocoa made this. Eat. Your body still needs sustenance."

"Thank you. Of course. Just - centering myself a bit first."

She takes a bite. Stands and heads for the kitchen.

"...I hope I'm worth the investment."

"My lots were... shall we say rather strongly in favour of you. I have every confidence you'll do well. Your stubbornness will be an asset if you can tame it."

"Well, how do I tame it? I've been thinking about aphorisms of wisdom for a while, but they're, well, probably mostly useless. If fate is a real, knowable force... That's kind of bonkers. It doesn't feel real to me. Am I just lucky, then? Like someone born in a first world country to rich parents is? Uh, do tell me if I should shut up, Senior Starlight..."

"More like lucky the way someone born with great athletic talent is lucky. You can squander it, if you try. But my lots say... it's unclear, to be honest. But I believe you have the potential to be a True Monarch like me. There are... other interpretations... but that's the one I like most."

"To tame stubbornness, learn your limits. I'll help you with that while I'm here. And your questions are good ones."

She looks around. "I wonder where Cocoa went. I wasn't paying attention."

"Lots are somewhat vague? Well, he is on vacation. I'm certainly looking forward to, um, Spirit Sovereign - the idea of creating my own formations and talismans is very appealing. I already have ideas, but no idea whether they make any kind of sense as a thing to do, or whether they're even possible."

"My lots are quite clear about what - that we'll have a strong positive connection that lasts for decades - but they're unclear about the exact form that takes. You could simply be my loyal pupil for the rest of your natural lifespan and get nowhere. But for this strength of connection - it's much more likely if you're closer to my level. Not just a pupil, an ally."

She thinks about that for a minute, while fetching an apple and a glass of milk and a bag of chips.

It's honestly very strange to have someone declaring that they've seen the future, and are going to be - friends, allies, something - with you.

"...How does filling my heart work? How will I know when I'm ready?"

"When the heart aperture fills sufficiently with qi, it opens on its own. You'll just discover something suddenly different after adding a strand."

"Are the other apertures and the dragon gate the same?"

"No, you'll have to force your way through. It's easy at first and grows geometrically harder."

Nodnod.

"I feel like I should have a lot of questions but I'm not coming up with any more at the moment."

"That's fine, I plan to stay for at least a week."

Trys finishes lunch quietly, then, and then heads right back to the gym after some light stretching.

"We will now proceed to attempt the first stress position of the Inner Breath meditation - Baddha Konasana, also known as the Butterfly Pose. It is less challenging than the traditional Padmasana or Lotus Pose which is the second and foundational stress position of the Inner Breath meditation. Spread your thighs apart as far as you can, and bring your feet in together to your groin, soles facing each other. Your knees will want to rise off the floor; hold them as flat as possible, this is the stress of the stress position. With time you will become limber and able to sit flat; before then it is good to practice this simply as part of your warmup and cooldown stretches."

She follows. She very much can't get her knees to lie flat.

"...Just when you think you've become superhuman something like this comes along. Hmm. How does this pose assist in qi meditation?"

"It accelerates qi production at the root chakra - in other words it works like a slow, natural qi pill."

"I see! Do I repeat the earlier exercises like this, then?"

"Yes, as best you can. The pose will be distracting at first. Learn to work with it."

Well, learning to work with things is something she can throw Determination at! Though it's sort of hard to be Determined at being relaxed and focused on your breathing. She keeps letting her knees go even higher, catching it with a deepening frown and putting them down again and losing her place, and then doing it again five minutes later.

"Hmm. Up and on your feet. I think it's time to spar."

"...Okay. You're not actually going to seriously injure me." She says it matter-of-fact, but out loud just to reassure herself. Up she hops. She starts a few other stretches - it feels weird to have held the butterfly pose for a while and not stretch her hamstrings and arms too.