Another August, another Testing Day at the Kims' Dojang. Christie reflects on what the last fifteen months have wrought in her life and what she has to look forward to in her new future.

Of all her sorcerous abilities, Christie's precognitive power is the one that Mom Amanda and Grandmother Rebekah are least equipped to help Christie learn. Grandfather Kim's meditation and Chi techniques have helped, but using her abilities to explore possible futures is at least a little frightening to the powerful but inexperienced young sorceress. Another recurring dream has Christie gathering her support team to find out what, if anything, her dreams warn her to do for Valerie.

As Grandfather Kim suggested, Christie spends some time meditating on her concerns before proceeding home to explain her and Charlie's actions to her Mother and Grandmother.

Christie's first chance at completing the sorcerer emergence trial is less than 48 hours away. But first, there are family traditions that Mom Amanda and Grandmother Rebekah want to share with Christie.

Saturday arrives, and a reflective Christie shares some intensely special moments with her friends - even the ones who don't know precisely how special this day will be.

Mom Amanda comes downstairs the morning after Christie's Very Weird Day and is surprised that her daughter is not following her usual exercise routine. Come to find out that Christie had a very restless night and would need Mother's insight and guidance on what to do next.

Apparently, a good night's sleep works wonders, and Christie awakens without pain. Still unsure of the cause, she tries a day's workout plan of progressively increasing intensity. After playing matchmaker, she goes on to learn a little more about herself and her power.

May is in the air, and Christie is getting ready for her 4th Geup Blue Belt test. Preparations have been made for 'visiting in-dignitaries" and Donnie, in particular, is looking forward to his 'usher duties.' Naturally, Grandfather Kim has another surprise for his favorite Jeja Christie.

Christie and Cindy return to Madame Coulter's studio for their first class. Tad reflects on his less than active love life. Amanda and Christie share dinner and a heart-to-heart talk about Christie's frustrations and future plans.

Christie is having one of those repetitive dream experiences again, only this one feels somehow urgent - like she needs to do something and soon. Trying her new meditation skills is a possibility. What to do? Sometimes, a girl just really needs her Mom and her Grandfather.

Even when you are a budding young sorceress, life is what happens when you least expect it. Just almost normal life things. Taking a stand against bullying in school. Waking your Mom up at an inopportune time. Learning the consequences of beating on another girl's boyfriend a little too enthusiastically. Finding out the hard way that male mosquitoes can sting sometimes. You know, life things.

Amanda wakes up in time to see her daughter Christie dancing. Mother and daughter discuss the fallout from Amanda's confrontation with the Dance Coach. Christie begins experiencing strange dreams.

Christie's Mom, Amanda, is concerned. So far, her daughter's trial is nothing like any other such experience documented in her family's extensive records. She's worried something has gone wrong with Christie's fate. She decides to seek advice from another person of power. Someone who already knows that Christie used to be Charlie.

Author's Note: This story was posted unfinished by Paula Dillon after working on it for two years when writer's block struck. Chapter 1 consists of her originally posted story that has been edited in concert with the extension and completion of the story jointly authored by Paula and Tigger.

Mind, Body and Spirit
by
Paula Dillon

Author's Note: Korean terms used in the story's Karate classes are parenthetically translated the first time the term is used in a chapter. For example GOMAN! (stop) CHARYUT! (attention). A glossary of such terms is contained in Appendix B of Part 1 for future reference.
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