Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-4784525-20131010155204/@comment-15145664-20131021040742

I see Dust, as well as all of their equipment, as being focal points for Aura.

A bit like a wand is for magic. Does the magic come from the wand? No, it doesn't. The wand is simply the go-between for the magic and the desired effect.

Similarly, Dust might have power on its own, but the ability to use it safely comes from Aura.

As far as Semblances go, I see them as being Aura abilities unique to each person.

i.e. Pyrrha's control over poles, Blake's afterimage, Yang's super-saiyan-ness, and Adam's thing with Wilt.