((OOC Note: I'll be using this thread for RP involving Batosai's new Shii'Koh and Shaping classes. For those not in the know, Shii'Koh is loosely based on the ninja arts of the Naruto anime, while Shaping is similarly loosely based on the bending arts of Avatar: The Last Airbender.))

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First Day
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Batosai looked around the space he'd been given for his classes, nodding in approval. Part of the sprawling grounds surrounding the Institute's main buildings, Batosai had used his powers to create a new circular clearing in the middle of the thick plantlife, choosing to leave the moss and grass which would cushion the inevitable falls of the students as they trained together.

Along one side of the clearing were treestumps which would serve as seating, arranged in a full half-circle around the area. Batosai could manipulate the plants in the clearing to grow just about any structure which would be needed for the lessons, so for the time being the 'classroom' was kept spartan.

The predator was curious how many students would show up for the first day of the new class, though he expected at least Rachael would be there. It was almost the scheduled time, so Batosai made his way to one of the treestumps and sat down, crossing his legs and letting his hands rest in his lap, meditating as he waited for his students to arrive.

~Calm. Focus one's mind and body. Find the energy within all things and bring it to the surface. Mind and body acting in unity to Shape the world around you.~ The otter-like Shanii woman stood up from where she had been meditating to one side of the clearing. Without opening her eyes, she took two steps towards a large cask of water that was set out for her.

First she brought her hands up to her sides, slowly raising them straight before her. A slight twist of her upper torso, and her arms began weaving through the air, the motions fluid and resembling the ebb and flow of the tides. After a few seconds, the surface of the water deformed, rising up into the air in a tendril which started waving back and forth in time to Rihana's movement.

Now the otteress opened her eyes and moved her arms faster, shifting to a circular movement, arms and shoulders and waist all shifting fluidly. The water hovering in the air responded and began to form into a flowing loop in mid-air. The size of the loop grew and shrunk in size in time to her movements once again.

Finally, Rihana opened her eyes, barely suppressing the smile of triumph she felt at her progress. Her arms slowed as the water receded back into the cask. When the surface was still again, she gave a soft chirp of triumph and turned to Batosai, bowing deep at the waist. Only then did she turn to the newcomers and wave, a happy smile gracing her lutrine muzzle.

Balance was something she shouldn't disturb; even the woman of Adenna knew this. The blonde grasped onto her sheathed blade and rose to stand. Nayun had been expecting some sort of interaction, but when Batosai had asked the older woman to move, the girl thought something negative might come of it.. but it was good to see that it had been only a calm compliance.

Nayun watched the woman move to sit, but Batosais words brought her back to the real task at hand. She was here to train. She needed to focus on that. As she turned to face the man, another student had caught her eye. Nayun gave her a small wave before turning to fully face her instructor. "Good morning, Teacher." Spoken before she did as she was told. It looked like there wouldn't be much wait.. Nayun hadn't expected things to start this quickly, but at the same time she appreciated it. Brushing back at the skirt of her dress as she moved to sit. Thighs kept together and hands pressed into her lap. Meditate -- she had been told. The reds that made up her eyes disappeared while the girl began to clear her mind, or at least attempt to. It was quite hard.. but in the end, she was at least focusing on the words that came from Batosai.

Look at the fire. Nayuns eyes opened and did just that. The dancing flame set before the young woman now being her prime focus. Lips parted, ever so lightly, so that she could draw in that needed breath. A breath she held for only a few moments before exhaling from her nose. This continued.. the taking of air, and the release of it. Over.. and over..

Fire itself was an hypnotizing thing.. the way it danced about, one could easily lose themselves into it. As Nayun continued to breath she couldn't help but be drawn into it's charm. It brought her back to her past.. in that decrepit shack hidden beneath a sea of trees.. and when the feeling of the past came it always brought the girl to one thought; her mother. Her breath came sharp then, she knew she had made a mistake and slowly looked to her lap. ".. I apologize."

Shifting about in her steps to be careful of plant life; Nayun had been making her way to the clearing seeking lessons once more.. this time? She had been alone. Assessments had been made and her sword-master, Raine, deemed it to be a safe place for the sister of the Queen to venture, there would be no reason to continue escorting her unless it was asked for personally. The habit-dress covered form of Nayun finally pushed through the brush and entered into the clearing.

Batosai was waiting alone this time. Rihana and Rachael had other things to attend to today, so Nayun would be alone with the big feline today. When the young woman stepped into the clearing, the predator's eyes opened and he unfolded from his cross-legged seat and stood, "Welcome back Nayun. I am pleased your Queen has allowed you here again."

"Hello, Teacher." She gave a bow in welcome. The bow itself kept in place for a few seconds before she finally rose once more to respond. ".. Yes, I'm pleased as well." Still -- she only had till summer. The Queen, her sister, wasn't the type to speak on a subject she already gave a ruling over. Nayun hadn't even visited her since asking. "I've been practicing.. The breathing, It's become somewhat easier for me."

"This is good. Please, demonstrate." Batosai gestured to the stump in the center of the clearing, as he moved to the brazier and lit the flame.

Put on the spot. Then again; this is what she came here for. The girl gave a nod and moved over to the lit brazier. Slow steps took her around it once before she finally lowered herself down onto the stump. Shifting about to get comfortable. Few tugs and brushes coming to the skirt to straighten it out before setting her focus fully onto the flickering fire. Nayun took in a breath and eyes closed. Calming her body over a few passing moments. Red eyes would then open and focus on the fire. It started like before.. In, and out -- matching the flame, then she'd be the one to be matched. Taking in a breath and easily causing the flame to fall. She'd keep this up for a good minute before taking in air sharply. It caused the flame itself to shrink dramatically before lips curled and let loose a quick whistle of an exhale. It grew, rapidly. Nayun was forced to reel back slightly, almost singeing her eyebrows in the process. She'd blink. The thought came to mind that she might have gotten carried away.

Batosai nodded as she slipped into the trance state much more easily, then a brow rose sharply as she almost burnt herself. "That is what I warned you of. While you are in that state, you must be very careful to fully control your breathing, for the fire will match your every breath. I once burned the hairs on my face because I sighed during my own training."

Nayun turned his way. The thought alone filling her mind.. trying to picture what Batosai would look like with the fur of his face burnt. Still, she couldn't really find humor in it. If anything, it was a warning that she could do damage to herself -- or something she prized. The last thing she wanted was for something to happen to her hair. "I become excited.. when I see how well it works. I wanted to see if I could make the fire bigger, stronger."

Batosai nodded in response to her statement, "That is understandable, and most students of fire go through the same stage. What you must remember is that your emotions can directly affect your control of the flames. For example, rage and anger can produce amazingly powerful fire, however it is much more prone to escaping your control. Fire can create, and destroy. Always remember this Nayun." The predator sat down next to the brazier, reaching directly into the fire. The flames licked around his hand, but never came directly into contact with his fur. "This is your next lesson. Once you know how to breathe with the flames, you can learn how to Shape them. Start slowly, try to focus on the energy within the fire, force it to move around your hand. Gradually push your hand closer to the fire, until you feel no heat."

".. Ah, yes.. I will remember." Nodding her head. Repeating Batosais words within her thoughts.. Though, when she saw him edge toward the flame -- her mind focused on other things; mostly how he had been able to place his hand into the fire and take no damage from it.. not even the smell of burnt fur met her nose. ".. Shape them?" She'd question. Inching closer to get a better look at the flame, then to Batosai. ".. Understood." Eyes then looked to her right hand. She'd reach for her long sleeve and begin to fold the fabric. More of her skin would be exposed, up to her elbow. "...." Focus on the fire. She drew her hand closer. Fingers curled gently at the feeling of heat, it telling her brain to stay away or else pain could come of it. Nayun gave a lick of her lips and ignored it -- instead, she tried to focus on that feeling, the one that only could be discribed as the fires energy that she felt during her breathing. Closer now.. Bend. She thought to herself. Wanting the flames to part so she could do as he did. The fire moved, but not by much.. and when her hand moved closer? It came back and she'd feel it touch to the tip of her fingers. Nayun quickly pulled her hand back and lips curled in distaste to the small burn she felt. ".. Nn.."

Batosai's eyes had turned a solid black as he watched her work, seeing with more than sight as the energy started to shape to her will. She lost the control after a few moments and he frowned slightly as she burned herself. "Let me see your hand. As I heal this, try to 'see' the energy. Put yourself into the same state of mind as breathing with the flame." He took her hand in both of his, closing his eyes and focusing on the energy in her body. Just as with her shoulder, her forced his energy to change to match hers, accelerating the healing process, then changing it back after.

".. yes." The girl would nod once more as she tried to do just that. The burning sting that plagued those fingers had slowly begun to dwindle away. Digits curled lightly within Batosais grasp -- but Nayun tried to keep her mind on the flickering flame. She'd breath now, it made things easier for her if she matched the flame again, and had it match her. She'd retreat her hand away from Batosais grasp as she tried for her second attempt. Inching those fingers closer again to the flickering flame. She'd give a soft, slow exhale.. Yes, it caused the flame to grow, but she showed no fear at it. Hand moved forward while she continued to exhale, and the flame slowly began to bend away from it. It took quite the effort.. and it seemed she couldn't part but at least she had the flame leaning enough away from her hand so that no damage would come. She gave a slow retreat as she began to take in a breath, allowing the flame to decrease in it's size while doing so. ".. It's difficult to part it.."

"I understand Nayun. Continue to practice this until you can reach into the fire without being burned. I will heal any injuries you receive while you're here." He continued to watch with those augmented, black eyes.

No pain. No gain. Nayun let out a soft breath and looked to the flame again. She began to reach out again once she fully placed her attention on that energy. Bend, bend.. she thought once more. Trying to connect with the flickering element. It bent back as she brought her fingers closer.. now, all she needed to do was concentrate. Slowly let up, allow it to move back into place. Shaping it the best she could, trying to visualize the outermost curling about at either side of her hand. It did so, and soon enough it would circle about except for her wrist -- but much space had been left between the flame and contact with her skin. "...."

"Much better Nayun." His praise soft and calm, so as not to break her concentration. "You are progressing quite well."

".. Is that strange?" The girl spoke only after drawing her hand away. Fingers flexed and curled, getting the feeling of that extra warmth from them before she placed the hand down to rest against her lap.


The predator shook his head slowly, "Not at all. I have seen other students take to this like a fish to water. You aren't quite a natural, however you are learning much faster than average."


".. Oh." Nodding her head. She felt somewhat at ease at finding this out. Chest rose and fell with a soft sigh while eyes turned back to the flame, then down to her once burnt hand. "Am I to practice with this now, as well as the breathing? Or should I not attempt this in private?"

"For however much time you have today, practice here so that I may heal you if you injure yourself."

Another nod. Nayun rose her hand and reached to the flame again. Bending, shaping it to her will. Much like the breathing, the more she did it -- the more easy it came. Yet, this wouldn't be a fast process. Shaping the flames to make sure they wouldn't burn her had been quite the task in itself.. It took concentration to make sure every tendril of that flame did it's part. The fire closed in, moving closer to her drying skin. She swallowed back then.. giving her wrist a small twist, causing her hand to gently move between the flames. Red eyes kept focused on trying to keep everything in order. Fingers curled, brushing a few of those tendrils of fire away as they did. ".. It's--." She spoke and quickly cut herself off at the feeling of pain. The fire closed itself about her hand, but she quickly moved it away before any real damage could come. She had been burnt, yes, but it could of been worse. Soft huff left her lips. ".. I was trying to say that.. it felt nice."

Batosai watched intently as her focus formed in the fire, "Better Nayun. Try something different. Instead of focusing on the flames, focus on your hand. Visualize a gauntlet of energy surrounding your skin. Shape the energy in your body into that shape."

Sights came to her hand again.. she thought over his words, but blinked as she had trouble understanding. "What do you mean..?"

"You can see the energy, in your mind. Yes?"

".. Energy.." Spoken softly. She looked down to her hand. That burning sensation still felt at the back of her hand, but it was something she could live with -- a reminder. The girl gave a nod and tried just that. The energy; the same one she had been giving to the flame during her breathing practice. A gauntlet, a glove.. something to keep her protected? It's what came to mind -- and what she'd visualize. She took in a deep breath then and brought her hand out to the flame.

Batosai nodded. "Just as there is energy in the fire, there is energy in yourself. Instead of shaping the energy in each individual flame, shape the energy in your hand. Make it expand beyond your flesh. Visualize a glove or a gauntlet surrounding your hand. The fire will avoid this field of energy, and will not touch you." Batosai watched intently as she attempted the lesson, those black eyes focused on her hand and the energy surrounding it.

".... It's easier.." She spoke out low. It took quite a bit of concentration to deal with those many tendrils of flames as it came from every direction before -- but now with her mind focused on only her hand, it seemed the girl had grown more relaxed. Her hand moved about, fingers curled and flexed. She'd watch as the flames did just as he spoke of and moved away.

Another slow nod of the predator's head, "Very good Nayun. You are almost ready to shape the flames themselves. Remember what you have learned here. Instead of shaping each tendril of the flame, it is easier to form a shape with the energy of your body. Your next lesson... Try to form the shape of that glove, only this time do it without your hand in the fire. Extend it from your palm, into the fire."

Hand retreated away from the fire while she listened to his words. Shape the energy and extend it. Her expression seemed puzzled, but understanding at the same time. Nayun understood his words, but she needed a moment to think on them to how she could do it. The energy about her hand was easy to do.. but, to extend it? She'd give a flex of her fingers before turning to face her palm at the fire. "... Hm.. Into the fire.." Repeating softly to herself out loud -- as well as in her mind. It came slowly; but it was coming and that's all that mattered to the girl. She could see the fire bend to it, slowly curving about to escape away from the energy as it pushed through the middle of the flame.

Batosai waited until she was finished before speaking again, an approving smile on his muzzle. "Excellent. These are the things you will practice until our next session together. As you practice, try forming other shapes with that energy. Try to use these to shape the flames themselves."

"Shape the flames themselves." Repeating once more. Nayun sat there for the moment just looking to the flames with thoughts. Shape them.. She wondered just what type of shapes she could try. Dwelling on it for long would be a problem, at least for now. Her attention instead should have been on Batosai. Nayun did just that after a few moments of delay. "I will do my best, Teacher.. Thank you for the lesson."

Batosai stood and bowed deeply, "It has been an honour to teach you Nayun. Practice what you have learned here, and we will try more advanced techniques later."

She'd rise up from the stump and offer a bow in return. ".. and it is an honor being your student." Keeping with the bow for a few moments. Nayun would then lift and give a few brushes to her dress before stepping away. "Till next lesson, Teacher."