Deep Breaths (VinVin)

[Vincent Meian]

The degree of attention that Joelle gave him was somewhat astounding. Perhaps she was indeed simply given to him because she needed someone to train her, rather than because there was something difficult about her. It was... actually a bit of a relief. A rest from the day to day of stubbornness and hostility. Even the attention issues were much more mundane than that of, say, Samuel Rixon.

Now that was a student he was glad to teach, even if it was entirely too frustrating at the time.

But now that the attention was back on the lesson was not the time to lose his own focus. Nodding once, the trainer straightened up in his chair. His pose was proper and fully upright, and he gestured for his student to do the same despite her near perfect erectness already. "Excellent posture is a sound beginning," he stated. "It forces your body to focus on a nearly unnatural shape, and thus calms the mind. This form also increasing your body's efficiency in processing air."

Taking a slow, deep breath through his nose, Vincent held it it for a fraction of a moment before breathing out just as slowly through his mouth. His left hand directed the same motions from the brunette, and he continued to keep tempo as he spoke. "When combined with deep, full breathing and a relaxed pace, this is the simplest way to intake as much oxygen as possible."

For a few moments, he instructed with minimal interruption; reminding her to slow down a couple times, to pull her shoulders back, to put her feet firmly on the ground. It was all about getting the basics down - practicing would be easy, once she got a good start.

Finally, Vincent stopped her and let the teen slide into a more comfortable position. "Good," her reiterated, with a nod of approval. "You will need to practice while standing and sitting upon the ground as well, however this is enough for today. You have more than enough work on your own."

However, the tall man didn't dismiss her outright. Generally, this would be a point in the lesson where he would discuss with students their assignments until the next lesson, but Joelle already had her homework. Instead, she could talk about whatever she wanted - trainers were meant to be confidants, too, or so the veteran believed.

[Joelle McIntosh]

Teachers were in positions that they deserved respect and attention. Even more so her trainer. Trainers took the time to work one on one with their students day in and day out. It was only right to give them the attention and respect they deserved.

Shifting in her chair, Joelle rested her hands flat on her thighs and shuffled her feet so that her heels rested against the legs of the chair. Listening, she nodded at his instructions. This she could do. This wasn’t hard.

She followed along as best she could, though sometimes she got caught up in what she was doing and started going faster. Gentle reminders nudged her back into the appropriate rhythm, however.

Once that was over, she relaxed a little and beamed at his praise. “I will!” It was something easily done in her room. She could even practice a little if she was dancing in her room. Or just studying. That too.

Tilting her head curiously, she cautioned a glance at her trainer. It felt like they still had some time left in the lesson. “Um. Is there… anything else I can try outside of class?” They couldn’t possibly have time left just to… visit, could they?

[Vincent Meian]

While he was not always a proponent of simply talking with people when there was work to be done, when dealing with young adults it was often a good idea to get a feel for their lives. Their struggles, their triumphs. To do so would not only make them more relaxed and able to focus on tasks at hand: it also gave insight into how they may learn best and key instructions in understanding them as a whole. Hence why, when students were particularly difficult (or just plain new), Vincent like to try and dedicate a little time to getting to know them.

When they allowed it, that was.

He gave a short chuckle at her question, and a repeat of his earlier small smile. Quite studious, this one, and very focused on tasks at hand. When she's not distracted, that is.

"You are one of the few students I have had in my career who notates their assignments when given, and have already marked what i have given you," the trainer replied. "You are eager and willing to learn what I have to teach, and have accustomed to today's training assignment with ease. There is nothing with which for me to keep you, however I would like to know more of you in your own words."

Rather than from a file, that is. Not that there was really anything terribly dramatic to read in hers anyway, nor anything particularly of note. It was all very basic information, even including the general perplexity of other trainers trying to teach her.

[Joelle McIntosh]

While all the teachers and trainers she had met so far had been nice, none of them had really sat down with her to talk outside of the subject matter that was schoolwork. She knew they were all busy, and with her trainers in particular, trying to figure out just how to train her effectively. It seemed as though as novel as she was to her new trainer, he would be equally novel to her.

The chuckle made her question if she’d just asked something dumb. Was it really that funny? Was he running out of ideas? Maybe she should have just stayed quiet…

Oh! Or maybe not.

The way he phrased things brought Koty to her mind again, but she tried to quickly banish such distracting thoughts. As nice as they were, they also weren’t helpful. Crossing her ankles, she tilted her head in thought. “Umm.” What could she tell him? “Well… I’m from Alabama, and I’ve got three brothers…” Maybe that wasn’t really about her, but family was important. “Aaaand…. Um.” She looped a strand of purple hair around her finger as she thought. “I grew up doing gymnastics and swimming, and I just started doing dance lessons before I came here. But I joined the dance team!” She’d been delighted upon discovering that particular after school activity. “What do you want to know?” Playing ‘Get To Know You’ with her trainer was new, but she was content to talk to him. There was something soothing about him, and it was a nice feeling.

[Vincent Meian]

Unlike many people in societies where personal space was more of an idea than a rule, Vincent did not lean forward in the slightest to show his interest in Joelle's words. He was very attentive, though, as his unwavering gaze might have implied on its own.

Family and home were definitely important to her, since she started with them. Most people did, but their tones revealed much about their feelings on the subject. With the brunette, the way she spoke of them was neutral, but not secretive - it was probably a safe subject to bring up later. As for the activities, there was definitely an air of excitement and joy to the memory. Perhaps they could incorporate that into their lessons somehow.

"I would like to know what is important to you," the tall man explained. "Aside from Blip, are you making friends easily here? Do you miss your family?" He thought, then added, "Perhaps I mean to ask if you adjusting well to the... transition to this school."

The pause in his speech was an affectation the veteran had. Multilingualism was not something easy to maintain, and often he had to stop and grasp for words before he could say what he meant clearly.

[Joelle McIntosh]

Despite Jeff being at Hammel for several years, Jo’s family was very close knit. Jo was closest to her oldest brother, Nick, and her mother, but she loved Jeff and David all the same. Even if Jeff was a jerk sometimes, and still didn’t seem to know what to do with her now they weren’t… brothers anymore. But she loved her family, and she wasn’t scared to say it.

Important? His questions made her smile, though one made her expression falter ever so slightly. It was just a word, but it also meant a little more to her than most people. After a moment, she considered her answers. “I’m making friends. My roommate Kit is amazing. She’s a cat shifter, and she’s really nice. She’s my best friend.” Kit was also not the one inspiring such distractions, and as she didn’t quite know just what she and Koty were at the moment, she held off mentioning him. “I miss my family. Mostly my mom, and my oldest brother. My other older brother goes here too, but I don’t see him a lot.” Between his soccer practices and schedule and her dance practice and classes, plus Jeff seeming to land himself in detention, they didn’t hang out as much as she wanted to.

As for changing schools, she ran her foot against the leg of her chair as she thought. “Hammel’s… different. But it’s good. I like it a lot better than my old school. Everyone’s nicer.” Which wasn’t far from the truth. Here she was always Joelle. Back home, she’d gone from Joey to Joelle, and some people hadn’t done well with that fact.

[Vincent Meian]

The was a... Vincent didn't know what to call it, but it seemed like the emotional equivalent of a flinch. It was there and gone again so quickly that he almost wondered if he'd even seen it, but his instincts told him differently. He'd said something that troubled Jo - what was it? She easily moved on, but there was something about it that stuck.

He'd have to go over it later, deconstruct the conversation. If he could remember it clearly enough.

Hearing about her friend and family made him smile a little though. It was nice to hear in a few words about good relationships, rather than evasions, half-answers, or the completely depressing. "Even though you do not see him often, it is good to have family nearby," the trainer reassured her. "It means that should the contact be worthwhile to you, the effort necessary should be minimal." (Though, that was in comparison to children whose families were across the country from each other.)

While reassuring that Joelle thought Hammel was a nice place, it was slightly concerning that she hadn't thought of her old school in the same way. Had she been bullied, perhaps? She didn't have the common hallmarks of those who had, from the little the tall veteran had seen of her, but that didn't necessarily mean it wasn't the case. "There are many people here who understand how it feels to be different," he replied, softly affirming the idea of a safe place even if he didn't realize it. "The vast majority of us accept this and, in turn, accept others."

It was simply the way of things. Most of the time. Which was good for anyone that felt different for whatever reason human beings could come up with. Vincent himself had found more acceptance and respect at Eisai (as a student) than he ever had prior to that, and (though he was still ostracized slightly) it had helped him adapt into an adult worth being around. While it was a hard necessity, the benefits were there for anyone that chose to look.

"If you would like to see more of the diversity in the school, there are numerous clubs and activities that exalt such differences." He paused to gauge her interest, then continued, "Perhaps the Student Activities Council, or the Multicultural Club, are prime examples of places where those your own age come together for the benefit of others due to or in spite of their backgrounds."

[Joelle McIntosh]

Jo tried not to be sensitive to words. They were just words, after all. Some maybe stung more than others, but they were just words all the same. She’d had hopes that Vincent hadn’t noticed, and given that he didn’t give any indication he had, apparently those hopes weren’t ill-placed.

“Oh, I know.” She smiled in a way that spoke volumes of how she thought of her brother. “He’s kind of a pain in the butt sometimes, but he’s my brother, and I love him.” She’d be happier if everyone was closer, but at least she had Jeff. A soft giggle left her lips. “Jeff’s a lot of effort sometimes.” That probably wasn’t quite what her trainer had meant, but it was still funny.

Hammel really was different from her old school, in more ways than one. Given half a chance, Jo wouldn’t want to go back. She felt more at home than she ever had before in the way of school, and it was comforting. Here she was free to be herself, and put any of the residual ugly feelings from her old school behind her. “I like it, the diversity.” She was making new friends from all kinds of backgrounds.

She had joined dance club almost immediately upon learning that it existed in the first place. She hadn’t actually explored many of the other clubs, but her new trainer had a point. Maybe it would be good to join others, even just to meet new people. “That could be fun.” Perhaps she’d look into them when she had some free time.

[Vincent Meian]

The look on her face did not escape the ex-soldier. He gave a quick smile of his own, shaking his head in amusement at the description. "I have heard such things of siblings," he contributed. "No matter the annoyance, family will always matter, it seems."

He had seen some of this with his daughters when they were younger, but Cassi was so earnestly sweet and Appoline so accommodating... well, there were few arguments in the household that he could remember. That weren't between him and his wife, that is. Nik and Hatsu had a similar relationship, so perhaps there would be some merit in introducing the two to each other.

Vincent nodded at her acceptance of the idea of joining another club or two. "Dr. Neville is adviser to the Student Activities Council, among many other clubs," he informed her. "He would know more information about club meetings and activities than I, though you may speak to me if you wish to join the Multicultural Club or the self-defense seminars. I would be happy to invite you to one of our sessions."

Listening to the bell chime down the hall, it became clear that this period was over. Since there didn't seem to be anything else that was incredibly important to discuss at this time, the trainer gestured for his student to stand and followed her lead. "We will meet again at this time on Thursday," he reiterated. "Remember to practice your breathing exercises, and research how to properly transport Blip that he may arrive safely." There was a pause, then, "Was there anything else that you wished to speak of while you are here?"

Probably not, but better to ask than not and miss something.

[Joelle McIntosh]

Oh, the stories she could share about Jeff. Well, about all her brothers, really. Nick she didn't have as many about, because they'd always been close, but Jeff and David? Game on. She giggled softly at Vincent's comments. "Of course they matter. But that doesn't make them any less annoying sometimes." Especially when Jeff decided that she was 'too girly' to do things like open doors or carry heavy things.

Now she had some more contacts for clubs. She already knew Dr. Neville. She'd talked to him about dating before. "Okay, I'll ask him!" Student Activities could be a lot of fun. As for the Multicultural Club, she'd think about it. She nodded and smiled at him. "I'll think about it for sure!" She didn't know how good she'd be at self defense, but it was worth thinking about.

The bell made her jump, mostly because she hadn't realized how much time had passed. Grabbing her bag from the floor, she jumped to her feet and tucked her notebook away into one of the pockets. "I'll practice, I promise. And find out how to bring Blip to class." She had it all written down, and she couldn't wait to tell Blip he was invited to class to practice.

"No, I don't think so. But thank you, Mr. Meian. For taking me as a student." She offered him a sweet smile before giving him a little wave and heading out to her next class.

[Vincent Meian]

If her trainer had known Jeff, he probably would have more than a few choice things to tell him. Namely, stop being such an idiot. Not that the too-tall Asian didn't engage in chivalry (as most would know it now; he called it politeness), however chauvinism was something else entirely. That was just rude.

It seemed that Joelle's excitement for training spilled over into everything in her life. The girl seemed to want to experience and enjoy everything, and for Vincent, that was a very heartening thing. Too many people only did things withing their comfort zones (his older daughter included, but that was a somewhat special case). For someone to be so excited about things that were not in their control, or were brand new, or simply were not things thay they had considered before was, well, nice.

The trainer opened the door for his student, simply because it was polite and he wanted to. He gave her a brief smile and a nod before she left, closing their conversation with, "I look forward to our time together, McIntosh-san."

He watched for a moment was she hurried off down the hall, then closed the door and readied himself for his next lesson.