Breezing By (Avi)

[Leila Gold]

Exercise was the order of the day. Of every day, actually. But the forced exercise was specifically what drove Leila out of bed this morning when she would've much rather sat in front of the television watching cartoons and munching sugary cereal. But now she was being healthy and all that entailed. Since she'd walked into downtown plenty of times and had even gone to the local park, today she decided to go a little further abroad. She grabbed the leash, which she rarely used any more, but she wasn't sure what the rules were for dogs on some of the trails she was thinking of.

There was a particular place out by Hammel that had some good views along the way as it wound through the woods. Since getting up there and actually taking the path would take a while, she packed a light lunch and some water as well as all her medicine and other medical paraphernalia into a backpack before she left.

She'd been gone for about an hour and still couldn't find the trail she was looking for. So she whistled to Athena and started to head back toward the school, which she was using to orient herself and keep from getting lost. Standing just out back behind the training fields, she placed her hands on her hips and frowned into the woods. It was a hot, humid day, but she'd been worried about using her power too much in case it gave her a headache. She was still getting used to working without painkillers. Now, though, she worked up a breeze to cool off while she debated what to do next. She let the wind blow into her face and cause her ponytail to fly up behind her, then felt it dissipate back into still air somewhere further back. Normally she wouldn't create such an obvious bubble of wind, but this was Hammel. People must see this sort of thing all the time.

Just about as Leila had given up on the whole venture and decided to go back home, she turned to see that someone else was there. "Oh, sorry," she said, giving a small grin. "I didn't see you there. Don't worry, I'm leaving now." And she moved to step away.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi woke up and as usual was preparing for a run. After of course, eating a healthy breakfast of a few apples and a cup of tea. She was careful not to alert her roommates that she was up as it was sort of early, especially for a Sunday morning. She had gathered her things and was expecting a day to just relax. Instead she remembered she had homework that was due when school started back up again and she had yet to do it. Sighing she went for her run. She would do it when she got back. She didn't want to do it yet and would find just about any excuse to not use it.

Avi had plugged in her iPod when she was running and really didn't notice anyone or anything other then the music and the fact that her feet were pounding into the pavement with each step she took. Her body was not cooperating with her today but Avi was going to force it to. Avi slowly started counting her steps trying to get into a rhythm to run to. She finally found it and kept it up as she ran around the school.

Avi was coming up on the training fields and was almost positive something was wrong. After all it was a hot humid day and for one thing there was a breeze. A big one. It was only in that spot. Avi started to freak out. Was she doing that? No. If she wasn't then who was? It was unnatural... Avi had yet to meet another student who had her same ability and she almost felt scared that there was someone else, who she had yet to meet, who was using their power so well. She carefully surveyed everything and sighed. She didn't know where the breeze was coming from. More importantly she didn't know who the breeze was coming from.

Avi decided to test the breeze... Sure she was tired, Sure she was sweating horribly, but she wanted to know where it was coming from. She slowly let the Wind pick up around her and let it go freely in one smooth movement. She was searching for the object or person making the wind. Turning around she spotted an older woman with a dog. It seemed it was coming from her. Walking towards her she slowly let all of her winds go and let them do as they pleased. She advanced towards the lady as she turned off her iPod and slowed down to a walk. Avi didn't know this person. She didn't know her name, her age, or even what she was doing here. What she did know was that the lady had the same power as her and Avi wanted to know more. She had to.

Avi looked at the lady as she turned around and spotted her. Smiling a little Avi looked at her, and the dog of course. “ It is perfectly alright.” Avi watched as the lady moved to step away and before she could stop herself Avi blurted out some information. “ Um Forgive me for asking but are you an aerokinetic? Were you the one who had those winds? Was it you?” Avi raised an eyebrow. She didn't know this person. She didn't even know her name but Avi was curious and stubborn. She would find out. “ I am too...”

[Leila Gold]

Leila raised her eyebrow at the girl's comment. "Yeah, I'm aerokinetic. Figured it was pretty common around here. Seeing as this is the school for powers and all."

With her confession, though, it made more sense why she was so interested. It was always nice to be able to meet up with others who had the same power and share information. And Leila hadn't met many aerokinetics herself, so it followed that this girl might not have met many, or even any, here at Hammel.

"Sorry, I didn't introduce myself." She stuck out her hand and took a few steps forward. "I'm Leila. I work in town, just moved here last year. I got out of Hammel a while ago, and it's taken me this long to get back into the neighborhood. So how long have you been here?"

As she spoke she semi-subconsciously redirected the breeze so that it was flowing neatly in a larger air bubble that would fit two people. Surely whoever this girl was she didn't want to be caught in the dead heat either, and maybe she'd enjoy a nice gentle breeze. Leila had come to depend on her constant air companion, never turning off the wind but instead letting it become part of her life.

"I'm afraid it's a bit awkward for us to just stand here talking. Mind if we walk and talk? I'm trying to find this path into the woods, but I'm having some trouble remembering exactly where it begins. Would you happen to know...?" She trailed off, looking hopefully at the student. "I need to do exercise to stay healthy, and I just wanted to see a nice little nature walk."

[Avinea Jale]

Avi smiled as the smaller, blonder female said that yes she was and how she figured it was pretty apparent around Hammel to have an aerokinetic. Avi smiled. To her it was pretty rare. She hadn't met another one yet so she was sort of happy about meeting one. Smiling down at the other lady avi grinned and replied in response. “It's not as common as one would think it is. This my first time meeting another.” Avi laughed. They were both female, both blond, and both aerokinetics.

Avi smiled as the lady with the dog began to speak again and introducing herself. She smiled and nodded again as Leila went on to explain some more about herself. “ My name is Avinea, though most people call me Avi since Avinea is a mouthful in the first place.I have been here since I was eleven.How about you? When did your powers manifest?”

Avi felt the air shift and she smiled. Leila was using her powers wasn't she? She did enjoy the nice breeze, especially after running all that time. She smiled as she was allowed entrance into the little air bubble that Leila was setting up. She didn't know much about her power but she thought they might be wired a bit differently. This women had almost seemingly a complete mastery over her power, where as Avi had to work to get a breeze. She was getting better at it, and it didn't take nearly as much effort as when she had first came to Hammel,but it was still a bit amazing that even though they still had the same power they were wired differently.

Avi, since she had met this person was able to keep smiling. This was quite a rare find for her. Most people wouldn't think twice about a chance meeting like this, but Avi was different. She had met someone who had the same power and seemed just as friendly as Avi and willing to talk. She nodded at Leila and spoke again. “Oh sure.We can walk where...” Avi nodded at the trail and that was where she was trying to get. “ Oh you mean the one by the pond? Or the one by the courtyard? I think there is two...” Avi smiled at Leila and started walking towards the closer trail that she knew of. “Staying healthy is always important.”

[Leila Gold]

Leila nodded when the girl mentioned that she hadn't really met another aerokinetic. That would definitely explain her excitement. It also made Leila a bit excited--she'd never really had a chance to mentor someone. This could be fun.

"It's nice to meet you, Avi. I got here in...oh, when was it? Ninety-five, ninety-six? I was thirteen. A bit of a late start, but nothing too bad. It took me about six years to graduate, though." It had taken four years just to come up with a trick that worked for the power. The wind had been difficult to control in the beginning, and the constant headaches were a nightmare.

"Do you think you have pretty good control yet?" Leila asked. She hadn't really had an opportunity to watch Avi work, since she'd been doing most of the manipulation herself. Yet Avi wasn't exactly fighting back with her own wind, which made Leila suspect that perhaps she didn't keep a breeze with her constantly the way the lawyer did. It was definitely possible that their powers were just slightly different, so it wouldn'twork the same anyway.

"Whatever one is best, I suppose. You lead. It's been a while since I was here, so you probably know better than I do which path to take." She walked alongside Avi, whistling to Athena who came trotting along behind.

"Staying healthy is more than important at this point," Leila said with a deep sigh. "It's an absolute necessity. Here's a hint, substance abuse is bad, no matter what the substance is. Even if it's something that can usually be okay, too much of a good thing is...well, you catch my point." If she could keep others from ending up in the same situation that she'd fallen into, she would. And in her opinion the best way to do that was to warn others.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi was extremely excited to meet the other aerokinetic. It showed in her very stance and her very attitude. This had put her in a good mood as it was plain for all to see.

Avi nodded as Leila explained about when she had gotten there and how late of a start she was. Honestly it wasn't all that late Avi thought. She knew people who had started at fifteen and sixteen. Honestly starting at thirteen wasn't that bad at all. Avi was a bit amazed that it had taken her six years to graduate. Quickly Avi did the math in her head. Wow, she graduated at nineteen, that wasn't too bad though. "So you were nineteen when you graduated? That's not too bad."

When she asked about her control Avi just about laughed. "Well, considering I don't blow out windows when I am angry anymore I would say I have definitely improved since i have first got here." Avi smiled she did have better control of her power now. She laughed remembering all of the windows she had blown out of Hammel, from frustration and anger. Frustration she didn't get it. Anger she was there. Anger over her power, Avi's eyes dimmed as she remembered. She was getting better though. That much was good. "You would not believe how many windows I have blown out of here since I have been here."

Avi smiled as she guided her towards the trail. " Well, the one by the pond is more of a workout if you are running it, and the one by the courtyard is closer." Avi smiled at Leila, " Let's go to the courtyard path shall we?" Avi watched amused as the dog trotted right over when it's mistress called. " Obedient dog..." Avi mumbled, not quite aware she was saying it out loud.

Avi smiled as Leila went on to talk about being healthy was good and to never abuse any substance. This of course only made Avi wonder just which substance the older women had abused. She liked the older lady to much to ask just what exactly she had abused at this point and did not want to offend her when she had barely gotten to know her. The last thing Avi wanted to do was open her big mouth and say something that would offend her when, really she hadn't had a chance to really get to know her. " Got it. No abuse of anything." Avi gave a small smile as she looked over at her companion. " I run most of the time so that is normally how I stay healthy."

[Leila Gold]

"No, nineteen wasn't too bad, though I wanted to get out earlier. But it was all right, since I still managed to get into a good college. They just had to explain that my delay in education was due to my power training, and it all worked out fine."

Leila laughed at the idea of all the blown-out windows. "You'd think they'd know by now to use plexiglass or something. I bet they spend a fortune repairing all the damage done by the students." Which likely explained all the rich people who donated to the school.

"Cool, courtyard sounds fine to me." She followed the other girl. "Yeah, Athena's pretty great. It took some time to train her, but now she's just the best companion I could ask for. And sometimes she's even smarter than I am." Like when it came to knowing when it was time to eat. Dogs had pretty good senses when it came to that.

Leila nodded. "Running is good. Diet is also important. In that you should eat good things. And avoid taking too much medication. Only what your doctor recommends." She waved a finger in the air to try to demonstrate.

"Oh, that reminds me!" she said, still waving her finger. "Do you tend to use motions when you're using your power? Because I picked up the habit of it..." she whirled her finger in a circle and made a small whirlwind on the ground as an example, "and just never stopped, even though it's not really needed. I was just wondering if other people did the same thing."

[Avinea Jale]

Avi nodded as Leila explained about age. “ Hammel must have been good at that, explaining and coming up with explanations” Avi was mostly thinking to herself but it was sure that she was thinking about all of the power mishaps. They would have to get good at explaining.How else would they explain out of control metas?

Avi smiled as Leila laughed at her story about blown out windows. “You would think so yes, but I think they expect me to improve or something like that. Not sure what in the world they are thinking, but I figure I've got to go along with it anyway. Wonder where they get all the money.” Avi thought about it. With the rich students, their families probably contributed and the little brochure thing said the government contributed as well. Eh, it really wasn't any of Avi's business. Best she keep her nose out of it lest it gave her more trouble.

Avi nodded as she specified which route she wanted to take. She led the way and smiled as Leila went on about her dog. “ Her name is Athena? As in Greek goddess Athena? How'd that name come about?” Avi grinned. She really was curious. “ Dogs can be pretty smart I have to admit. Dogs like seeing eye dogs amaze me really.” It really was amazing what a dog could do.

Avi stifled a laugh in the middle of the shorter womans lecture. “Ok I get it. Good exercise, good diet, no overdose. Good to go Doc.” Avi smiled at Leila as she wagged her finger in the air. “Any other advice?

Avi raiseed an eyebrow as the shorter blonde almost yelled. Apparently she had been reminded of something, and yet that finger was still waving. At the question Avi thought. “Yes actually. Its easier I guess to focus the wind into one spot if you can visualize it.” Avi gave a crooked grin It was good to meet a fellow aerokinetic. “Though I...” Avi stopped mid sentence. Was that a mini whirlwind? That was “ SO COOL!” If it wasn't apparent Avi was excited. She looked to the woman and her dog, sitting watching them in amazement. “How?” Yes Avi's mouth hung open just in the slightest. For once Avi was speechless. “again?” Avi gave a grin. She wanted to see more.

[Leila Gold]

"Well for me they just told the truth, that I was metahuman and they basically had to let me in or be sued for discrimination, but I get your point. I think they have a book somewhere of things to say when things get out of hand. That way they can just say 'Excuse 394' and flip open to know exactly what to say. It's probably one of those big dusty books in the headmaster's office." Leila had her own personal theories about everything, but this one made complete sense to her.

"The money might be less of an issue. I have information leading me to think that there are some very generous donors to the school, but of course it's not real evidence. Not like it matters anyway. But I still think they might try to make the school more meta-friendly," she said with a shrug. For a school that had been dealign with metahumans for years, some of the things it did seemed quite strange.

"I like mythology. And Athena was always my favorite goddess. It seemed like a good name for her," she said, gesturing back at her corgi, "even though she wasn't an owl." She nodded at Avi's comments. "Yes, some of the trained animals are quite remarkable. Like St. Bernards who find people trapped in snowfalls. It's an incredible world we live in."

Leila frowned as she thought of any other good advice she could offer. "No, I guess you probably already know everything." If the girl hadn't gotten all the pep talks by now, she definitely would before she was done with her education here. There was no point in Leila trying to hammer everything home.

"Yeah, I think that's true about the visualization. Though I guess for me it was more a habit to keep others from getting worried..." She then realized Avi's fascination with the wind storm, and she gave a little grin. "You just want to see that? Please. If you want to see something big, I can do that."

She took a deep breath to ready herself, then she closed her eyes. She didn't often try to make big winds like this, but she was showing off. Just a little. And she wanted to get it right. After a minute's work, she opened her eyes again and gave a tired smile.

"Whew," she said quietly. "That really took it out of me." On the ground, absolutely nothing had happened. In fact, the air around them was eerily still, as though the energy from the wind here had been somehow sucked away. But were one to look just a little into the sky, the clouds in the lower atmosphere just above the school were now spinning in circles around the school in what appeared to be an almost cyclonic whirlwind.

"Now, it's dangerous to play in the upper atmosphere, because that's where all the planes are," Leila explained, "and I don't like doing anything on the ground. It's so destructive. But as long as you are careful about it, there's all sorts of fun things you can do with the clouds." Without disturbing weather patterns, hopefully. There was a reason she didn't make a habit of this sort of thing.

"I don't use motions or anything for a lot of the big stuff, because it takes it out of me. I'm too busy just trying to argue with the wind to get it to do what I want. It can be quite pushy sometimes." If that made any sense. Leila forgot, sometimes, that not everyone could think of their power as some sort of other being that needed to be controlled. For her, it was like having a god of wind on a leash. Most of the time she was holding him back or trying to convince him how to use his power. He was always there, in some form or another. And if she were to ever let go, well, who knew what could happen. At least, that was the way she saw it in her mind. It helped to imagine the power as a person, so she could imagine that it was possible to reason with it.

"If you want, I can try to show you how to make a small whirlwind. Though I'm not sure it would be quite the same thing for both of us. But you really have to start small, otherwise it could get out of control. Strength grows over time. You just have to be careful what you're doing. Start by thinking about the wind, and try to turn it in on itself, the same way you would if you were making a paper cone. You're turning the wind into a cone, and soon it should start to listen to you." As she went she tried to use hand motions to show what she was doing, and she ended by leaving a small whirlwind buzzing in the dirt. "Now you try."

[Avinea Jale]

What the shorter blond was saying made absolute sense. That had to be it. It would be really handy and most likely had been used a lot over the years. Avi could totally picture one of the books on the shelves of the headmistress's office a book like that. It made you wonder how they came up wit such a book in the first place. “ It is awesome they were able to do that for you,” Avi smiled, “ Hammel takes care of its own.”

“ I don't doubt it. You have information to prove it?” Avi smiled. She liked this person. She would and could back up what she was stating with fact and evidence. Another notch up in Avi's ranking system for you Leila. “ You would think so, though isn't what they re trying to do is get us to blend in with normal society? They wouldn't make the school more Meta-friendly if they wanted us to just hide in society.”

Avi smiled as Leila started to talk about Mythology. “ She is the Greek god of Wisdom Correct?” Avi thought back to her Mythology lessons. “Yea it is a good name for a dog.” When Leila started to talk about the St. Bernards Avi gave a smile. “My brothers a veterinarian. Animals are amazing I have learned.”

Avi smiled as Leila tried to think on the subject more if there was more advice and such. When she finally stopped thinking about it ans answered Avi gave a slight smirk. “ Now I wouldn't say that, but we sure do get enough pep talks and all that jazz around here.”

Avi smiled and nodded replying to her as she was talking. “ Getting worried?” The last part of the statement had Avi wondering what was wrong. Until Leila said the words that just made Avi idolize her even more. “yes yes, please yes?” Avi looked over at her waiting in excitement. She couldn't believe this was happening. It was almost as if it were a dream. Smiling crazily Avi pinched herself. Oh yes this wasn't a dream. That fact alone made Avi incredibly happy.

Avi watched memorizing every movement the older blond made. She watched as she took a deep breath and her eyebrows furrowed together, her face and mind in deep concentration. After a little while Leila had let up and stopped. Avi watched as she gave a tired smile to her She wondered what exactly she had done but was more then willing to let her explain.

Avi felt as if the air was gone. Just gone. It was as if it wasn't there and was pulled away. Avi gave a small attempt to draw a breeze. It didn't work. Where had the air gone and what had Leila to do with it? When Leila spoke Avi gave a confused smile and nodded. “It looked like it did.” Avi smiled at her then looked up. On.e word came to Avi's mind as she saw the whirlwinds on top of the school. “ Wow..” Avi was at a loss for words. “ That's amazing.” Avi that was probably one of the prettiest sights she had seen in her life. “ Absolutely amazing..”

Avi was jolted back into reality by Leila's voice. She nodded at her words, her mouth still slightly a gap form the view before her. She really didn't know what to say. It was just perfect. That moment, Avi looking up at the winds cycling around the school. Avi felt at peace in that moment. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. Smiling over at Leila Avi went over and gave her a hug. At this point in time Avi didn't care if Leila was a touchy-feely person or not. All she cared about was expressing how she felt right then, right now. “ Thank you...” Avi looked up at Leila and smiled. “ Thank you.”

Looking at Leila as she continued to talk Avi smiled. “That makes sense. Though with me it is more like I am pleading and begging and asking it to do what I want. If It does as I ask it to it is a very good thing.” If Leila's wind was a Wind God, Avi's was most certainly a dragon. Strong and stubborn it didn't have to listen to anybody or anything. It worked when it wanted to and where it wanted to. Avi had to plead her case each time and most of the time it wasn't successful. The dragon did what it wanted. It even flew away when it didn't want to work. She did suppose that is why it had wings.

Av stared at Leila when she said she was going to try to teach her. Avi still thought she was dreaming. Though, this was too good to be a dream. Avi nodded excitedly as Leila told er the directions. She was eating up her every word, Leila I think you might have acquired a minion. Avi had carefully followed all of Leila's directions and movements. Pleading in her head with the dragon of wind Avi furrowed her brow. Please please please work for me. Avi gave a silent prayer to the wind, hoping it would carry to the ears of the dragon. She put all of her heart into creating the wind, going round and round and round , all in one central area. When she opened her eyes there was the tiniest of whirlwinds on the ground. Right in front of her. Biting her lip grinning Avi smiled. “I can't believe it worked.” As she said it though the tiny whirlwind fizzled out and dispersed back into the air. Frowning you could tell Avi was dejected by her slump posture and way of standing. “It didn't stay...” Avi frowned and bit her lip ready to cry. Why didn't her power ever work when she wanted it to?

[Leila Gold]

"Well, hard evidence is a bit lacking, but I do have specific links between individuals and funds that are directed into the school," Leila said, waving a hand lazily. "Details. If I dug hard enough I could find something, but it's not really that important. I do agree about the school. Really, I think there should be more events to get everyone to work together with the community." It was hard trying to get people to trust metahumans. If everyone was working together on it, maybe it would be easier. Or maybe they just needed to not be working at it from the outside...hmm.

"I love animals, all kinds. I thought about being a vet at one point, but it was too much science. I don't really like science," she admitted to Avi. "I was more an English girl, and then later Poli-Sci. Which, naturally, led into law." She shrugged and continued walking.

Leila was happy to see how excited Avi was about the aerokinesis. She rarely got to show off to this extent, especially to someone who could see what exactly she was doing. There just wasn't really an opportunity for it in her job. So she reveled in the adoration that the girl was providing. And it might have swelled her head, just a touch.

"No problem. I would really enjoy tutoring you--no need to get too mushy about it." Leila was not fond of mushy. "It's hard working with your power, no matter what manifestation it takes. It takes time and effort to get full control, and I bet you can use all the help you can get. I know I could've."

She watched Avi work to create the small whirlwind, feeling the air shift around her. It was moving more jerkily, and Leila could feel her own little wind god rearing up inside her until she patted it into submission. This was a learning experience, and they would wait to see how Avi did. Smiling, she watched the small whirlwind form in the dust, and the joy grow on Avi's face. Until it disappeared, of course.

"Don't worry about it, that's what happens. And that's the first time you've tried that, I bet. It took me ages to be able to work it all out, and it doesn't always play nice. But if you keep practicing, it'll get better." She reached out and patted the girl on the shoulder. "Start small, work your way up. I'd recommend practicing outside mostly, to begin with, and then when you think you can make sure it all stays small you can work more inside. That way you don't break as many things. It also helps if you can find some way to focus your power--find an activity that puts you in the same mind-set as when you're working with your power, and use that as a sort of meditation. Practice without the actual practice." She winced; that made little sense, even to her. But she wasn't exactly sure if she could put it more clearly without writing out her thoughts to sort everything through.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi grinned as Leila dismissed the evidence fact. If she had enough to accuse them then It must be true. Avi was sort of simple minded she believed what she believed and not much could change her mind once she was set in her thinking. Right now she believed Leila was amazing. She was someone who Avi would definitely look up to. Most certainly she would. At her words about connecting the locals and the meta's together in unity, as one society Avi began to think. It would be nice if everyone would be able to get alone, but the chances of it were highly unlikely. People were just too afraid of metas. They didn't see the possibility that they could offer. Slowly but surely the world was changing though. That brought hope.

Avi smiled at Leila's admission about her loving animals. Avi herself was big on animals but she was not so excited about them that she wanted to be a vet. That was more of her brother's thing. “I have a Rabbit named Hoppers back home. He is living with my big brother at the moment, through from the letters, its become more of my sisters pet.” Grinning at the words about not liking science Avi just shook her head. “Math is my thing. English is just too... wordy” Avi found Leila's words about how she got into law fascinating. Grinning she gave a small smirk. “Is it true that Law is the best profession to go into if you like to argue?”

Avi was ecstatic she had met a fellow Aerokinetic. It was something that was completely amazing to her. The fact that it was an adult, out of hammel, which in turn meant she had control, made Avi smile even more. If it was something Avi hated it was to be control less in a situation. To her it was one of the worse things out there. Along with being wrong. Those two things irked Avi to the core. Yes Avi was a control freak

Avi nodded and slowly let go of the other woman. She was going to help wasn't she? Avi smiled at her words. It seemed though that she didn't like hugs. That was okay with Avi, normally she didn't either but it was a whole 'nother ball game when she found someone was generous and kind as Leila. “Thank you...” Avi muttered. She didn't often get serious and she hoped that Leila knew what this meant to her she really did. Clearing her throat she looked at Leila again and smiled backing away from her. “Thank you.”

At that moment Avi was nothing but sad. Why didn't her power work when she wanted it to? Was there some sort of secret she just hadn't been let in on? Or nobody bothered to tell her. The more she thought about it the more she got angry. It would work. Avi was bound and determined to get it working. By the end of the week she would get it going really good. Avi set a goal for herself. A minute. She would get it to last a minute.

Looking up at Leila's words Avi was jerked back into reality. She was still there wasn't she? Blushing Avi didn't really want to look at Leila. It felt like she had let her down, like she had lost a piece of herself. In all Avi was ashamed she was so useless. She didn't understand why this wouldn't work. “ I guess.” Avi bit her lip and looked down then looked back up at Leila sharply when she said it had taken her ages. For some reason she doubted that. Leila was just too... good for it to take ages. She didn't really believe her but it was nice of her to try. Avi put on a smile and just nodded at the words coming out of Leila's mouth. “What do you mean about the meditation? I really don't have the patience for that...” Avi grinned at a fond memory. “ Last time I tried meditation I ended up in detention for talking too much.” Meditation didn't really work with Avi.

[Leila Gold]

"That's a good name for a rabbit," Leila said nodding. She laughed at Avi's admission about not liking English. "Well, yes, that's true. I just enjoy reading. And talking. I love words, so it works well for me. Law isn't necessarily the best if you enjoy arguing, but it does work well. But you also have to be able to make peace, so if you just want to fight with people you may do better to go into wrestling or something." Though picturing the girl wrestling made Leila giggle again.

"No problem, really. You are more than welcome. It'll be nice hanging around a fellow airhead. I bet we have more in common than just our power." Leila winked at Avi and grinned. Oh yes, she could think of plenty of mischievous fun that they could have.

"Meditation, like, um..." Leila said as she tried to explain herself better. She tapped a finger on her chin. "Okay, so like, when my teacher suggested it to me, I thought she was nuts. But I started painting. And when I was painting, it was like I could go into this other world, and it was easier for me to...talk to it, I guess. The wind, not the painting. And it was like a meditation zone, only I was doing something. I just needed some...some thing to take my mind off my power and help me to realize that I could focus in other ways. It's not just about sitting there doing nothing and being quiet. I don't think I could do that, either. But it's just ocncentrating on something, focusing your energy. Airbender style." She held out her arms in a kung fu pose in an attempt to add emphasis to her point. "Painting worked for me. Find something that works better for you. And if you destroy a few things along the way, it's all part of a process." She smiled kindly.

[Avinea Jale]

Nodding at every word Leila was saying Avi continued to walk towards the trail entrance, just up ahead. She smiled as Leila began to talk about Law and how it was one of the better professions to go into if you liked to argue. “ I'm not saying I can't make peace, but wouldn't it be easier to say that I make peace my own way?” Avi thought back. There were ways to get people to do what you wanted. To get them to admit they were wrong. She outright laughed at the thought of her in wrestling putting up an arm and making a muscle with it. Or trying to at least. “I can totally do that.” Avi kept straight face for only a few moments before bursting into giggles. “Who am I kidding? The only advantage I have would be my agility. They wouldn't be able to catch me to slam me down.”

Avi smiled and nodded her thanks towards Leila. “ Oh you have no idea on the airhead part.” Really Avi was, if you thought about it she could be the very definition of the word in some respects. Besides, it could be fun to do so with a fellow airhead. Just what sort of fun would the two get into?

Avi patiently waited for Leila to explain what she meant by meditation. Oh so basically something to throw yourself in, concentrate on just that? Was that what Leila meant? Avi thought back. She hadn't had that much focus and that much technique used for a while. The only thing she could really remember was when she was little and her mom made her go to Ribbon lessons. Her mother was intent on making Avi have at least a little grace and at least a little ladylike qualities. At that point in time Avi was very much the tomboy and was very unladylike. She was someone who would rather go running then play house. It was her mothers last ditch effort to make her well, more like her.

To the surprise of both of them Avi took to it, finding it fun to chase after the ribbon. Over the years she had gotten good at it, and had almost perfected her ribbon techniques. She was going to try for a high level, then Hammel came. She sort of gave it up after that since Hammel didn't have a team. Instead she focused all of her energy into running. Maybe she could start again? Maybe that could be her “painting”. “ I get it, you need to find something to focus yourself into, and then mimic that focus into your powers?” Hopefully she had down what Leila was trying to say. Hopefully.

[Leila Gold]

"Agility is a definite skill," Leila said with a definitive nod. "But probably not the only one you would need in the ring. Still, it's something to develop. I've never been coordinated or agile or anything, just...determined. You should know your skills and work with them." Saying that Leila wasn't coordinated was understating it a bit. She was a klutz to the nth degree, something which had only very recently become less obvious.

Leila laughed again at Avi's comment. "Oh, I bet I could make a guess. Speaking of airheads, though, is awakening my sweet tooth. I'm going to have to go home and dig up a packet of candy." She sighed. "And I'm supposed to be watching what I eat. Oh well."

Nodding, she clapped her hands. "You got it! Just work on concentrating on something, then channel the concentration into the rest of your work. And don't stop with your powers. You can have that sort of concentration and determination with everything. Make a habit of focusing on one thing at a time and it'll spread. It's a good way to get a lot done."

They'd come to the end of the trail and were circling back to the beginning location. "Wow, look at the clouds rolling in," she said, squinting up at the sky. "Looks like there might be a storm tonight. I hope you don't mind the rain. I've always been a sunshine girl, myself, but a good downpour can be fun, too. Especially if there are good puddles afterward. Athena loves puddles."