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Post by Pikachu on Jan 4, 2009 15:51:24 GMT -5
"Yes, that's sort of what I'm talking about. Not quite there, but going in the right direction. Why don't you take a moment to feel the air currents and how they move. HOpefully you'll get an idea of how airbending works." Ishimaru replied.
So far things looked as if they were going well. He never had to teach anyone anything before, so he was just trying to copy what his masters had told and taught him. At least Avani was beginning to catch on.
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Post by Digital ♥ on Jan 4, 2009 16:13:38 GMT -5
Avani sat there for a long while trying to understand just what exactly Ishimaru had said. Feel the air currents? Sure some moved to the left, and some to the right, but they mostly moved together. She took a deep breath, was there a deeper meaning then that? The young avatar wanted to ask more questions, but didnt want to annoy him.
"Their movements are graceful, they all sort of move together."
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Post by Pikachu on Jan 4, 2009 16:23:46 GMT -5
"Okay, not the exact thing I was looking before, but we'll work with it. Have you noticed that the air doesn't attempt to force it's way, but instead moves and bends around the environment. Airbending attempts to do the same thing. Instead of attacking our opponents directly we move and avoid, waiting for the chance to use the enemies own momentum against them. Do you have any clue of what I am saying?" Ishimaru responded.
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Post by Digital ♥ on Jan 4, 2009 16:55:46 GMT -5
Avani nodded, airbending seemed to be a lot like waterbending just different teachings and customs.
"Yeah, its like water but much more calm and peaceful."replied Avani, opening both eyes and looking up at him again. She smiled, "I think im beginning to understand."
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Post by Pikachu on Jan 4, 2009 17:08:05 GMT -5
"Well then, why don't you give it a shot then." Ishimaru said. Seeing as she was starting to get it, he decided they could stop with the meditation for now.
"If my memory serves the bakers should be finishing up with their cakes. While I normally wouldn't suggest this, we do lack some targets. So they'll have to do for now. Just start by focusing, and take advantage of natural air currents to give you direction."
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Post by Digital ♥ on Jan 4, 2009 17:16:22 GMT -5
Avani stood up and got to her feet. She repeated what he said in her head a few times.
"So I use the air to move the cakes and hit them?"she asked, then laughed, "I thought airbenders were supposed to be nice, that just sounds fun... and slightly evil. Do I get a demo before I try?"
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Post by Pikachu on Jan 4, 2009 17:50:29 GMT -5
Ishimaru shook his head.
"Sorry, but I'm not going to do that. You are on your own on figuring out how to do. Take advantage of the similarities between watebending and airbending to help you out. Trust me, you'll feel like you've accomplished a lot more if you figure it out on your own."
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Post by Digital ♥ on Jan 4, 2009 18:26:07 GMT -5
And right about the moment he said that, Avani had desparately wished that she had been paying more attention to the airbenders around her rather than flirting with Garun. She knew she couldnt let love get in the way of her training, so she cleared all of her other thought out of her mind and tried to remember a simple move that could be translated into the ways of airbending. Avani could easily cheat and use water, but like he said she would feel so much more accomplished if she did it the right way, the airbender way.
"Airbending uses a lot of sort of exaggerated circular movements right?"she said softly, more or less talking to herself rather than actually asking a question, ".... so maybe if I make my movements more ... umm... circular rather than the flow of water it might... uhh work?"
She thought long and hard about the battle with the firebender, she had only seen Ishimaru airbend for a moment or two before she had fled the scene. It was all her fault... but she had to think about the training... what did he do. His movements, from what she could remember, were very much so on the defensive side.
Avani took a stance, but any person could tell she was a water bender just by the position she stood in. Her right foot was placed back behind her left one. She moved her hands in front of her, mid section level, and brought them behind her while moving them a foot or so apart. It was a simple water bending move, normally used to just move water from place to place, but with a more circular touch. Her hands were much more relaxed but still nothing happened.
"Give me a little bit of time and I`ll get it..."she told him with a smile, "But are there any little tips or hints you can give me... anything at all?"
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Post by Pikachu on Jan 4, 2009 18:42:55 GMT -5
Ishimaru watched as Avani attempted to give airbending a try, and her subsequent failure. For a beginner her form wasn't bad, though some improvement would be necessary. Still, for a basic blast of air it would suffice.
"Close your eyes for a moment and try to focus on the air. Figure out where it's blowing to, where it's from, and sync your movements with it. Remember, part of being an Airbender is harmony with nature. And if it helps at all, think of how the flying bison move. They were the first airbenders after all."
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Post by Digital ♥ on Jan 4, 2009 18:49:37 GMT -5
Avani took a deep breath before she tried again. She closed her eyes and stood in the same position as before but remained motionless. It felt as if the direction of the air was in her favor for the time being. Keeping her eyes closed she did the same movements as before only this time she followed the flow of the air as it was, rather than guessing. All she got as a result was a teeny tiny little gust of air, hardly noticeable, but still got her excited.
"It wasnt much, but its a start right?"
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Post by Pikachu on Jan 4, 2009 19:52:33 GMT -5
"Yes, it's a start. I believe you are starting to get the hang of it, but I think you might just be acting a bit too reserved. Try to loosen up a bit more, get a feel of the environment around you. Meld your bodies own natural movement to that of the air around you before trying to control it."
Ishimaru was actually starting to enjoy himself as this kept on going. Being able to pass on the knowledge of the airbenders, and having it working, was a bit..ecstatic. Things were just starting off, however, and Avani still had a ways to go before he could give himself a pat on the back. Still, they were off to a start.
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Post by Digital ♥ on Jan 4, 2009 20:37:00 GMT -5
"Is that why it was so tiny? I do need to loosen up dont I?" she giggled as she looked over her stance. Her legs were stiff and ready for action but that wasnt what they were looking for. Avani took a deep breath and relaxed her legs before attempting the same move for a second time. This time the result was a little bit larger, but nothing huge.
(I would have made it better but its dinner time XD )
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Post by Pikachu on Jan 5, 2009 20:02:14 GMT -5
"Well, seems you are getting the concept. Just keep on working to move in sync with nature and you'll eventually blast one of those cakes up into the air. Just do it before they cool, otherwise the bakers will be taking them back." Ishimaru said.
Encouragement was always a good thing to give your students, or at least that was what his teachers believed. And considering that he was a pretty good airbender, it must have been good advice. That was why he was giving it to Avani, even if it was a bit against his personality.
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Post by Digital ♥ on Jan 5, 2009 22:08:24 GMT -5
Avani nodded and kept on it. She practiced the same thing over and over, each time relaxing herself and becoming a little more in tune with the environment around her. At one point in time she took off her heavier long blue anorak so it didnt get in the way and tossed it to the side.
"Almost there..."Avani told herself as she preformed the same thing as before. Each attempt brought her closer to blast one of the cakes off the edge. Though she found Ishimaru`s support wonderful and kind, it was just odd for his character.
She decided that she was going to try it one last time before she took a quick break to think about a better attempt. It took her a moment to gather herself and get ready for another go. Then she took her stance again and moved her hands. This time the gust was just enough to blast the cake off the rail and fly off. It hovered over the monks in almost a comical way before flopping strait onto their heads. Yasuo had been exploring and wandered into the area bellow. He hissed at the flying cake.
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Post by Pikachu on Jan 6, 2009 19:06:19 GMT -5
Ishimaru had decided to take advantage of the free time to take a rest. Occassionally he would open his eyes to check on Mai, but he never really woke up until Mai finally got the cake flying. He was going to say something along the lines of congratulations, until he spotted what he thought was an angry monk coming towards them.
"Uh, okay, for your next lesson you'll learn how Airbenders move quickly and jump high. Using the same basic concepts, you need to push yourself into the air, and then use air to cushion your fall." He told her as he started to push his wheelchair away from the scene.
"I suggest you hurry on that lesson. I don't think the monks were too happy about that cake."
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