"If earth is the most stubborn element, fire is the most volatile."

Wakko tried not to let his nervousness show as he listened. Jayna looked back at him with that familiar fixed expression, her arms crossed. If her face didn't reveal much, her demeanor certainly made it clear that she expected him to take this seriously.

"But fire isn't just destruction," she went on. "Fire is also warmth and life. Like with anything unpredictable, it simply needs to be used carefully. Moderation, like everything else we've been doing. The most important thing to learn first is control. If you can't control the flame…"

She left the sentence unfinished, but Wakko still felt a shiver run down his back. Jayna gave him a searching look.

"There's no need to be nervous," she said in that odd, almost gentle tone. "We aren't starting big."

She then lifted her hand, and with a small wave summoned a tiny flame. It flickered in her palm, inches from her skin, but she showed no sign of pain. His look must have been easy to read, because her sharp green eyes softened, and her tone was reassuring.

"It doesn't hurt. Are you ready?"

Determined to be brave, Wakko tried to swallow down his nerves and nodded. Jayna stepped closer to him, still holding the small flame.

"Hold out your hands."

Slowly, tentatively, Wakko did as instructed. With smooth, careful motions, Jayna lowered her own hand and transferred the flame to his hands. He bit his lip, but as she had said, there was no pain… just a gentle sensation of holding something warm.

"Now focus on the flame," Jayna said. "Don't try to feed it, just do your best to keep it the same size. It's fine if it goes out… you can't expect success on the first try. Keep your breathing steady."

Drawing in a breath, Wakko released it slowly and focused on the tiny point of fire, doing his best to keep his breathing calm and steady. The flame flickered several times, very nearly going out at some points, but it never did. Finally, Jayna held out her hand again.

"Now give it back to me," she instructed. "Slow and easy."

Wakko slowly obeyed, lowering the tiny flame into his instructor's waiting hand. Once it was back in her hand, he looked up at her with trepidation.

"Excellent," she said. "That kind of focus takes a lot of effort, especially for a beginner."

Wakko's face broke into a beaming smile.

"Really?" he asked eagerly. "Faboo!"

Much to his surprise, he saw the corners of Jayna's mouth lift just a little as she extinguished the flame. It was barely noticeable, but it was there.

"Indeed," she said, amusement in her voice. Then her face and tone grew more serious. "But you need to use just as much focus actually summoning flame. Don't get overconfident, especially with a more volatile element."

Wakko quickly pushed down his eagerness, nodding to show he understood.

"I want to do that exercise a few more times before we try that," Jayna said. "See if you can hold it steadier."

She summoned another flame and gestured, and he held out his hands again. The flame didn't seem to flicker quite as much as before, but there wasn't much change. Wakko couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, even though Jayna had told him not to expect complete success at such an early stage.

"No need to be discouraged," she said, drawing his attention. "You're progressing well."

Wakko looked up hopefully as the flame extinguished.

"I am?"

"Oh, yes," Jayna replied, nodding. "Better than me, actually… and my instructor said I was a gifted bender."

Wakko's smile returned; finally, there was something he was good at… apparently great, even. And someone other than his siblings was saying so. He tried to focus even harder on the next flame Jayna summoned, and when it stayed steady with some flickering she nodded.

"Well done." She scanned him with a sterner look, her face serious. "Do you think you want to try summoning some yourself?"

Wakko felt a swirl of nerves but took a deep breath and squashed them down before nodding.

"I-I think so," he said quietly. Jayna raised her brows a little, still looking at him with that same penetrating gaze.

"You don't need to be afraid. The flame won't burn you, and I'll make sure it doesn't get out of hand."

Taking another deep breath, Wakko released it as he nodded again.

"Okay."

"All right, then," Jayna said. "Hold out your hand."

The middle sibling did as he was instructed, feeling his heart beating faster with anticipation. Jayna spoke again, her tone calm and encouraging.

"Remember, just focus."

Wakko kept his gaze on his hand, focusing as he had been told. His eyes narrowed as he concentrated, fixing his thoughts on making a small flame appear. He wasn't sure how much time passed before slight heat began in the palm of his hand. A spark flickered in and out a few times, then flared into a tiny point of fire. Wakko felt a wide smile cross his face but forced himself to stay calm… the last thing he wanted was to fan the flame and have it get out of control. He heard the approval in Jayna's voice when she spoke.

"Good."

As he did before, Wakko focused on the small flame and willed it to stay the same size. Despite the occasional flicker, it held steady, not growing larger or smaller.

"Good," Jayna said again. "Very good. Now put it out."

The middle sibling obeyed, the flame going out as he closed his hand. He looked up at Jayna, who nodded.

"I think it's best to leave it here for today," she said, then gave him another stern look. "But remember, you need to be very careful summoning fire… especially if I won't be there to put it out if it gets out of control."

Wakko gulped and gave her a nervous nod.

"Y-yes, ma'am."

Jayna kept looking at him, her stern look softening.

"I don't mind if you call me by my name, you know."

Wakko immediately nodded again.

"Yes, ma-… um, Jayna." He held out his hand. "You can call me by my name too, if you want."

That faint almost-smile flickered across his instructor's face as she reached down and shook his offered hand.

"All right then, Wakko… you have a deal."

The middle sibling's face broke into a grin; he wondered if this meant they were friends now.

"So…" he said slowly. "Did you ever bend a lot of fire?"

"Once," Jayna replied. "My instructor and I were helping people fight a forest fire."

Wakko cocked his head.

"What was it like?"

Jayna looked at him as if sizing him up, and her reply was slow but firm.

"It was both the most exhilarating thing I ever did and the most terrifying." Her eyes grew distant. "You feel so powerful controlling so much of such a volatile element… but you know if you make one wrong move, it's over."

Wakko felt a swirl of nerves, but curiosity compelled him to continue.

"But I thought fire can't burn you when you're bending."

"Well, not small amounts," Jayna said. "But with a lot of it, if you lose control, it can overwhelm you and anyone else in its path."

She looked at him with the same stern look she had given him before.

"That's why you must be careful. It might be best to wait till you've had more practice before you show your siblings anything."

Wakko nodded again, keeping his expression just as serious to show he understood.

"Okay… I'll wait."

Jayna's stern look softened again as she gave him another nod of approval.

"You're doing well, but always remember… don't get over-confident. It can be your undoing."

"Okay," Wakko said again. "I won't."

Jayna eyes became gentler, the corners of her mouth twitching up just a bit once again. Wakko's face broke into a goofy grin; if they were friends, it was good to know that she seemed to be a little happier than she'd been when they met. Again, he wondered if he would ever find out what had made her so sad.

He wouldn't ask, though… she would tell him if she wanted to. He wasn't sure what she thought of him, but he liked her. He hoped she liked him, but there was no way to know for sure. He would only find out if she told him, and she was still too reserved for that.

But that was fine. He was okay with how things were now, whether they were friends or not. She was helping him, after all.