Learning to Breathe
Chapter twenty-one: Inner Strength
Andi stared at the floorboard with mock facination as Zartan drove further away from base. Sure, she knew her powers weren't really evolved or anything, but she thought her control was good. Her boss, however, had other ideas.
"Here we are." He announced, putting the car in park. "Now get out, we don't have all day for this."
"Where were we going again?" She asked.
"Do you see that creek over there?"
"The one running through the middle of the park?"
"Yes. That one. We're going to follow it a ways until we find a quiet spot."
"Fine." She shrugged. "Lead on, oh fearless leader."
"Keep it up and I will make you ride in the trunk." Zartan glared.
"Cool." Andi said. "I haven't done that since Dad tried to sneak me out of the house."
"Just start walking." Zartan sighed.
The two continued on for about a hundred feet before finding a spot to sit next to the overpass. Squatting down on the grass, Zartan assumed an indian pose, and Andi followed suit. "So, what am I doing?"
"For now, just close your eyes and think." The man replied. "Let your imagination wander without restraining your powers."
"But if I don't keep my powers in check…" The blond started.
"you will realize just how strong you are when you aren't trying to man-handle the water." Zartan answered. "Quit coming up with foolish excuses and just do it."
Andi rolled her eyes, but did as she was told. Her mental ramblings consisted of the following:
"Why is he making me do this? This is pointless. Someone will see us and out us for life. Not that it matters. No one likes me anyway. Well, except for the people that count.
I need to finish that algebra homework. I need to call Mom. Maybe I can go visit her? That would be fun. I would like to actually get to see Bayville. But I have to work. Zartan wouldn't clear it, and even if he did, Cobra Commander never would allow it. Maybe dad could take me, though. I don't spend a lot of time with either of them.
"Family…parents… Your momma don't dance and you're daddy don't rock and roll…"
Meanwhile, Zartan silently observed the girl's effect upon her environment. The stream bore no change at first, but then began to swirl and churn. 'Must have been a disturbing thought.' He said mentally. As minutes passed, the clear stream began to take on distinct shapes. Reflections of faces, road signes, and the occasional music note would rise from the brook. 'So much potential in such an unlikely package.' He thought. After another five minutes, he decided to shake Andi from her imagination.
"I think that is enough imagination for today." He said. "Open your eyes."
Andi complied and saw the illusion of a couple dancing dissolve once more into water. "I did that?" She asked.
"And much more." Zartan said. "Now, make a whirlpool."
"Easy." She said.
"Without your hands." He finished.
"What?" The blue eyed girl blinked. "Are you kidding?"
"I am very serious, Atlantis." Zartan replied. "You rely on your hands too much. The missions you will be sent on will require you to pick locks while disabling guards with your powers. You must learn to use your hydrokinesis without hand gestures."
"I'm not that bad."
"You look like you're leading an orchestra." Zartan said. "Just humor me and try it. Instead of your hands, tell the water what you want it to do."
"Fine." Andi growled. Pulling herself to her feet, she stuck both of her hands in her pockets and then commanded "Whirlpool!" To her amazement, the water rushed around, building into a massive eddie as it drew near her.
"It's working." She whispered.
"Good." Zartan said. "Now make it larger."
The girl nodded and squinted at the pool. Nothing happened.
"Try picturing it in your mind." The master of disguise suggested in response to the girl's glare. Andi rolled her eyes, but tried anyway. The whirlpool grew, just not to the scale she was picturing.
"It's not working." She said.
"Drop the whirlpool." Zartan said. Andi closed her eyes, and the water unraveled and continued flowing under the bridge.
"We didn't get anything done." The blond girl commented.
"I beg to differ." The onyx haired man replied. "Your control is much greater when you aren't trying to push the water around."
"But that's the only way to keep it from dripping out." Andi complained.
"You had no problems while you were meditating." Zartan said. "You need to relax and let your imagination do the work, not your hands or your mind."
"I'll try." Andi said. "But if this doesn't work, don't say I didn't tell you so."
"We'll see about that." The man grinned. "Right now, however, we need to return to base. Class dismissed."
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