~ Meditation ~

Piper took deep, steady breaths. She was sitting in a lotus position, with her hands resting loosely on her knees. Her eyes were closed, but if they had been opened they would have seen a dimly lit room; candles flickering and sending shadows dancing along the walls.

Across from the cinnamon-skinned mage was Agate, sitting in a similar way, a crystal in her hands.

"Now that you've relaxed we can attempt Resonating," Agate measured tone weaved through the meditative silence.

"Resonating?" Piper asked, intrigued. "What does this have to with manipulating crystals?"

Agate's smooth voice answered, "In order for you to use a crystal properly you must know a crystal. You already have good intuition for this, Piper, you just need to practice."

"How are we going to do that?" Piper's interest was starting to peak.

"With meditation; breathe deeply, letting everything go. Feel the air entering your lungs as you inhale and feel it leave your body as you exhale. Let your awareness spread. Don't let your mind wander, just concentrate on your breathing. Can you do this for me?"

Piper nodded, her eyes still closed. She did as she was asked, breathing in and out. Sky-fu demanded the same sort of discipline, so it wasn't foreign to her. The hard part was the sitting still. Her back ached something fierce. It was hard to concentrate.

Eventually, everything seemed to have slipped away and she forgot what she was doing and why. It reminded her of those times she would be so focused in her crystals lab. It was at that moment that Piper became aware of something. But the moment she became aware the feeling slipped away like grains of sand.

~ Learning Curve ~

Piper stayed late into the evening, meditating and attempting to grasp the same awareness from before but it eluded her.

Agate finally stopped the lesson. "Don't fret over your lack of success. It's very difficult in the beginning."

"But I know I can do this! I've successfully done the Binding, this should be a cake walk!" Piper fumed, frustrated with her lack of progress.

Agate's brows furrowed. "You've attempted the Binding? When?"

Piper gave a sullen sigh. "Years ago, back in Atmos. Cyclonis came back from the Farside able to do it and I learned from watching her. And lots of trial and error."

Agate's voice grew sharp. "That was very dangerous Piper. Even for the initiated it's an incredibly advanced technique and not to be taken lightly. You could have easily killed yourself and your partner."

Piper cringed at the reprimand. It was rare for Agate to lose her composure. "Don't worry. After the last fight with Cyclonis in Atmos we decided to avoid using it. I don't think I can anymore anyways, it's been so long. Not that I can given..."

Realization struck Agate. "Your partner was Aerrow?"

Agate nodded, silently acknowledging Piper's grief, and picked up a chalice close to her left.

"I think that will be enough for this evening. But do me a favour will you? Drink this will you?"

Piper accepted the chalice reluctantly. The contents were a gelatinous fluid that was a pale opaque lilac colour. "What is it?" she asked, wrinkling her nose.

Agate gave one of her patient smiles. "A nutritious drink from my culture. Students are supposed to drink it; it helps keep the body strong. It will also help you with the Resonating."

Piper hesitated before gulping down. She was careful with what she put in her body, but she trusted Agate.