Water Lillies (Neiro)

[Midnight]

The gunmage was currently crouching at the shore of a small lake staring into the water. He could see a large grouping of tad poles swimming about eradicly below a forrest of water lillies. From past training Joseph had come across this lake out in the woods. He'd thought it nice at the time but useless for his training. Apparently he was wrong, as this place was perfect for what he'd asked of Yukiko. The lake itself must have been used many times by other students because there was a floating platform at its center and wooden benches sat all around it's parimeter.

Midnight hoped he had been clear enough with his instructions to Yukiko. Who know's maybe she had practiced her magic here before. Most likely following her lessons he'd have to do the same. Of course he didn't have the slightest idea. Elemental magic was lost on him. Especially water magic. Growing up in Nevada, the most water the gunmage had ever seen was a river. Sure it rained sometimes leaving small puddles, but lakes like this were such BIG puddles. Not like he'd never heard of the bigger bodies of water, he just never saw them in person. So we was always a little in awe when he did.

[Neiro Yukiko]

The white-haired mage soon appeared behind some trees as she stepped out towards the open area before the lake. A beautiful place to practise and learn water and ice magic. Joseph definitely picked a proper setting. Plus, the surrounding area was peaceful and calming.

At any rate, she continued forward until she stood slightly beside yet behind Joseph. She said nothing as she glanced around with her eyes though her face remained unmoving, the same wiht her expression. Her dull blue eyes were calm though, for she had always liked the wildlife and water, but of course she would like water, for obvious reasons of course.

After short pause of silence, she glanced at Joseph for a few seconds before she spoke. "I'm not too good at teaching, so you'll need to bear with me for the first practise." she said slowly, her tone of voice quiet and monotoned as usual, with no feelings whatsoever. It was true what she said. She was never one to know how to teach much. Koori was an exception due to the fact that Koori herself was persoanlly already learning ice magic from her sensei.

[Midnight]

Joseph practically fell onto his back in surprise when he heard the girl speak. Looking behind him, the gunmage pressed his hand to his chest as if to force his heart to slow. "Gods on high...you're light on your feet. Not a sound at all!" He exclaimed as he stood. He wasn't mad, just surprised. Yukiko certainly had a full set of talents. Turning towards her now, his composure regained, Midnight smiled. "At any rate, it's quite alright if you've never taught anyone before. I'm sure it'd be the same for me if someone asked me to teach them gunmagic. Just do your best, and I'm sure we'll both be happy." he assured her with a warm hand on her shoulder. "So, what's first on the agenda, Yukiko?"

[Neiro Yukiko]

Yukiko remained silent as she watched Joseph's reaction. She supposed she wasn't surprised at his reactions. It's natural, she supposed. Either way, after he asked her what they'll be doing first, she had to thought for a bit.

Personally, she really had no idea. The basics? But what is there to teach? She tried to remember what her parents had taught her in the beginning, despite her genetic abilities. What extra spells did they teach her? Well, she remembered her parents forcing her to focus deeply when she first started using water and ice magic. She was forced to think of nothing but the two elements, concentrating her magical energy on something to freeze them. The most basic ice spell. Well, maybe the most basic one is creating ice, so she supposed she should start with that, but now, how will she teach that?

She looked at Joseph before speaking out her intructions. She just hoped this will work. It'll take time, but she was confident that he'll make progress, especially when he has magical energy flowing in him. He must have the ability to utilize basic elemental magic if he tries, right?

"Concentrate deeply, and think of nothing but an icecube. Try to focus your magical energy carefully to create a small icecube. Don't stress yourself though, just be natural and concentrate." she started quietly and slowly, making sure she said everything clearly. She wasn't sure if he'll be able to do it on his first try, but for now, she'll have to see just how great his concentration and energy or magical talent is.

[Midnight]

Joseph cocked his head a moment. "An ice cube...concentrate..." he muttered, pondering how it would work. After a moment, he nodded to the girl. "Alright, I think I best sit for this. Should I try focusing my energy on the hypothetical ice?" he asked as he moved down by the water. Sitting down indian style he made sure the sirface of the liquid was only a few inches away, just incase the exercise called for him to use the moisture from the lake. He looked back over his shoulder at her, "Is that right? Should I purposefuly focus my energy into the space I'm trying to make the ice cube?"

[Neiro Yukiko]

Yukiko watched as he moved to the water's edge and sat down. Should he purposely focus his energy? Well, in her case, no, since it comes naturally, but for someone who's not familiar with elemental, mainly ice and water, magic, then she supposed for now, yes.

And so, she gave a slight nod. "For now, yes." she replied quietly, her voice dull as usual.

She wondered how this would turn out. It would prove to be interesting if he succeeds, no? She herself would gain the experience to see others learn ice magic firsthanded.

Yukiko kept her eyes on Joseph as the training continued.

[Midnight]

Joseph nodded and turned back toward the water. Shutting his eyes he placed both hands on his knees, the right facing down, the left up, palm open. The gunmage took a deep breath. He began to tell himself that it was no different than casting Replenish. He was simply taking minerals from one source and solidifying them in another form. The only difference was that instead of minerals, it was water, and instead of bullets it was an ice cube.

Midnight breathed deeply, some of his muscle tensing as he focused his energy into a point of air above the palm of his hand. At the same time he mentally called to the liquid only inches away. An ice cube...an ice cube...think cold...think moist...but cold...it was water...but hard water...cold...cold...

Though it was impossible for anyone but an ice or water elemental to see the transfer, infinitesimally small particles of water began floating from the water to the point above his hand, combining together to form a growing droplet. As the water grew it seemed as though a chill could be seen falling from the marble sized droplet.

...cold...cold...

[Neiro Yukiko]

Yukiko watched as Joseph concentrated on his energy to try to create the ice cube. The ice mage herself kept her full attention on his open palm, yet her expression still revealed nothing.

Soon, she could made out something happening. She was indeed slightly amazed at his first try, but nevertheless, she was impressed. She watched as a small droplet started to form, gradually enlarging as Joseph focused more energy onto the object.

Due to the fact that she doesn't quite know still, what Joseph is exactly capable of, she can't say she has a proper and perfect method of teaching him, but this basic technique seemed to be working somewhat. Well basically, anyone with magical energy, as long as they focus, many will most likely succeed, or so she thought. Well, maybe not on the first try, but eventually their magical abilities will take over.

Either way, she just stood there, a small distance away from the gentleman as she watched.

[Midnight]

Though he kept his eyes closed, Joseph grinned. He was doing it! The water was flowing together into a small chilling ball above his hand. Realizing this he re-doubled his efforts. Colder....colder...colder. The eight small carners began poking out from the ball forming a rouch cube. Chill continued to fall from the water cube and settle on his hand. Colder. the water hardened slowly, but surely turning into ice. Floating above his hand was a roughly shaped ice cube...but he didn't stop. The gunmage hadn't realized that he'd obtained his goal so he focused harder. Colder.

Suddenly the cube burst in every direction, causing Joseph to fall back as a shard smashed into his forehead, leaving a fleshly red mark. "Ow, what the hell happened?" he asked more to himself than Yukiko. He reached up to feel the spot on his head. Sure enough...it was cold.

[Neiro Yukiko]

Yukiko watched patiently, interested, as Joseph focued even more energy into the ice cube. She was about to ask him to stop seeing the cube's formation when it exploded on him. She started towards Josep as she stood beside him and glanced down at him slightly before exmaining the tiny puddle of water and bits of ice pieces on his hand.

"A little too much energy at the end. You need to know when to stop focusing that much energy and gradually decrease the amount as you feel the temperature of the ice." she said softly and slowly, making sure he'll understand. She paused before continuing. "Are you alright?" she asked, her tone of voice monotoned as always. She didn't seem to look concern, and in fact, she knew he was okay, but it's something she should ask anyway to be polite. It's just the right thing to say she supposed. But then again, even if she's concerned, not like anyone can tell anyway.

She shrugged the thought off as she kept her gaze on Joseph.