"It just seems so - boring. Sitting there, waiting..."

"Like a tiger, or a trap ready to spring," Hisame interjects, smiling.

"...I suppose."

"Did I seem bored to you?"

She hums. "Not really. More intent, I guess."

"Watching is very much an active process. Gauge your opponent, judge them, find their vulnerability and the time to strike."

"I suppose I'll need to practice that. Still, thinking of it - like a hunt, perhaps, rather than a trap."

"If that's what grounds you."

"It might! I'll have to try."

"Back into position, then."

"Yes ma'am."

And she does.

Eliko sets her up a new set of exercises.

"Are you just going to stay here and watch?" she asks Hisame.

"Watching people train is fun, and I'm learning a lot about your magic, doing this. But if you want me elsewhere, I suppose I could go entertain myself..."

"Not in my village."

She laughs. "I suppose I could go looking for that library again..."

"I don't really care where you go as long as you don't cause trouble for me. I was just wondering."

"If you don't mind, watching you is quite enjoyable."

"Whatever. Just don't get your girlfriend mad at me."

"I'll talk to her if she gets annoyed, but duly noted."

Back to training Mara. She'll mix up the solo practice with brief sparring sessions to reinforce or highlight certain fine details, since she seems to respond well to that.

They're definitely not going to get to anything more advanced than rock-punching today. Basics are important, and Eliko won't tolerate less than perfection.

Mara's a quick study, at least, and seems to share Eliko's opinion on perfecting the basics (relaying this involves several stories of the chaos she's previously caused with very basic air bending).

Any chaos caused in town by careless or careful earthbending will be cause for her to cease training, to be clear.

Awwwwww, alright.

...Maybe they can take a trip to the mountains. If she's diligent.

That sounds fun!!!

Mara will be very diligent.