Phil offered his toast next, talking about their future and, pulling a page from her book, spoke of those they had lost. Cora was instantly brought back to mid-day wasteland, the hostage Vygorn trap, looking back at the sand tornado obscuring the battlefield. From on top of the ridge, it was impossible to see beyond the storm. She remembered almost turning back, almost diving into the storm again to save the others. But her fear stopped her. Her previous defeat at the alien's hand was fresh in her mind. She turned away and walked down the other side of the ridge without sparing a second glance back. 

Cora frowned, curling her lip at the thought. Her gaze flickered to Will as he stood, lifting his drink. He toasted to Yahtzee, and she smiled. [i]Water, so free-flowing, peaceful. I'm kind of envious.[/i] She swished around the contents of her fourth refill, watching the clear liquid splash against the hard edges of its icy container. As it swirled she noted its purity, clean water held within fresh ice. The dividing line between the two forms of elements became thinner and thinner... Until she stopped.

With the water as still as ice, Cora swore a white glare glinted within its edges. In her mind she saw something beyond the two -- where two became one. [i]How far can we combine our powers?[/i]

Feeling as though she reached some kind of epiphany, Cora almost missed Yahtzee's enthusiastic request. But Will didn't miss a beat, splashing water at Phil in a playful taunt. Cora turned around on the log, facing the to-be match. [b]"I think we could arrange some show-and-tell sparring. I could use the practice anyway."[/b]

She glanced over at Yahtzee, a cheeky grin on her face. [b]"Will's really good, I think he did boxing as a job years ago. We totally lucked out getting his expertise on the team."[/b] She said, touching the blush building up behind her cheeks. [i]Am I feverish?[/i] She frowned, not finding the connection. 

Shrugging, Cora focused on the match again. [b]"I would like sparring with the winner, I think. Will, I know you're an expert. But Phil, do you know how to spar?"[/b] She laughed, raising a hand in amendment. [b]"Not that I don't think you know what's what, but maybe we should have a run of the rules so no one goes severely hurting one another, eh?"[/b]