[quote=@Hammerman]
[@Stern Algorithm]
Once again, Kanako did as Catherine instructed. She began by taking longer breaths than usual. This was easy enough for her as she had quite  a decent lung capacity. But when she tried the shorter ones, after a while, she felt it was beginning to take its toll on her stamina. It was as if she was not getting enough air inside her lungs.

"Haaa...haaa...haa...haa..." Kanako panted as she returned to her normal breathing pattern. "T-that was... quite tiring..."

[/quote]

Catherine nodded, "[color=f49ac2]"Although I've been using the human body as an analogy, in many ways, our elemental powers are more closely tied to our sense of self than even our physical bodies are. The most powerful elementals don't let their environment force them to change who they are fundamentally. On the other hand, they are conscious enough to choose improvement over stagnation and will opt to change themselves, but knowingly, and without being forced."[/color] Catherine sighed, she knew she'd have to bring it up sooner or later, so she might as well get it out of the way. [color=f49ac2]"Take note of what happens in the next few moments. Remember and burn the experience into your mind. I am about to say something that will most likely make you lose control. You will experience a strong knee-jerk reaction due to pressures that society has placed on you. Your sense of self will be tested, and you will be extremely uncomfortable with your current state. Learn to let go. learn to not care about these sorts of things. Understand? Ready? Your skirt is ripped up and your panties are showing."[/color]

[hr]

[quote=@Zelosse]
[color=0072bc]"Breathe, ShiZhen. Calm and steady."[/color] The water around them remained in a perfect sphere around the two with only directly above them open. Little by little the dry stone under their feet began to wet as a trickle of the soothing warm water flowed in about their feet. [color=0072bc]"Lets take a moment to ourselves shall we? To enjoy the waters. Feel its warmth and know it apologizes for harming you. While we wait, please, tell me how you felt before the water graced your skin."[/color]
[/quote]

Tears welled in ShiZhen's eyes as a natural reaction to the discomfort of having inhaled water. She stilled coughed reflexively, despite the fact the the headmaster had already extracted all the water from her lungs. She wanted to cry, she wanted to ask him why everything had to be so hard. Her body shook from the sobs she stifled. Sobs induced by her feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness, by her shame of simply being herself. But she held it back, and tried to calm down, slowing her breathing. She thought about what the headmaster was saying, and hadn't thought about water apologizing. [color=a187be]"I-I was nervous. I was afraid nothing would happen, that I'd be a disappointment...I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I try to listen but I don't hear anything."[/color]