[Center][h1]4 Days Ago[/h1]
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[H2]Kassy and Viktor Go Zen[/h2][/center]

Kassandra was at a loss. She had searched the entire base but had yet to find Daphne. All she needed was a quick ride to the beach, and Daphne was the easiest to ask. It would be a simple matter, if only she could [i]find[/i] the other girl. But Kassy had checked the usual places, and some unusual places, but found nothing of her teammate. Maybe she was out. Unfortunate. 

So, plan B. It didn’t take long to find Victor in front of the television watching some strange human sport that involved harnesses and a very large white ball being batted back and forth. His eyes briefly glanced to the direction of her approaching, but returned to the television screen as to not miss too much of [I]Ping Your Body, Pong Your Body![/I]

[color=orange]“Um…”[/color] Her voice came out a lot softer than intended. Even with him being her wrestling partner, Victor made her nervous to talk to outside of that. He was just so intense. [color=orange]“Victor?” [/color]

[Color=silver]"Kass?"[/color] He had been glad he could shorten her name after Casper's departure. It made addressing Kassy much easier. He turned his head to face her with that bored look he usually had. 
 
[color=orange]“I’m sorry to interrupt-”[/color] She too, glanced at the television, trying to make sense of it. The only thing she recognized was a very large net stretched out across what looked like a massive table. [color=orange]“...whatever you’re watching… but I can’t find Daphne and I need a ride to the beach.”[/color] There, the request was out. Though he looked kind of engrossed, so he’d probably say no. [color=orange]“Usually I wouldn’t bother anyone and I’d walk, but I cut my foot on a bit of sea glass a few days ago and it still aches a little.”[/color]

[Color=silver]"Let's go."[/color] Viktor did not even hesitate and he agreed so readily that Kassy was actually somewhat startled. He reached for the remote and turned the television off. He appeared as if he had been waiting for someone to come by and ask something of him. As if the television was just him passing the time… but why was it always trash tv? Never the news or a documentary, just poor entertainment. As he stood up from the couch he looked her up and down to assess her attire. She was wearing one of her usual long skirts, a pastel green tank top, and a pair of brown sandals that Daphne had insisted upon buying her during a mall trip. There was a small bandage around her left foot. Besides that, it looked like very relaxed clothing. [Color=silver]"What are your plans at the beach? Swimming?"[/color]

[color=orange]“Oh, no. Not swimming, really. I need to meditate. I’ve been putting it off.” [/color] She paused, peeking back toward the now-dark television. [color=orange]“Thank you for agreeing to take me. I thought you were busy.”[/color] He raised an eyebrow at that last bit.

[Color=silver]"Not when I'm [I]here[/I]."[/color] He gave a quick nod towards the center of the lounge. [Color=silver]"And I am willing to assist all of my teammates. No thanks needed."[/color] Viktor added before starting to proceed to the garage. [Color=silver]"Why are you meditating? Why does anyone meditate, really?"[/color] He ignorantly asked as the two walked through the Sanctuary.

Kassy didn’t mind the question and answered as she followed him to the garage. [color=orange] “For me, it’s about staying calm under pressure, and focused. Clearing my mind of flotsam really helps me use my power better, and…”[/color] She looked away, her lack of eye contact distinct. [color=orange]“Keeps my emotions under control.” [/color] Shaking her head slightly as if to clear it, she continued.[color=orange] “For others, meditation is about relaxation and freedom. Freeing yourself from your thoughts and burdens, even for a short while.”[/color]

[Color=silver]"Hmm…"[/color] Thinking about Kassy's answer made Viktor curious about taking the time to practice meditation for himself. He had always gone about thinking he didn't need it or that it was even a waste of time. [Color=silver]"I will join you then. I've taught you things and now you'll teach me something."[/color] Entering the garage, Viktor spotted the jeep as he grabbed the keys hanging from a hook on the wall.

The way Viktor spoke left little room for argument. Though, Kassy would have taught him anyway. [color=orange] “Um. Okay. I’d be happy to teach you. It’s going to be hard at first, but once you get used to it, it really comes in handy.” [/color] She climbed in the front passenger seat and put on her seatbelt.[color=orange] “I hope what you’re wearing is comfortable to you, because we’re going to be sitting in the warm sand for a while.” [/color] The temperature would be no problem for her. That beach and the waters around it were like a second home. Viktor looked down at his clothing as he seated himself and put on his seatbelt. He wore olive-colored cargo shorts, a black sleeveless shirt, and black sneakers.

[Color=silver]"I'll be fine. If not, I'll fix it."[/color] Viktor was not opposed to taking off a few articles of clothing to get comfortable. 

Gathering her courage, she started to explain. It felt strange to be teaching the highly capable Viktor anything, but she was going to try.[color=orange] “The first thing you need to know is that you might not be able to perfect your meditation technique the first time. Or even the second or third. I know you set a high standard for yourself, but you’re going to have to relax it a little.” [/color] There was going to be a lot to say, so she might as well get started as they rode on the dirt road along the coast after leaving from the secondary garage exit.

[Color=silver]"Interesting. I wouldn't have imagined [I]meditation[/I] being that difficult to master."[/color] Viktor said his previous idea of the practice had begun to fade as Kassy explained. [Color=silver]"It's something to strive for and it might help me with some things."[/color] He commented.

[color=orange]“Yes, but…”[/color] How to phrase this delicately. [color=orange]  “Don’t try pushing yourself into some kind of competition, even within yourself. It would probably backfire. That’s not the point of meditation.”[/color] 

[Color=silver]"Interesting, and noted."[/color] Kassy looked out of the window at the passing scenery as they drove, feeling the brush of breeze on her skin from the open windows. It was easier to talk to Victor without having to confront that stare of his.

[color=orange]“Another thing I should probably warn you about is that things might come up in your mind that haven’t before.”[/color] She didn’t know much about Victor’s past. However, considering a good portion of the team had some rough upbringing or another horrid event in their past, it stood to reason he might have some memories that he’d rather not discuss.[color=orange]  “When you’re sitting quietly with just yourself, concentrating on nothing, it leaves your mind free to wander. Sometimes to idle thoughts, sometimes to… less happy things.”[/color] This made Viktor both curious and reluctant to try meditating. One of his issues was not letting go of the bad things fast enough, and when he did it was more like he was just delaying their revisiting of his mind. The next thing Kassy said helped, however.

[color=orange]“The trick of it is to know how to acknowledge those thoughts and then let them go. Like bouncing a bubble on your fingers without breaking it. That’s the hardest part of everything, in my opinion. Even I can’t do it all the time.”[/color]

[Color=silver]"Some of the time is better than never… right?"[/color] He forced a soft smile. He almost looked uncomfortable making it.

Kassy smiled politely back. She couldn’t remember seeing Victor smile at her before. Even one that looked vaguely creepy was a step forward, right? [color=orange] “Right. But the process is always in motion. Every time you attempt, you learn a little more. Or at least, that is what I was taught.”[/color] The beach was coming into view now, and Kassy perked up somewhat. [color=orange] “Oh, smooth seas today. That’s good. It means the environment should be calm.”[/color] Viktor made a glance at Kassy but did not utter a word until he found a spot to park in. He decided to keep his socks and sneakers in the jeep. It was the beach after all. Kassy kicked off her sandals, leaving them on the floor of the jeep as well. She strode onto the hot sand, the heat of it warming her bare feet.

[Color=silver]"What made you want to leave? The sea."[/color] Viktor asked as they walk across the sand.

[color=orange]“I didn’t want to leave. It was King Arthur’s idea.”[/color]  She paused, realizing she might have been confusing.[color=orange] “Oh. You may know him as Aquaman, I suppose. He’s the one who suggested I try this. Or rather, he gave me the news that I would be going on land - and I obeyed. That’s what you do when your king gives you a command.” [/color] 

She brushed aside an errant bit of debris, and sat down in the sand, facing the ocean. Viktor followed her lead and did the same, just a foot away from her. [color=orange]“At first I just thought they were trying to get rid of me. But I’m still receiving my stipend, so…  I suppose I must be doing something right.”[/color] Shrugging, she smiled vaguely at Viktor, clearly unsure of what to say.

[Color=silver]"Duty. A value I can respect."[/color] He faced the calm ocean, finding it peaceful. So much so that he might visit the beach a little more often. [Color=silver]"You might not have chosen to be here, but maybe you can make reasons to stay while you're here."[/color] Viktor shrugged. [Color=silver]"Ready?"[/color]

[color=orange]“Ready. Make sure you’re comfortable. Now, close your eyes.”[/color] She let her orange eyes close, concentrating on the sound of the waves.[color=orange] “Focus on your breathing.”[/color] Her voice was soft and soothing, blending in with the gentle crash of water on the shore. Her breath dropped into a rhythm, out of practice.[color=orange] “Inhale while counting to four in your head. Hold for four, and exhale for four.”[/color] 

[color=orange]“When thoughts come - and they will - acknowledge them, but let them pass. Always come back to your breath.”[/color]

[I][color=silver]Inhale. One. Two. Three. Four. Hold. One. Two. Three. Four. Exhale. One. Two. Three. Four.[/color][/I] The breathing was easy if he kept the rhythm, but he kept drifting from it. His senses were so sharp, he was easily pulled from the rhythm to something else he felt he needed to analyze. The wind tossing grains of sand, the rustling of the trees far behind him. Viktor scrunched his face. And then.

[Color=silver]"One. Two. Three. Four. . . . . One. Two. Three. Four..."[/color] He spoke it softly to help drown everything else out.

Kassy opened one eye, peeking at Victor. [color=orange]“Good. Just like that.”[/color] She could hear his breathing was steady enough, though she imagined his mind was drifting. She had been the same, in the beginning. Shutting her eyes again, she let herself concentrate on nothing but the air filling her lungs. In. Hold. Out.  In. Hold. Out.

[i]‘Please, don’t - I didn’t mean to!’

‘Shut up, you filthy little -- ‘[/i]

She inhaled sharply, eyes flying open momentarily. It was just the beach. Nothing but the trees and the sand and the sea. It wasn’t real, she wasn’t… there. Viktor was quietly watching her out of the corner of his eye wondering if she was ok until she spoke rather calmly again.

[color=orange]“It’s not a perfect science.”[/color] She let her eyes shut again, fighting off the cold feeling filling her stomach.[color=orange] “And sometimes you get more than what you bargained for. But it’s good to get that stuff to the surface.”[/color] She let herself lapse back into silence, to not disturb Viktor anymore. He might have thought of calling this whole meditation thing a loss, but he attempted again. 

He whispered his seconds of breath until he drowned out the world around him. Then there was just the breathing and nothing else for what felt like forever.

[I][Color=silver]'Nymph, stand up!'

'This is not the time to relax. This is a mission.'

'METAMORPH TAKE OUT THE GUARD AT YOUR REAR, NOW!'

'Nymph! Nymph, answer me! Get a hold of yourself! I need you to get a hold of your abilities… NOW!'[/color][/i]

It was easier for him to place the blame on her. So easy that he let the thoughts linger.

[Color=silver][i]'Fuck… Metamorph, get the container to the jet to rendezvous with the rest of my squad. I will continue to keep up comms with Squad A and get Nymph out.'

'-Nymph simply does not belong on this team.'[/I][/color]

[I][color=CornflowerBlue]'Viktor…That’s harsh. Now isn’t the time [b]or[/b] the place.'[/color]

[color=ed1c24]'I needed you to [b]support[/b] them. When you are the leader, you shoulder that blame too.'[/color][/i]

Viktor's eyes shot open with a glare. His intense expression of anger juxtaposed the ocean across from him. His hands balled to the point where his arms lightly trembled. The thing was, Viktor was angrier with himself. [Color=silver][i]Like bouncing a bubble on your fingers without breaking it. I guess…  I'll try again.[/i] [/color]

Kassy peeked over again, seeing the anger on Victor’s face. She had become very in tune with other people’s feelings from a young age, especially anger. He looked terribly tense, which made her wonder just what thoughts he’d gotten stuck on. But she wouldn’t ask. It was up to him to volunteer that information.

[color=orange] “Inhale… 1… 2...3...4.”[/color] She coaxed softly, closing her eyes again. This time, her own memories stayed in the little mental box she kept them in.

With time Viktor relaxed again and naturally, the thoughts that had bothered him most were revisited. 

[I][color=silver]]'Viktor…That’s harsh. Now isn’t the time [b]or[/b] the place.'[/color]

[color=silver]'I needed you to [b]support[/b] them. When you are the leader, you shoulder that blame too.'[/color][/i]

Only this time, it was his own voice criticizing him in place of Alisa and Talon's. He might have made the same mistake from just a moment ago, but Kassy's previous guidance helped him. [Color=silver][I]Let them pass… One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four ...[/I][/color]Viktor's body relaxed even further as he felt better. As if he relinquished the weight of that moment on the jet. 

Kassy remained quiet, her own thoughts unjumbling themselves as she relaxed. Her breathing was steady, and old memories stayed buried. She sat there, quiet, for what seemed like an eternity. Then, without warning, a wave of intense sadness washed over her. She felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes, and had the uncomfortable premonition that she wouldn’t be able to do this for much longer.

Not the meditation, but being able to connect with her teammates. It would all be over soon, she just knew it. The very thought made her sick. She’d let herself become used to being here, let herself make friends. Daphne’s kindness, Alisa’s spark, Zach’s liveliness, Ja’s spirit... It was just going to make everything a lot worse, when the tidal wave fell.

She let the tears fall into the sand, trying to steady her shuddering breathing. This wouldn’t do at all. If Viktor asked, she wasn’t sure she had the energy to lie. Honestly, it was only a matter of when he'd ask.

[Color=silver]"Kass. What's wrong?"[/color] Viktor asked as he reluctantly placed a hand to her shoulder to give her a sense of security. It was honestly his only good move when it came to showing sympathy without having to make a face. [Color=silver]"We can go back if you like."[/color]

Kassy looked out at the water to avoid looking at Viktor.[color=orange] “It’s… just flotsam.”[/color] She finally managed to squeak out through the lump in her throat. Viktor stared at her for a moment with skepticism. [color=orange] “And we can go back, but only if you feel like you gained something today.” [/color]

[Color=silver]"I believe so."[/color] Viktor followed her gaze to the water while letting his hand fall from her shoulder. [Color=silver]"Thank you, Kass."[/color] He got up on his feet and offered a hand up. 

[color=orange]“You’re welcome, Viktor.”[/color] Kassy said, forcing a smile as she took his hand and got up. [color=orange] “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”[/color] She tried to relax herself.

[Color=silver]"Noted."[/color] He wouldn't pry, but that did not mean he would simply forget how unsettled she seemed.

[color=orange]“Oh, and just so you know, meditation can be anywhere quiet. Your room, the bath, the library… though I wouldn’t recommend it with the television on.”[/color] She made a little face. [color=orange]“What was that weird show, anyway?” [/color]

[Color=silver]"Ping Your Body, Pong Your Body. It's a competitive game show where the contestants replicate a sport known as table tennis. Two competitors do this by wearing bodysuits meant to replicate that of a hand paddle. The playing field has two respective sides with a net as the divider. To keep it simple, one competitor has to make the ball over the net, bounce off the side of the net, and bypass their competitor to score."[/color] He paused for a second as he thought of how odd the whole thing was. [Color=silver]"It looks ridiculous."[/color] Amused, he wore a short lived slight smile on his face.

Kassy listened to Victor’s explanation of the strange human TV show, and was slightly taken aback at the little flash of a smile. She’d never seen him smile before. It looked good on him. It made her smile back, her sharp teeth gleaming in the sun. [color=orange]“It really does look ridiculous. But I think I would like to watch with you when we get back.”[/color] She started to walk through the sand, back toward the jeep. [color=orange]“If that’s alright.” [/color]

[Color=silver]"Of course it is, Kass."[/color] Viktor gave a single nod. They both had grown to enjoy spending time with each other. Despite the rough meditation session, Kass would consider the whole thing a success overall, especially when it meant making a new friend out of a teammate.