snowtourn

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (whenever you’re ready! :3)

(Thanks for the reminder! I just got off of work!) Zerada stared down into the arena. It had been a rather- Not quite tense, but still engaging- complicated match. Zerada was well aware that Kal’s abilities were useful for himself, and for only a short distance with combat. She knew him well enough to have known that he didn’t use his powers. He could’ve won faster. He didn’t have to get burned and nearly thrown into lava. Whoever that nerd was with the glasses, she wasn’t all too fond of him. Maybe Kal falling into the lava was an accident, but it still happened due to Darcy’s actions. She wasn’t fond of him. Zerada remained gloomily squinting into the arena with a frown on her face. She couldn’t hear what they were saying all that well, but Zerada could tell that Kal was being a puppy. She wanted to knock some sense into his dumbass. “Such a dumbass..” Zerada mumbled. @Sauce | Roy 🌩

Roy overheard a rather grumpy looking girl and frowned a bit. “Hey- don’t call him a dumbass just because he lost.” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"Oh- Uh-" Zerada glanced over to Roy. "Sorry. He just kind of is- He's my cousin, so I think I can get rights to call him a 'dumbass.'" @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Buh? Oh! Ha, I just thought you were bein’ cruel! Didn’t realize y’all were cousins. Ah, I’m Roy, don’t think we’ve met yet.” He gave her a friendly smile. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"It's okay, most people don't know." For good reason, too. Dear god, the association with Kal was something Zerada dreaded. Jokingly, of course. She loved the dumbass. "Ah, yeah, I don't think we've met at all. It's nice to meet you, Roy. I'm Zerada." @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Good to meet you too! And, I get it, if you didn’t know me and my sisters were related, you’d think we hate each other with what we say sometimes, haha!” He was significantly less stressed that he was this morning, getting his powers under control must have helped his stress. At his side he fidgeted with his hands, small sparks danced around his hands. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"Oh? You have sisters?" Zerada asked. "Are any of them on the island, too?" @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Ha, no. I’m ah… the only one with powers. I don’t think my heart could take it if they were here!” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“Oh, gotcha,” Zerada paused. “Are you the oldest?” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He was smiling more now, happy to talk about his family. “Naw, I’m the second oldest. It’s my sister Gale who’s oldest, then my baby sister Claire. Heheh, she’d punch me for callin’ her baby… ah, love ‘em to death. How ‘bout you? Any other family?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“Uh- No, I’m an only child,” Zerada said, somewhat awkwardly. “Though, my grandparents lived with us. That was nice.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He had moved a hand into his hair now. “That’s good! My old folks ain’t ah… the greatest people sometimes. Got some dated views.” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

Zerada glanced back into the arena. “Yeah, mine did as well.. Makes living with them rough at times, doesn’t it?” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Ha… yeah. Definitely was rough when my sister came out… She’s tougher than me.” He sighed a bit. “But they’re family, you gotta love ‘em…” He looked down at the arena, his mind getting side tracked wondering how they got lava here. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"Yeah.. Gotta love them," Zerada cleared her throat somewhat awkwardly as she also glanced into the lava below. ".. Crazy how they got that inside, isn't it?" @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Yeah.” He turned to her, looking a bit sheepish. “This is bit of a depressing topic, huh?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

Zerada blinked a few times. “The- The lava? I don’t think it’s depressing, it’s more intriguing than anything else.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Bwuh? Oh! Ha, I thought you were still talkin’ about family… ha! Yeah, I wonder how they got it here… maybe they built a tunnel from the volcano somehow? Ah, maybe that’s how they heat the place…” Totally not, but it would be cool if it were true. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (edited)

"Oh- Yeah, no, I was-" She motioned to the lava. "Talking about the lava.. I don't know if a tunnel would be able to work. Maybe someone here has lava powers, and they filled the arena?" Zerada frowned. "I'm not sure.." @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Hm, maybe? Sounds like a strong power! Ah… speaking of which I need to train….” He looked back down to the arena. “…how are they supposed to turn it back?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“Train, huh? Train with what? Your powers, or a different kind of training?” Zerada asked with a raised eyebrow. She glanced back into the arena. “.. I don’t know.. Maybe they don’t want us to see?” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“My powers, I ah, I don’t got a great handle on them, ha… I’ve never really fought people before? Like, I’m usually trying to keep the lighting in and not hurt people…” His eyebrows furrowed as he explained. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (edited)

Zerada raised her other eyebrow. “Lightning? I have lightning powers as well,” She spoke. “I could- Try and assist you.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“You- huh?! You have lighting powers too? Ha, what’re the odds! And- and you’d help me?” His eyes practically popped out of his head! “I’d really appreciate it!!” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (edited)

“Yeah, I can- Lend a hand,” Zerada gave him a small smile. This energy definitely felt familiar. It was kind of nice. “Teya, a member of this island, also has lightning powers as well.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Wait really?? Ha! What’re the odds? Yeah, I’d really appreciate the help!” He return the smile with a much bigger one. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“Yeah, no problem,” Zerada managed a slightly bigger smile. “What kind of powers do you have? Are you able to generate your own lightning and control it? Or just manipulate lightning that is already existing?” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“It sorta comes from within, it just kinda generates and then I let it out, if that makes sense?” As he spoke more with Zerada he became more relaxed. He started to talk more with his hands! Small arcs of lightning moved around his hands harmlessly. He was happy that someone else with more experience with these powers could help him. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (edited)

“No, it makes sense. That’s how mine works, too.” Zerada hummed. “I can generate my own electricity, as well as control bolts that exist.” She watched as Roy created small smarts of lightning. Huh, interesting. @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Huh, I’ve never tried it with electricity I didn’t make. Well I’m ready to get started if you are!” Man’s stimming, excited to start working on properly controlling his powers. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"Perhaps we can try it. I could make some, and you can do your best to bend it from my control." Zerada suggested. "We'll just need a good spot to- Oh.. Huh." She looked down into the arena. It seemed to be normal now. How the hell did they miss that? "Well.. I guess we have a spot to do it." @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Ah.. I think I oughta work on controlling my own lightning before that.. hm? Oh! Ha, wow they changed that over fast. Maybe there is someone with lava powers. Ready to head down?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

She gave a slight shrug. "Yeah, we can head on down. And you're right, it's best to control your own lightning first. I'll do my best to help you control it." @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He smiled brightly at her. “Thanks for the help. Hmm, why don’tcha show me how you control yours first? Learnin’ from example and all that.” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“Sure, I can do that.” Zerada nodded. The two of them headed down into the arena. Everything was all put together and organized quite nicely. As she stepped a good distance from Roy, she shrugged off her hoodie and tossed it to the side. “The thing about lightning is that it’s very chaotic,” Zerada began to explain. “It’s one of those elements that, I believe, isn’t meant to be controlled, but rather, worked alongside with. I may form the electricity, and I can help guide it, but it can try all it wants to act in its own way. So, I work in tandem with it.” In her left hand, streaks of yellow electricity began to dance along the tips of her fingers. Zerada kept her actions slow as she made the lightning form into the center of her palm, where it formed a small orb. Then, it dissolved back into her skin. Her veins became illuminated as it traveled up her arm, through her chest, and into her right hand. The lightning buzzed with intensity as Zerada formed it into a small, tight ball of lightning in her palm. Instead of a yellow glow of typical lightning, it was now a white ball of condensed electricity that hovered over her palm. “It’s difficult, but as it’s doable.” Zerada paused. “What helped me gain confidence and comfort is that I have super speed, so I can generate that electricity, but also think quick enough and act quick enough to react to however the lightning wants to change. If things get difficult for you, maybe you can try moving your whole body with the movement of the electricity, help circulate it and work with it.” Her face flushed red slightly. “I hope this is making sense, lightning is- A very difficult element to master, but I believe you’ll do well.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩 (edited)

He was mesmerized by her control over it, the fact that it reabsorbed into her and then came out the other hand was astonishing to him. It was a level of control he could only dream of having. “I.. wow. You must have a lot of experience with this! Ha, hmm.” His eyebrows furrowed as the thought a moment. “Mm. Were you, ah, were you born with your powers or..?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“It’s- Been a few years with them,” She cleared her throat. “I wasn’t born with them. They-.. Came into my life when I was about sixteen.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“O-oh. I’ve, ah. I’ve had mine since I was, hmm, thirteen? I got struck by lightning and it kinda just. Stayed there.” To have that much control when she’s only had them for a few years, compared to him with so little was certainly disheartening. This was clearly a sore subject, but he wanted to know… “Um, do your powers- do they hurt you? Like-“ He gestured to his arms, covered with lighting-like scars. “All of these are from my powers.” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (edited)

“Struck by lightning? Huh, kind of like the Flash, a bit,” Zerada smiled lightly. At his question, she frowned slightly. “No, they- They, they don’t leave scars, but they can hurt. They can leave burns, but I haven’t noticed any scarring.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He scowled at the ground for a moment before shaking his head. “Mmm. Maybe that’ll go away eventually…” He held up a hand and then smiled a bit sheepish. “I guess I should show you how I do it now?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“It could go away, the longer that you practice with your powers. From how you’ve described it, it seems like your body’s trying to fight it rather than work with it.” Zerada hummed. “It’ll be okay. Now, yeah, if you do wanna show me how you do it, go for it.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Alright, um, I apologize in advance if I hit you on accident.” With that he went a few steps away from Zerada. He took a few deep breaths, seemingly hyping himself up before he held out his hands. His scars lit and the electricity within scattered out along his arms. It shot around erratically, happily connecting to anything within reach. Roy forced the lightning to move down his arms and into his palms, forming a ball of electricity in his hands. He held it there for a moment, arms shaking, before tossing it as far as he could away from him and Zerada. The ball traveled away, arcs of lightning striking the ground and finally dissipating as it hit a far wall. He panted a bit and then shook out his hands, cringing in pain for a moment. “You- you don’t have to be nice, I know it’s a hot mess.” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"It's a good start," Zerada admitted. "It's pretty good. Better than how I had my lightning exploding on me the instant I tried to use it at the start." Zerada paused for a moment. "It looks like maybe your electricity is a bit slower than it should be when it tries to leave your body, which can cause pain. I had a similar issue at first." From her pocket, she pulled a blade. Zerada held out the metal blade to Roy. "Try this. Hold onto this blade and use it as a conductor. Channel your lightning into the blade. Try a little bit at first, just to get a feel for it." @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He smiled a bit at the praise and laughed. “Hah, it was a lot of exploding to get here…” He shook out his hand a bit more before looking at the blade and frowning. “Ah, me and metal get along like a fork in a microwave… but if you think it’ll help…” He held out his hand for the blade. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"I'm sure," Zerada smiled somewhat tiredly. She understood that all too well. "Don't worry, this'll be safe. A-.. Friend of mine helped design this type of blade for me specifically made to conduct electricity safely. It's to help reduce explosions with the wrapping of the handle and the design of the blade. She forged it for me. It was particularly designed for attacks." Zerada placed the blade in Roy's hand. The blade had a slight weight to it, and the wrappings felt somewhat- Off? Something about it felt weird, but it also felt nice. It was plain to see that the blade was crafted with care and caution. @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Oh! Oh, wow. I- thank you for lettin’ me use it…” He took the blade, feeling it’s strange but comfortable design. “This is well made. Lotta care put into it! Nice of your pal to make it for you.” He once again hyped himself up and allowed the lighting to flow, sparks shot around for a moment before he focused the energy back into his hands and into the blade. His face scrunched in concentration. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

Zerada remained silent as she watched. She took in Roy's appearance, his stance, the tension in his shoulders, every little detail to try and understand better how Roy used his powers. @Sauce | Roy 🌩

His stance was incredibly stiff with most of the tension focused in his shoulders and arms. Apprehension and stress clear throughout his posture and expression. He was able to focus the lightning into the blade, but it would fizzle in and out. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

"I know it's hard," Zerada started, "But you need to ease the tension in your body. Take deep breaths through your nose, and let them out through your mouth. Ease your body, your heart, and let the lightning flow. You're causing a physical resistance to it which is causing it to harm you." @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He looked up from the blade and blinked a few times, taking in the advice. “Mm, alright..” He rolled his shoulders back and tried taking in a few deep breaths. There was still a good amount of tension in his expression. He focused back on the blade, able to keep the lighting in for longer than before, but still struggling. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

Zerada was silent for a few moments before she spoke up. “You know, why don’t we take a few moments to sit and relax a little? Maybe that’ll help out a bit. Then, if you’d like, we can try it again.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Huh? I- alright, if you think it’ll help.” He handed the blade back to her. “…what should we do?” He has a hard look on his face, clearly frustrated that he was struggling with this. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“Here, just hold onto it for now and familiarize yourself with it more.” Zerada held the back back out. “And- I’m not the best at relaxing, but breathing exercises sound silly, but they work.” Zerada took a seat on the ground. @Sauce | Roy 🌩

Ah, breathing exercises. He knows what those are. Taking back the blade, he sits down as well. He shifts around a bit until he feels comfortable, his long ass legs sprawled out in front of him. “Alright, um, you lead?” He didn’t see the point of this yet, but he trusted Zerada to know what she was doing. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“It’s just- A simple breathing exercise. I want you to take a deep breath in for ten seconds, hold it for five, and then exhale. Once you’ve exhaled, hold your breath again for five, and then breathe in for ten seconds again. I find this one to be the best way to go about it. The pauses make you focus on your own heartbeat and the way the lightning feels in your veins.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Mm, alright.” He did as he was told, but between breaths he’d shift his seating, seemingly still restless. His hands were clenched into fists. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

Zerada remained silent and continued with the breathing exercise. She waited to see if Roy would calm down or not. @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He continued to shift occasionally, until letting out a more huffy breath. “Um, I don’t mean to question you and all- but, why are we doin’ this?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“It’s supposed to make you feel calmer.” Zerada sighed. “Not workin’ for you?” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He frowned a little. “Not really, sorry… I don’t do well with sittin’ still, I guess. …Why do I need to relax?” He gestured at the blade. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (edited)

“No, like- Your body’s too tense, which is why it’s hard for your lightning to come out and it’s why it hurts so much. You need to relax your body, Roy, for your own safety.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Buh? I’m- I feel fine, what do you mean by tense? How do- how do I not do that?” He once again readjusted his seating position. Bro cannot sit still. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“Here-” Zerada sighed and stood up. “Go and run a few laps. That might help you calm down a bit. That’s what helped me a bunch.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He cocked his head like a dog, confused. “I feel fine…” He shook his hand out again, small sparks flowing. “Why would me being tense mess with this?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

God, Zerada truly was being reminded of Richard. “Well, it’s because you’re capable of creating something more without potentially hurting or scarring yourself.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“I- I get that I can be better! I just…” His face scrunched with frustration. He understood that he had to relax, but he couldn’t make himself do it. “It don’t work for me like it does for you.” He sighed heavily and ran his fingers through his hair, static dancing between his fingertips and the strands of hair. As he did this, some of the tension he had been carrying in his shoulders relaxed. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

Zerada was silent for a few moments. She wasn't too sure what to actually say to that. ".. I'm sorry, you're right." She bit back a sigh and shifted slightly. "I can only work off of my own experience, I've never- Had the chance to teach someone with my own powers. Maybe Teya could- Try and help you out? I don't know how her powers are, but she has lightning powers as well." @Sauce | Roy 🌩

Guilt flashed across his face. “Ah, don’t- don’t feel bad, you’re doin’ your best. And it was kinda- some of it helped, y’know? I’m just… we’re wired different.” There was complete honesty in his voice, he really did appreciate that she tried to help, it just didn’t work for him. “I don’t think I’ve met Teya yet, but that sounds like a good idea. Somethings gotta work eventually, ha, right?” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“.. It’s probably because- Your Lightning’s a bit more natural than mine,” Zerada spoke quietly. “I didn’t get mind in the way most masters get their powers, and even nature didn’t grant me these abilities.” She took in a deep breath. “Hold onto the blade, okay? You can keep it with you, I have another one. Three more, actually. Maybe this’ll help you further more down the road.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

He could tell that this was a sore subject. Though he wanted to know more about others lightning powers, he left it alone. He held the blade a little tighter and smiled. “Oh! Thank you! Ha, it’ll be nice to have a weapon that doesn’t explode on me. Thank you, for this and for helpin’ me.” @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

(If Roy wants to do a persuasion check with a charisma modifier, he can try and beat out a score of 15 and she can talk about it) “No problem,” She offered him a small smile. “I’m sorry I can’t be more help.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩

“Naw don’t worry about it. Hm, well I think’ll head out, look around a bit more. It was good to meet you Zerada.” He gave her a smile and waved, heading out of the arena. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

“See you.” Zerada offered him a small wave of her own. She made her leave.” @Sauce | Roy 🌩