[Training] Hope as far as one can see

Maea

Waking from the dream
Witnessing the smoke that's rolling in

There was always danger involved with putting her feet off the ground. Balance only came as a result of knowing your center of gravity, of being able to displace it and twist and bend in ways that compensated for every motion you performed. It had taken Maea two seasons just to get used to the new ways her horns and tail shifted that center, and for all that she was quick and could land on her feet, she still hadn't come up with a solution for situations like this.

Because Hadama absolutely managed to seize her around the ankle, and suddenly all her momentum was brought to a screeching halt. Jumping awkwardly on one leg with the other held in a strong grip, she tried to twist away and threw a hissing punch at his hopefully exposed midriff - even knowing that there was no strength behind it. At best she could hope to catch him off guard. At worst... he would lift her clean off the floor like she was an actual doll.

Or like a kitten during a hissy fit, being picked up and held by the scruff. Neither image appealed much to her at that moment.

The end is what you fear
The scent of embers lingers in the air