[Training] The end is what you fear

Maea

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

Though the early morning wind was anything but warm, it was a decided improvement to the freezing temperatures of the Grounds. And while a pelting rain soaked her to the skin and made the rocky ground slick and hazardous to tread, it was an improvement to ice, sleet and muddy paths. 

Focus on the positive. Find the silver linings. Embrace them, and face the stormclouds later. 

After a quick warmup, Maea began to move through a series of exercises. Strengthening her core, legs and back, alongside legs and arms, she made a dance out of the motions. Slowly shifting from stance to stance, paying attention to where stiffness hindered her, where imbalances had begun to set in, repeating a form over and over whenever her body hesitated, she let go of everything else. 

It felt good to move again. For too long she had neglected her training, and she felt it keenly. Her reflexes had dulled, instincts were getting in the way, not to mention what the trauma of dying had done to her mind... 
No matter. She was adressing it now. And in a while, when she felt ready, she might return to the city and find someone to spar with. Maybe Hadama would have time. 

A thought for later; she set it aside, counted her breaths and returned to the first stance, beginning the series over again with water running down her face and back, sodden white hair plastered against her neck.

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