dangerouswind

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[006]

[Do you know what a wind user does in the rain? She kicks up one hell of a localized storm just outside the village. She's no waterbender, but she's seeing if she can concentrate enough on those gusts of wind to send the water in whatever direction she deems necessary.

It's not all that productive -- after all, raindrops aren't the best weapon -- but focusing on her control is always good training.

Besides, she's just happy to play in the rain.

Later, she'll be found wandering the village, soaking wet and not going in any particular direction. She might stop in the bakery for something sweet and she'll be popping into Good Spirits a little later for something bracing to drink.

She'll even address the village at large, via an unfiltered message in the journal:]

I love the rain.

[So sue her. She's actually in a good mood.]

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Was just making sure you weren't looking to fill a quota. [He raises his hand in a placating gesture.]

And rain's a cooler thing than snow in any case.

A quota. [She snorts.]

You out here for a reason? I would have thought it too troublesome to get wet.

It is. But the spirits are out today.

[Specifically worded to see what reaction it may bring. 8|a]

[Her reaction is oh-so mild.]

Are they? I haven't been listening.

[No fun. 8| Oh well.]

A few of them, yeah.

[...and then as if to make up for being missed, have a decidedly strong gust of wind in your face. That would be Kipinn, saying hi.]

[The hell. That wasn't nice.]

I wasn't really out here for them.

[You were clearly ignoring him. And you even have such a bond with his element. He clearly just wanted you to pay attention to him - or maybe it happened because the mun found it amusing. Anyways.]

Obviously. [And a small snort, because the mun wasn't the only one who found that funny.]

[You're an ass. Do you know that?]

I can always send more rain into your face.

[He's been informed on more than one occasion.]

Oi, wasn't my fault. [Turning back to the task at hand now.] Don't mind me, just go back to channeling those happy thoughts or whatever.

Of course not. And it didn't amuse you either.

That's a trick question, isn't it?

Actually, it was sarcasm. But if you'd like to answer the implied question, be my guest.

[She has her fan in hand, after all.]

Too troublesome. I'll pass.

[He takes a moment to orient himself again, conscious of which direction the wind is pushing those rain drops. This is warm up for him - it's been a while since he's worked with Kipinn, and he has far less experience with him.]

So what brings you out this far? Since it's not the spirits and all.

[Of course it's too troublesome. She expected no other answer.

She shrugs.]

It's raining so I decided to train a bit.

[Wind blowing northeast; rain at the back of his neck-]

Seems like a lot of us had that idea. [And there's a shift there, about a foot from his position where the wind begins to curve around him.] We're all nuts, doing it in this weather.

[She's watching him; she knows that expression. He's got other things on his mind. After all, he did just basically admit to being out here to practice and train.]

It's invigorating. Different.

For you. We get rain sometimes in Konoha. [~~Conveniently after someone dies.~~ And speaking of rain, it's following that current of air - not quite in the direction he wants it to go though. He tilts his head, trying to get the current to circle back.]

[Her answer is a noncommittal hum; her attention is on the rain following that current of air. Ah, so that's it, is it? Wind is her territory, Nara. What are you trying to do here?

One corner of her mouth quirks upward as he tilts his head and she just shakes hers.]

You're trying too hard.

[Whut.

There's a change in the wind, and then he loses the current altogether, rain falling against his back once again. He twitches, then spares a moment to frown at her.]

Huh. First time I've been accused of that one.

[Let's try this again, then. 8|]

[She shakes her head, watching curiously as he loses the current. It's not often she sees him have to work for such things. After a moment, she decides to have pity on him. It's heartless to watch someone struggle.

... Well, sorta. He's not doing that bad, but he could use a few pointers.]

It's wind, Shikamaru. You're trying to control it and that's never going to work.

[She hefts her fan and sends a gust of wind into the rain. It's precision work; Shikamaru would be able to see the slice curving through the raindrops, until it tapers off and gently buffets a tree at the far end of the clearing.]

Wind wants to be free. I'd wager that even a friendly spirit like Kipinn would rail against being caged. It's wild and powerful and it won't respect boundaries. The more you try strict control, the more it will resist. Don't control wind; you never will anyway. Unleash it.

You could say the same thing about any element, but people manage anyways. I don't see how wind should be that different.

[Whether he can see it or not though, it's obvious Temari has the right idea here (and admittedly, not a surprise considering it's her element). There's a breeze from Kipinn yet again, gentler this time and warm in agreement.

...Traitor. Must not sulk. But he's clearly outnumbered here.]

Even if it is [And yes, he's admitting you're right here, okay] ...you're making it sound too easy. It has to take more than that.

[He's not so good at the 'unleashing' thing.]

People manage because they understand their element. Besides, you're not seriously going to stand there and tell me that all elements are the same. It's not the simple and you know it.

[Him and his logical mind. Temari sighs. Clearly, she's going to have to approach this differently.] You, me, and Chouji are on a mission together. You and I? We're not close-range fighters. We'll manage, if we have to, but we'll be finding ways to fall back and rely on our strengths. Chouji and I aren't the most stealthy of ninja out there; that's your thing. The last thing you'd do is send Chouji out for recon; he's your muscle.

It's the same thing with the wind. You play to its strengths. Wind isn't something that you conjure up, set loose, and then it's gone. It's always there, always wanting to move. Give it direction and it will be a valuable ally. Try to contain it and you'll find yourself with more trouble than it's worth on your hands.

[An ally, Shikamaru. Not a tool. Surely you can make that distinction.]

[Put into those terms... yes, he thinks he can. His expression remains loosely attentive; processing.

Shikamaru is not a powerhouse. He has no elemental affinity and his clan's jutsus are a subtler art, but exacting. His only other strong-suits lie in his strategy and his creative use of weapons - and that would be where he made his mistake.

He wouldn't use wind to put out a fire, same as he wouldn't use Chouji or Temari for a surveillance op. Different strengths; different tactics. He can aim a bolt of lightning, but he can't throw it like a kunai.

Similarly, using filial magic wouldn't be the same thing as using his weapons, then.] Aa.

[And he ducks his head, lowering his voice in an apology for the wind spirit's ears only.]

[But there's a grin on his face when he raises it.]

Oi. Show me that move again?

[She's quiet while he thinks. He's so obvious at it; it's almost cute. It's like she can watch him cataloging and processing information -- and she's ridiculously proud of herself for managing to put it into terms that made it click for him.

And then he gives her that grin and she returns it. Yeah, he's got that brain of his on it.]

You got it.

[And she sends a gust slicing through the rain once again.]

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