The change was apparent to Satu’s HeartSense immediately, Arianni had transformed. Subtly and simply, the Konti girl worked through the First Form with more ease in her movements and spirit than she had shown all afternoon. And Happiness! Happiness resided within Arianni’s Heart shift. Satu, eyes bright, matched the Konti’s smile. The girl understood! “You have grasped it! The spirit of the suvai, I mean! I can see it, do you feel it? Do you feel the change?” Satu asked excitedly, pleased at what she considered to be a glorious acknowledgement of her own special view of suvai wielding. “That is what we build on!” A connection, tentative before, slowly grew and blossomed into friendship. The two Konti girls, so completely different, complimented one another, Satu outwardly and Arianni inwardly. Satu did not at first realize this, thinking the desire to protect Arianni was a result of the girl’s timidity, and the Suvai Fighter’s own desire to help her reach her potential. Before, Satu had wanted nothing more than to put an arm around the shy Konti and assure her the world was a beautiful, lovely place, and that no harm would ever come to her. After Arianni had given her thanks, their eyes met and held, even amid the blush of the novice’s cheeks. Satu answered honestly and kindly, “Arianni, no thanks are needed. I do this because I wish to…” Unexpectedly it dawned on Satu; her intentions towards the girl had changed. Arianni had moved so compellingly across the grass in her own haphazard way that Satu could not take her eyes off the girl. The way her blonde hair moved in the breeze, and the way her feet stumbled upon some unknown thing, and the improper wrist techniques for wielding the suvai, all these actions endeared her to Satu. And ever present was Arianni’s sweet Heart… oh Avalis! Her own Heart fluttered youthfully. There was something there! And true to her nature, Satu felt no fear, only excitement as new and exquisite feelings flooded her Heart, washing over her, and through her. A creature of feeling, Satu flowed with what resided in her Heart, and her teaching methods, moved within the tide of that perception. “Let us complete one more practice before you break for rest…” she said. “You hide at times... Inwardly,” Satu offered, softly, yet kindly so as not to hurt the girl’s feelings. “You tend to round your shoulders, or lower your head…” Hands, strong from practice, but gentle in touch reached for the girl. Satu lifted Arianni’s head, lightly with a touch on the chin. And, “Lengthen here,” Satu said quietly, as she swept her hand upwards along the girl’s spine, from the lower back to just past the curve of her pale neck. Then Satu’s hands stroked outwardly along the backs of the novice’s shoulders, urging them to open and allow the Heart to lead. Satu’s hands aspired to give physical reference for the verbal corrections that were being offered. Satu studied Arianni’s Heart before she placed her palm against it with intense focus. Warmth radiated from her hand and she said, “To wield the suvai, you must stand tall and proud. Carry confidence here, in your Heart. The horn’s magnificent spirit will know and respond to this!” “Put away your suvai now. And move in the same Form once again, without them. But this time we will dance the Form’s movements, and I will be your shadow, to guide you.” With a smile, Satu lifted a hand to hold further questions or concerns that Arianni might have, “You know the movements already, but now let your true emotions soar free!” And Satu waited for Arianni to find her Beginning Stance once again. When Arianni was settled and ready, Satu moved to stand behind her. “Go through the positions slowly, and I will match your movements… as you may match mine.” She lifted her arms, and bent her knees, waiting so very close to Arianni, that their bodies almost brushed against one another’s. Satu whispered, breath feathery in the shorter Konti’s ear, “Don’t think, just act. The body will know what to do, and how to do it. If you stumble, just lean into me; come back to me and the dance.” |