Work Text:
Between her fingers, a spark. Controlled, measured, careful, a blue sliver that travels along with the veins in her body. "Yes, yes, very good, Miss Annette! Now, step back, and release."
Rumble and resonance, but it fizzles out the second her foot touches the dirt. Electricity that dies before discharging, sends a shiver down her spine before it dissipates. She sighs, frustrated. Failure, unacceptable.
"Oh, forget it." And Annette sighs. Electricity gone, replaced with a fierce gust of wind that raises her coat and hair. Wearing a matching posture to hers, studious, hand on chin, he shakes his head.
"No, I'm afraid I cannot." Forgetting it isn't the type of action Hanneman wants to voluntarily take. Annette is a promising pupil. "It is quite alright, Miss Annette! Your skill with Wind magic is more than enough, and could take you quite far on its own."
Turning on her heels, she seems just a little bit less disappointed. "Right, right, I… I know. Jack of all trades, master of none. I know." Deep breaths, and she folds her arms. "I just wanted to be… even better, you know?"
It's a tale she's told time and time again, but not to him. One she's tried to be rid of, but never disposed of entirely. If Annette doesn't put her all into something, then… then what's the point?
"Do forgive me for the assumption, but… is there something more in your mind?" He sits down first, against the wall of the training hall. Gestures to a spot next to him, and she takes it. Similar spots once existed in Fhirdiad. Now, in her mind only.
"Embarrassing stuff, mostly." A snicker, accompanied soon by one from him. He laughs like her uncle. Like her father. "Just… just embarrassing stuff, professor."