Cassandra tried to follow his instructions, to consciously relax, to release the tension that had coiled in her muscles. It was difficult, especially with Alaric so close, his presence a constant source of distraction and… something more.
"Now, try again," Alaric said, stepping back slightly, giving her a sliver of space, a momentary reprieve. "Same kata. But this time, focus on the flow. Don't force it. Guide it."
Cassandra took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind, to push aside the swirling emotions, the shame, the fear, the unwanted thrill that Alaric's proximity evoked. She focused on his words, on the image of flowing water, on the idea of channeling, not forcing.
She began the kata again, her movements looser this time, more fluid, less rigid. She still reached for her Battle Aura, but this time, she focused on guiding it, on allowing it to flow naturally through her limbs, through her strikes.