Quilla gestured for Phoenix to enter the dirt circle. Phoenix glanced at Youlden, who crossed his arms in a scowl. 

"I think..." she said, turning back to them. "We'd be more comfortable if we saw what you can do first. We've already had trainers try to come up against us blind. Besides, we don't know very much about Guardians - just what we've read in books that were illegal." 

"Ah, yes, I suppose you're right." Quilla's head bobbed, her hair - short tight curls cut close to her scalp - shone onyx in the sunlight. 

"Don't mind those two," Yoro said, jerking his blond head back the way Norn and Wanda had headed. "They're low ranking officials - barely qualified to trained the inductees who've never had any formal training." 

"Helena is testing you," Quilla said. "As she ought." Her attention turned to Maverick. "The lot of you can't expect to walk in here like a golden goose, expecting to be treated as threats when you haven't proven yourselves. Take no offense by it. They'll learn in their time." 

"Will you show us what you can do?" Roman asked, eager excitement in his voice. "We would love a demonstration."

Quilla dipped her head again. "We would be happy to oblige. But first," she peered amongst the group, her focus landing on Chuck and Victor, waiting silently nearby. "These two. Why so quiet? Come closer." They obeyed, and her lips split into a warm smile. "There. You can't see hiding behind the giant, now can you?" 

"Which would you care for first, a demonstration, or a lesson in Guardians?" Pollemius asked, clasping his hands in front of him. 

"Either," Phoenix said. "I've not met many like me. I've seen less of what they can do."

"Well," Quilla gestured to the other two, "we are trained in physical combat just as much as we are in our own special gifts. I am prodigious in sword combat, Pollemius in hand to hand. And Yoro-"

"I am not one for the physical war as much as the mental." He tapped the side of his head. "But if pressed, I confess I do assist in educating the archers in their crafts." 

"And do each of you have an elemental gift as well?" Phoenix asked, thinking of her own fire and Trey's weather control. 

"We do." Without another word, Quilla stepped into the dirt circle, winking at Phoenix as she went. Silence fell over the group as they watched in anticipation. Quite suddenly, Phoenix realized it wasn't the anticipation keeping her quiet at all.

Opening her mouth, Phoenix tried to make a sound, but none came out. She turned to Maverick, tugging on his arm and pointing to her mouth, again moving her lips soundlessly. He opened his to reply, and just as with her, nothing happened.

It was as though they'd gone deaf and mute simultaneously, and there was nothing they could do about it.

They turned back to Quilla, now grinning at them all from ear to ear. Spreading her arms wide, she twisted away from them and brought her hands together in a resounding clap.  The reverberation of the noise blew back the grass, sent dirt flying, and knocked a man off his feet twenty paces away.

All at once the sound returned.

"I can manipulate sound," Quilla said, rather unnecessarily as she walked back toward them. Her level voice seemed like yelling after the silence. "I take it from my surroundings, build it up inside, and let it loose." 

"That's elemental?" Viktor asked, eyes wide. 

"We are all elemental, my dear," Quilla replied. "And everything we do." 

"Showoff." Pollemius grinned as he folded his arms in front of him. "I can show you mine, but not in a dirt circle. Just keep your eyes on the ground. In fact, I think I've already got you all."

Phoenix dropped her attention to her feet, which were wrapped in grass.  The blades were sliding up her boots, growing longer, clinging to her, and holding her in place.

"Oh my." Phoenix let out a laugh. "Is this just with grass or all plants?"

"Mostly grass here, but bushes are very accommodating as well. The only trees I've had to work with were in Fangralee - and they do not like to be told what to do."

They wriggled in an attempt to get free, but the thousands of blades of grass seemed to root them to the spot.

"Ah, ah, ah. You'll have your chance to escape in a moment. This is better if you're standing still." Pollemius gestured to Yoro.

"Do you manipulate air?" Roman asked, still trying to pull his feet free.

"Air?" Yoro blinked, jerking his head back in surprise. "Heavens no. Why would you think that?"

"You're all---willowy and graceful," Noelle said, answering for Roman. Short as she was, the grass had already climbed up to her thighs. Phoenix was only just above her knees.

Yoro tilted his head back, letting out a long, throaty laugh. "My sweet child, you're too kind. There's no chance in hells I'd ever be able to handle the gift of wind."

"Why not?" Maverick asked, not even bothering to struggle against the weeds climbing higher. 

"Wind is a force to be reckoned with," Yoro said, eyes wide. "It would require someone steady, stable, able to stand against a gale force without being knocked over. The one with the gift of wind is often unmoving - bendable, but not breakable. I could sooner move a mountain than I could handle the wind."

Phoenix stared at him, trying to soak in what he said. Though she'd always thought of a wind-user as someone like Yoro, she could see how such a gift would be too much for him.

"Then what is it you do?" she asked.

Again, Yoro tapped the side of his head. "Just you wait."

Suddenly, everyone disappeared, leaving her alone in the field of green next to the dirt arena. Phoenix sucked in a breath of surprise. "How'd you do that?"

"Lain?" Maverick's voice came from somewhere to her right. "Are you still there?"

"I'm right here," she said, unable to do much more than swivel in the grass. "Where are you?"

"I haven't moved!"

"I'm here!" Noelle called. "But I can't see any of you."

With a snap, they all returned, exactly where they'd been before. Yoro chuckled at their gaping mouths.

"I can manipulate what you do and don't see. I can't take your vision away, but I can affect you. I could also improve your vision if I wanted to. It's difficult to do with many people - otherwise I could win any war by myself. I have to be in close proximity, and even then the numbers are limited."

"Still an impressive gifting," Quilla said, nodding to him with the solidarity of a sister. He smiled and thanked her.

"Now," Pollemius gestured to the blades of grass, which had paused in their climb up. "It's your turn to get out of it. All of you. Step one in your training today." He pointed to Phoenix and Youlden. "I want to specifically see what the two of you can do - use your gifts to get out." 

Before he even finished talking, Maverick broke clear of his grass cocoon with a grunt. Pollemius's brows shot up in surprise, and Mav shrugged.

"I'm stronger than grass."

Pollemius nodded, gesturing to Quilla. "You should train with her, then. The sword needs more than strength." Maverick moved to stand by Quilla's side.

Noelle, who now had grass up to her waist, bent over backwards until her hands touched the earth behind her. Phoenix watched in amusement as the tiny girl tried to rip at the blades. When it wasn't fruitful, she straightened before bending forward, attacking in the same manner. With a huff, she straightened again.

"I can't do this without something sharp."

"Neither can I," said Roman through gritted teeth. Phoenix could tell he was trying to use his speed to get free to no avail. Viktor and Chuck expressed similar frustrations.

"This is a good lesson," Pollemius said. "Because one of the greatest things we have is teamwork. If this happened and your weapon was feet away, you'd be dead. Unless..." he trailed off, eyebrow quirking.

"Mav - a little help?" Roman beckoned for Maverick to come closer, and with a grin, Phoenix's brother marched forward, grabbed Roman by the forearm, and pulled as Roman kicked his feet.

Roman broke free, smashing into Maverick and sending them both to the ground. They burst into laughter.

"Oh for the love - hello! Small girl, climbing grass!" Noelle gestured to the greenery, which had begun its climb anew. 

"You get her, I'll get the other two," Roman said, moving to chuck and telling him to hold on as tight as he could to Roman's shoulders as he took off running.

Maverick marched over to Noelle, his mouth downturned as placed his hands under her armpits and she placed hers around his shoulders. He lifted her up and out, and Phoenix stifled a snort at the waves of embarrassment flowing from each of them as Maverick set her down.

"All right, my turn." Phoenix sighed, considering the emerald strands wrapped around her. "It's almost too beautiful to destroy." Forming a ball of fire in her hand she dropped it on the grass, sending herself up in flames. When her legs were free, she pulled the fire back into herself and stepped away from the mark of scorched earth.

Quilla, Yoro, and Pollemius, watched her with wide eyes.

"Fire?" Yoro said, sounding impressed. "I have never in all my days met a Guardian with one of the four main elements. Those are...very rare. They require great power to control."

"Four main elements?" Chuck asked, still eyeing the grass anxiously.

"Earth, Wind, Fire, and Ice." Yoro counted them off on his fingers.

"Water," Quilla corrected.

"Ice is water," Yoro retorted. "But harder to control." 

All eyes turned to Youlden, who stood with arms folded, glaring at them.

"Go on, you don't have to be shy," Yoro said, smiling up at him. "You know you can do it."

"If I do this," Youlden said, his voice a low grumble. "It doesn't mean I'm a Guardian." 

"Fine, whatever you say," Pollemius said, gesturing to the cocoon. "Just go."

Youlden cast a wary glance at Yoro, something like reluctance in his gaze as he sighed. Dropping his fists to his sides, Youlden jerked his arms up in one fast move. The earth around him came with, throwing the grass up as well. The ground beneath Phoenix's feet rumbled, nearly knocking her to the ground as it broke apart, setting Youlden free of the grassy clutches.

As the dirt fell back to the ground, the blades falling by the wayside, Youlden stood in a miniature version of the dirt circle just feet away. A disbelieving grin spread across Phoenix's lips.

"You said you'd never seen any of the four basic elements?" Roman asked, grinning too as he looked to Yoro. "I guess today is your lucky day."

Whaaaaaaat?! Bet you can't wait to learn more about Guardians now ;) 

Phoenix has fire power but YOULDEN CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS! 

Literally.

Who knew he was such a quiet powerhouse?

How many of you thought he'd be wind? Be honest. *looks for raised hands* Nope. Although wind WOULD be a HELLA powerful gift...it is not one in our group here (super rare). 

What would YOU want for your special gift if you were a Guardian? One of the main four, or something fun like what the other three have (or one not mentioned yet!) Let me know in the comments and we'll see you Thursday for either more Eric OR Phoenix learning more about these Guardians (haven't decided yet).