...i recognize this

This is very cute, and I do like it a lot, however, there are a few corrections I wish to make. 1) The head is too large. I know you're trying to make it look cute but...it's too big. As are the eyes. 2) The horn needs to be bigger to match the head (or the head needs to be smaller to match the horns, either way.) Also, the horns need some kind of connection to the head so they look like they were just glued on or something. 3) Even with a snake dragon, the body needs to taper, small at the neck near the head, large at the chest, slightly smaller at the hips, and tapering slightly and evenly to the tip of tail. Although you did pretty well with the eveness, there's no distinction between neck, body, and tail in this picture. 4) This is less of a critique and more of an idea, you could probably do a lot more with that sphere than just a swirling gray mass. Be creative, colorful, and magical!! On a positive note, I really like the wings and head shape and the dragon overall.

It seems familiar, but the shading is nice. *peers* Is it just me or am I seeing different colors of grey?

Wow, great Raina! head and body are really good, and I especially love the great wings! I also admire the scale work! But I again agree with Rana it needs a better background.

thi does look familiar but why???? this is very nice, the only thing i would change is the thickness of the body its a little too thin

*nods* okays. gotcha.

why does me think that my name and Raina's will soon get thoroughly confused? anyway, like I said, I do really like it, but there are some things that could be done to improve it.

I'll change my name.

no, you don't have to! It's ok, really. ...Perhaps something interesting will happen because of it. Besides, everyone could also call me RM if they wanted to.

i just didn't think about it when i registered. sorry. oh, and @jade and catc: I posted a very early version of this on my previous account. that's probably why it seems familiar.

It's ok, I really do like your name. I think it's pretty. ^-^

thanks. i like yours, too.

*puts on a miniature water display for Raina* *water droplets spin around, flashing all sorts of different colors* *some make water strings, others water discs, and three combine to make a mini water-tornado*

O.O oooh....*reaches out to touch one of the water discs*

*rana quickly softens the edge of the water discs, turning it into a sort of blood-cell like shape* Be careful, those edges are sharp. *they're kinda like water-ninja knives*

*places her foot back down and watches* pretty...*shuffles her wings gently*

neh neh, are you good with water??? (oh, go look at the red-wing picture thingy...)

*shakes her head* I'm not good with anything, if I'm honest.

ok then, training time! *all the water droplets disappear into Rana's hand, leaving only one small one left* Okay, I'm going to throw this at you...I want you to grab it in your hand, and keep it there as long as possible, ok? I'll keep it spinning for you. *throws little water ball at Raina*

*snatches the water ball and squashes it* ...oops...

It's ok, it takes a while. Here, *takes Raina to a stream* See this water is already moving, already has lots of energy, you just need to direct it. Now, I want you to concentrate really hard, you're trying to get a drink, but you can't bend down to the water, ok? Bring it up to you.

*stares at the water, concentrating REALLY hard...leans forward in her concentration and topples into the water* ACK! *shakes her head and sputters*

*gives Raina a hand to help pull her back up* Here, like this! *Rana holds her hand out over the stream, her eyes tightly closed* You enter the stream, understand the stream. Where did it come from, where is it going? Why does it go there, and does it want something different? And some water says YES! There are always some bits of water that don't like to be dictated by gravity. Call to them, and pull them up, towards you. *Rana stops speaking, and waves her hand bck and forth, in tempo with the stream* *slowly, a small wave in the center grows larger and larger, drawing closer to her* *ranna pulls three large water spheres out of the wave, and lets the rest of the water back into the stream* See?

*sits back on her haunches and watches* Hmm... *inches closer, afraid to fall in again. Concentrates on the water, listening to it, her head gently weaving back and forth over the glistening surface. Tendrils of smoke skitter up across Raina's face as her eyes close in concentration, her nails gently working the earth as she tries to coax the water toward her. A painfully small thread of water reaches up from the stream and tickles her nose* Oh! *skitters backwards and scrinches up her nose*

AH! good good! Now, this water obviously likes being a string. There is no other form for it. So here's what you need to do. Reach down the tendril with your mind, find where the endge is between water that wants UP and water that wants down, and break it. Bring the water up to you, always keep it in a string. It will go back down if you force it into a sphere or disc. Now draw that string into your hand, like your hand is drinking water, ok?

*looks down at her claws* Like they're drinking water? *giggles* That sounds silly. But okay. *lowers her head toward the water, sensing the motion and energy as her eyes drift shut. Flutters her wings as she easily slips into the motions of the water, feeling about for that 'edge.' Gently tugs on the water that wants to go up, ensuring its easy upward motion, and releases it from the rest of the water. The thread of loose water flies upward and slaps her in the face and lands in her hand*

Ok, now that you brought the water UP, finish the treaty, and make it part of you. draw the water in until it's inside of you. *a small tendril of water appears above Rana's hand, then slowly, like a cuddling pet that cuddles closer and closer, sank back down into her hand*

*concentrates* A part of me...*lets the tendril of water weave around her--up across her cheeks, around her slanting horns there, back around her wings--then lets it settle in the palm of her clawed hand. Stares at her claws in amazement*

*rana stares at Raina* Wow...that's either some very strong water, or a very natural ability with water yourself! *rana stares over Raina's shoulder* What's happening?

*winces and turns* What did I do?

Allowing it to move around you in such a way either means that it has a very strong mind of it's own, or that you have a natural ability with water, and you just don't know it yet. *looks in awe and wonder as the water tendril sinks gratefully into Raina's palm* That was wonderful! *claps loudly* now, next lesson, try drawing the water back out of yourself. You're calling it out, because you need it's aid, and by helping you, it will both save you and itself. Once water is bound to a person, all life in it dies when it's host dies. Thus, you need to take great care of yourself to protect your water. Okay, draw it out. Ask for it's protection.

*concentrates long and hard, calling out to the water within herself. Sings its praise and begs for its help......but nothing happens. Whimpers worriedly* Rana...

Hmm...this water must be very strong indeed...it must sense that you're not even in danger, and it isn't even curious. *suddenly, five water tendrils appear connected to Rana's fingertips* *slashing her hand through the air, the water tendrils reach through space, striking Raina harshly across the cheek* NOW! Fight back, so you can live! *Rana takes a defensive pose and waits for Raina's response*

OWW! Hey! *reaches for Rana, her glossy black nails shining in the light. Threads of water lash out from her clawtips and strike Rana's legs, knocking her over. She pounces Rana* RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*instantly, a sheild of water blocks Raina from reaching Rana* *after having stopped Raina's first attack, the shield lowers* *claps* brilliant raina, absolutely brilliant! That was a very good attack! I'm sorry for having to attack you like that, but some water needs a REASON for leaving it's host, thus, I gave it one. Now, for some finer details. Water comes in several different forms, the main ones being spheres and strings. Also, with more finesse and practice, you can get discs, water whirls, cubes, and other shapes as well. Strings are exellent weapons, connected to your fingers, can do anything from whippiong your opponent, to binding him, to blocking his nostril, or any number of other attacks. Spheres are good for scouting mission, healings, and visions. Discs are amazing throwing weapons. Water whirls don't do much unless they are very big, and then they act like tornadoes. Now, try drawing a sphere out of the stream.

*hops up and down and bunkers down at the water's edge, flicking her tail like a concentrating kitty* Okay...Gotcha... *tilts her head to the side and hums gently along with the stream's quiet song. Whispers* It's such a pretty little tune...it speaks of the water's journey, of its never-ending cycles upon the earth...it's...brilliant... *her heart sings to the water, bowing her head so low that the stream almost laps the end of her muzzle. Slowly pulls her head back and brings with it a small shimmering orb, a tendril of water connecting it to the stream itself. With a hushed whisper the water breaks free and Raina balances the sphere atop her maw. Opens her eyes and cheers* YAY!!...AAAH!! *sphere of water loses its shape and soaks Raina's face, dripping down her scales* O.=.O

*rana cracks up giggling* ohhhhheeheeheehahaha!!! *after laughing for a couple minute,s Rana wipes the tears from her eyes* Oh, that was so perfect...teehee. Anyway, you did a brilliant job calling the water, I could hardly have done a better job myself. The only thing I have to say is try not to catch such a prankster next time, ok? Now try again. You're doing wonderfully, by the way!

*snorts at you and shakes the water from her face* Yeah, yeah...laugh if you want. *sighs and settles down at the water's edge once more, trying again. Repeats her steps and calls another orb from the water, once more balancing it on the tip of her nose. Whispers to it and it shimmers gleefully, flying from her muzzle and exploding on top of Rana's head. Raina roars with laughter*

*Rana dripping with water, smiles, and pulls the sphere back together* I think I know what the problem is. Here, you have to spin it. Water doesn't stay pherical unless you spin it. The centiriliqual force keeps it together. Now, I'm going to toss you the sphere. Take control and start spinning it, ok? *tosses water ball to you*

*blinks, caught off guard, and reaches for the sphere. Accidentally squashes it =AGAIN= but manages to coax it back together. Stares at the little orb of water in her palm and tries to spin it, but can't get it to spin fast enough* Rana...it looks all lopsided! *watches as the orb goes all funky and basically flops around in a circle*

make it spin in one direciton first, so that it starts to form a disc. Can you do that?

*concentrates...the water starts to slowly take shape, then just as slowly begins to lose it. It collapses into a plate-like shape* ...crap...

make it go faster as it spins for a linger period of time. When the spinning force reaches the point that it can spin by itself, or that any more spinning power will send it careening accross the land, stop. This is best done with a disc, so try turning your sphere into a disc this time.

Um...okay...*tries to spin it faster. Smiles as the water begins to take shape. Feels confidence for the first time, then blinks as the disc spins a little too fast and takes off by itself. Raina chases it about like an idiot, trying to stop it*

*grabs disc, and holds it floating above her hand* Ok, look at this closely. *keeps the disc spinning at a very fast rate* See here, in the middle, there's a slight identation? And then it bulges in the middle of the ring a little bit *between the center and the edge* And then at the edges it sharpens again. Well, here the deal. In the center of every disc and sphere, there is a center molecule, that doesn't move no matter how much you spin it, unless you move the whole sphere itself. This center is what you have to focus on, all the water molecule outside it are trying to reach the center, but are moving too fast so they end up orbiting it. Try spinning it like that.

( @ Raina oh okays i thought i'd seen it here.... wasn't it done on the back of a notebook or something during a class.... what was ur other name i probably already asked.... xD)

(dragon-wing. And I'm teaching her to control water...she's doing pretty well at it too!)

*blushes like an idiot and takes another sphere of water. Watches Rana momentarily, then looks back at the sphere, focusing on the center. Begins to spin the orb, slowly increasing the speed and watching as the water's shape shifts. The sphere begins to flatten and the middle dips slightly. Holds concentration and cries out in triumph as the disc finally takes shape* WOOHOO!!! (and yes, the dragon was drawn in the back of my geometry binder XD)

Great! Now, try shifting the center, not through the disc, but taking the disc with it, so that you move the disc entirely. Just shift it to your other claw, ok?

Okay...*slowly shifts the disc to her other palm. Smiles as it spins, throwing glittering fractures of light skittering across her scales and talons. Slows the disc down a bit so that the edges aren't sharp and tries to flip it up on its side. Giggles, slows it then speeds it up so that it shifts into its original shape once more*

WONDERFUL! Ok, this is going to be a bit trickier, but try to make a sphere again. It's the same concept of the disc, but instead of just one path, the molecules will travel a multitude of different paths, an infinity of different paths. The best way to do this is to focus solely on the center, not the paths of the molecules, and let them go as they will. since the water was a sphere originally, it should go back to a spherical shape without any problem. Try it!

*nods and hums gently as she focuses on the center, trying hard to ignore the paths of the rest of the water. Gets distracted* I...can't...do it...There's too much going on all at once...

( i has a memory of an elephant with a memory dissorder and add (which i seem to have at moments) xD ah now i remembers n.n and thats great i can only freeze water in different shapes xD)

Center...center...center...the center of a universe in one tiny little sphere. search for the center.

*whispers* Center....center.....*focuses on the center again and tries to let the water go back into a sphere, but it only remains in a disc. Watches it, getting frustrated*

do not control the path. Can you control the path of those around you? Can you control the path of all life of the earth? Can you control the path of the stream, river, or the currents in the ocean? NO! And you cannot control the path of the sphere. Release them, let the water go where it will. ONly focus on the center of everything, that which everything revolves around, then you control all.

*growls and concentrates on the center of the disc, releasing her hold on every other part of the watery shape. It glistens and shimmers, its own watery voice mocking Raina. The dragon gasps, growls, and flames the disc, releasing the molecules to the air* ¬¬ .... o.o ...whoops...a-hehe... ^^;;

How about this. *pulls a phere out of her hand, the sphere is already spinning* Focus on the center of this, and see how it feels like, ok?

*sighs, tendrils of smoke twisting through the air like irritated snakes. Draws her nails across the earth and feels the center of the sphere, taking it in* Okay...

hello. sis isnt here right now. would you like to chat with me?

*waves* Hi there!

hello

Sorry. I got distracted. haha. How are you?

fine. how are you?

I'm doing just fine, thank you. So what's up?

i'm in the middle of a real-life soap opera. *sigh*

aww, I'm sorry. *huggles you tight* It'll be okay. I promise. And if you need someone to talk to, I'll listen without judgment or complaint.

okay, here's the story. nicknames for people are "fried chicken" (girl) Kara (girl) and max (boy, duh). we are all friends and have known each other for a year. fried chicken has a crush on max. fried chicken told kara, me, and several other people in the school about her dilema. her crush was preventing her from having a good friendship, so we all (except max) put our heads together to figure out a way to stop her crush. now, seeing as the whole school practically knew about it, there was no way max wouldnt guess that something was up... well.... max called me recently, and guess what he said.

"does fried chicken have a crush on me?"

so, i was stuck. do i lie to my best friend or do i spill my other best friend's secret?

"umm... why dont you ask her?"
so now, its so obvious. he says a lot of stuff to convince me, and finally i say...

yes, she does.

HORRIBLE!!!!

i called fried chicken and tod her what happened. she screamed, but wasnt overly mad at me. kara, on the other hand....
(next day in the locker room with lots of other people)
umm... kara?
what?
i.. umm... kinda told max....
about what?
you know... fried chicken?
... ... ... YOU HORRIBLE PERSON!!! YOU FAIL AT LIFE!!!!! HOW COULD YOU?!?!

and then...

max asked out fried chicken

*nods and waits patiently*

well, there you go

Jeez. How could Kara say that to you? She owes you an apology.

you still there? well, she is naturally a strong-willed person and she was smilling jokingly while she said it... i mean, she is my best friend so... i dont know, its confusing...

I've never really been in that situation, so I fear that I cannot really be much of a help. Still, it seems that all the drama should be over for the most part since Max asked Fried Chicken out.

well, now kara is still a little mad at me for telling, max and fried chicken always hang out together, max disliked something kara did today, and i feel like we are just falling apart and its all my fault for blabbing.

Oh, don't say that, sweetheart. Of course it wasn't your fault. He would have found out one way or another since almost everyone knew anyway. And think about it this way: isn't it better to have Kara mad at you? Because if you lied to Max, he may have gotten upset. Also, if you hadn't told him, he probably wouldn't have gotten together with Fried Chicken because guys are oblivious and dumb like that. And, I'm going to be blunt with you, what right does Kara have to be upset at you anyway? It wasn't her secret, it was Fried Chicken's, and she's not upset about it, right? Everything will work out, regardless. Just give it time. *hugs*

ok, thanks *hugs back* well, i hope you never have to go through this. but, at least they are going out at not avoiding eachother

Yeah. I don't have many friends, so...phht. But I have noticed that when guys find out that a gal likes them, they tend to act in the most bizarre of ways.

yeah, i've noticed. but i really don't want our group to break apart cuz they are going out now. then i'l be back down to the lowest social level.... sigh....

Aww...don't think that way. You're not going to break apart because of that, I'm sure. Just keep trying to think positively and everything will be fine. Besides, lowest social level isn't so bad all of the time...at least, I don't think so. I've been there long enough to know. haha

well, i've been there my whole life, no group of friends (if any) and i was the main target for bullying. i really dont want to go back and i also know that kara doesnt have that many friends and if the group breaks apart then i'll have to choose between her and fried chicken and max and max has already started ignoring me and looking more toward fried chicken and i really dont want us to break apart but there isnt anything i can do!!

Just don't think like that, hun. He's not ignoring you. Of course he's paying more attention to Fried Chicken; she's his. It's just the way things are. Don't worry, everything will be fine. You just need to keep your chin up and try to think positive. Please?

okay. its just such a mess right now and things are happenting way too fast... well... i guess you're right. i just need to think positively thanks

Just give it a bit of time to settle down. It'll be okay. *hugs*

ok *hugs back* do you want to start an rp? i'v been dying to show someone my new cave!

Sure! Hmm...but two rps on one pic could get a bit confusing, I think...haha. We could start one on my other pic if you want!

lets go to the red one

...what kinda nickname is fried chicken??? lolz. anyway, this is mainly why I don't get involved with guys...they always attract drama--it's ridiculous! And I'm sure my sis will get over it soon, I don't think she's the type to get all caught up in that sorta thing. Anyway, where were we? ah, yes. You were trying to find the center of the sphere while I'm spinning it. I want you to pay close attention to how it feels like to only control the center as it's spinning, ok?

*looks over Rana's shoulder at Rana's sister* I like her. I'm sure she'll be fine. She just needs to let it pass. *looks at Rana, then the sphere* Hmm...the center....it's...steadfast....almost solid...

*rana nods* It is...it also has a sense of power, no? The center of the sphere is always the most powerful, and always were the magic comes from from it. Notice how you can ignore the other molecules in the sphere? concentrate on that... OOC: yes, I'm sure my sis will be fine. Thanks for listening to her though. That was nice.

*concentrates on the center of the sphere and nods* Yes, okay...I think I can figure it out... OCC: I just want to help others. I serve no other purpose right now. I hope that I helped her as well.

OOC: You're just the same as me there. I feel so much stronger helping others than I do helping myself. IC: *slowly allows Raina to control the sphere, without letting her know that she is the one controlling the sphere*

OOC: I feel that I can help others more than I can help myself. Idk. I'm weird that way. IC: *looks at Rana* Okay...so...what do I do now?

OOC: I like helping others more than helping myself. That doesn't mean I succeed. I generally fail anyway. ah well... IC: move the sphere like you did the disc. Again, shift from one hand to the other.

OOC: Yeah, I know what you mean. But you always have to try. Sometimes it's like a curse... IC: *murmurs and slowly coaxes the water orb from one claw to the other, smiling gently as it shivers and gives an almost friendly glimmer*

OOC: A curse? I call it a blessing, to want to help others. Tis better than the curse of self-absorbtion. The ability though...comes with practice, comes with patience, comes with trust gained over long amounts of time I suppose. IC: *rana claps and does a happy dance* Very very good!!! Now, try holding a tendril in one hand, and a sphere in the other. Can you do that? Focus on the sphere more, since the tendril can basicallly hold it's shape on it's own.

OOC: A curse...and a blessing. Idk. It's just that some people get irritated when I try to help...it's just the way they are. And there are days when I can only worry about others when I should worry about myself. *shrugs and gives up trying to explain herself* IC: *focuses on the sphere, a fraction of her concentration summoning a thread of water from her other hand. Tries to connect the two, but the tendril just goes =phbbt= and lays off of Raina's hand like a wet noodle* -.=.-;

OOC: There's a guy at my school who hates my guts simply BECAUSE I tried to help him. Actually...there's another guy at my church like that too... IC: *laughs* *pulls up the water tendril and starts twirling it around, while summoning a shpere out of her hand at the same time* THis is how you do it. You have to seperate your conscience from both the sphere and the tendril, so that you can control both without losing one or the other. Become more like water in general in your thinking, rather than just a simple form. Make your water-in-general conscience move both the sphere and the tendril. It's ok if they're synchronized, unsynchronized motion takes a lot more effort and practice.

OOC: I know how it is. It sucks. Bad. IC: Err...*looks at the sphere and the thread of water* I think I've met my limit...I can't multitask that well... >.<

IC: alright. Then I'll show you another cool trick. pull out that disc that you had before, remember? Get it spinning like you did before, and then urge the center down, without moving the edges. This creates a mini-water-tornado, which is quite fun to play with. Can you do that??

*blinks and nods eagerly* I think so! *lets the tendril of water settle within one of her hands and focuses on the sphere in the other. Raina forms a disc and watches it for a few moments before gently humming the song of the water and coaxing its center downward. The center resists for a few moments, and the dragon urges further, stronger. Suddenly the center gives way and the edges fly upward, slamming together and sending water all over Raina's face* DANG IT!!