Nell laughs, and shakes her head. "Why, how many are there? Nevermind, next time. For now, just--focus. Concentrate on the magic flowing through you, what it feels like. You don't want to have to fight too hard against it if you don't have to, just direct it where you want it. Nudge it, shape it, let it do most of the work. But always remember that you command it, not the opposite. You want to pay attention to it and the shapes it wants to take, what feels more natural. But you never let it have control."

She is actually counting, as she speaks, more or less, fingers ticking off seconds against her thigh.

"Just a little longer. You're doing very well. Careful with that edge there, don't let it sneak away. Five, four, three, two..." she pauses on two, drags it out, meeting Fern's eyes to flash her a little grin, one brow raised in challenge. Just an extra few seconds before she says, "One, let it go. Good start. Add that to your homework. A minute every day. Don't try to go longer on your own, you don't want it blowing up in your face if you lose control. But pay attention to how you feel, and we'll work the time upwards when we meet."