[shadow=black,left]PAOLA VASQUEZ[/shadow]

Electricity surges on Paola's pelt as she focuses on the dried driftwood she's erected on the beach, feeling the energy prickle across her skin. Raising one paw to peer at her unsheathed claws, she takes a deep breath before starting, focusing on transferring all of her energy into each padded toe.  The prickling feeling moves across her body, aimless for several heartbeats before finally being drawn to the raised limb, and when it begins to build, Paola thinks she's finally gotten it right.

With a sharp exhale, Paola enters a battle stance and extends her paw outwards with a sharp, jabbing motion, letting the energy flow from her body to her target. Blinding light surges from the tip of her sharpened nails, but as soon as they leave her body and meet the air, they fizzle harmlessly, producing nothing more than a coy spark before dissipating altogether.

"Damn it all to hell!" In frustration, she runs at the driftwood log, ramming her shoulder at its broadest side and feeling it give way, falling backwards with her on top of it. A snarl escapes her as she brings her claw down, raking it across the surface and leaving behind angry marks.

After the quick lash, however, Paola backs away, still trembling from her annoyance but deciding that one swipe is enough. She closes her eyes and takes three deep breaths, counting as she inhales through her nose, counting as she holds the breath in, and counting as she expels it from her mouth. She allows the breath to cycle thrice before opening her eyes again, their tumultuous green finally stilling.

She inches closer to the driftwood and resets it, offering the scar she's left behind an apologetic brush of her tail. When it's standing upright again, she resumes her position five feet from her mark, standing tall and focusing on charging her pelt once more.