Ibani actually flushes slightly at the feeling of respect, pleased. She doesn't get respect for her skill often, if only because it is not safe to show it. (Or the people who were witness to it are rather, er, dead.)

The feedback he's getting doesn't translate well to the standard human senses, but the more he pokes it, the more he'll learn.

"This configuration is the most useful to start with," she explains. "You can alter it to prevent even air from getting through, but then you run the risk of nearly suffocating yourself if you hold it up too long." Yes, she had that happen once, it was embarrassing.