You peer at the pattern Gabriel's chosen, then flip through the book's following pages. You take notes as you go, then point to a pattern further in the book. "We should be able to adapt this one to respond to the appropriate energy. You were in the ballpark before, but this one should be much more responsive."
Notes taken, the two of you spread butcher paper on the floor of the fold. The two of you crawl on hands and knees, copying the pattern in broad curves of pencil, then overlaying pencil with brush-stroked ink. It's a detection pattern, so you're not in danger of channeling by looking at it.
After a time, Gabriel coughs. "Uh, professor, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
Gabriel sticks his brush behind his ear, threatening his temple with ink, and sits down on the butcher paper. "It's just, I don't know. It's stupid."
You remind yourself to be patient with Gabriel, even though him asking his question instead of beating around the bush would be a much more effective use of time. When you don't push him, he sighs. "I don't think I can be a practitioner."
Wait, What?