Ancient Enemies

(Ooc - so that we're all aware this thread will take place assuming some time has passed since Benji's exile and Taala has learned to control her powers a little)

The Delta trained hard for many cold and bitter weeks under her Alphess. And with time she began to master her powers. The water walking that was her first noted achievement had now become a parlour trick to the things she had learned. She was still a little sketchy in places, of course, and she had not earned the ability to control every facet of her element, but she had learned much in a short space of time. The Delta grew more and more knowledgeable each day. And this pursuit of knowledge drove her to explore the lands with greater scrutiny. She had seen much of what Caimath had to offer - of course there was always more to discover - but she was in need of a change of pace and scenery.

Her day off began how she might start any day: a border patrol. But there were no newcomers to report. There had been none for a long while. On this patrol she stopped a moment to see the beautiful mountainscape that lay ahead. But they did not beckon to her as they once might have. Her affiliation with the element of water drew her to the beaches. Nottingham Glade was the only beach she knew of so far, but of course there had to be others. She wanted to escape blending in with the white snow and be a bright spark in a sea of colour.The scent of the sea drew her like a magnet. Crossing the border and into neutral territories she ran with grace and poise befitting royalty. After some time the salty air wafted to her nose and made her sigh in bliss. Ahead she could see the sands and rocky shores of Retsehcnam Bay.

Her body wouldn't slow as she dashed for the water, for once forgetting her regal reserve. She allowed herself to crash right through the breakers, soaking her perfectly groomed fur. The seawater stung her eyes for a moment as it always did, before she adjusted. She paddled easily through the rolling waves, her head whipping about to ensure no one was on the beach to see her. Lungs expanded to their capacity before the snowy body slid beneath the surface. She twisted and turned for as long as she could. Taala broke the surface, sucked in a breath and returned to the depths. But this time she just floated beneath the surface, watching the waves roll overhead. When her lungs came close to bursting in their protest for air, she swam to the shore and used just a little of her ability to help herself up onto the rocks. She shivered and shook the water from her coat, having to live with the remainder of the damp that persisted. The only downfall to being a water elemental, you couldn't entirely remove water. Or perhaps she simply hadn't learnt how yet.

She lay on the rocks closest to the gently surging sea, soaking in what little residual heat she could from the sun-dried stone. The regal woman began to hum a soft tune, sending the water to dance in dazzling spirals. It was mildly amusing, but mostly was just calming to watch the tendrils of water twist and weave intricate patterns, refracting the meagre winter sunlight. She ended her soft song, returning the water to its greater body and laying her head between her paws to rest. Surely nothing could ruin this peaceful moment.

**This would be After Flix's Acceptance**

Surely nothing? It was as if Taala had tempted fate itself, for as beautiful as she had weaved her water, made it braid to her hearts content whilst she lay upon her warming rock, one might think all was missing from this scene... was a bit of Fire.

The unhygienic, once-stark coated brute meandered on his ways, purely unbeknowest he the whims of Destiny, herself. Surely, He could leave his pack for just a day to forget being an Alpha. That was probably a terrible thing for an Alpha to want, but as it seemed that other wolves left their stations for a bit of relaxation he thought it purely unfair for him to deny himself, as grande as he was, a similar right. Not that it mattered that he was on Holiday as an Alpha, for among the vagabonds, exiles, rouges and other held in malcontent that roamed these backwater shores, his rank meant very little. In fact, it would behoove him, thought he, to boast of such things, and while he had not run into company yet, one sandy paw placed after another, he had remained quiet, not even a word he spoke to himself for lack of company.

It was then upon these dismal grey and brown shores--his coat making him look dirty or helping him blend in, as he saw it--He noted that of a shimmering white in the distance. While he inhaled to catch the dame or sir's scent, only salt filled his lungs, the humidity smothering him, squeezing each muscle. He imagined the organ shriveling, as even his shallow breaths were more than enough for his general requirement of air--compared to the mountains that is. Still, he kept walking, intrigued, this time angling so that he walked in the water, hopefully the splashed alerting the wolf to his presence. Ah, but the thing was resting, wasn't it? He caught the slow movement as it put its head on its paws.

Oh well. He then made a pin needle turn to the ocean and began to wade deeper into, maybe loosening some of the dirt clods and matted hairs in his fur. He dove his head in first, still in shallow water, just so his eyes could be ready for the sting--AH! Sages Divine! I'll never get used to that!--when he entered completely. To cope, he imagined that it was a sandstorm aimed right as his eyes. He blinked ferociously and resigned just to shimmy a moment when he was fully in the water, and shimmy he did; he drew a breath, the water now colliding into his chest, and he let himself sink, simply disappear, his feet on the unsteady ground of the ocean twisting him back and forth as he shook his fur under water, the waves periodically crashing unto his back. While he did this, he managed to slip and had to steer himself so that he could at least remain upright. One the pressure in inhalation proved as a suitable reason to emerge he walked walk a few steps and rose unto his hind legs, commanding himself not to open his mouth to breathe, but to exhale what little bad hair he had left in him, turn his body from the waves, and inhale.

He half paddled back, splashing rather ruthlessly in his distain for water, he looked down at his paws and saw his usual coat, a pure and utter white except the odd colors that almost tattooed his back, which might have been more beautiful if the bear claw scar didn't interrupt it. As he looked up from admiring himself, he realized that he was walking right at the white female (ah, a Dame~), and turned coolly, unbothered, dipping his in an some form of acknowledgement, perhaps an apology, though he wouldn't ever admit that. He shook his fur while he remained at a distance. But the water did not depart form his fur, not as he liked, anyway. Still walking, he tapped into his energies, his chi and focused on the crown of his body, the spine, his tail, and began to force the water down, down, sliding off his legs, to his paws, dripping off his belly. As he rung out his fur, the salt hopefully falling with it, he forced the water off his paws once he fully emerged from the damned ocean. In a quick instant, he muttered, "TSA!" And Fire, Pure and Holy Fire ran down his fur, singing each hair, he now fully dry.

He couldn't help it. He looked to the female, and winked, his classic one-sided curl of a smile upon his face. Hitting on her? Oh, no, not at all! He simply enjoyed all company, and especially the whims of women, though he might never really understand them, for at the end of the day, with all their drama what could a physical fight not solve? Although, he was not very sure how much he meant that last. As only a further press from his arsenal of conversation, he let himself bow, a full on bow, a leg tucked and another extended, back straight, head dipped until he rose. "Pardon me, Merwolf," He assumed as she had not used her powers to dry herself, "I, a dragon, mean you no harm." He kept his distance, but he could not keep his grin off his face. Surely he was disturbing her... Surely. But he could not care less. "Are you a landlocked Siren, stolen upon the beach by your former lover who has run away with your heart and means to transform back into your former glory? ... Or is it possible that you are the Siren now, Fair one?" Of course, he did not mean to call her beautiful, for 'fair' is also a color. He considered such a moment. Why is fair considered white, and dark considered black or brown. That was not very fair, now was it? fair could also be black or brown, since those colors are the most warm, white being the most abrupt and cold.

He knew not, but upon these Winter days, who was he to not look for warmth, even whilst its fur suggests otherwise. Though, he hardly thought that she would think the same. "Are you cold?" He was not entirely sure whether he was asking about her personality or current temperature, but the knife of sympathy fell from his muddied eyes, an expression which quickly dissipated into curiosity, his facade broken, his smile gone.

Slowly, eyes became lidded and mind turned to blank as the Delta would drift into an almost sleep-like state. She considered how much she had learned with her powers in such a short time. So much seemed to come so naturally. Bred into her blood the memories of her ancestors had deigned to help her in this way. And yet there was still so much she did not know. With her powers, was it possible she could learn to breathe water? And how to remove the water off ones body. How to divert the rain so as not to become soaked and chilled to the bone in a spring shower. Much there was still to learn. And much that she might discover on her own.

Great splashes tipped her to the news of a new arrival. She sighed. It was not fair to assume that this place could be entirely her own, of course others from all across the lands were permitted to enter here. But she had hoped to hold onto the small peace for a little while longer. Taala ignored the sounds and tried to return to rest, her ears now more alert for the sound of the other approaching.

These sounds did indeed come. Heavy panting and terrible splashing announced the end of his swim. She thought it best to see for herself who this person was. The salty air dulled her sense of smell, overpowering all else. Look with your eyes...White head raised, a gossamer banner of truce, announcing her presence and acknowledging the newcomer. A sound escaped his lips and fire erupted about his being. blue eyes widened as realisation came to her so quickly. This had to be the Alpha of Kaura. The one called Marthinick. It only made sense. She had not gained so much as a whiff of any other males in the area since Achack's arrival. And certainly none with such control of the burning element.

She rose and stood tall atop her rock, glaring down at the crueler gender. Her distrust of the male species always apparent, but his affiliation with fire made her like him even less. Her father had been aligned as such, or so she suspected. Her mother had often avoided the conversation, but there were hints to be heard, clues to be discovered by any with a trained ear and a sharp mind. Her lip crinkled just slightly to reveal a few glistening fangs. She would not be deterred by this malevolent beast.

He spoke, almost teasing her as he asked of what she were in his devils tongue. She would not bother to even answer. Only stare into his dark eyes. There came another question, though. One of her physical state. She would not have answered it either were it not for the chilling gust that struck her side. A terrible gale blew across the sea and onto the shore, stabbing icy pinpricks into her side. She staggered a moment at the sheer force of the wind. Looking up the clouds had darkened and a storm seemed to be brewing. Her head nodded a 'yes' of its own volition. She was so very cold.

Ah, but silence was just a great as a tease as an answer. In fact, perhaps her silence was what egged him on. Her fangs bothered him little. Really? She was being aggressive? I just complimented you! Ah, the indignation. So he stood there a moment and stared, almost gawked at the female, but softened. Maybe she was a rouge, maybe she had some disease. Maybe she cannot talk or maybe she cannot hear--No wait! She nodded! Pure and boundless Joy from the Sades Divine! He could have jumped. Indeed, He did. He bounded like a gazelle, back arched as he leaped into the air, a gasp of excitement. He then turned tail and backed a way a moment, extending his paws forward in a stretch, but only a fool would think him stretching; no, he wanted to play. Oh! What a fun game this is!

"This dragon did not mean to startle you AT ALL~! Indeed, for a moment I though you were deaf and that my banter would only fall upon deaf ears, if you'll forgive the phrase! Oh good heavens, thank the Sages. I am not entirely sure," he began, standing regularly and walking back to his original position, "But I think, if you or I ever go deaf, that Belle of Caimath has the ability to heal?" He gaze a heart-hearty chuckle, "Not that she'd ever want to heal ME, anyway." He inhaled to go on, until his mirth faded at the shivers of the lamb before him.

He dipped his head a moment as he approached, ears back. Was he being... submissive? No, of course not! I just don't want her to bite my ears. He came as close as she would let him, trying to remain out of her immediate reach. Marthinick's manner's hardly permitted him to be away from a warm body, but not for the sake of intimacy. No. But for the sake of survival, so that it increased the chances of all. He recoiled slightly. Just a reflex. "Siren, or some other name that belongs to you, If you'll permit me, I can use my own flame to warm you?" He then backed away, rump in the air as he crawled back, not fearful, but in the throes of his theatrics. Then he stood at him full Height and began to do what most horses do in fear--buck. He stood up on his back legs and threw his body down to the ground. "I KNOW that I am SCARY, dear Selkie, and THAT gives you LITTLE reason to TRUST me," and he stopped, as if his own spell has broken, his body now returning to his control, "But my fire could be used to at least heat the rock your upon?"

He looked down. What was he doing? This rouge could be planning to eat him. Well... then she would die. He mentally recoiled at the mere thought of already considering killing her, but he calmed, looking into her ocean blue eyes. She was beautiful... and beauty was deadly. But more so... her standoffish demeanor. It was quite like Flix, in a way. All learned to deal with him... in their own way. Remember... you are meant to live alone. He stomped. reawakening before looking to the female again, casting a glance to the sky. "It will rain soon. Will you go back the way you came, or might you follow me to show you a nook you could crawl into to stay dry... err... drier? I cannot fit into this hole, but I think you could." I could follow you, if you like. He had no idea who else might be here, and... even as the ass that he always pretended to be, it was simply against any and all code of ethics to leave a dame in the rain.

Why bother... It's not like doing a good deed truly does anything anyway. It only makes others more selfish, and others more reliant.

Deaf? He thought I was deaf? Oh if I were deaf i would be quite useless then, wouldn't I? She would have laughed if it weren't for the fact that she knew he was far stronger and infinitely more powerful than she. By that same token, does he think I'm mute because I don't speak? Now that thought halted her growling and brought a smirk to her sweet face. Perhaps she shouldn't speak for the remainder of their encounter. It seemed this strange wolf could bring out her more playful side that only Belle had seen so far.

The smirk turned to a grin as she thought of her first day in Caimath. When she had learned to walk on water by sheer luck. The elation still remained with her as she remembered leaping and bounding her way over the water. There was still much to learn, though.

He continued to blather on, though it was just slightly amusing. She wanted to laugh at his comment of her Alphess not healing him. Oh how right he was. Indeed Belle would never deign to cure him if he had become deaf somehow.

She shivered, watching his approach... submissively? He came as close as he dared, bowing low before her. He want's to use his fire on me? Does he think me stupid? Even stranger still he backed up and bucked. Rearing on his hid legs and slamming his great paws into the rock. Her head cocked to the side watching his odd little display. Certainly his abilities could be used to help warm the shivering form, but she would rather accept help from a toad than a male of her species. It just was not how things were done.

Whilst her head remained focused on the larger male, her eyes darted up once more to assess the oncoming storm. It was moving far faster than she had anticipated. It would pour soon enough. Hypothermia was not something she could risk. The run home should suffice to warm her body. Feeling devilish, a wicked thought overcame her mind. She crept closer, ignoring the biting wind. When their faces were as close as she could bear, she opened her maw to speak what was most likely the only time she would speak to him. "With all do respect, sir, the storm is approaching far too fast." The rumbling overhead helped to punctuate her point. "So I fear I must decline and return to my lands. She nodded her head politely and turned to head for the place she now called home.

Her expression had shifted between a smile, disgusted, angry, maybe fearful, and he wouldn't hold it against her if it was, since erratic behavior hardly encouraged comfort. So as he remained there looking at her with concern and indifference (how how managed such a look was beyond even his explanations). Maybe she was not smiling at him however. Maybe she was mentally making fun of him. he did that. He would not put it past others--

She moved. Better yet, She moved toward him. Instinctively his tail wanted to curl under him in fear, yes fear, and then raise to show dominance. Ah, but rank hardly mattered here, thus his tail was caught completely out as if electrocuted, jutting from his body that the twig that did not quite fir with the tree. Approached? No, no, no. He approached others, but as this white female wrapped him in her charms, just briefly, (for he was far too 'composed' to be trapped forever) he felt completely displaced, his expression concerned. Hurt a girl? ... He'd rather not.

And then he inhaled, and sighed, catching just a taste of her scent, she surely smelling the grime on him. That was how it was suppose to be hm? The outside reflected the inside? But she did not stop coming closer, and so intrigued, her craved his neck to be level with hers eyes. When she drew forward enough such that her exhalations of white plume melded with his own, he softened his eyes. You really don't want to come much closer. Whether or not she heard him mentally, she disregarded the warning, the simple tease of her proximity and politeness making him want to back away. but he didn't. He'd risk his left ear for this bout of conversation... sure. She didn't look as though she was going to hurt--

She spoke and his tail shivered in excitement, his entire body still, he no longer even looker at her but through her, at the sound and where it may fall. It was... sarcasm. he sighed. Too good to be true hm? He emerges from the body of water as a white beast--no knight and with no dame to save. He sighed and nodded, wanting to shake in him own paws as she walked past him, he trying his best to relax his tail though ultimately failing. He watched her leave, then looked up to the skies. "TSA!" And Fire escaped from his maw. Blasted Fate. How cruel it twisted its talons in him.

He gazed back once more in hopes of seeing her white glow as she ran, and then decided something of wholesome importance; no. He would never understand the whims of women.