[o] [Training] moth to the flame

Sohalia

Even after commanding the molten tiger to move out of the way, it still yowled angrily as water from Melita’s magic splashed against the rock, hissing as droplets struck the tiger’s pelt and evaporated. Glaring at the two women, the creature sat and began to clean itself. It might not move to attack them, under Soh’s explicit instruction, but that didn’t stop it from making its opinion of their maneuverings very clear.

Stifling a laugh (because what else was one to do under these kinds of scenarios?), Sohalia concentrated again. She wasn’t quite strong enough to command the tiger and the birds at once (and the birds were long gone, besides), but she could, at least, send the tiger packing. Speaking aloud mostly for Mel’s benefit, she told the tiger, ”Thank you for coming, but you should probably go now. And no doubling back to try and attack us.” The molten tiger, huffing in annoyance, rose and left, compelled by Soh’s Attuned abilities to leave them well and truly alone.

”One more go?” she asked Melita, turning her silver gaze to her friend.

MELITA

Between the tiger and the water, Melita waited for the interaction to subside into something disastrous – but then Sohalia seemed to have command of the thing, so the Honeybee narrowed her eyes and watched as the feline disappeared. Sila and Fangorn seemed to breathe their own sighs of relief, and then all that was left was her final attempt.

“Right, okay,” and she squared her shoulders, gaze settled back onto the rock. She’d already had the lightning…confetti, and water blast again, so perhaps things were taking a turn for the more power and persuasion end of things.

Or not – but something she favored – as an arc of rubber ducks drifted downward onto the stony slate. By the dozens; some light and pink, others small and distinctly shaped as heralds or caricatures, or massive, clearly incapable of fitting into any bathtub. “Well, that’s that,” Melita snorted – used to the ridiculousness. “Thanks for helping out. And feel free to take any of those home,” she gestured to the toys. Might as well have a souvenir out of the silliness.

[FIN]

This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight