[Training] crack a neck

Aithne

I can feel the flames on my skin

Aithne snarls as her lunge misses its mark, frustration growing within her as she skids to a halt, trying to change course and relocate Thalassa where the captain has appeared at her side. The momentary pause is a mistake, because it gives her opponent the opportunity to move against her - an opportunity that Thalassa most certainly does not miss. At first, Aithne is surprised to feel a hand against her rocky hide rather than a dagger, but as she feels the distinct tug at her energy, she whirls away, trying to create some distance from the siphon magic threatening to bleed her dry.

Gnashing her teeth, she stalks to the side, trying to size up a new approach, but in the end, she finds that she has limited options. She only has one shift, her fire magic is basic at best (and wouldn't be super effective anyway), and she has no weapons aside from her teeth and claws. Her best bet is to try and lunge once more towards the captain, hoping to knock her down for long enough to clamp her jaws shut on the arm holding the dagger - and so that is what she does, or tries to do, with all the energy she can muster.

---

3/4

Crimson-red paint on my lips

Thalassa

Hit me hard and soft

Thal can feel the frustration rolling off the fyrhund as if it were heat from the lava lurking beneath. It sends a flush of satisfaction through her, eyes flashing bright as she strolls casually past Aithne, drawing on her life force like a fine bourbon to spike her energy. Her steps are lighter, movements sharper; so when the younger Ancient lunges for her, the effort with which she dodges is easy.

She flickers back into existence at her side, not even bothering with weapons anymore as she strikes out with her hands. It's not a brush this time, her arms shoving forcefully on the fyrhund in an attempt to push her off balance as she pulls energy with her magic. "Pathetic."

---

4/4

Aithne

I see how this is gonna go

Frustration rolls off Aithne like a physical thing, and she snarls as her lunge misses again. Okay, so maybe continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results isn't her best plan, but what choice does she have given the current state of things? All she knows is that the next time she gets into an impromptu spar with Thalassa, she'd better be prepared. All she's shown with this pathetic display is that she's weak.

Snarling again, though it's aimed more internally than towards the captain, Aithne braces against the force of Thalassa's hand against her hide. The shove itself doesn't force the fyrund to move, but the draining impact of the other Ancient's magic has Aithne sidestepping, attempting to avoid further siphoning. When she thinks she's out of Thalassa's range, she shifts back into her Ancient form. Stooping, she picks up a rock that lies on the ground by her feet and heaves it towards her unwilling mentor with all her strength.

"Then help me be stronger!" she shouts, finally losing her temper. It isn't that she wants to be handed a win, but she does genuinely want to learn. Why can't Thalassa see that Aithne just wants to be like her?

---

4/4

Touch me and you'll never be alone

Thalassa

Hit me hard and soft

Her hands land against solid rock, pushing and pulling simultaneously. The energy slips easily from the fyrhund, sparking across Thal's veins as she watches the woman retreat and shift back. She doesn't pursue, stepping around her in quiet threat, a predator stalking, playing.

The outburst draws a smile to her lips, satisfied to finally see the Aithne without an annoying smile on her face. Anger she can understand. 

"The best way to get stronger is to fight." She sneers, fangs glinting in the light of the storm. There's no sympathy in her words as she circles the younger Ancient. "I didn't have anyone to teach me." Her hand reaches for her dagger with lightning speed, the metal flashing as she flips it in her grasp. It spins with ease, a beautiful and dangerous dance. "I had to learn by watching others, by trial and error, by getting knocked on my ass over and over and over."

Thal finally stops in front of Aithne, her face devoid of anything merciful. "If you wanted soft words and gentle touches, you came to the wrong person."