[Training] Pressure Valve

A quiet wave of approval washed through the Bond at Kaiden's willingness to try, and Hadama nodded his currently-equine head in acknowledgment. It was a test of magic rather than might, and so he did not go on the attack with the same intensity that he would use if they were having a physical competition. As much as he respected Kaiden's abilities as a predator, the younger Mer still had much to learn about their water manipulation, and Hadama attacked accordingly, with time to learn and make mistakes without fear of grievous wounds.

As he studied Kaiden's small vortex Hadama noted the lack of ice but he was still pleased with the defense that the mershark managed to mount. He didn't even need to adjust his projectile's path or speed once it had been loosed; the sphere was traveling slowly enough that when it struck the vortex it was pushed just far enough off target that it skated by the mershark, brushing their shoulder on its way past but not shattering or hitting fully.

Very good, the hippocampus decreed with satisfaction. He flicked his tail to rejoin his friend, emerald eyes bright with pride. You have a talent for this. Have you heard of Halo's Arcane Academy?

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

Kaiden grinned widely as they were able to protect themselves. They'd made incredible progress if they did say so themselves. From never using their magic to this was worthy of a treat. Maybe that baker with the flaky bread was still on the docks? The mershark would happily take some off of the man's hands when he wasn't looking.

Their fantasies were swiftly interrupted by Hadama's praise and Kaiden blinked owlishly at the man. Coming to themselves after a heartbeat, they dove down to place their rocks back where they had been. As they did, the mershark kept the face ducked to hide the small flush on their cheeks. Thank you. Kaiden had never been told that they had a talent for anything. The words repeated in their mind alongside a wave of wonder and gratitude. A wave that they quickly shoved away with thoughts of food, hopefully before Hadama felt it through the bond.

Still considering tuna steaks, Kaiden shrugged as they returned to the hippocampus' side, Nope. What's that? It sounded pretentious. What, did academically gifted and magical assholes go there or something? They probably didn't even offer free lunches!

coding by kaons

If Hadama noticed Kaiden's pleasure or blushing, he didn't reveal it. With the training over he shifted from his hippcampus form with a shake of his head, mass flowing and reshaping into the mermanta form in which he was the most comfortable. He placed his ring and armlet back where they belonged as the mershark put their rocks away and came back, and Hadama nodded to them before beginning to lead the way back towards shallower waters.

Mmh. I will tell you about it over lunch, he decided, catching the edge of food in the Bond with a twinkle in his eyes. It is run by Evie Ignatius, and it trains magic to become stronger... He might owe Evie another apology after sending Kaiden her way, but Hadama had not been lying when he'd said that the mershark had a talent that deserved to be nurtured and taught properly to bring out its full potential.

Lunch was at a cafe on the Docks that served Mer and humans, and if Kaiden was offended that Hadama paid in full for their food, at least the mershark ate for free while they learned about the Arcane Academy!

~Fin~