[SE] Catch me if you can

It's okay if you don't like me.

The Miana Pool sat just outside of the tree line, glittering in the sunlight, however, Thal wasn't here to make a wish. She wasn't even here to enjoy the view, as pretty as it was. She was here to lead the tail she'd caught in Haulani into a more welcoming environment. 

For the last hour or so, she'd zigzagged through the trees, humming a vulgar sea shanty and practically skipping along with 'complete abandon.' Trees swayed in the ocean breeze and bright sun beams filtered through the canopy. Her dark wavy hair, tail, and black cloak all flowed behind her like an enticing beacon which her follower clung to. The observer seemed new to this, allowing her to catch an occasional sound or glimpse. But Thal didn't call them out, yet. No. She wanted to play with them a little longer. 

With a sharp fanged grin, the petite Ancient reached the edge of the trees and pulled her cloak off, revealing the tight black outfit underneath, accented with glinting buckles and straps of concealed weapons. She reached up to her chest as if she was going to strip and take a dip in the cool, crystal blue water, however, at the last second, Thal grabbed a low branch nearby and flipped up into the tree with surprising grace. Swinging around the rigging of a ship did that to a person. 

As she landed lithely on the branch, Thal removed an obsidian dagger that glinted red in the light. Flicking it skillfully in her hands, she continued singing her little tune, her voice a beautiful melody that contrasted the colorful words not often spoken by young ladies. All the while, she waited to see what her little friend might say or do, wondering what their motives might be.

Not everyone has good taste.

Thalassa

Bane

Death is not the greatest loss
What dies in us in life is

Bane, in his panther form, prowled through the verdant underbrush with a grace that belied his imposing size. His fur was sleek and black, a stark contrast to the vibrant greenery around him, but his eyes—glowing like twin emeralds—pierced the shadows with an otherworldly intensity. The rhythmic thud of his paws against the grass was a constant reminder of his relentless pursuit.

In the distance, the Pirate Captain, an elusive figure known for her cunning and charisma, moved with a fluid elegance that made her seem almost ethereal against the lush backdrop. She darted through the foliage with effortless speed, her presence a fleeting blur of motion and color. The forest around her seemed to come alive with each step she took, the whisper of leaves and the occasional splash of water accentuating her movements. Making it difficult for the panther to track, even in broad daylight. 

Bane’s emerald eyes flickered with a mixture of frustration and fascination. The woman's movements were both captivating and maddening, her evasion a masterful display of agility. Every twist and turn seemed to bring her just out of reach, leaving him to navigate the labyrinth of trees and undergrowth that surrounded the Miana Pool.

With each bounding stride, Bane felt the pull of the chase grow more intense. His powerful muscles rippled under his sleek fur as he veered around a massive tree trunk, his eyes locked on the flickering figure of the Pirate Captain. Her speed and grace made her a fleeting target, her silhouette weaving through the trees with an almost magical fluidity.

The Captain's laughter, light and teasing, echoed faintly through the forest, mingling with the natural symphony of the Miana Pool. It was a sound that both spurred Bane forward and mocked his efforts, a reminder of how elusive she was.

With a final burst of energy, Bane surged through the foliage, his emerald eyes gleaming with determination. The forest around him seemed to hold its breath, the tension of the hunt palpable in the crisp air. As the chase reached its peak, Bane's powerful form cut through the emerald grass, every muscle straining as he pursued the elusive Pirate Captain through the verdant maze of the Miana Pool.

He hadn't said a word... just yet.

I am the reckoning that shadows your every breath

It's okay if you don't like me.

When the figure finally appeared near her, she saw that it was a large black panther. It didn't seem to have noticed that she no longer occupied the forest floor, her branch being extremely comfortable. She stopped her singing for a moment and leaned so that her body lay across the branch, her back to the trunk. To anyone who looked, they would think that she did this often, which might be true. 

Letting her dagger flip through the air, she caught it by the blade without looking down. Her singing turned into a taunting little jaunt, 

"Here kitty kitty. 

Come out to play. 

I'm feeling bored and 

it's such a beautiful day.

Here kitty kitty.

Let's play a game.

You run around and 

we'll test my aim."

Thal's laughter was light, echoing through the trees as she flashed a bright, fanged grin at the Attuned below. It was a warning and an invitation. Would he entertain her?

Not everyone has good taste.

Thalassa

Bane

Death is not the greatest loss
What dies in us in life is

The words were taunting, the tune shifting from a melodic hum to that with more sinister intent. His rounded ears flicking, listening as her voice verberated through the trees. It was difficult to pin point where exactly the woman was coming from. It almost sounded as though she was.... above? How could a woman climb so easily up into the canopy...? If that was a- the thought flashed through his mind. Something that had been so largely engraved on the hand inked paper. DO NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE.  Something he clearly had been doing this entire time. 

It was like they were playing a cat and mouse game... and it was ironic, because he turned into the mouse ever so quickly. He played right into her claws. 

Patience.. It was all he knew. A snarky grin danced along the panther's lips as he had sank further into the abyss of the shadows, created by the canopy of trees that hung overhead. He'd entertain her. For now. 

A small glint of the dagger caught his eye, but she was encased in shadows, almost as if she was one with them. 

Temptation to let this little cat and mouse game go on for a little longer, he walked further into the shadow of trees. His legs coming from a light jog, to a near full out sprint. Finding himself climbing onto an adjacent tree. His thick claws sinking into the bark, finding himself on a neighboring limb. As it creaked with his weight, as if he was walking on a tight rope. His emerald eyes glimmering in the shadows, waiting for more of the song the woman teased him with.

I am the reckoning that shadows your every breath

It's okay if you don't like me.

He seemed to have finally spotted her, but Thal didn't let on that she was still watching him. Turning her eyes back towards her blade, she sang around the vicious grin on her face. 

"Here kitty kitty. 
Don't be scared.
You started out
looking so prepared.

Here kitty kitty. 
Don't be shy.
I only bite
when it will satisfy."

She laughed at the last line and its implication, after all, 'satisfaction' could come in many forms. 

When she heard the scrape of claws in the tree next to her, Thal stood up on her branch, her balance showing no signs of strain. Continuing to flick the dagger around, she hummed a little more. 

"Naughty kitty kitty. 
Don't misbehave. 
It might land you
in a grave.

Poor kitty kitty. 
Can't you see?
I have flames
and you're in a tree."

Without warning, she let the dagger prick her skin, the blade erupting in flames. Her magic flared to life, drawing the source to the tree beside her. It immediately caught fire, and she gave a cunning laugh as she finally turned to look into the emerald eyes of her stalker. Thal raised a single brow, her blue eyes blazing in the growing flames. It was a challenge and a taunt, curious to see whether he was willing to brave the heat in an attempt to catch her.

Not everyone has good taste.

Thalassa

Bane

Your shadows betray you
They serve me

Bane's emerald eyes locked onto hers through the growing flames, watching the way her blade blazed with fire and confidence. The heat pressed against his panther form, crackling in the air around him, but he remained still for a heartbeat longer, savoring the challenge in her voice, the dance she seemed so eager to begin.

Then, with a low rumble that sounded more like a chuckle than a growl, he decided to change the game. He shifted, his muscles contorting, fur retracting, and bones reshaping with a fluid, almost graceful movement. The air around him shimmered with magic as his powerful panther form began to shrink and shift, taking on the taller, more formidable shape of a man.

His skin caught the firelight, his frame towering and broad, clothed in dark, worn leather. His eyes, still gleaming that sharp, predatory green, fixed on hers as he straightened, standing before her now in his human form. A wry grin spread across his scarred face, a flash of teeth that echoed the smile of his panther self moments ago.

“Flames, little song bird?”  he repeated, his voice deeper, richer now, carrying the same smooth, dangerous amusement as before. “A clever trick, indeed… but I've danced with fire before."

He took a step forward, his movements as fluid and sure as they had been in his beast form, his gaze unwavering, the grin still playing at his lips. "And here you are,"  he continued, "singing your taunts to a beast you thought you could play with. But tell me," he leaned in closer, voice dropping to a low, almost intimate whisper,  "are you prepared for what happens when the beast becomes a man?"  

The flames reflected in his eyes, his smile widening with a daring challenge. In one swift motion, he reached out, brushing his fingers against the edge of her dagger, feeling the heat singe his skin but not pulling away. His grin deepened, sharp and mocking.

“Let’s see if you can keep up with more than just a song, little bird,” he murmured, voice laced with both a threat and an invitation, his gaze piercing through the heat and smoke between them. “Show me what your fire can do… if you dare."  

He stood there, tall and unyielding, the heat of the flames licking at his skin, daring her to take the next step in their dangerous dance.

Pain is a teacher that never forgets
Etched in the flesh

It's okay if you don't like me.

The panther made the poor decision not to leave, surprising her for the first time during their interaction. As expected, he instead transformed into a taller, more muscular dark brooding figure. Thal had to admit that the man was attractive. He was definitely the type she would usually entertain, and it might be the only reason that she didn't choose to incinerate him on the spot. 

She didn't back down as he made his way forward, too intrigued and too prideful to show any signs of intimidation. If anything, her tiny frame stood taller, meeting his gaze with a dare of her own, her flames licking around her form like a seductive dance with danger. "Perhaps... but not with mine." Her voice matched his with a low purr, its musical quality still lingering. Maybe he hadn't noticed the large horns protruding from her head of dark hair, or the sharp fangs flashing between each grin, or the tail flicking behind her. Maybe he was just a fool unaware of her reputation as the ruthless Ancient Pirate Captain or the fact that Ancients had the innate resistance to heat, including flames. Whatever it may be, he didn't seem concerned with the fact that the trees around them could go up in flames and she'd be the only one to survive. Should she so choose. 

His whispered words made her want to laugh at the attempted intimidation, but she tried to put on her best performance. A 'man'? Her big blue eyes scanned their surroundings in mock curiosity. "Sure. Let me know when you see one." As the words left her mouth, the wicked smile reappeared on her face, shifting the dramatic innocence back to playful violence. 

Thal let his finger brush against her blade, admiring the way he didn't flinch against the heat, but otherwise unimpressed. She tilted her head at the challenge, a cat assessing how best to play with the mouse already caught in its trap. With a flick of her wrist, she had the dagger beneath his chin, the tip laced with fire pressed dangerously close to his skin. Stepping closer, her voice whispered sweetly, "Your move, kitty."

Not everyone has good taste.

Thalassa

Bane

Your shadows betray you
They serve me

Bane's eyes glittered with dark amusement as Thal's dagger hovered dangerously close to his skin, the flames flickering with a tantalizing threat. The way she held herself—tiny but fierce, her blue eyes daring him—only fueled his urge to push her further. He wasn’t one to retreat from a challenge, and she seemed like the kind who’d make things interesting. The fire licked near his skin, making the heat enough to where he wanted to flinch... Something he would surely have to ensure didn't get further burned. (A healer is going to be the next visit from him)

He took a step closer, his grin widening as he moved like a shadow in the flickering light. 

"Don’t mind if I do," he replied smoothly, his tone playful but edged with challenge. In an instant, Bane's hand shot forward, aiming to snatch her wrist, the one holding the fiery blade. He moved like a striking panther, swift and purposeful, hoping to use her momentum against her. If he could grab hold, he’d attempt to spin her around, forcing her arm up behind her back and pressing her own blade dangerously close to her skin. "Let's see if you're as quick with your feet as you are with your blade, Captain."  But he knew she had her own tricks, and the tension crackled between them, thick as smoke and just as unpredictable.

His reflexes were sharp, his dexterity honed from years of survival, and he felt a surge of adrenaline as his fingers closed in on her wrist if succeeding. His goal: to pivot her, using his strength to pull her arm up and twist her around, her back pressed against him. Doing an about - face.

Pain is a teacher that never forgets
Etched in the flesh

It's okay if you don't like me.

His willingness to step towards her was perhaps a character flaw on his part. Maybe it was overconfidence? Or desperation for whatever bounty offer he'd received? Whatever it was, had Thal grinning sharply in excitement. Finally, a toy to play with that didn't squirm at her flames. So when he grabbed her wrist, she made the possibly questionable decision to let him, curiosity winning over. After all, if she really wanted to, she could just incinerate him where he stood. Yet something told her she wouldn't want to miss this. 

She spun her body around with the sharp wrench of her arm that followed. It was painful enough to notice, but she just gave an amused smile. This wasn't the first time she'd found herself in this position, and it showed as she seamlessly dropped the dagger into her opposite hand. Content to play with him a little longer, she didn't immediately utilize the blade. Instead, she pressed her toned body against him, allowing every part of her back to become flush with his chest and lower body. The heat of their proximity and the growing fire didn't bother her, even if it might have him sweating. Completely aware of her seductive figure and how it often affected men, she tilted her head up to let him to hear her husky response, "Do you always treat your women so gently, kitty?" It was both a challenge and an inquisition. A test. Was this the best he had?

Not everyone has good taste.

Thalassa

Bane

Your shadows betray you
They serve me

His emerald eyes held an amused gaze, as he had noticed the smile that had danced along her lips from the sudden dance they were in. Feeling her hand relax in his grip, as though it wasn't holding anything, Bane let it slide... For now. His attentive gaze on the woman who seemed to be causing so much havoc that people actually had placed a bounty on her. 

A raspy chuckle slipped from his lips. He was... enjoying this. More than he thought that he would had. Was it the heat, her words, or how she held her body that caused a slight flush to his cheeks? He wouldn't ever know, but he'd blame it on the heat. The husk in her voice nearly sent goosebumps down his body. 

"Little songbird..."  He nearly purred, his grip not letting her go just yet. "You’ve got a fire in you that’s not easily dampened. Where would be the fun in being gentle as usual?" He made a little remark, musing at the dangerous woman. 

When he tightened his grip around her wrist, he brought his boot up. The tree started to creek from the flames lighting it ablaze, the branch threatening to break beneath their weight. He brought his boot up, kicking at the back of her knee to try and bring her down just a little more.

Pain is a teacher that never forgets
Etched in the flesh

It's okay if you don't like me.

His words had her chuckling softly. A woman could appreciate when her singular uniqueness was recognized. Although she wasn't sure whether she liked this 'little songbird' that he kept speaking of. Bird were fragile, only good for pretty feathers and twinkling songs. She was none of those things. Even her songs had more tooth. Maybe she'd show him later. For now, she focused on the press of his body against hers, the flutter of his breath against the top of her head, the heat of the flames climbing around them.

Feeling the shift of his legs, Thal grinned, pretty sure she knew exactly what was coming. She widened her stance to avoid the boot trying to kick her leg out, the branch cracking more beneath them. A disapproving tsk of her tongue sounded like crackling fire. "Now that's not very nice, kitty. We were having such a good time." The small diameter of her wrist made it easy to rip it out of the clasp of his hand by twisting her body. It might have left a little friction burn on her skin, but she didn't mind. It brought her back face-to-face with the man, her eyes reflecting the fire within and around them. 

Placing a hand on his chest seductively, she stepped back, tempting him to follow. With a fanged smile of mischief, she stepped off the tree and into the open space beyond. Her feet hit the ground with barely a sound and she looked back up at him with a playful wiggle of her fingers. The movement had the fire rising higher, licking at the branch. "Look at the kitty stuck in a tree. Need help down?"

Not everyone has good taste.

Thalassa

Bane

Your shadows betray you
They serve me

A low growl rumbled from deep in Bane’s chest as he watched her slip from his grasp, his boot missing its target by inches. The heat of the flames was nothing compared to the irritation flaring in his blood. Eyes narrowing on her retreating form. 

His body remained tense, muscles coiled with the promise of action, but he stayed balanced on the cracking branch, watching as she danced away with that smug grin plastered on her face. The woman knew how to move, he'd give her that. And while she might think she was toying with him, there was a thrill in the hunt he hadn’t felt in a long time.

When she wiggled her fingers and taunted him, firelight dancing in her eyes, Bane leaned forward slightly, arms loose at his sides as if preparing to strike. "You think you're clever, don't you?" he said, his voice a quiet, dangerous purr. "But I don’t need help getting down. I never needed help catching prey either."

In a fluid motion, he kicked off the tree, dropping to the ground as effortlessly as a predator stalking its quarry. His landing was silent despite the weight of his boots, and in a flash, he was up, eyes locking on hers. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth—cocky, relentless, as always.
"Keep running if you like, songbird. We both know this little game’s just getting started. But don’t forget…" His voice dropped lower, filled with menace. "I always catch what I’m after."

Pain is a teacher that never forgets
Etched in the flesh

It's okay if you don't like me.

The man might be cocky, but Thal's smile could give him a run for his money, all fangs and confidence. "I don't 'think' I'm clever, I know I am." Her words landed the same time he did, her eyes following the movement without any sign of being impressed. The tree wasn't that high; however, she did admire the way he moved. She unashamedly let her gaze run down his tall stature and muscles, both an assessment of pleasure and strategy. 

As he stepped in front of her, Thal let the flames die down, not finding any fun in burning the forest down, for now. His deep words brought her eyebrow up in amused challenge before she began leisurely stalking around him, not at all intimidated by his proximity. "Do you now?" It was drawn, calculated, speculative, unconvinced. Perhaps he usually got what he wanted, but Thal was an elusive target. He'd have to try harder than a little stalk through the woods, although that also depended on his ultimate goal. Thal continued walking slowly, assessing as she made her way to his back. When she made it behind his ear, her own voice came out whisper soft against it, "And what is it you want, kitty?"

Not everyone has good taste.

Thalassa