ORIGIN

This time the telltale signs of magic use were not as missed. The few seconds space carved out by the disgruntlement of producing none himself allowed proper view of the ice glimmering upon the seal's extremities. Eyes widened the slightest as his mind began to piece together the implications of the sight, but Fahl made no remark upon it beyond a sharper than usual intake of breath. Otherwise stone-faced, he waited for the thin layer to begin melting away before casting again.

Far more compliant than the previous attempt, the water in the immediate area below his paw practically leapt to meet his demand; a temperature that was already far more lukewarm than ordinary for Pisces's typical chill rocketed to even greater heat. If not for the precision exacted by the iguana, the surface would've scalded. Instead it was maintained at a careful swelter, harmless but uncomfortable.

Whether she was truly wielding his opposite would become clear once pitted against these conditions. There needed only to be a noticeable decrease from the established baseline.

To have an inference confirmed so definitively was a triumph of the sweetest sort; it kindled warmth within ribs and pumped Fahl's head so full of air that it couldn't help but lean back into a prideful tilt ceilingward. Once he lowered his snout from this position, the sight of the ice framing Lorelei's face ignited his emotions like a lit match would gas. All restraint fled in the presence of such comedy. A loud, unrepressed snort left the iguana, and he found himself wheezing from the strength of the laughter which followed.

"Ffffuuu—uh, let me. Let me get that for you. If you'd hold still."

He reached a paw out and hovered it over the general area he intended to heat. Crackling, the sound of thawing ice, made apparent the result of his invisible ministrations: while not enough to cause the entire mass to flow off her features, its bond would be loosened so a good shake or two might dislodge the unexpected adornment. Fahl then stepped away to give some space.

"Congratulations." Her accomplishment was acknowledged by a nod. "You have water magic."

The description seemed to fit based off of what he'd observed, unless the act of freezing things didn't have as close of a relation to ice and, therefore, water as initially believed.

"Ah, you're welcome," was his own mumble in response.

Used to being the student and far less acquainted with the role of teacher, to hear gratitude and see success influenced by his own guidance was quite an experience. The reversal odd but not an unfortunate one, Fahl found himself at a unique loss as to what the stirring in his soul related to it could be called. A positive feeling—this he had no doubt of, the familiar heat suffusing it characteristic of all his better moods—but whether it was a single unknown or multiple combined seemed to elude him.

Had Imp gone through similar when instructing him? He imagined so. Or perhaps he was simply being too emotional about a task anyone decent would be inclined to do for a child fresh out of the chrysalis.

"So, uh, you see," he said to conclude the introductory lesson, "It's all about thought. Making magic move to do what you want. Keep practicing, and it gets more used to obeying you."

"Water will come easier since it already listens best. Like fire does for me. Which, well, means I'm not much help for the harder stuff in your case." A shame since she gave the impression of being rather eager under his tutelage.

He shrugged, fell silent, and let the crash of Pisces's waterfall fill the void—only to then stiffen in place as an idea occurred to him. So unbelievably obvious was the thought, considering their present location, that he couldn't help but be amazed it hadn't announced itself sooner. Maybe its surfacing had been prevented by the painful reminders which accompanied, the fear and inadequacy that'd plagued him in the old memories dredged up. Wariness of the Masters, too, could have been the cause for keeping this possibility buried.

But it was an option, however many risks might be attached. One that could benefit young Lorelei if offering it didn't toss her into a predator's den.

"I can think of someone, though, whose magic is water. Unless I'm mistaken, he should be here. Deep below there." A nod was directed to the great rippling expanse which the waterfall ceaselessly spilled into: the lagoon where a being of fantastic power had emerged, casting out a wave of cold over every Gembound gathered around to aid him. "Tenzin. That's what I've heard others call him. He makes things cold like Pisces, here, usually is. I don't know if he'd be willing to teach you"—much less hear her from whatever slumber he'd sunk back into—"but... a try wouldn't hurt, I suppose."

Other than indirectly giving Fahl a wake up call to his laziness tens of cycles ago, this Master had done no harm to any of those who'd dared to interact with him. At least not during the one instance he'd been alive for. Hopefully, if she ever bothered the bird, the attempt wouldn't prove disastrous and reveal his meager knowledge as horrifically inaccurate.

So she was a sensible soul. That he could appreciate—it promised improved odds of survival and a better chance of their paths crossing again. If they ever did, the more complicated matter of advanced spell-casting could be a topic discussed between them, the time passed allowing a more in depth exploration by two matured minds instead of his single.

"That's right," Fahl said, addressing both the mention of Tenzin and her continued practice. "Better you get a hang of the basics before trying anything harder."

"As for me." A sigh gusted out from the iguana as he surveyed the many pools of Pisces, their waters still and absent of any obvious signs of aquatic life. "Truth be told, before we got into all this magic business... I was hungry. Still am. So I'm going to see if I can catch myself a meal."

The weather being what it was, if the fish remained away from the surface and safely hidden, he might be forced to abandon his home cave for somewhere the native prey were less finicky about the recent warmth. Although primarily an algae-eater, losing the opportunity to further hone his fishing skills did not sit well with him. He'd have one last tedious search through every pond and puddle, and then, depending on results, he might gather patience for the journey ahead of him and leave.

There it was again—that unknown tune of something good plucked out on the heartstrings as he heard thanks once more. Fahl had already begun to turn away himself, body orienting to the nearest pool his head was aimed at, when she freed him from any sense of obligation to stay and speak further. Nonetheless, parting words contained an audible smile, brief though they were.

"I will. But just remember... I'm holding you to that promise. Really do make me proud."

Show that the seeds of his instruction could grow to bear useful fruit, much as Imp had managed to accomplish with him.

He walked away then with a swish of his finned tail over wet stone. The food might be hidden, but it certainly wouldn't wait for him to find it. Best to get going as soon as possible.