There was a muffled call in the distance, and Phlegethon's entire body immediately snapped toward the source. Carefully, silently as possible, the creature moved toward the edge of the swamp, obscured by some reeds. Small feet pitter-pattered up ahead, far beyond what it considered feasible prey. The sound swerved to and fro. This rabbit would not be really worth it, would it? Regardless, it wanted to seem impressive to Dragon. It could not be a rot-child if it could not hunt well alongside others.

It cracked its mouth open slightly, red eye catching a muddled figure moving away. The monstrosity burst forth from the water, neck feebly stretching out so it could snap at the rabbit. It was too far away to reach. So, it did the next best thing. On impulse, it called forth some magic and gargled up a wad of thick, black slime within its throat --- hopefully not igniting it while it was still in its throat. Instead, the slime simply burbled within its throat and all Phlegethon could do was effectively drag itself after the rabbit. After a few feet, the monstrosity gave up chase. Maybe it could find some fish in the depths of the swamp, instead. It stood in place, neck arched and head hung.

Disappointment. That was a new feeling.
@Dragon

Dragon was not a swift creature. Even at his fastest burst of violently explosive movement, he could not keep up with the faster denizens of the cave. Enough to drag a deer down before it could get up to speed, yes; enough to run down a rabbit? Absolutely not. Wings burst, instead, from his shoulders, their membrane lining down his back. He lifted off, eyes glinting red now and horns curled from his skull.

Ahead, he could barely spot the rabbit--dodging and racing to and fro in the dark. Even airborne, however, he lost it.

He arrived at the pile, and Phlegethon, just in time to see its white scut vanishing off into the shadows off to one side. Dragon grunted, and lowered himself into the mud with a few flaps of his magical wings. As he landed, he folded them down his ridged back, and they--along with the horns--faded.

His voice was toneless--matter-of-fact, rather than humorous or encouraging.

"I believe our ambushes may be more effective, more reliable, and more efficient--but this is a good thing to remember. Perhaps, should we ever have need of it, we can lure someone into an ambush--or chase them there. It is good to remember tactics, strategies, even if they do not yet serve us."

@Phlegethon

There was a thunderous swell of wings nearby, and Phlegethon's head immediately and involuntarily turned toward it. It was an odd instinct, that. The monstrosity didn't have any ears in particular, but still turned to face sounds. First would be its head, then its body. Dragon seemed to dismiss his wings and horns, an ethereal red fog carried away on the mists. Perhaps it should attempt to learn that magic, someday; or, at least, find its source.

When considering that they should hunt together, the creature had not accounted for the time that could possibly be involved, and the multitude of variables involved. Oh, and the fact that both were --- or were the equivalent of --- heavy reptiles. They were better-suited for ambushing from water, not the undergrowth. "We did not consider small creatures. Hunting in water is our strength; land our weakness," it warbled. "The rot-children need tricks against the Elders, if they are wise --- if Nemean is wise."

Assuming... the rot-children even hunted the Elders. Dragon seemed disdainful enough of that Nemean, going so far as to invite it to eat the buzzing creature. It was still hungry. Fish would be for dinner, tonight. It supposed.
@Dragon

Dragon considered. "Clever, perhaps. Cunning! I do not know if she is wise. But I know that she draws others to their deaths, by trickery, with malice." He rumbled idly to himself, then settled into the muck, resting for a few moments.

He seemed in no hurry to continue the conversation, or to depart. Like any alligator, he was content in the presence of others--silently gregarious, comfortable lying quiet, wordless, among however many other like-minded predators. At least, if he felt he could trust them. And so far, Phlegethon had shown no reason to do otherwise. He seemed young, impressionable, but he was Nox's child (and very clearly so, at that) and aligned, so it seemed, in his goals.

And so Dragon lay there, quiet. Perhaps Phlegethon would have further questions for him. Perhaps he, too, would be content with silence. Or perhaps he yet hungered, and would begin a new hunt.

@Phlegethon

Nemean operated with tricks and cunning. Phlegethon knew, then, that fire must be fought with fire; or, in this case, trickery must be fought with further trickery. There seemed to be no peril there. If it did encounter the Elder, it would not follow its lights and sounds. The monstrosity was quite skilled in the art of ignoring things that were not immediate threats. Nemean must be small and weak if it relied on illusions. No issue there.

Since Dragon did not seem to be continuing the conversation, and since it was still hungry, the creature turned and began to clamber back into the swamp. "Thank you," it warbled, "goodbye, Dragon." Without another word, it lurched forwards and plunged itself into the murky water in search of another meal.
;exit Phleg unless stopped
@Dragon

Dragon stirred, looking around as Phlegethon offered his farewells.

"Goodbye, Child of Rot," the alligator rumbled, half-absently.

He was tempted to gather them all soon, again. There was so much still happening--so many things they still did not understand.

But for now, at least, the Children yet lived. There was no real threat, and it seemed their numbers were good. Not often seeing the otheres was not a bad thing--it meant they were all hiding well, surviving.

Hopefully, learning.

Hrm. Perhaps I should find Nox, and find out if this was the only child.

The alligator turned, slipping into the black water, his thoughts drifting along ahead of him.

exit Dragon