Training Begins Now!

[Rafael]

Standing as he was Rafael took his time to breath making sure that everything was right within himself. It'd been quite a while since he'd been tasked with helping someone new claim strength. When he'd first awoken in this new life, he'd been weak. Although he'd used what he'd learned in his previous life to help him, his body had grown astronomically stronger on its own and through hard work. He'd helped Zadora and Lolth along with Lisa develop themselves if even just a little bit. That had been some time ago though as Lolth liked to be kept alone and Lisa sadly had vanished. Which meant that today training Ippin was going to be like starting over. He wasn't the best, but he was confident he could teach her enough that the next time a group of basic Shinigami had her surrounded they'd be the ones in trouble.

Making his way over to the closest of the ponds near the castle Rafael did his best to keep his mighty feet from causing too much noise. So many tents littered the open grass of his new home. Although they'd only been here a couple weeks so much still troubled him. He hadn't been able to start repairs or improves at all yet. Keeping everyone fed and safe was all it seemed he could manage with his own strength along with all of the pets he'd tamed from the animals in the environment. How could it go from one moment just looking out for a handful to suddenly leading over a hundred different names. This wasn't something he planned on nor something he felt he was suited to do, but no one else could and the people despite not being Beasts wanted to follow him.

It wouldn't take long for Rafael to reach the pond where Ippin had been staying lately, it wasn't the biggest, but it had some fish, and he knew that she loved the water enough that it was better than living up on the grass like everyone else. There were other ponds nearby along with some streams here and there, but everything was farther out, and Rafael was worried. After losing Lisa, he wanted to make sure Ippin could defend herself before going to far away now. He'd already saved her once and despite how much he wanted to promise it, he couldn't always be there for everyone always. Already kicking himself for declaring the Outcasts something that the shinigami shouldn't push around by knocking down their gate and besting two of their Captains. Retaliation was sure to come sooner than later.

[Ippin]

In the water life of the outside world mattered not. All was peaceful within the water. Short muffled sounds would come time after time, but nothing too bothersome. Her sleep were always pleasant, left undisturbed so long as the girl was proactive enough to provide fish that came to frolic from other bodies of water. The pond that the Beastclan member resided in was co-linked to others. Streams and rivers flowing from between each other, often leading into pools into one of the pools, one such being similar to that which Ippin currently resided in. Deeper, where the soil and darkness resided, Ippin caught much of her sleep there, waiting for the next day to come. Often time she would spend her time swimming through the linked rivers, scouting, looking, finding new edibles to return to the pack. This was much of her daily life aside from the conflicts she finds herself in time to time.

It had not been long since the Black Creature brought Ippin to the pond. Much like he did with many others, a new area to explore gave the girl new sights to lay her eyes on. New sights and new horizons that panned over the Cecealias eyes with light she had never seen before. New aromas that blasted the muscus covered nostrils that the girl had with different scents that spinned her imagination. Before, Ippin didn't like traveling to new places. Often times, new locations and environments meant that there would be pain involved, followed by Humans. The abuse that she underwent when caged remained fresh in her mind. She didn't particularly like Humans all that much. Staying away as much as possible, the little contact that the girl had with Humans were often physical due to her need for food. Cattle were the prizes that Ippin would target a majority of the time for her hunts. Big fatty and meaty meant that they could fill her and others for a good time. Yet, it didn't mean that Humans became part of the menu when food was scarce.

Survival of the fittest. This was the concept that the Humans used when they had to do what needed to be done. Ippin didn't understand Human sentiments, but understood that she had to what she had to in order to survive. So, she was starting to understand the meaning of the phrase. Times were difficult until the Black Creature showed up. Rafael was what they called it, or him? Being part of the male species of what he was, Ippin didn't understand the concept of particular parts that made him a male. At least not by Sea-folk terms. But, some things were the same. Her eyes honed in on the movement that came about on the surface. A dark silhouette that cast its shadow over the looming sun over head, matching only one shape.

Ippin recognized the creatures shape after her indoctrination to the pack. She had to learn his scent, his shape, how he sounded when in the water. She didn't want to mistaken him for a threat, or a meal, which was difficult enough as the other members of the pack gradually made use of the pond for all sorts of their daily needs. A soft plop was made, surfacing with only but the head of the Cecaelia creature emerging from the water. A pinkish-magenta soft hue came about from the water, staring at Rafael with the two pairs of eyes that the sea creature possessed. It was indeed Rafael. A squeal of delight came up and erupted from the girls throat, growing more accustomed to using her throat for more than making echoes and grunts. She was learning more about the language.

"Rafff-ellll." she uttered slightly gliding through the surface fluidly. (no pun intended) The girl approached, keeping body mainly within the water as her position was now beneath the beasts stature at the ponds edge. "See you. See you." the girl coo'ed softly, providing a fangy smile at the Panther. She didn't know why the beast was there to see her, yet was still pleased regardless. Tips of the girls tentacles slowly began to pull themselves out from the safety of the water, slithering up and out onto the surface to greet, nuzzling the Panther, oftening sliding against the edges of his feet. "Here. Want? Need? Do. Something for Raff-el?"

[Rafael]

Sitting down at the edge of the pond Rafael couldn’t contain the massive fanged smile that spread across his abyss maw moment he saw the bright pink head of Ippin coming up from the depths of the water. Ippin wasn’t like many of the humans nor the Beasts that he had come across, no she was a lot like a little sister. Something that when he had been a human he’d wished for and then most of his life was happy he didn’t have. His human life had been nothing but suffering and he didn’t want anyone else to share ijn that suffering. This new life that he had forged for himself and everyone he cared about though, this was the time he could have someone like Ippin. A cute little sister that he could protect and hopefully teach how to protect herself.

“See you too, Ippin. Happy to see you.”

Rafale knew enough that speaking in such short bursts was easier for someone at Ippin’s stage to understand while also not placing himself above her. He wanted to make sure that she was comfortable all the time and didn’t have to go through hardships like she had been when he’d found her. Getting chased down and captured by humans or shinigami wasn’t going to happen to her again. He had to make sure that she learned and developed enough as a Beast to always get away or knock down anyone dumb enough to try against her. “Today we’re going to start, making you strong. I don’t want you ever to get hurt again Ippin. The Shinigami want to hurt us, some of them. Like the ones when I found you. So I’m going to make you strong.” Rafael had only ever really helped Zadora and Lolth along with Lisa. When it came to them he just taught them what he saw as their strengths already and how to fight on the ground like he did.

Ippin was different though, she was the first Beast clan of the water that he’d come across since he didn’t count the lazy lizard. That complicated things as he didn’t know whether or not Ippin would be able to stand up on the ground for long periods of time. Whether or not she would be able to control her body in the necessary ways to fight on land. What sort of abilities she would be able to use on land or in the water were still unknown to him. He could only assume that she was stronger in the water so starting her training here and figuring everything else out as they went was what he believed would be the best course of action. “Ippin have you seen another water Beast fight? You have your suckers and fangs, is there anything else you can fight with?”

[Ippin]

The unfamiliar warmth of fur was such a strange thing to the Cecaelia. A sensation that she couldn't really describe but rugged, and one that she was growing to be fond of. Of course, this sensation and joy were connected to the identity of whom it belonged to, and nothing more than that. Under different circumstances the Water Dweller would find the oddity to be dangerous, or at least something to be avoided until she knew what to do with it. But for this one, even as her tentacles grazed against the lining of the Panthers legs, Ippin felt safe. Drawing herself further away from the waters depth, the Cecaelia slowly pulled herself out of the water to set herself beside Rafael, leaning more into the creature than what she hoped for.

It was as if it was before, in the dark embrace of the stiffling hairs that made up Rafaels bulky figure with tendrils sliding against the larger body. The roots that made up the girls head tendrils moved as their tips instinctively nuzzled against what her mind was fixated on. Much like a beasts tail, the girls own body reacted as what lingered within, playing along with her desires. When speaking Ippin continued to remain close as she made use of her physical strenght to hold herself upright. Not being in the water was a struggle at first. The issue that Ippin had when first being brought onto land was maintaining her own body weight. Not to say that she was under fed, although she was treated as such at times, but to keep her own body from flailing to the ground like a pile of rubbery mush.

Water was Ippins best means of living her life as much as it for fighting, yet she understood that she couldn't retain that sort of thinking for long. When in water, what didn't come to mind was the fact that the water supported her entire body. There was no weight under the surface. While the density of certain objects was present, making them fall to the ground beneath the water, what weight was there was essentially removed. As a body made of mostly muscle and flesh, the Cecaelia didn't need to think about much when it came to being within her element. There was no problem with it. The issue came from when she came out. When out of the water it definitely struck a thought as to why her body felt more strained; difficult to move around. Ippin had to really push herself when on land, exerting much of her strength to just simply move about. This was an issue.

Today we’re going to start, making you strong. I don’t want you ever to get hurt again Ippin. The Shinigami want to hurt us, some of them. Like the ones when I found you. So I’m going to make you strong.”[/color] The soft hue of magenta turned about once she peeled herself off of the Panther. A face that looked up toward the blackened silhouette that shadowed over her, seeing nothing but the glaring Sun that remained high above his head. Words that took a bit or two to put together, hearing and translating to what Rafaels words meant. Apparently the same thing that Ippin felt when on land was something that the Panther took to notice as well. Not only did Rafael take notice to the Cacaelias lack of land experience, but wanting her to be able to resist against what came her way. This was her understand, what it translated to was "Humans were coming to hurt them."

The memories of the time before the Panther returned, bringing the fangs that Ippin kept behind her lips dormant, but now bared in anger. She was scared. This was fact. The fear of being beaten, slaved, and toyed around while she was held captive by Human hands until she was able to be set free. Ironically, her salvation was in the form of a Human child, so there were mixed feelings now that Ippin thought about it again. A blend of fear, anger, confusion, the girl turned her gaze to look back up at Rafael, then towards the newly made camp that was constructed around the fortress; she didn' want to lose any of it. As strange as the circumstances were now, this was something that Ippin was growing accustomed to, rather than moving from group to group. This was Rafaels tribe, meaning this was her tribe too. A clan. So, naturally the girl was angered that the clan was going to be in danger.

Another hissing snarl came from the girl that was only broken by the next question that the Panther brought up, and one that did dampen her emotions to the opposite end of the spectrum. Another water beast? Someone like her? Ippin thought, understanding what Rafael was asking about. Looking back at the water Ippin could only remmeber a single encounter, and the one being nearly a dream. A time long ago when she was first forming the boundary of her hunting grounds against a large lizard like creature. She couldn't remember what it was called. Naga, or something? Aside from that memory Ippin shook her head. She was....the only one of her kind. Saddened by the discovery the girl shook her head. "Ippin. Learn. Ippin. Want. Por-tekt." There was a lot to learn, and she needed to figure out how she can hurt the Humans that were coming to hurt them. And she needed to learn fast.

[Rafael]

Although he’d grown accustomed to it more and more this was still something that Rafael hoped he wouldn’t have to handle for much longer. Speaking to Ippin right now was like speaking to a small child still doing their best to learn language. Although she could speak it wasn’t forming up completely and that made discussion difficult. What he didn’t mind was her getting up onto the grass although he didn’t expect it. She seemed way more comfortable in the water, but it clicked in his head that her getting used to land was a brilliant move. The Shinigami or anyone else could attack and employ a way such as fire to get rid of all the water. Ippin had to learn to move otherwise she’d stay weak in most situations.

What was a little surprising although understandable was how much she clung onto his body. He hadn’t been expecting that, but due to his size and muscle he was essentially a wall. One thing that would make sitting up on the grass and staying upright way easier for Ippin. Rafael had to wonder if moving on land was comparable to him moving through the water. For him he didn’t feel any resistance being on land, but water limited his speed and options. Perhaps Ippin was facing the same sort of opposition when on land. If so then he’d have to help her develop a lot more than just extra fighting methods and skill. She’d have to be able to move on land almost as well as in the water.

What Rafael saw though told him that he could accomplish what he wanted and what Ippin needed. He could see that she was afraid of what had happened before and then there was something else. Anger, that was the key. Her fangs on display and the look that now grew. She had what was necessary to strive for strength to push through the struggle and grab hold of power. It was going to be something new and difficult, but he’d do his best to help her along. He’d helped Lolth and Zadora although not as much as perhaps he should. The styles were so different between them all, but he could help Ippin with the basics at least for fighting on land.

Her response was definitely clear enough for Rafael to understand although based on the expressions she’d displayed over the last few moments he could surmise now that she didn’t know anyone else. Rafael knew that even out here in the wilderness Beasts weren’t all that frequent. Beasts that lived almost exclusively in the water though had to be more rare. He’d met a few that could fly along with Lisa, an insect and the Lizard a few years ago. Why were those that lived in water harder to come across though? That's when an obvious answer popped into his head. He was always on land.

“Ippin will get stronger. Help protect everyone. How does Ippin fight?”

Rafael really was struggling to try and answer this of her now, not sure how to phrase his question in an easy way for Ippin to understand. He wanted to know if she could use something other than her physical body. He didn’t know much about sea life, but could remember that squid or octopus use ink. Unknown to him Ippin had the potential to use water like an extension of her body. “Do you have poison?” Rafael really didn’t like saying it like that, but wasn’t sure how else to say it as he looked down at Ippin.

[Ippin]

Confused for the moment, Ippin didn't know how to respond to what was being asked of her. How does Ippin fight The words were few but still a bit jarring for the girl to put into realistic understanding. Fight; this word she knew as consistantly being around the people in the pack, their growing numbers reflecting the differences in group dynamics. Some members of the pack did more running than others, often carrying packs, food, wood, other materials that no else did touch. Watching by the waters boundary line, the Cecaelia could only wonder what exactly was going on, dipping herself back into the water as people approached. It was here that Ippin listened, and repeated. This was how the girl learned what the word fighting was as it was constantly stated by another group that visited her pool.

"Fhhhhiiiiitteeee." Ippin repeated the word in a more simplistic manner as she dragged the forged lettering out. Ippin had to recall past actions regarding that group. They were hitting each other. Acts of violence? Was that what Rafael was asking about? What she did? Looking back at the water much of the girls own experiences were miminal but worked like a charm. Despite being isolated from much of the outside world, what the girl clung to was mainly ambush tactics as she stuck to the watering holes. Her body and the water were what she used, often resorting to drowning her prey or other aggressors before she snapped bones. Better yet, she pulverized their fragile insides by tangling them along with her own body.

Was this what Rafael meant?

Ippin glanced by at the Panther, pointing towards the water after plopping her nagging suction cups off of the black fur. Her tentacle continued to point out to the water, "Take. In. No. Com uuuuuut." the girl stated happily. Her fangs snapped open, mimicking biting notions with her mouth before smiling up at the Panther. The length of her arms slowly came undone, removing themselves from the beasts hulking black figure to arch herself back into the water. The small bulbous head bobbing fluidly across the tranquil surface before spinning back around from where she came from. Tentacles kicking back to quicken her pace. The Cecealians pace quicken as she began to cut through the water.

A moment was all that it would take for later the head became submerged, diving into the water leaving the large shadowy silhouette to remain just below the waters surface. Ippin had to gain speed. She had to force her muscles to work in tandem as each of her limbs shot as a single motion when nearing the pools border. Only then did the girl managed to jettison herself from the water, evacuating the saftey of her territory to clear the occupied space that Rafael took up, and landed herself on his opposite side to keep his back towards the water. A simple means of how Ippin would open many of her engagements as she slowly stiffened her muscles to take to an awkward standing posture. Not her greatest act on land.