23. Blue ice jealousy

                                    

                                          


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Dahlia thinks that this woman is hiding beauty behind her frown. She has never seen someone quite like Alda before.
Unique, beautifully falling blond hair that stretches over her shoulder blades, tinted in the most wonderful ocean blue color. It's subtle enough that it doesn't catch your attention, the color of her hair. But once you look closer it's like looking directly at the surface of a tropical, glimmering sea, the waves in her hair looking much like the real thing.
Her eyes are wide and filled with a lot of wonder, although restricted and hidden behind layers of self protection. She seems to have a warm heart. One could never notice though, not with the way she so nastily avoids Dahlia's eyes to the best of her efforts, and doesn't even bother to attempt a smile. But on the outside she looks beautiful. Beautiful and strong, with a sense of righteousness and dignity. Like a warrior looking for justice, she keeps her head high and doesn't bother appealing to those that don't like her.
Her form is strong and she is quite tall, only falling a hair shorter than Enya and Irie. Dahlia doesn't notice their height difference from the normal-people-level that she is looking from. That's why it's a little scary, to see someone so tall and powerful stare at her like she doesn't like her. Alda's gaze is piercing. Dahlia can feel it on her as they walk towards the pool, the one surrounded by glass walls.
Alda, that's what her name is. Dahlia can't help but think that it's not her real name. Doesn't Alda mean wave? That's too fitting for someone with alleged water powers. She glances behind her to see that everybody else is going to train on their own. She is left with Alda, and for some reason, Enya too. Irie has decided to do her own training somewhere else so Dahlia has no choice but to pretend like it isn't awkward to be with these two tall and weird ladies instead. She doesn't understand what Enya is getting at either. Why does she need to watch them train and use their unnatural powers? Enya's eyes follow her just as intensely as Alda's stare burns in her back. If she looked a little closer, she'd see that they are staring each other down, too.
"I work with water"
Dahlia and Enya stand off to the sidelines as Alda walks up to the pool. Even though she is against Dahlia being here, she still does exactly what Enya says without needing to know why she is doing it. Dahlia doesn't understand it.
"Unlike popular misconception, water is heavy and not light. It can form-"
She lifts up a big part of the body of water into a huge blob above the pool, moving it slowly into different easy shapes and forms from side to side. Her muscles flex as she works, it really does look as heavy as she says it is.
"But it can also be dangerously harsh"
And with one move she slams it back into the pool, creating a huge splash and wave, the sound echoing loudly around them. Dahlia stares with half amazement, half horror. That was one heavy splash. Had a human been under that... Dahlia gulps. She might not understand exactly what their job is but the severity of it is clear.
Alda turns around with as little as possible emotion on her face, towering over Dahlia despite standing a few steps away. Enya doesn't seem very phased by what Alda is doing. Dahlia turns to the side and can't help but look surprised when she notices that Enya has been staring at her the entire time. She frowns and looks away. Does the fire girl not have any shame or manners in her body? Enya doesn't stop staring at her, not even after the black-haired girl has caught her in the act. Alda walks up to them.
"Are we done here?"
Her question seems to be directed at Enya. Although there is some edge to her tone, Alda doesn't bother to showcase any kind of resistance or dominance over the other Powered. Dahlia watches as she completely ignores her existence. The two women stare each other down, Enya finally having ripped her gaze away from Dahlia. The fire girl raises an eyebrow, the water girl doesn't let herself lose the intensity of the staring contest. Feeling uncomfortable, Dahlia takes a step to the side. The seconds drag on in silence, as Enya's eyes harden, waiting for Alda to start an argument or challenge her authority. Dahlia doesn't know what is going on but she holds her breath.