A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Yet, to everyone's disappointment, Erik closed the door behind him, before panning his gaze across those gathered there. "She was awake for a moment, but she's fallen asleep again."

Elora nodded slowly, with pursed lips, "That's to be expected… Her soul is still weak, we just got a little overly excited. It will likely be another day or two before she can have a short conversation."

Erik wasn't surprised, but he didn't mind much either. He'd waited this long, and he could wait another two days, so long as she remained safe. Besides, the moment he just shared with her was already a huge relief to him, and he felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders.

Regardless, he felt an inquisitive pair of eyes on him, and turned to meet them. It was Ankhur.

For a moment, he and Erik looked at each other, as if eyeing up their opponent—a comparison that wasn't exaggerated at all. After all, Erik knew of Ankhur's interest in his mother, and Ankhur knew of Erik's interest in his daughter.

They were both strong men with a powerful protective instinct towards their loved ones, and neither of them felt particularly charitable to the other because of it. And yet, they still had to remain civil, because they were both aware that any aggression would only hurt their chances with the objects of their interest.

The people around them were mostly women, and most of them rolled their eyes at the masculine energy that was slowly charging the area. Only the other two men, Tarek and Enkai, nodded with satisfaction at the righteous confrontation between two alphas.

In the end, it was Erik who took the first step. Literally. With a slight smirk, he stepped forward, and extended his large, human hand. "Ankhur, I presume? I don't believe we've met yet."

"Indeed," the stately werepanther nodded, and was about to extend the one hand that remained attached to his body, when Erik stopped him.

"You're going to shake my hand like that?" he grinned with a raised eyebrow. "You want to court my mother, but you can't show me the basic respect of showing your face?" Slowly, his grin widened as it gained a taunting edge, "Unless you're afraid to meet me on equal grounds?"

Ankhur halted his movement and narrowed his eyes. Around them, Ankhur's family bristled, including Naeku, but they didn't dare interfere.

"Traditions are important, Erik," the werepanther growled softly, but not yet threateningly. He felt he was already showing Erik a large amount of respect by not simply calling him 'boy', and ignoring the insinuation he was afraid.

"I see," Erik continued, clearly not ready to let this go. "So are you going to meet my mother like this as well?"

An imperceptible twitch went through Ankhur's face, and Erik's eyes instantly twinkled victoriously.

"She's… already seen my face," Ankhur grumbled unwillingly.

"Ooh, I see…" Erik simply nodded, still grinning. "So that tradition means nothing when it suits you, huh? And yet you're still not willing to show me, her son, the same respect? I wonder what she'll think of that…"

Anger flashed through Ankhur's eyes, "Don't go too far…!" For a moment, Ankhur wanted to mention Naeku was there, and wonder if Erik really wanted to show this side to her, but he immediately squashed that desire. It would only make him look weak, and he wasn't willing to even acknowledge Erik's interest in his daughter just yet.

Unfortunately, that was exactly what gave Erik the upper hand in this confrontation.

"I don't know what you mean, Ankhur," Erik smiled slyly while still extending his hand. "I was just sharing an observation. You can shake my hand in whatever way you feel most comfortable."

Another flash of anger went through Ankhur's eyes, but he refused to let himself be baited. For a moment, he considered his next action, narrowed eyes focused on Erik.

"What about your entourage…?" he finally growled, clearly willing to negotiate.

"They're my wives, my mother's daughter-in-laws," Erik shrugged indifferently. "If you wish to court my mother, I'd expect you to show our whole family the same respect, but if you disagree…"

Ankhur immediately snorted, "They're not all your wives!"

For a moment, Erik remained silent, as now it was his turn to narrow his eyes. Unfortunately, he could find no fault in that argument, and was forced to concede a little.

"Nora, Anne, Seraphina, turn around for me," he finally ordered without taking his eyes of Ankhur. Nora and Anne quickly obeyed, but Seraphina was a little slower, even seeming disappointed. In the end, she still wasn't used her role as a servant… she wanted to be more.

"Alice is my daughter," he then explained while nudging his head towards the small wereverine, who was looking at all this with interest. As a shapeshifter, she was very susceptible to this kind of almost animal-like powerplay… and she loved the fact Erik seemed to be on the winning side. For now.

Yet, Ankhur wasn't entirely happy with that explanation. He raised an eyebrow sceptically at the idea that Erik had a teenager for a daughter. He was also confused about where this girl came from, as this was the first time he'd seen her, but that was another problem.

"She's adopted," Erik explained simply and sternly, making it clear he wouldn't budge on this. "Alice is family." The 'end of discussion' went unsaid, but everyone heard it in his tone. Alice smiled slightly, as did his wives.

For another moment, the tension remained as the two men continued glaring at each other. But, finally, Ankhur's fur and muscles began to ripple. Slowly, slower than he was likely able to, Ankhur changed back to human form. When he was done, he'd changed into a powerful, middle-aged man with bronze skin and a hard face, no shorter than Erik.

Then, he finally extended his one good hand, and grasped Erik's.

Satisfied, Erik nodded, and shook the man's hand.

Unsurprisingly, another contest immediately started, as both men squeezed quite a bit harder than was absolutely necessary. This time, Ankhur was on the winning side, yet not by as much as he would have liked.

Erik squeezed back as hard as he could, but he could feel the bones in his hand creaking and cracking. In the end, he was still a second ranker who still couldn't use his Elorium, and now didn't even have Elora to merge with him and reinforce his body. Right now, all he had to distinguish himself from regular second rankers were his bloodlines.

Fortunately, that was still enough to not be completely defeated. His face remained calm, not showing any of the pain he felt, both in his hand, and his chest.

On the other side of this handshake, Ankhur couldn't help but be impressed. So impressed even, that some of his earlier grievance was wiped out. 'Did he really deal Lilith a grievous wound?' he wondered inwardly. 'It couldn't have been with just this power, though…'

Finally, after they'd both tested each other's strength, they pulled their hands back, and surprisingly grinned at each other.

"It's good to meet you, Erik."

"And you, too, Ankhur."

It appeared they were satisfied with what they saw. For now.