Kraken

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The Sea of a Thousand Currents had treated him well, it seemed, for his scale was thick and his belly full. He stank of fish and salt as he wretched up water from his lungs, his sides heaving with raspy breaths. His guttural choking and heavy breathing drew forth the interest of Tortuga, the fiery manifest of the sea itself, trapped in imperial form. She slithered from the beach, kneeling beside the youthful blue imperial. His scales shone brightly, shimmering with iridescence, encrusted with gems much like Tortuga herself. His scales and wings and gems all displayed the same color - he was triple, like Tortuga, and her many companions.
"Friend," Tortuga cooed, resting a clawed hand on the smaller imperial's wing. The youth wrenched away, his eyes wide as he stared back at Tortuga. He coughed up a splash more of water before turning back to the sea in haste. Tortuga snatched his tail with both hands.
"Wait! I mean no harm, friend," Tortuga shouted, wondering if his ears were clogged with water as well. He must have heard her, though, for he swiveled around and made a slash at her face. Tortuga snorted and easily overpowered the younger imperial, holding him down by the wrists.
"I don't mean you any harm, you fool," Tortuga said with the slightest growl, "you're lost, I know it, I see it in your eyes. Where did you come from? The Icefield sea? You're from Ice, your eyes tell me that. What are you doing so far from home?"
The blue imperial looked startled, overwhelmed. He gave Tortuga a chilly stare before answering her. "You ask too many questions. I am fine. I come to find adventure, and I do not need help."
Tortuga ground her teeth. He did seem in good shape, he must be a skilled fisher and swimmer, but why would he be wretching up gulps of seawater on the beach if he were so skilled?
"You're lying. You look healthy enough, but what drove you from the sea? A shark? A bulky, angry guardian? You won't survive long in the Thousand Currents if you keep choking on so much water."
The blue imperial was shocked, as if his cover story was enough to keep any curious dragons at bay. "I... I am fine, I told you. Leave me be, stranger."
Tortuga shook her head."Fine. But once the Kraken gets you, I'll be on the sea bottom scraping up your gems to sell." Tortuga loosened her grip on the blue and began to stride away. She stole a glance over her shoulder, and to her amusement, the young imperial stood with wide white eyes.
"Wait! What is Kraken?" The blue raced towards Tortuga, flattening his ears against his head.
"Little one. You are so foolish. Come with me, little blue, I will tell you this tale and many more. We will swim together with my father in the Icefield's ocean, where the water swarms with schools of fishes and whales blow bubbles."

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