middaeg | ( closed ) home is a fire, a burning reminder

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( closed ) home is a fire, a burning reminder

Who: Ann Takamaki and Zack Fair
When: During the event
Where: Aefenglom
What: Voluntary fire brigade!
Warnings: Nah

[ Fire may be her element in the Metaverse, but it's quite another thing entirely in reality, and this is not the way Ann really expected to test out her new abilities as a witch. She's still struggling to grasp basic concepts, but given the current situation, the witches of the Coven have decided a proverbial baptism by fire (pun intended) is required to tame the literal fire. Trying to reason with the pixies hadn't worked, even when she turned on the tears, but her acting skills have always left something to be desired, anyway.

So instead of attempting to deal with them outright, Ann's attention turns to damage control, and at some point along the way, she ran into Zack who was doing the exact same thing. Two heads are better than one, or...a witch and a monster are better working together than separate. A harried merchant had stumbled upon them looking for help, and so they're now en route for his pet shop, which he is quite distraught about the health and safety of his animals. As they approach there's already several crates outside on the ground, but there's even more inside. Fortunately, the fire is still mostly on the roof for now, but it won't stay that way for long. ]

Okay, I think I've got this water spell down, but just in case...should we make a plan B?

[ Because she is definitely not as confident in that spell as she would like to be. A pixie buzzes by her ear, and without a second thought, Ann flicks a finger at it. ]

Ugh, these guys are the worst!

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[ When the temperature started to heat up in the city, Zack hadn't been all that bothered. He'd grown up out in the country, where the summers had been muggy and wet, so he's used to this kind of thing. Pixies flying in and setting fires everywhere? That's a new one, and the increase in heat is starting to get to even him. It doesn't help that there's smoke everywhere, clogging up his nose and stinging his eyes.

Still, something has to be done. He can't dwell on the fact that he's got clear memories of what it was like to be in a town that was burning to the town. Nibelheim is a far cry from Aefenglom, and while the sensation of being near wild flames is the same no matter what's burning, he can't let that deter him. People's livelihood is at stake, and even lives hang in the balance -- judging by this pet store that's in need of their help.

The last time he interacted with Ann had been a far cry from what's going on now. He'd love to just be hanging out at a restaurant eating their weight in pizza, but it's good to know that Ann's capable of springing into action when the moment calls for it too. So, time to get to work. ]

Hmm...

[ Zack props a hand against his side as he considers a possible Plan B, glancing over when Ann's harassed by one of the pixies. ]

You're not wrong. But all right, if the spell doesn't work, we'll have to find another water source. Bringing over buckets from the river, maybe? It's starting to dry up, so hopefully there's still enough left for us to grab.

[ That would be a worst case scenario, though. Fire spreads quick, and they're running out of time. ]

I'll run in and grab as many crates as I can carry. You focus on putting out the fire. All right?

[ It might be the worst case scenario, but at least it's something to fall back on if Ann can't manage to get this spell to work. And even if she does get it to work, there's no telling will actually manifest. It might just be a little trickle of water like what comes out of a drinking fountain, instead of a fire hose. Still, even that is better than nothing, right?

She nods, shoving down her doubts by necessity, because if she doesn't take action, there won't be a place for these animals to go back to. ]

Right. Just be careful, okay?

[ They may not know each other super well still, but Ann doesn't want to see anything bad happen to him, and Ann sort of gets the impression that he might be the type to put himself at risk just to save others. She knows that type pretty well.

Without another word, she steps forward and turns her attention towards the roof, focusing her attention squarely on the flames licking the rooftop and drawing from that well of magical energy within her—

Which is, of course, when one of the pixies decides to return and antagonize her further, gleefully tugging on the end of one of Ann's pigtails before flying out of reach. Her concentration broken, she fumes: ]

You little jerk!

You can count on it!

[ For all that Zack is the type who would throw himself into danger if it meant keeping others safe, he also doesn't have a death wish. Been there, done that, and Aefenglom is his second chance at life, so he isn't about to throw that away. That being said, he thinks he's a decent choice when it comes to racing into a burning building. His mako enhancements make him sturdier than the average human, and while the fire hasn't spread down from the roof yet, if it does he should be able to handle both the hot lick of the flames and the strain on his lungs from the smoke.

If not? Well, the Witches here seem to know lots of healing spells.

He races inside, quickly determining where the remaining crates are so that he can scoop them up. This is going to take a few trips, he can already tell. Strong as he might be, there's only so many of these unwieldy crates that he can feasibly carry at once. He rushes back out with three of them stacked on top of each other in his arms, setting them down next to the others. He honestly hasn't looked that closely at what animals are inside, but he wouldn't be surprised if they're magical creatures of some sort.

It doesn't take him long to assess the situation out here, which is that Ann hasn't had much luck so far. ]

Is it not working?

[ He looks up and down the street, wondering if there are any other Witches around who could lend their power to Ann's, if hers isn't enough. ]

[ It's not working.

But that's the mental block she's been confronting since they got here, since the pressure was on to use her magic in a demanding and tense situation. Even when she was relaxed her magic output hasn't been great, why did she think it would be any different now?

She can't give up now, however. Not when there's someone in need.

It's a relief to see Zack unscathed when he emerges again, even if it doesn't show much in Ann's tight expression. She can feel the well of magic inside herself, and she knowswhat she wants to do with it, but making the connection between the two is proving difficult. Is it because water is the natural opposite of the element she's used to wielding? ]

I...I don't know, I'm just used to using fire—

[ ...Wait. That's the solution, isn't it? Her brows snap up in surprise. She doesn't have to produce water if she can just manipulate the fire that's already there. ]

I have an idea! Let's hope this works...

[ Instead of the push she'd been focusing on with water, she refocuses on pulling the fire, on drawing it back into itself, collecting it in one larger, localized flame on the roof. It's not perfect, but it's a start. ]

I can control the spread! I'll keep it in one spot while you get the rest of the animals out!

[ While Zack would like to give Ann some advice on how to make the magic cooperate and manifest for her, he's at just as much of a loss. Magic here doesn't function in any way that he's used to, and without the conduit that Materia provides, he wouldn't know where to start.

Thankfully, Ann manages to get there on her own. If she's used to manipulating fire, then playing to her strengths makes a lot of sense. Zack turns to watch as the flames on top of the build congregate into one spot. They will need to find a means to put the fire out at some point, but hopefully some other Witches will show up to offer their assistance. For now, Ann will at least be able to buy them some time. ]

Perfect!

[ He nods to her, sparing the moment that it takes to shoot her an encouraging smile (he's proud!) before he takes off back into the building. A few minutes later he returns with another pile of crates, which he stacks besides the rest. ]

I think there's only a few more! Is that right?

[ The question is directed to the distressed shopkeeper, who nods and blubbers out some thanks for their assistance. Zack waves him off. ] Hey, don't worry about it! [ Then he turns to Ann. She's got a sheen of sweat on her forehead and seems to be locked in concentration. ]

You holding up okay? We're almost there!

[ By the time Zack returns again, Ann is starting to feel the strain of wrangling the fire. It may be the element she knows best, but that means she also has a deep, respectful understanding of how wild and destructive it can be. Fire isn't like any of the other elements. It grows, it consumes, and the longer she holds it back from doing that, the more she can feel it trying to burst free.

But just a little bit longer... ]

Yeah, I'm hanging in there.

[ She says, though sounding breathless. She was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this, but she reaches into her bag, pulling out a small vial which she quickly uncorks and drains the contents. It seems her first encounter with magic-amplifying potions wasn't enough to put her off using them again. ]

I'll be fine. Don't worry. You stay safe too, okay?

[ Once the shop is completely cleaned out, they can figure out how to put the fire out safely. She refuses to fail now that they've made it this far. ]

[ Ann may be hanging in there for now, but Zack knows that she can probably only keep this up for so much longer before she's going to be tapped out, both of magical power and physical energy. The last thing he wants is for her to end up passing out from the strain, so it's time to put the pedal to the metal and then see about finding her some help.

Zack frowns when he watches her knock back another potion. This one is hopefully more legitimate than the one that she bought from the goblin market during their first stay here. There isn't time to question that now. He nods firmly and dashes back into the pet shop for a third and final trip.

As soon as Zack's booked it back outside and dropped off the final batch of crates, much to the shopkeeper's elation, he focuses on the next important task, which is getting Ann some much-needed assistance. That potion seems to have given her a bit of a boost, at least.

It doesn't take long for him to spot a group of young people wearing clothes that identify them as students of the Coven. ]

Hey! Over here!

[ He waves his arms around to grab their attention. To their credit, they don't hesitate for long before racing over to see what's going on. ]

Can any of you use ice or water spells? She can't do this alone, you know!

[ Even with the potion, the strain on her magical reserves is real, especially without a bond to strengthen her. It's a relief once Zack finishes clearing out the shop, but she's too stubborn to let herself relax until the fire is out. The animals are safe, but if they lose the building, they'll have nowhere to go back to.

Fortunately, help is soon on the way, and no sooner does she catch a glimpse of the Coven witches dashing over than does a smile of relief to crack over her features. ]

Thank god, you're just in time!

[ She exhales, wiping the sweat from her brow while the witches quickly begin to conjure up a water spell. She can feel it when it begins to take effect, when the fire strains less to free itself from her control, and so slowly, she relinquishes it, letting it feed into the water that snuffs it out instead.

After a few more moments, she lets go completely, sinking forward to rest her hands on her knees and catch her breath. For as much as she was just standing there with her arms out, she is exhausted. Glancing towards Zack, she shoots him a grin and a wave, still catching her breath. ]

Whew, that was a close one...thanks for the save! I don't know how much longer I could've held onto it.

[ The students are quick to jump into action once they realize what they need to do. Zack can't say whether or not they have any experience with practical applications of their magic, but they get to work putting together a strong enough water spell to put out the fire and leave the pet shop more or less intact, just with a damaged roof and a plume of steam and smoke rising upward.

Ann, meanwhile, looks relieved to finally have a moment to catch her breath -- and just a little unsteady on her feet. Zack slides over to her, resting a steadying hand on her back as she catches her breath. ]

Hey, no problem! Least I could do. It's those guys who really deserve your thanks.

[ Since the students are currently busy with the task at hand, that can probably wait until later. Zack gestures over to a set of nearby stairs, then leads Ann in that direction so that she can get off her feet.

The shopkeeper is quick to follow them. "I don't know what I would have done if you two hadn't come along," he insists. "Thank you both so much!"

Zack glances over with an easy grin. ]

No worries. Just hope all of the animals are okay.

[ Even once she catches her breath, she still feels completely exhausted, so she moves easily when Zack prompts her to, sitting down on the stairs with an oomph as she leans her elbows against her knees. That could have gone better, but it also could have gone much, much worse, and when the shopkeeper comes to thank them, Ann responds with her own weary smile. ]

I'm glad just we got here when we did. Let us know if you have any more trouble with the sprites, okay?

[ Even though she is in no position to attempt something like that again. For all the lessons she's had in the Coven so far, this exercise under stress taught her more than anything else has. But then again, she's always learned best under pressure. Fighting in the Metaverse hadn't been any different.

She then turns her attention back to Zack. ]

And thanks again to you, too. I probably shouldn't have tried something so risky, but...I'm glad everything turned out okay.

[ The shopkeeper nods a few times in quick succession, hands wrung together, before he moves over to the group of students to thank them as well and take a closer look at the state of the building, not to mention all the animals who've currently been displaced.

When Ann addresses Zack, he spins back to look at her face, smeared with soot and dried sweat, and shakes his head. ]

What are you thanking me for? You did most of the heavy lifting.

[ He moves to lean against the wall near where she's seated so that he can both keep an eye on her and watch the rest of the scene play out, even if they're done their part already. ]

I'm glad, too. And hey, it's not like you had much choice. When we showed up here, we were the only ones around to help.

[ If anything, Zack's impressed that Ann had been willing to jump into action even if she hadn't been confident in her magical abilities.

He shoots her a grin. ]

You did great.

[ It's hard to take a compliment that she isn't sure she's earned, but maybe she is being a little hard on herself. She did keep the rest of the shop from catching on fire, and at the end of the day, everything turned out okay. It's a victory, and one she should be proud of.

Still, she blushes at the compliment, her features turning sheepish. ]

Thanks. You did, too. We make a pretty good team!

[ Zack would make a fitting Phantom Thief, she thinks, always trying to do what's best for other people. Now he's really proved it with his actions.

Letting out a sigh, she leans back onto her hands. ]

But I guess we're not totally off the hook yet...there's probably more sprites causing trouble somewhere else. I wish they'd just leave already...

We do!

[ Zack laughs and then steps forward to hold out the side of his fist to her for a quick bump. He's not sure if this kind of thing translates across different worlds and cultures, but hopefully she'll get the idea.

Though it's true that they can't really celebrate when plenty of the city is still burning. His brow knits and he glances down, sighing to himself. ]

And yeah, kind of feels like we're just treating the symptom rather than the actual problem, doesn't it? But I don't want anyone to lose their homes either.

[ He intends to keep running around offering help wherever he can, but he realizes he can't do much as a Witch would be able to. Frustrating as that is, he still wants to do his part. ]

You gonna be all right, though? [ Zack looks Ann over with a frown. ] You should take a minute to catch your breath at least.

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( closed ) home is a fire, a burning reminder

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