o1. video / optional action

[overclocking]

[Today, two unforgivable errors were made: the first, he let Rosette use the kitchen.

The second: He let Rosette use the kitchen.

When the feed blinks to life, the serenity of the figure facing the camera is directly at odds with the thunderous cacophony in the background. Chrono just smiles blandly at his unseen audience as a terrible burst of sparks makes itself visible in—is his back to the apartment's kitchen?]

I just had a quick question. [He might as well dive right into it, as a crash echoes around the apartment. He doesn't even flinch.] Does anyone here know how to repair electronics? A microwave, specifically? I think apartment number 304 could use your services.

[It's here that Rosette comes into view, hurdling around the corner as smoke billows in her wake; if Chrono were actually looking, he might think it seems appropriate for Rosette's definition of an entrance. It's unclear whether she's addressing Chrono or the tablet (even realizes he's talking to the tablet) when she bellows FIRE! THAT'S A FIRE! It's very likely the former based on how the serenity of Chrono's smile twitches into something that speaks silent danger for someone.]

Quickly, if it isn't too much trouble? [The feed doesn't cut off; evidently, his quiet fury is such that he completely forgets to turn off the tablet before hurling it across the room to go perform some manner of intervention.

It lands facing a ceiling that is growing increasingly smokey.]



action.

[Anyone who actually approaches apartment #304 will find an impressive cloud of black smoke billowing out of the open door that smells distinctly of burnt electronics and scorched metal. Rosette's voice will make itself known second, shouting about how the kitchen is out to get her and this isn't her fault.

If one actually ventures into the abyss (which speaks volumes toward a capacity for bad decisions, by the way), they'll find a frantic teenage girl and a long-suffering little kid trying to determine the best way to put out an impressive electrical fire.]

Comments

[overclocking]

Why were you even using that thing instead of the ove—

[He promptly covers his ears as she chucks the pan.]

If it didn't work the first three times it won't start working now!

[soul_sister]

[Muted though it is, you can still hear Rosette shouting.]

This one's bigger!

[overclocking]

[Just because you destroyed the microwave doesn't mean you have to destroy THE ENTIRE KITCHEN.

He doesn't even bother dropping his hands when he shouts his response.]

Maybe you should just get out!

[soul_sister]

[Skirts gathered high, she stomps a few more times on one of the closer flames, as if in emphasis.]

I have way more experience in these kinds of emergencies than you do!

[overclocking]

I wonder why that is!

Now stop throwing pans and help me find something to smother it!

[soul_sister]

LIKE WHAT?

[overclocking]

A blanket, or a towel, or- I don't know!

I thought you just said you're the expert!

[soul_sister]

Fine! Towels!

[Except the handtowels have already caught on fire....]

I'll be right back!

[overclocking]

Hurry up!

[While she does that, he sets about moving any portable objects in the kitchen to less-combustible areas.]

[soul_sister]

[It's only a few seconds, but she wrenches the bathtub on, and drops all of their towels in it. She's back and drops the entire, sopping stack on Chrono.]

[overclocking]

[DID YOU EVEN CHECK THAT HE WASN'T CARRYING A TOASTER BEFORE DOING THasgjkl-

He loses his balance and goes down in a pile of heavy, dripping towels and clattering appliances.]

1/2

[soul_sister]

[I DIDN'T EXPECT YOU TO FALL!!!

There's actually an extremely serious look on her face as she picks up two of the topmost towels and quickly drops them on any fires even remotely near Chrono.]

[soul_sister]

[And it's gone the next second as she goes to fish him up off of the sooty floor.]

Stop playing around! We need to kill the fire!

[overclocking]

[He waves off her concern, as a Chrono does.

Irritably;]

I'm trying, despite your best efforts!

[soul_sister]

Try harder! Take that side!

[overclocking]

[He waves one of the wet towels around indignantly, even as he moves to halt the ever-expanding frontier of flames.]

Don't tell me what to do! This is your fault to begin with!

[soul_sister]

[Taking another, she whips at another getting close to the sink.]

I already explained that it wasn't! Look! Sometimes things explode on their own!

[overclocking]

[He opens his mouth to respond and



promptly closes it again, turning on his heel wordlessly. He focuses all of his ire on the fire instead of her. On the bright side, people who are more (or maybe.. less...) competent than them begin arriving.]

TIMESKIP

[soul_sister]

[Long after the fire is out, and the crazy assortment of guests, bystanders and helping hands of varying aptitudes... Rosette drops a nearly black sponge in dingy water and loudly cracks her back from where she's sitting on the kitchen floor.]

It's no use, this is going to take three lifetimes!

[overclocking]

[He would call her out on exaggerating, but in this case, he's not sure that is an exaggeration.

He pauses to lean against the mop, having at least made decent progress on part of the kitchen floor.]

We can take a break once the floor is done, at least.

[soul_sister]

But I'm tired.

Five minutes?

[overclocking]

... Fine.

But only five. I'm timing you.

[soul_sister]

Yeah, yeah.

[She gets up with another long, languid stretch and goes out to flop on the sheet-covered couch. The damage, overall, looked worse than it was, the countertop was good and cratered, and there would be smoke damage to deal with... but it was surprisingly salvageable.

In the mean time, though, five minutes is enough time for a power nap.]

[overclocking]

[He gives her twenty.

It's only after he's more or less satisfied with the state of the floor (and reasonably certain that she actually has dozed off) that he sets the mop aside and goes to find her on the couch.

He hesitates for a very long moment before gently lifting the watch from her chest, scrutinizing it. He won't admit it aloud, but the encounter with Tempest earlier shook him more than he thought.]

[soul_sister]

[She stirs a bit at the tiny disturbance, but doesn't seem to wake.

The face, thankfully, hasn't moved any further than it normally would in a day's time.]