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

Re: video

[hyanaimne]

Then how does one put out such a fire?

video

[overclocking]

I don't know, that's never actually been our job before!

video --> action

[hyanaimne]

Oh, for—

[the feed cuts out rather abruptly.

A few moments later, there's banging on the door]

action

[overclocking]

[There's a long pause, and a lot of crashing and cursing.

Eventually he yanks the door open. It sends a cloud of black smoke billowing out into the hallway, and reveals an entirely soot-covered and singed tinydemon, one arm stacked high with towels, the other leaning on the doorknob for support.]

—Good afternoon?

Re: action

[hyanaimne]

[well. Not entirely what she was expecting, but at least he seems okay. She leans to the side a bit to look past the towels at him]

Afternoon . . . are you alright?

[overclocking]

[He gives her a very, very flat look that clearly says lady my apartment just caught on fire and then a bunch of crazy people made it worse to varying degrees.]

Define "alright."

[hyanaimne]

[the look is not very effective]

Are you uninjured?

[overclocking]

[He pauses, frowning. Things that hadn't occurred to him at all: personal injury.

Some perfunctory glances down at himself prove that he's probably sporting more than a few burns of various severities, but who gives a fuck if there are no limbs missing amirite.]

For the most part.

[hyanaimne]

[she follows his gaze and frowns; burns are serious no matter how bad they are, she remembers from her own training as a child. They can become infected, swell up, blister . . . she goes over the various ways in her head for a moment, before she reaches out and tugs him closer]

Hold still.

[the hand lets go and simply stays there for a moment, hand open and palm facing him. She murmurs something - it isn't in English, but in a sing-song, lilting language. A moment later her hand glows, and the burns begin to heal]

[overclocking]

[There are a few unfortunate circumstances in life that can give someone a complex or two.

First, living and working in a world where some of the most predominant uses of magic are designed to kill you as quickly and as efficiently as possible; second, living an existence where having a wound heal itself always means forcefully destroying the soul of someone you care about very much; third, being exposed to a brand of magic that feels unlike anything you've ever sensed or been exposed to before.

It's why he finds himself backpedaling immediately, alarmed and very slightly afraid.]

[hyanaimne]

[the spell cuts off immediately when he starts to backpedal, and Tempest can't help but take a step back herself. She's never had a reaction like that to magic before; usually, people are surprised she's even capable of healing, since her preferred spells involve fire and burning things.

She then realizes she's scared him and holds up both hands, disarmingly]

Ah - my apologies, I didn't mean to startle you. I just . . . I meant to heal you, that is all.

[overclocking]

[He's still very, very unnerved, and seized by the impulse to go check Rosette's watch. But he plays it off like he didn't just wig the fuck out because ha ha ha everything is FINE.]

No, it's fine, just- unexpected, that's all.

[hyanaimne]

Are you certain . . . ? My magic will not harm you.

[the surprise turns to worry; why would he react that way?]

[overclocking]

[He doesn't know how her healing works; what if it just stimulates the legion to repair itself? That would just pull on the contract, and that's not-

He's embarrassingly paranoid. He knows it. He also finds he can't muster the strength to care; he'd rather be burned from head to toe.]

I know it won't! But- I really am fine, honestly.

[hyanaimne]

[even he says he's fine, she's done something to upset him, and she . . . surprisingly isn't okay with that.

But she isn't great at apologies or concern, either.

Which only leaves one option: flee]

Mm . . . then I will take my leave, then.

[overclocking]

[He realizes, belatedly, that she probably came all the way up here specifically for this purpose. Especially since he dismissed her water magic before she even came.

He feels... bad. Spurning the kindness of others is something he goes out of his way to avoid. And it's not like she could possibly know the circumstances, or his own neurosis.]

You don't... have to. I was going to make tea for the people who came to help.

It's the least I could do.

[hyanaimne]

[Tempest shakes her head, then ducks it, hiding under her hood]

I do not wish to impose . . .

[overclocking]

It's not imposing if it's an invitation, remember?

Besides, it's just tea. [... IT'S PROBABLY ALL THEY CAN MAKE IN THIS KITCHEN ANYMORE...]

[hyanaimne]

[Tempest can count the number of times she's been invited to tea on one finger; the one that isn't there anymore. Invited to drink ale? Certainly. Tea? Never. She eyes the room behind Chrono with trepidation, as if she's about to walk into a battlefield. Though whether it's because of the mess or the people already there . . . ]

I . . . suppose I could stay for tea . . .

[overclocking]

[He takes another step or two out of the doorway when she acquiesces and begins picking through the wreckage in the kitchen for a tea kettle. He slips briefly on some of the white foam still coating the floor (pinwheels dangerously for a moment and barnacles onto the counter to stay upright), and has to unbury it from an impressive pile of rubble, but he eventually succeeds.

... Then tips it upside down to empty it of ashes.]

Geeze, are you serious...

[hyanaimne]

[Tempest steps in after another moment of debate, tugging the door shut behind her. She glances around with a frown; it was a mess, how bad was the fire? She was unsure, because between the yelling in the video feed and actually seeing it . . . well.

A few careful steps further, find her in the kitchen]

This is . . . impressive.

[overclocking]

[He sighs a sigh that speaks of years of torment before setting about rinsing and cleaning the tea kettle. The sink, fortunately, is still in operable condition.

He just shakes his head at her comment.]

Rosette's destructive abilities are unrivaled.

[hyanaimne]

[she gives the room another look over before leaning against the wall. It would be rude to be amused, wouldn't it? She carefully hides it instead, and decides maybe she can be a little helpful]

Would you like me to clean up all the rubbish on the floor? At least, push it into a corner so it is not in the way.

[overclocking]

[He blinks over his shoulder at her, somewhat taken aback. Clearly it's an offer he hadn't been expecting, but he's hardly going to turn it down, either.]

If you want. That would be a big help, actually.

[hyanaimne]

[she raises an eyebrow at him, then grins, faintly]

Move out of the way, then.

[when he does, she kneels down, eyeing the mess on the floor. She holds out a hand, palm flat, then murmurs something quietly - it isn't in English, nor is it any language that Chrono may know; it's sing-songy, a lilting tone that seems pleasant on the ears. A moment later, a breeze blows through the kitchen, gentle at first, blowing all the debris into the corner. A second breeze follows, a bit stronger, to get whatever the first missed.

Satisfied, she dusts off her hands, as if she did actual work, and stands back up]