sirenspull | video; ~5 pm

[Mary looks... well, alive, which is a bonus, but also frazzled and exhausted, with pale skin, dark circles under her eyes, lips chapped, hair falling out of her ponytail.

But more than that, she looks haunted.]

I'm back. I'm alive. [Her lips press together in a thin line. She bows her head and talks to her knees.] No thanks to those monsters.

I don't know if anyone else made it out... there were no- [sniffing hard to avoid tearing up.] -shelters. Nothing Darkness proofed. [Head still bowed tightly.] I don't know if any of those people I fought with made it out alive, but if they didn't, I'm going to tell you all right now.

[She finally looks up, eyes welling now with tears she refuses to cry.]

They hunted us. They bound us, put collars on us, they put us in cages. They chased us and hunted us down like we were fucking dogs and we couldn't-

[she claps a hand over her mouth, breathing hard to rein in her emotions. When she opens her eyes again, there's something chilling and deadened in her eyes.]

When I died at home- the first time, before I came here... it was a demon. A demon pinned me to the ceiling and burned me alive in my baby's nursery, and I didn't feel as violated as I did those two days. In that cage. [She shakes her head intently, looking away.] Those monsters kidnapped children. They wanted to see every one of us die like dumb fucking animals.

I wonder what would happen if I prayed for them. [There's a weird look in her eyes. Something you wouldn't leave your children alone with.] It's the Christian thing to do.

Would I get their souls into Heaven, or their heads on a plate?

[With a last ugly look at the NV, she turns the ~~public~~ feed off.]

[Private to Jinx]

I found a plus one.

[Private to the angels]

Did you hear my prayer? [The one she whispered as she lay dying.] Please, tell me none of you- tell me you didn't go there. Please.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yessss coffee. The tea she bought from him is clearly visible in the open cabinet, but she needs serious caffeination.]

Yeah. [S i g h.] It's about politics.

I still have twelve people telling me to get a bodyguard. Or a babysitter.

[Time to gulp some of that coffee down. It's steaming hot, but she doesn't seem to notice- or care, that is.]

[Tea would be better, just saying.]

Politics are difficult.

Those who love us will often say such things. Imagine your position reversed with a cherished one. It is natural to want to protect that which is precious.

I know. I know!

But they're managing me like a child again. Just because I died at home-

[A roll of paper towels catches on fire behind her.]

Try to be honest but understanding with them, and if necessary make some small concessions.

[Iroh pauses for a moment and looks at the fire]

An uncontrolled fire can burn many things, Mary.

[It might sound a little sage like, but if you follow his eyes, you'll notice it, Mary]

[She sort of looks at him for a second, but then the smoke hits her nostrils right as she starts turning around, prompting a startled-]

JESUS CHRIST!

[She jumps, clenches her hands reflexively, and... the fire dies down. It doesn't go out, but suddenly the towels are only smoldering. After a couple seconds of gaping, she shoves the paper towels into the sink and drenches them.

And... just. Turns around. Cheeks red.]

Uh. Sorry about that. That was stupid. Um.

[Right. What the hell were they talking about again.]

Jesus Christ?

[No Christianity where he is from Mary]

Those of us with fire abilities must be especially careful. It is easy to cause unintended harm with it, especially as they are connected to our emotions. Before you go and take on the world, take a day for yourself, you went through a harrowing experience. The greatest warrior still needs rest to fight their battles, and a little relaxation.

[She nods vaguely, before realizing what he said.]

You have fire powers? Really? From the Core or from home?

From home, I am what they call a firebender. I suppose technically a firebending master, but I am not a big one for titles.

[Not bragging, just stating a fact. To state otherwise would be a lie]

Really? What can you do?

Well I often do similar to what you did with the coffee, but without actually producing a flame from my hands. I can maintain my body heat in extremely cold temperatures, stop fires, and manipulate it in multiple ways. I am not however immune to its effects if caught unaware can still be burnt.

That's amazing.

I... I'd love to talk to you about this, but.

[She stops and shakes her head, a little shaky.]

Um. Today- with everything- when I mentioned that demon from home... I can't really deal with fire when I'm having a. A hard time like this.

[Aka fire is her single biggest PTSD trigger, and the Core is a bag of dicks.]

It's my Core power, and I'm still not used to it enough to... do it when I'm like this.

video; ~5 pm

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Re: Video

Video

Video

Video

Video

Video/private;