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[evocation]

This is Kyna. You should just text me if you actually want me to answer.

Comments

[requiemshark]

science.
for real i need to field test them

[evocation]

okay
what are we lighting on fire?

[requiemshark]

dealers choice
maybe a building
an empty one

that'd be fun

[evocation]

deal
if you were going after monsters you'd have to babysit me or whatever.
where are we meeting up?

[requiemshark]

you'll be fine

[Which possibly sounds less reassuring than he means: he won't let anything happen to Kyna under his watch. It's confusing, but Ephemera actually likes her.]

the old bar
theres plenty of stuff to burn there anyway

[evocation]

see you there.

[And she arrives about fifteen minutes later. She's relieved they're not hunting actual monsters. Strangely enough, she actually trusts that Ephemera wouldn't let anything happen to her, and not just because Wash would kick his ass. Still, she hates feeling like she needs a bodyguard, so at least this option makes her feel a little less useless.]

[requiemshark]

[To the bar it is. The place is a mess after everything, but there's plenty of flammable shit in the wreckage. And there's always been something about fire that puts Ephemera at ease. It's calming in its certainty. Fire doesn't think or react. It just is.

And he likes the sound, anyway.

He's got his helmet off, tucked under one arm, when Kyna arrives.]

Hey.

[evocation]

Hey.

[She approaches him, holding out a hand and wiggling her fingers.]

Can I see? What Wash did, I mean.

[requiemshark]

[Ephemera nods, lifting up his arm so she can see when he activates the gauntlet. A flame shivers to life.]

So far it hasn't blown up in my face. Just need to make sure the everything meshes with my HUD's calibrations.

[evocation]

I didn't know he could fix stuff like this.

[It's pretty neat.]

How does it work?

[requiemshark]

Me neither.

[Everybody's learning something new.

Ephemera shrugs, stepping back and pointing his arm at a pile of splintered wood. It might have been a table once.]

Trigger mechanism's in my gauntlets. Point and shoot.

[He demonstrates. Flame snaps out with a roar, overshooting the target by a good eight inches.]

....motherfucker. I knew it was off.

[evocation]

[Kyna just barely manages to hold in a laugh, but it comes out as a snort instead.]

Maybe your aim just sucks.

[requiemshark]

Oh, shut up. You're gonna do better?

[Ephemera flashes her a grin. It's teasing, no actual malice.]

Hell, I've only got the one eye. My aim is awesome.

[evocation]

Aren't you supposed to close one eye when you aim anyway?

[Her only proof of this is cheesy action movies.]

And hell yes, I'm going to do better.

[requiemshark]

No? That's a terrible idea.

[Ephemera tips his head to the side, watching her. Then flashes her a bright grin and disengages the flame thrower. Then he pops off the gauntlet and holds it out to her.]

Cool. Prove it.

[evocation]

[Kyna takes the gauntlet from him and slides it onto her hand, shooting him a smile. There are two unfortunate things about this: One, Kyna is used to aiming spells, which takes just a thought, and two, the gauntlet is too big for her. She finds the trigger anyway, points the flamethrower at the table, and shoots.

And, of course, overshoots by about a foot.]

Shit. That didn't count.

[requiemshark]

[Generally, operating a flame thrower takes at least three hours of instruction, careful supervision, and protective gear. Ephemera did intend to give Kyna a brief once-over of how the gauntlet works, but she has it on and aimed before he can think up the right words.

Well, that works too.

Ephemera laughs, clapping.]

You sure? That's your last free one.

[He pauses.]

Straighten your arm a bit more. Try again.

[evocation]

[She does, then glances over at him.]

Like this?

[Admittedly, she's a little stiff.]

[requiemshark]

[Ephemera tips his head to the side, assessing her stance.]

Do like you're throwing a punch. Don't lock your elbow. And bend your knees.

[evocation]

[She shoots him a look.]

I don't know how to throw a punch.

[But she follows his advice anyway. Better!]

[requiemshark]

How do you not know how to throw a punch?

[Doesn't she fight for a living???

Ephemera hums to himself.]

Better. Give that a try. But we have to fix the punching thing.

[evocation]

Because I can cast spells.

[And obviously that's all she needs! She tries again, being much more careful with her aim this time, and actually manages to hit the table, letting out a delighted laugh.]

[requiemshark]

[Despite fully intending to mock Kyna for her lack of punching ability, Ephemera laughs with real delight when she hits the target. Flames hiss. He likes the sound. The way the wood gets scorched and blackened. How it wilts a little as it burns. Everything exactly as it should be.]

There you go!

[evocation]

See? I knew I was cooler than you.

[requiemshark]

Says the woman who can't throw a punch.

[Ephemera gestures for the gauntlet.]

We're gonna fix that. Like, now.