[FIRE] Defying Gravity

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

After being caught in the chaos of what was left of the arena and finding her sister, and also making sure that her sister was alright, Erika hadn't hesitated with making sure that her husband to be also was alright. The only issue was that the brunette had no idea where he was. The school was in chaos, and it seemed that the arena wasn't the only place that was under fire. There had been several reports coming in, and well, things didn't sound too good. There was a fire in the library, and one in the kitchen, and things were spreading.

With that in mind -- in fact, with only that and very little else at mind, Erika had started running towards the most logical place that Everett would be; one of the main sources of the fire; the kitchen. Where else would he be? The kitchen was his baby and there was no way he'd just leave it, despite it being on fire. It was both his most admirable and foolish quality.

She could already see the smoke having filled the cafeteria and well, it was no longer a secret that the kitchen was one of the sources. Things looked bad. Really bad. And a sane person would have turned around and walked away, but Erika had never claimed to be sane. Especially not if someone she cared about might be in danger.

Grabbing a nearby tablecloth, she wrapped it around her arm as she reached for the handle, pushing the door to the kitchen up. Lifting her hand again, she covered her mouth and nose as she peeked inside. "Everett? Are you in here?"

[Everett King]

As soon as Everett had heard the news he'd rushed right over to his precious kitchen. He'd be damned if the school thought he could leave the fate of his shrine to firefighters or anyone else. The man was currently flitting around the small space, using his damp shirt to smother some of the smaller flames. His mind was already telling him that it was hopeless, that with a fire that large he couldn't possible save it, but fear was drowning out his logic, and for once he was glad of it. Fire, the one thing Ever legitimately feared, was ironically the only thing holding him there when all his instincts drove him to give up. As it was, once the fire hit the oven it would be all over. There'd be no saving himself from that explosion.

Ever's head shot up at the familiar voice, throat catching in his smoke-abused throat. She couldn't be here. He had to be hallucination. Erika would never be that cra.......Damn. "What? NO! No I am definitely not here Erika, get out! What the hell are you thinking!" Ever's voice was loud and panicked, even through the hand shielding his mouth. He left the collection of cooking utensils he'd managed to save from the fire, charging towards Erika to grab her arm before she could venture fully in the kitchen.

"You're insane. This place is on fire, you know. You need to go, Erika. I've got this." He had very little faith she'd actually listen. "Please." It just meant he had to work faster now, before Erika could run in and get her eyebrows singed off. Turning he walked back into the licks of flame, struggling to ignore the stabs of heat on his skin as he neared the pile of ladles and knives.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Furrowing her brows, the brunette stopped in the doorway. She felt a mix of relief and annoyance spread over her body. She knew Everett could be foolish, but this was way out of line. Luckily, the gravity of the situation kept the brunette from spitting out her usual snark, her brown eyes sweeping over the little she could see of the kitchen through the smoke. This didn't look like an accident, and from the reports she had gathered thus far, this wasn't. The arena fire was one thing, but to have the fires start in three different locations? It didn't make a whole lot of sense. "What the hell are you thinking?"

"Yes, this place IS on fire, which is why you shouldn't be here either," she replied, pulling her arm out of his grip. "You do not have this." Not with his track record anyways. "The fire have been reported, so let the people trained to deal with it, deal with it." Of course she wasn't going to turn around and leave him there. If he really thought that, he didn't know her much at all.

It only took the brunette a second of cursing at herself before she strode inside, pulling Everett by the arm. "What the hell are you going back in for?" He didn't think he could put out the flames, did he? And there was little in here worth saving too. At least, nothing that couldn't be replaced. Unlike him. She could feel the smoke make her throat sore and her eyes sting, and the flames... She tried her best not to think of how the heat felt against her skin.

[Everett King]

Ever straightened his back, automatically defensive because of the danger facing both his kitchen, and now Erika. "I'm saving my kitchen. Do you know how bloody expensive it is to buy good knives these days? I'm quite sure you could be putting the academy's budget to better use." Ever dove his hands back into the flames on his bench. His poor, poor bench, and felt around for his tools. He visible winced when he found it, and if the flames hadn't already burned his hands than the bloody hot metal sure did.

With a snort he turned, absently wrapping the utensils in his drying shirt. "I totally have this," he retorted with a scowl, holding out the wrap he beckoned to Erika. "Take this and go. I want to get some of the pans out from the oven, then I'll be right behind you. The non-stick brands are so hard to take good care of." With a serious nod to ensure Erika knew he meant business, Ever turned and headed for the oven. He was aware of the flames creeping towards the appliance, and even more aware of what would happen when the flames reached the thing. Boom. Bad boom. Which meant Erika had to get out.

"We didn't start the fire, it was always burning since the world's been turning."

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

"You cannot be serious..." She understood where he was coming from, but the way he so carelessly took care of himself and his life was not exactly what Erika wanted to deal with right now. She understood that this kitchen meant a lot to him, but it was just objects, after all. And objects could be replaced. Everett couldn't.

Looking down at the bundle, Erika frowned as she accepted it. "I'm not leaving," she informed him. Yes, she was well aware of the danger they were both in, but she didn't think he'd ever leave if she did first. This was the only way she knew how to fight him. Stubbornness against stubbornness, which really made them both fools. Tossing the bundled up shirt towards the entrance, Erika sighed and groaned. "You do realize I could just use my power to reach over the fla--" The sudden sparks and flaring of the fire catching onto something close to her had the brunette side-stepping, hitting the counter as she moved.

"Stop being an idiot and get out of here," she said, her voice determined, despite the slight shake. "Don't make me force you out of this room." And she totally could too, if it came to that. Not necessarily by words, but with her power. Sure, it would take a lot of strain out of her, but she could without doubt physically use it to pull him kicking and screaming out of the room, and they didn't exactly have a lot of time to go on.

[Everett King]

"I'm damn serious," he retorted over his shoulder, opening the hot oven door with a curse. His hands would undoubtedly be mangled after this, and he was struck by the brief panic that he'd never be able to cook again. More importantly, he'd never be able to properly hold Erika again, and that was worst of all. Of course he was being completely irrational and dramatic, and the thought was gone in a matter of moments, but it left him frozen and temporarily breathless.

"It's....kind of beautiful," he murmured, wide eyes captivated by the flickering light. He could feel the heat radiating onto his skin, drying all traces of moisture. Some of the flames were licking in to the open door. "Erika, don't you think so?" It was his inherent fear that that kept him frozen in place, staring deeper into the fire as it drew nearer, his hands still clasped around the trays.

Swaying slightly Ever drew in a ragged breath. "I....think we should go."

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

And what the hell was he rambling on about now? Had the intense heat sent his head into some kind of state of shock from lack of oxygen and/or hydration? Furrowing her brows, Erika simply stood there, watching. At least, she did for a brief second before moving forward. Clearly, she had no other choice but to force him out of here, because at this rate, he was becoming delusional.

"D'ya think?" she asked, using her ability to put invisible arms around his own, pulling him back and towards her, using as much force as she could possibly muster. The room was growing more and more unclear by the second and she could literately feel the room being drained of oxygen and hydration. Pressing her lips together, she squinted through the smoke, feeling her eyes burn and water up because of it. Turning, she continued letting her ability pull Everett with her as she made a beeline towards the door, using her arms to guide her path through the cloudy mist.

She was mad, she was scared and she was on the verge of panicking. Neither of them should have been here. She shouldn't have come looking, and he shouldn't have tried saving the stupid kitchen appliances. But of course, Erika knew him better than that. She wasn't really surprised, and the only reason the brunette was as mad as she was, was because she cared about him, and she was scared that he'd get hurt, if he hadn't already.

[Everett King]

Everett's smile was serene as he felt Erika's power draw him back. He'd never felt her ability like that. Felt it brush against him, sure, but this was something much different. The forceful prompting caught his attention, and Ever turned with a more focused light in his gaze. "Erika, right, going." He agreed, hurrying to catch up. Heedless of his burned hands he began pushing
Erika out the smoking door and into the cafeteria, risking a glance over his shoulder.

When he was standing in the doorway Ever stopped and spared a last look at his poor kitchen. He'd have to give it a proper memorial service. The polished cabinets, his two prize ovens and gas powered stove. So much potential was being let go. He was sure he'd be able to save it if he just went back in....

Luckily he didn't get the chance, as the flames finally hit the oven's source and exploded outward. The fire expanded in a ball of heat, flaring towards the oxygen in the open doorway. With an exasperated grimace he turned and leaped for Erika, using his back as a makeshift shield as the pressure blew out his poor cafeteria windows, sprinkling glass and embers around them. If he wasn't so busy feeling the flames lash against his back like whips, he would have found the action-movie explosion sequence pretty damn awesome. Once the rain of glass had halted Ever lifted his head, quivering slightly. "Right. Outside, now." He order gruffly, pushing at Erika.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

She was both thankful and relieved that Everett seemed to snap out of whatever freaky trance he'd been in and followed her without Erika having to do much more than what she had done already. She could feel the panic heave inside her chest, and the heat of the flames didn't exactly make things any better. She tried not focusing on it. Heck, the only thing she really managed to focus on was getting out of there, and getting out of there as quickly as possible.

Moving her hand, she curled her fingers around a handful of Everett's shirt. Luckily, or maybe not, Erika didn't glance back, so she didn't catch the whiff of the explosion before it actually happened. She didn't even have the chance to react before she felt Everett's arm and body shield her own. The sheer force of the explosion caused her ears to ring and she instinctively lifted her free hand to cover her face. The rain of glass pieces fell all around them, and the cook didn't have to ask her twice to get out of the heat.

With her hand still curled around his shirt, Erika made a beeline towards the cafeteria doors leading to the outside area of the giant dining room. Luckily, said area weren't covered in fences, so it wouldn't take them too long to round the school and get back to the front of it, where people were undoubtedly waiting. Pushing the doors open, she welcomed the breath of fresh air as she turned, walking backwards as her wide, brown eyes were locked upon the burning kitchen. "Holy shit."

[Everett King]

Everett doubled over when the fresh air hit him, heaving in breaths thankfully. "Jesus Christ," he hacked, pushing his sweaty hair off his forehead. "When I find the asshole who did this, I'm going to shove steel pins between their kneecaps and make them dance an Irish jig." He growled, trembling in an equal mixture of pain and fury.

Remembering Erika, Ever straightened and scowled. He reached for her and pulled her smaller frame into a bear hug. "You are insane, girly. Absolutely insane." He whispered the words harshly, his voice still hoarse. "I bloody told you to get out." It was understandable that Eri hadn't listened to him; he'd never expected it of her before, but she'd absolutely terrified him and that had clouded his judgement. Even stronger than his fear of fire had been his fear for her, and her reckless nature.

Ever stepped away with a steadying breath, looking back at his destroyed kitchen. "Is this the only fire? It certainly wasn't a natural one."

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

She understood his anger. Hadn't her fear for his safety taken over her senses, she'd probably be mad too. She hadn't acted as her position required of her, but honestly? Everett's safety had been far more important than any duty. There wasn't much the brunette could do anyways. The fires had been reported and the assigned teams had been called upon. Just in case, Erika pulled out her phone and texted Elsa Bellefonte, letting her know about the fire.

The sudden hug caught Erika off guard and for a brief moment, she just stood there, arms wide as she felt her blood pump through her veins. "You're one to speak," she replied, catching her breath as she placed both of her hands against Everett's shoulders. "I wasn't the one trying to save a damn pan," she added. There was little point in blaming each other, and Erika wasn't going to continue. She understood his feelings, because she had the very same. At the very least, everything was OK now. At least, he was OK. And Erika didn't think she wanted to press her luck any further.

Shaking her head no, Erika's eyes dropped to her phone. Putting it away, she sighed as she lifted her hand to brush her hair away from her face. "Three fires were started. One in the arena, one in the library and well... You know where the third one started. Someone obviously wanted to keep us busy and distract us." Erika didn't know who, but she figured they'd find out soon enough. Plucking a piece of glass from between her curls, she flicked it against the ground with a heavy sigh.

She could still feel the heat of the flames lingering on her skin, and she felt the sudden urge to just sit down and cry, but instead, she simply pressed her lips together. "We should move to the front."