retrospec | POST ✦ ( OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE. )

I will.

[ About fifteen minutes later there will be a knock on the door as Lucian lets himself in. He has a small box with him.. just in case.

Now to get to the closet. ]

Ainsley, are you still here?

Lucian!

[ upon hearing his voice, ainsley feels her heart leap in joy and she leaves the hallway closet to head towards the source.

juts as she sees him and an expression of relief lights up her face, the all-too familiar rain of sparks falls around her. it's almost impressive with how quick a look of worry and mortification takes over as she slaps both hands over her mouth to muffle the small shriek of surprise that bubbles out of her throat. ]

... It's happening again! I'm so sorry.

[ Lucian is by nature not someone with extreme expressions, so his own response is a lot milder than hers - but his brows knit together as he turns his attention from her to her surroundings, grey eyes focused on the spots where the sparks had fallen. Onto the table, onto the floor - but no smell, no light. ]

No, it's alright. [ He can't look at her right now lest he misses something, but he tries to keep his voice even. ] Do me a favour, stand still for now. I would like to take a look at what just happened.

[ He moves closer, still slowly in case he sets something off. The table was made of wood, so perhaps it would not ignite as easily as paper - but he did see sparks from fires, so many years ago, and the image seared into his mind seems somehow different from what had just happened.

A few moments later: ] Nothing is charred. It should be safe.

[ It seems like the sparkles just... winked out. He has to think. ]

Do you feel anything strange? Pardon the questions, I wish to figure this out.

It's fine, it's fine. I'm just grateful that you're here.

[ she is. she really is. it feels less like the world is going to swallow her whole now that lucian was here with her.

she presses a hand against her stomach to try and keep her breakfast down, feeling lightheaded and faint. either from the stress of what's going on or from the embarrassment she felt for being such a bother for the others since posting her messages. maybe a bit of both? who knows- she certainly doesn't and it seems to be a running theme for today.

the least she can do is answer lucian's answers clearly as possible. ]

I- I don't feel strange. Nervous, naturally. A little nauseous from what's going on but I'm not in pain or anything like that. [ she keeps her eyes out on the sparks that are still there, fading fast but lingering for some reason. ] They- This won't hurt you, will it? The sparks?

[ Lucian doesn't show it much, but he had too been easily agitated once upon a time. That was changed through training and exposure, as was necessary for a doctor who used to work with emergencies. No matter how hard his heart may be going, only logic would ultimately derive him the correct answer... so through all those years, he had relied on it.

It isn't every day that he remembers, but whenever he sees the scars on his arms, he's reminded of how only quick action and calm thinking saved his life. With his condition, he could have died. ]

I do not think so. Sparks of the fire sort... would ignite, yes. You would be able to smell if they have charred anything in the air, or around you. I do not have a blocked nose, and I do not smell anything around you... you were in the closet, yes? Yet there was no smoke.

[ If there is smoke, there would have been a fire, and there doesn't seem to have been a fire. Still... ]

There are sparks of flame and sparks of electricity. I cannot confirm it yet without being able to catch them, but if you are safe so far, then it should be fine.

[ As long as she's safe. ]

I know the symptoms of the smoke inhalation and none of them have happened yet so no. None of that sort. Good thing too! Would hate to make you give me CPR or something.

[ she tries to smile at the joke, it is a good one in her opinion, but she's clearly distracted. ]

Would it be safe to be near you and the others then? While this is happening? [ that's her main concern, that's been the nagging thought in the back of her mind ever since she realised this wasn't a bizarre one-time occurrence. that's the cause of her stomach twisting right now as she looks up at him, torn between relief of his company and worry for his safety.

it explains why she's no longer as cheerful compared to earlier, realising that with lucian here then there's a risk he may get hurt. ]

I-I don't want any of you to get hurt. Especially you.

[ This hardly seems like the appropriate time to respond to her attempt at lightening the mood, though he could do something else to help instead. ]

If you have not set anything on fire yet, I do not think the possibility of you doing so in the future would be very high.

[ Though, it would also beget the question of why the sparks are happening. ]

I will be fine, Ainsley. Do not worry for me.

[ He makes an effort to relax the tension in his frame, giving her a subdued version of the smile that he usually reserves for her. ]

We can figure this out together.

[ 'together' is the magic word that helps her really feel like that this is all going to be okay.

she has help, support. that much is evident in the messages everyone is sending to her and the fact lucian is taking the time and effort to come here and see her. whatever is going on, she knows she has others who can help her through.

it's why she smiles brightly as she can, the upbeat attitude more hopeful and happier this time. ]

We will! We can do anything when we're together! [ and the sparks come back, causing her to jump a bit as she looks around her in awe. they're admittedly very pretty... just concerning.

she looks over at her friend, apologetic now while trying to experimentally wave away some of the sparks near her. (though she may not notice it, they seem to harmlessly dissipate upon touch.) ] Ah. I wish I knew what on earth was making this happen. How on earth are my students supposed to react to this?

[ Lucian freezes when the sparks come back, though only for a moment. She did touch the sparks, but they didn't burn her like a fire spark would. ]

Tell them it's a magic trick, perhaps? At least, until we can explain to them why.

[ He's a doctor, this is very much out of his field. ]

Can you do me a favour, Ainsley? Keep a log of when the sparks happen. We can look for a pattern.

A magic trick? Hmm… That should work for a while and I'll just have to smile and apologise if they get annoyed if it happens too many times. [ they'll probably grumble at her. maybe some will even yell depending where she is and who sees it but that'll have to do for now. it's a good stopgap for this situation and she's grateful for the suggestion.

when lucian asks her for that, she doesn't hesitate to nod. it's only fair she tried her best to help him figure out what's going on. ] Of course! Like I would say no to you over anything. I trust you so I'll do my best to record this, um, phenomenon.

[ for the lack of a better word. ]

[ Children are young and are easily fascinated. While it is not exactly a full truth, convenient half-truths can be used in place until he can deduce a more accurate explanation. ]

Thank you. With this, we are one step closer to figuring it out.

[ Reassuring Ainsley aside, there was also a part of him that was naturally curious. These sort of abilities seem quite mild, but they may lend clues to the depth of human potential and possibility. How and why did it arise? More pieces of the puzzle that he sought to solve decades ago. ]

Ah, I can make you some tea. Chamomile might be suitable. What do you think?

[ They can have tea and chatter a while after that. ]

Tea? Um... Sure! I think I have some tea bags or leaves that my mom gave me as a gift.

[ that ainsley has never once touched in her life so the package were guaranteed to be untouched. honestly? she didn't have much taste for the stuff. if her fridge full of soft drinks and half finished fruit juices are anything to go by...

but! lucian was offering and she remembered reading the benefits of that type of tea when you're stressed. she's definitely on the verge of being stressed so there was no way she was turning this down. ] They should be in the kitchen. Do you need a hand in getting them?

[ For the most part Lucian says little about her diet, unless it affected her health adversely whereupon he felt obliged to step in. However, she's good at taking care of herself on that part, so there's only the occasional advice to buy more fruits coming from him. ]

I can do that by myself. Do you mind me using your things? Go ahead and rest in the living room.

[ ~~so about those trips to the hospital for not drinking enough water...~~

she shakes her head at his question, not seeing a problem with that all because how else would be able to make the tea at her place? seems pretty silly to hear that someone would deny another person the ability to make something if they can there and then.

and with how kind he's been to her, more reason that there'll be no way she would be a jerk to him. ] Feel free to use whatever you want! I'll do my best to not cause any more accidents on my end.

[ on purpose. all bets are off on anything else. ]

[ ~~He's chided her before, but it seems like her enthusiasm can't really be contained.~~ ]

Thank you.

[ Lucian nods, stepping into the kitchen and looking around. He has not been here before due to them always meeting up outside, so there's a short while before he locates the kettle and sets it to boil. Thankfully, the tea is easily found, and all that is left to do is to wait.

He'll come out while the water heats up, quiet as always, eyes sweeping over her apartment while he waits. He won't say anything, waiting for her to speak in case she had something to say. ]

[ it's cluttered and messy as always. there was some effort to clean up in an attempt to help kara - there was enough space for a dog bed and bowls in the kitchen, for instance - but it seems like same old, same old for his friend. looks like she's going with the philosophy of if it's not broke then no need to try and fix anything.

when lucian returns, ainsley is merely reading one of her books while waiting and wait no. that isn't right. she actually seems to be writing in it, frantically so. when she realises that her friend is back she stops and tries to hide what's she's doing. ] Ah! Hi!

Thank you again for your help... I had forgotten I even had the stuff until you offered to make. I'm sure my mom will be happy it's finally being used.

[ There is the type of people who thrive off organized chaos, which is why he never chided her for that aspects. Things aren't going mouldy so there was nothing to object to. ]

It's alright. Perhaps keep a list next time?

[ It would be bad for gifts to expire without being used, yes. ]

I will. If you hadn't found it then who knows what that would have become!

[ probably something undrinkable, for sure. this is why she loves having lucian's company when the chance comes up- a pleasant surprise came about whenever he was with her.

then she remembers something and rubs the back of her head, feeling silly to have forgotten it now until this point. ] -Um! By the way, my parents were wondering what you wanted for your birthday? They wanted to start getting ready for it and everything when it comes along.

[ Now that's not something he'd have expected her to ask. ]

Ah, my birthday? I wouldn't want to trouble them about that.

[ He's Old (tm) and celebrating it didn't seem really important. Ainsley knows his birth date (July 17th) but he never really did anything special on it unless she pressed him to. ]

But they love you! They're grateful you're always looking after me- [ like right now. ] -and want to show their appreciation somehow.

Hence wanting to throw a little party! Their way of saying 'thank you' and everything. [ her mood brightens and the sparks come again, causing ainsley to jump at their sudden return. there goes her peppy mood, evident by the scowl and look of worry in her eyes, and the sparks disappear soon as they have arrived.

siiiigh. just as the mood was better as well. ] Ack! At the very least they need to have some sort of warning beforehand.

[ Lucian doesn't jump when they appear, though his eyes do narrow a little in thought. ]

How do you feel? Just now, when the sparks appeared.

[ She had them come again when she saw him, and when she was with her kids. This could be the start of a pattern. ]

... Happy?

[ because it doesn't take her too long to think about that, honestly. she was happy at the thought of her parents wanting to make lucian part of their family after they've known each other for so long.

she's clearly confused by this line of questioning and just a little bit worried. is there something wrong with her being happy now? ]

[ He's quiet for a few moments, thinking. ]

Do you think being happy could have triggered the sparks? [ Surely, she was happy to see him. ] Your emotions, making themselves manifest.

[ It's not as poetic as he would have liked it to be, but it's not easy when he's not too sure what to say. ]

[ to be fair she thought that was quite ~~romantic~~ poetic for him to say.

it's just. she needs a moment to let this sink in. ]

So you're telling me that this is, in a way, the manifestation of my... [ this is going to sound weird when said aloud but there's no other way to describe it. ] ... of my happiness?

[ on one hand that sounds amazing.

on the other hand she would hate to see what it'll be like if her anger or her sorrow had physical manifestations. ] This feels weird, I guess? I'm not sure if I'm alright with the idea of people easily figuring out what my emotions are at the moment.

More than usual, I mean.

I would believe that it is possible to learn to control this ability.

[ He doesn't see why not. Of course, this is coming from someone very skilled in tempering their emotions, but Ainsley is a mature person and it stands to reason that she would be able to do it. ]

I'll help you figure out a way.

[ Now that they can confirm that the issue is not Ainsley accidentally setting herself on fire, they can move on to talk about other things. Perhaps have more tea, tea is always a good solution to one's problems. ]

POST ✦ ( OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE. )

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and we're done \o/