retrospec | POST ✦ ( OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE. )

POST ✦ ( OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE. )

A quick question:

What are the confirmed symptoms for spontaneous combustion?

I remember reading in some books that before some people exploded into flames and died fiery horrible deaths, there were reports of seeing sparks around the person before the combustion occurred.

Is this true or not? I really need to know right now. As in ASAP as in now as in really right now.

[ ooc; ainsley has been given the subset ability of her prestidigitation - triggering a shower/rain of sparkles and glitter and stars around her when she's happy. it activated today so feel free to have your character see this happening to her in public before this post came up! ]

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[ it's the thought that counts and she's thankful for it. kind of. maybe. ]

I'm in the hallway closet. I'll try to look presentable when you're there. Promise.

[ and true to her word, ainsley doesn't look too frazzled whenever ardyn comes to her apartment. kara is back at her side, sitting faithfully next to the chair ainsley is occupying in her small and cluttered living room full of books and knick-knacks. ]

[As promised, Ardyn does show up in no more than ten minutes.

When he comes across her, he can't help but look concerned. He's not sure what to expect -- flames, sparks? Smoke? Perhaps he should be relieved that nothing of the sort is happening at the moment.]

You're in one piece still. I'm glad for it.

[That's no exaggeration.]

Are you quite alright? You gave me a scare.

Oh! [ looking up when she hears ardyn's voice, ainsley's expression lights up in joy-

-and then whatever is wrong with her is triggered. before she can even say anything, there's a sudden rain of sparks raining around her and a very confused kara who looks around with a very puzzled expression on her face. for ainsley's part, she looks annoyed more than anything.

siiigh. ] I was really hoping for a second that I could tell you that I was overreacting to something but no. No luck, it seems.

[The joyous expression is usually enough to grant him relief, and it does nearly flow through him like a wave, but-

But then the sparks begin.

For a rare, rare moment, Ardyn is nothing short of confounded. He's never seen something quite like this that he was unable to write off as a parlor trick; he'd still have half a mind to, if he didn't know Ainsley so well to know she wasn't the type to do such a thing.

Still, there's no panic on her face, like what he had imagined when he initially texted her. Just... annoyance. He's honestly not sure how to take it, and Ardyn steps forward despite himself.]

Ainsley, what on earth is happening right now?

[He's so confused? Should he be afraid for her sake? One thing was for sure, this was definitely not normal.]

[ at this point she looks like a mix of annoyed and resigned, more focused on looking at him and calming a confused kara who tries to bit the sparks the float close to her nose. (that dissipate the moment kara tries to so much as touch them.

thankfully, they seem to be fading, period, as the agitation from ainsley becomes evident.)

she holds up her phone like that answers everything. luckily she also answers with words. ] I've been speaking with the others about this.

Apparently I'm… I'm having this happen somehow since they're tied with my emotions. Particularly when I'm happy or excited, things like that.

[ so she's trying her best to be very, very… calm. or placid. whatever is the emotion she should feel so she can see beyond her nose and it isn't merely an annoying light show. a pretty light show, sure, but the novelty is starting to wear thin the more she thinks about this. ]

They won't hurt you. I tested it out and they don't set things on fire. [ alright, she has to smile at this point because it's in her nature to try and find the silver lining somewhere. ] Small miracles?

[Ardyn reaches up to run a hand through his hair, trying to understand everything she's just told him.

Emotions, then? Even if this much could be explained via Retrospec (it seemed to be the source of all their problems, lately), it's difficult for Ardyn to reconcile the sparks with her annoyed, mundane acceptance of it. Perhaps more worrying is the way she's all very placid -- hardly how he would ever describe Ainsley to be.]

Small miracles, indeed. But worrying nonetheless.

[If there's an available seat nearby, Ardyn will be taking it upon himself to sit and look at her with his brows knitted.] When did this start? Who can we place blame upon?

[ despite how 'cozy' her apartment, ainsley did have the hindsight to buy a couch and another chair in case guests came to visit her humble abode. and not all of the surfaces was covered by a book or a box of something.

she sighs and rubs her temple, her hand reaching out for kara to keep her friend from wandering over and bothering ardyn due to curiosity. (the clothes!) kara's a shedder and last thing she'd like to do is ruin his clothing. ] Hmm- I guess in what's becoming a grand tradition, we can blame Retrospec. It feels a little cheap, really, but what other option do we have?

[ god? fate? not as satisfactory in her opinion. ]

I'm sorry if I seem... I don't know- Not me? I rather be anything but me right now if that makes sense. [ not just because of these... powers if she had to call them that. they were anything but super in her eyes. ]

[Having found a place to sit, Ardyn leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He cants his gaze at her slightly, trying to decide how to respond to this. It's the first of this sort of situation he's experienced himself, even if it's secondhand at best.]

I don't think it's "cheap" at all. Everything points to them -- all these changes, physical and mental.

[The self-doubt that memories sow in others, the almost-panic that the physical changes provide them. All Retrospec, even if the how remains a question unanswered.]

And don't say such a thing, Ainsley. None of this is your fault, and you have a right to want to be yourself again. The sort that doesn't shower sparks. [A pause.] You said they don't catch things on fire; I'll not be disturbed if you indulge yourself in them. I'd rather see you in a good mood, after all.

Thank you. It means a lot to me to hear that. It really does. [ the gratefulness in her voice is undeniable when he assures her. it's a relief to hear someone say that.

slowly, she leans forward and lifts her hands to set them under her chin while her elbows rest on her knees. it's difficult to bite back the sigh she feels but having ardyn here was a godsend right now. it takes her a while to articulate herself but she manages. somehow. ]

It's just- I also didn't want this to affect us this badly. That's all I wanted. Now I scared a poor former student of mine because of this and those stupid memory hallucination things getting the better of me.

This isn't right. [ 'fair' was a word she had in mind but no. not really.

it sounds too petulant and didn't fit with her feelings of indignation for herself and others. 'right' is better - this isn't right for anyone with how the reality is starting to sink in for her. this could affect them for a long time. this could change them in ways they didn't understand and there's no way to predict it, to ready for it. this isn't going to stop anytime soon. ]

Have you been fine since... [ she makes a vague gesture with her hand, unable to find the right (polite) word so she settles with vagueness for now. ] ... everything? I don't think your hair or eyes changed colours since we last met in person.

[ she thinks. don't mind her as she peers intently to be sure. ]

[He listens, completely understanding. His own thoughts on the matter ran rather parallel with her own; the reality of it, even if no such thing has happened to him (yet), is a bit... well. Disturbing, to say the least. That physical changes can take place so suddenly, without warning. What did this mean for them in the future? What did it mean for them now? Unfair would be a proper word to settle on, and Ardyn wouldn't call her petulant for it at all.]

It isn't right. But you have friends to lean on, if anything like this ever happens again. Or if you still need help dealing with these changes.

[Friends like Ardyn, who will drop everything to aid her if need be.

At her question, he runs a hand idly through his rather windswept hair.]

No. Not yet. Knock on wood and all that. Only... memories.

[He jokes, though, trying to lighten the mood.] You think I'd look good as something other than a redhead?

[ she smiles at both the reassurance and the attempt to lighten the mood - she wasn't feeling too happy but it was enough to kick her out of her funk, grateful to remember that people out there were willing to drop by and check on her.

even at the risk of possible burns. which doesn't seem to be the case given how nothing burned down yet? hopefully it stays that way. ]

Oh- I don't think I have a right to judge hair colour! [ she can't help but cringe at certain memories coming to mind now. silly magazines suggesting hair dyes without telling the suggested amount to avoid looking like a neon stoplight.

the less that was spoken about her bright green hair, the better it would be for everyone period. ]

Besides- If there's anyone who can make anything work it has to be you. I mean you can pull off your current style right now! [ that is supposed to be a compliment somehow. ] You would definitely have a cooler head than I'm having right now.

[Compliment or not, Ardyn can't help but laugh at that.]

You're right, it does take an inordinate amount of talent to pull off this look. However, I think I would prefer for my hair to remain its current color for now; not that I seem to have a say in the matter.

[Don't tempt fate, Ardyn. You'll end up with weird violet-red hair someday.]

Besides, I think you're handling it quite well. The feeling of panic has worn off, hasn't it? Give yourself more credit.

Only after I scared you and everyone with the idea that I would explode.

[ now she just feels silly but it's a type of silly she can live with.

beats becoming a hermit in an attempt to protect people from fires or explosions. she presses a hand against her chest and sighs, more wistful and happy thanks to ardyn being here. honestly she couldn't imagine what it would be like if he wasn't here or wasn't her friend. it seemed almost too impossible to think of these days.

for some reason, she wants to make that known to him because… because it was suddenly just that important, you know? to let him now. ] Thank you for coming in to check on me. It means a lot since I know you and the others are willing to help.

I'll repay this back soon. Honest!

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