Of Ariel & Fire

“Gonna have ta be a hard no on that one too, kiddo. Your doc would come for me in a big way.” Ash didn’t love his job by any means, but it was a job that paid and he wasn’t about to lose it over a lighter.

The problem with being stuck in this place was that there was no way she’d even get the little things. But thats happened when you were brought to this horrible place for just a little addiction you had. For Ariel, it wasn’t just a little addiction. It was a real problem. “What can you do for me then? Got anything to distract me from the desire of needing to burn something?”

“Maybe…” If he could be of some help, then he’d try. He wasn’t a librarian, but had spent enough time in here to get familiar with some of the content that was available. “I’m not sure about dragons and volcanoes in the same book, but…” He took a step back from the shelf he’d been fixing, scanning over the rows before turning for the shelf behind them instead. After another moment he pulled out a book focused on mythological creatures. “This should have at least one dragon in it. I think volcanoes would be towards the nonfiction. Are they an interest of yours?”

Fiddling with her sleeves, Ariel hoped he could find something. If someone spent that much time in a library, surely they’d know something about where she could find a book that interest her. As long as she promised to take good care of the book and not threaten to burn it, she was allowed to have it. Maybe it would be a good therapeutic activity for her to do. Perhaps if she could read about fire, she wouldn’t want to catch everything on fire as much anymore. Her expression fell when he said she probably wouldn’t be able to get one that had both her requests, but at least one would suffice, she supposed. A smile formed across her face at the thought of dragons. She really liked dragons. “Oh, dragons would be good, definitely,” she explained, taking the book and looking at it with a bright smile. A small laugh slipped through her lips, “Yeah, dragons are just really cool and volcanoes, they’re fascinating. I just want to understand how the lava explodes like that and maybe what it’s made of,” she explained, stroking the book in her hand with her thumb. “I thought reading might help me pass the time here.”

Emily looked at the girl and just nodded annoyed. “What did you do to get on this level even? Literally everyone is being moved. So either theirs been a bride, or they found out people got placed wrong. Either way there’s going to be hell among people.” She chuckled finishing cleaning things up. “Well considering they moved me up I don’t think they will move me down anytime soon.”

Tilting her head to the side, Ariel hadn’t even noticed people were being moved. She was just trying to focus on her therapy so they’d stop watching her so much. “I haven’t been moved at all. I like fires, a little too much and me being here is court ordered. Turns out when you make big fire, they think you’re a danger and with that and other crap, I’m unstable, so...” She really didn’t mind talking about it, the fire part at least. It was the intermittent explosive disorder that she wouldn’t always talk about. The problem was that Ariel was afraid she’d snap if she talked about it. Pouting, she looked at the girl with a sad look. “But you didn’t do anything, did you?”

He had spent most of his day in the library, a place that did manage to stay quiet. While he considered on browsing for something to read this time, Cameron found himself once again picking up the abandoned books littered on some of the tables so that he could return them to their proper place. There were only several, so it shouldn’t have taken long. But after setting the last one on the shelf and double checking it was the right spot, Cameron’s fingertips moved from the top of the book to then trail down it’s spine. He made sure the paperback lined up with the edge of the shelf and did the same with the book next to it. It continued like that until he touched and adjusted all the books in the row that were eye level to him. Without thinking, he moved on to start the next row, briefly pausing only when he felt the presence of someone else. “A-Am I in your way?” Cam stepped to the side just in case.

After her therapy session that morning, Ariel was told to find a way to calm herself down if she felt like she was going to explode. The only thing that seemed even remotely like fun was reading a book. Because maybe, she could find something that had dragons in it, something that would let her at least read about the fire she so itched to set. Her meds were working, but there were still a few hours in the day when she could feel it bursting inside her. Taking a deep breath, Ariel fiddled with her sleeves and headed toward the library. Naturally, she had a guard following her which she really wasn’t too happy about, but she understood why. Once she got inside, she couldn’t help but smile, just being around all of the books and the stories that could potentially help her out. She hadn’t seen anyone standing around until they spoke. Jumping, Ariel sighed and looked at him, watching him for a moment, noticing he was putting the books back. “Oh, no, you might be able to help me though. I’m looking for a good book, one that’s got dragons and maybe some volcanoes or something?”

Emily sighed as the guard watched her gather her things from outside her room. She had come back to find it all tossed aside and told she was moving up a level. She sighed as her hands clenched into fists. Everything had been organized and set up perfectly. Now it was jumbled and she’d need to start again. As she moved the final things to her new room she turned looking at the guard annoyed. “What? You finally hear why I’m in this? You know the truth okay you don’t need to fucking hover.” 

Frustrated she began picking up items and resetting them up in this room. She hated that the bed was not in the same place. Her ADHD was going crazy with the mess of stuff not having a place and being in a new space without any of her control over it. Throwing her clothes on the floor she wanted to scream. When she heard the door creak slightly she turned around. “Do me a favor since you have to fucking hover and tell who ever moved me I am not happy!”

Hearing about someone new moving up to her level, Ariel was excited. She always loved fresh blood, even hearing that it was a girl. Naturally, she had to check it out. Part of her was nervous, wondering what the girl could possibly have done to be moved up a level like that. She knew enough to know that it was impolite to ask unless you at least knew each other first. And so, that was Ariel’s plan. She was going to befriend the girl and hopefully make a new friend. That was something she didn’t have a lot of. 

She headed toward the new girl’s room, Ariel took a deep breath, preparing herself for what may come. Peeking into the room, she already heard the girl yell. She couldn’t help but laugh, knowing it was possible that she’d already like her. “I think they know, sweetheart. Telling them isn’t going to help. You’ve just got to do everything you’re supposed to and more. They’ll never let me go down, not unless I stop screaming at people,” Ariel said as she took a step into the girl’s room.

“I don’t. Most are assholes so you’ll have to sort that out yourself.” Generally he was trying to stay away from them all. Blue hues watched her pick at her breakfast, reminding him that he was supposed to try to eat something. The thought made him glance around to see if any nurses were paying attention. “It’s not me you have to convince.” What he thought didn’t matter, it’s what the staff thought. Besides, she could deny it all she wanted. Micah didn’t trust her word regardless.

Was it really that difficult to find a guard that you could trust, one that you could possibly get things from if you really wanted it. “Dammit. I was hoping for some insight,” Ariel explained, leaning on the table. This breakfast really wasn’t cutting it, no matter what she tried to do with it. Could she possibly imagine it was apple pie or something incredibly delicious? Maybe some barbecue ribs. Groaning, she hated how much she was watched around here. Ariel didn’t like to actually do anything unless she had reason, a good enough reason. Sure, she had explosive personality disorder, but for her own sanity, she wouldn’t let herself explode over something stupid like that. Her eyes moved to his plate as well. “Right, so this food. Maybe if we imagine it’s ribs or mashed potatoes, or potatoes with cheese. Just close our eyes and really go for it.”

“Kid, I don’t know what drugs they’ve got you on, but if you think I’m gonna buy that shit, those meds must be good.” Ashley appreciated the attempt, he really did, especially when she broke out the sweet innocent act. “I’m not stupid, sweetheart. It’s my job to know the patients I watch, and I’m not about to hand a lighter to a pyro.”

Pouting, she crossed her arms over her chest. Ariel hoped the topic of what she was in here for wouldn’t come up, but the guards knew everything. Looking up at him, she thought for a moment, wondering what she could possibly say. “Alright, alright, you’re smart and good on ya for knowing more than some of these guards. How about a lighter without any fluid in it?” she asked, wondering if that was even allowed. Ariel really just wanted to hold a lighter again. She wanted to feel something, feel something beautiful in her hands.

“Suck up to one of the guards. They’ll throw you a bone.” It was hard enough forcing himself to try to eat something off his plate, let along trying to do it while someone was whining about food. “Hurt someone and you can forget about that pizza.” The blond pushed his plate away for now since it wasn’t happening. He propped his elbow on the table and rested the side of his face against his hand.

A smirk crept at her lips. He was right. If she managed to suck up to the guards, perhaps even get the one who always got stuck following her around to help her out. “Got any guard recommendations?” she asked, leaning forward, poking a piece of egg on her plate, just so anyone watching her wouldn’t think she wasn’t eating. Scrunching her nose up, she narrowed her eyes at him. “Ugh, I could never actually hurt someone, they’re just words.” But that was a lie. If Ariel got mad enough, it was completely possible. There had been some really bad days when she’d gotten mad enough that it was fairly messy.

“You think anyone enjoys eating this slop, princess?” Harper asked as she walked by the brunette. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up for anything passable as food in this place,” she added before sitting across from the girl. She placed her tray down in front of her to survey the meal. As she watched the other woman complain about the food, Harper stuck her plastic spork into the mashed egg. “Sorry your stay at the Hamptons wasn’t up to our standards, dear,” she added, taking off the bit of egg with her lips. “I wouldn’t say that too loud around here, by the way,” she looked around before leaning down a bit, “I don’t think the guards take threats of hurting someone else to lightly.” With a shrug, she finished the eggs and took a drink of her watered-down decaf coffee.

Keeping her eyes on the other girl as she spoke, Ariel crossed her arms over her chest, really not enjoying being talked to like this. She didn’t appreciate when others told her how to act. Sure, she looked like she couldn’t hurt a fly, but that was what she loved so much about herself. “They’re supposed to keep us happy,” she explained, shaking her head. Poking the egg with her fork, she hoped that if she imagined it enough that it might change if she poked it long enough. Sticking her tongue out, she looked down at her food, half grossed out at the food and half at the girl’s response to her. “So what? The guards know I won’t do it over something so foolish as food. Someone irritating me with her sarcastic comments, that’s possible,” she said, trying to take a bite of the egg, chewing it slowly.

The eggs that sat on her own plate were untouched as well, though they’d been pushed dejectedly around her plate for as long as Charlie could put off eating. Her stomach was still a little twisted from her weeks so ill, and just the look of the blandness of them made it twist even more. Words at her side drawing her attention, all Charlie could manage was a small understanding and a nod of her head, pushing the plate away from her. If only she could cook, pancakes were one of her specialty, and would be easy to make for everyone. Reaching over to flatten her eggs down into a pseudo pancake, she herself was the first to make a disgusted face, shaking her head as her hands slid them further away. Nope, hadn’t made it any better.

Watching the girl near her pushing the egg around her plate as well made Ariel happy. At least she wasn’t the only one that wasn’t a fan of the breakfast. If they were forcing her to stay here, couldn’t they at least make food that tasted good? Moving around the egg, she hoped that maybe she could make it look like she had eaten if it looked smaller. But no, just as the other girl had, Ariel pushed it away. A chuckle left her lips as she watched her squash it into a pancake. “I wish they had pancakes too. An egg pancake is just gross and disgusting. There’s no flavor.” Dropping her fork, she pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on her knees. Ariel really didn’t like this food. “Do you know how we can get some good food?”

archie squinted slightly, taking in the form that just stepped into his room. she could be lying to him for all he knew. who the hell was she? “take a chill pill?” archie was less than amused by that comment and it showed on his face. his head lulled to the side, watching her intently. “i don’t know.” he tells her truthfully, and it showed in his tone. because archie believed he had done absolutely nothing wrong. when in fact he had an episode and hurt a nurse, but he didn’t believe them. “are you an angel?” he blurted out after a few moments of silence, brows upping slightly. she was beautiful - and why else would she be there? was she even real? he was unsure of what was reality or not anymore. 

Tilting her head to the side, Ariel watched him with curiosity. She knew she wasn’t exactly the nicest person all the time, but that was half the fun of life, right? “You’ll be alright, promise,” she responded. There were quite a few things he could’ve done, but there were also a few people that just had it out for all the patients in the asylum. A small smile grew on her face, knowing at least if she had a smile, nothing too terrible could happen. Standing there, Ariel wondered what she should do to help him and if there was a way that she could help. A light laugh slipped from her mouth as she found herself blushing, something she hadn’t done in a while. “Oh, I don’t know about that. But if you’d like me to be, I can. And angels help, so is there anything I can do for you?”

open starter || ashley murphy

“Do whatever the fuck you want as long as you’re not hurting anyone or yourself. I ain’t-a snitch. I’m just here to make sure no one gets injured. You can toke up, you can dick down, whatever. Just know you’ll have an audience cause I ain’t leavin’.” Regardless of whether it was a patient or another staff member, the Brit had a certain role to fulfill and he wasn’t too keen on getting written up again.

Lifting her head, Ariel looked up at him and pursed her lips. She’d been trying to find someone to give her a lighter so she could at least see the pretty fire. But it wasn’t going to happen. Almost everyone in here knew what she was here for. Perhaps, he could be useful. Flashing him a bright smile, the kind of smile that came with a face so innocent. Ariel was glad for her face, glad that she could come across as so innocent that she couldn’t possibly have done anything wrong. “Maybe you can help me out with something then. I’m looking for a lighter. It’s a comfort thing, just holding one. That’s all.”

“why’re you lookin’ at me like that?” his brows furrowed together as he studied the person near him, on guard and tense. they were going to get him in trouble, trapped in his room again strapped to his bed for weeks upon weeks, sitting in his own filth. “so help me god i will fuckin’ scream if you come too close to me.” most of the time archie was happy go lucky, and gentle, but today clearly he had some imbalances and his delusions were effecting how he was perceiving things around him. 

She’d somehow managed to bribe her guard to let her walk around the grounds, exploring, as long as she promised to eat all of her lunch and not talk about fire at all during the day. Ariel knew it would be difficult, but she didn’t want to spend her time in her room or in the day room practically being stalked and stared at by her guard. She hoped she’d wind up liking him, but there was a chance that wasn’t going to happen. They ended up on the red level, somewhere she knew she shouldn’t be, but she didn’t care. She was still living up to her bargain. Poking her head into a room, she stepped in, curious as to who was in there. “Woah, woah, dude, take a chill pill. I won’t hurt you. Just curious. What even got you into this mess? The hell did you do?”

Chris was bored now that the storm was over. He was still quite sick, pneumonia clinging to his worse-than-average immune system, but he was feeling a lot better than he did earlier in the week. He wasn’t allowed back outside yet, so the blonde sat down at the big doors at the entrance of the institution, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Isn’t it pretty?” He asked, looking up at the person that had moved behind him. “I love the snow, it’s nice.”

That morning, she’d been lectured about talking back to her nurses and threatening them with burning things in front of them. After having been finally given her medication and basically stuck in time out for three hours, Ariel was finally free. She’d agreed to wear soothing hand mittens, hoping that it would take a little bit of the anger out of her and keep her from having an explosive episode. This was not how she’d wanted to spend her day. If they hadn’t been so rude to her this morning, it may not have gone over like this. So, here Ariel was, wandering through the asylum with fuzzy mittens on her hands. She wanted out, so badly.  Finding the door, she saw Chris sitting there. A small smile formed across her face. He wasn’t half bad. Maybe spending some time with him could soothe her a little. “Yeah, it is, so majestic” she said as she sat down. Honestly, she was a little loopy. They’d given her something to calm her and she wasn’t sure she liked it. “I want to go out in it. That’d be more fun than being in here. At least my hands will be warm,” Ariel said, laughing. 

For most of the last several days, Charlie had barely moved besides to find someone with a light to huddle down near at night. During the day, she’d be wrapped in her blanket, curled up in a corner and staring blankly in whatever direction she faced. It had been days of monster lurking around every corner in the darkness, days of nightmares and waking to not know if she had actually woken or not, winter darkness all around and lingering well into the morning. Exhaustion was heavy on her tiny body, what movements she managed sluggish, even as dusk started to fall and panic at fighting a source of light sunk back in. For two days she’d refused to eat, hardly taken any water at all, and what sleep she got was brief and restless, leaving her a small ball of a mouse, wrapped in a blanket that made her that much smaller, staring out at nothing. 

All of this snow was frustrating her, far more than it should’ve. But it was preventing her from imagining the one beautiful thing in her life taking over the entire grounds. Fire wouldn’t burn in snow. It just sizzled up and disappeared. And Ariel hated it. She hated imagining it, hated thinking it couldn’t be done. Being here meant that she couldn’t play with fire and while she understood that, she wanted to be able to think about it and imagine it and play it over and over in her head but she couldn’t. It was taking everything in her to not panic, to not explode on someone. Wrapping a blanket around herself, she wandered through the halls, trying to find somewhere to sit, somewhere with people that wouldn’t make her frustrated. Ariel had gotten permission to be down on the lower levels, as long as she had a guard watching over her, which was fine. She wasn’t going to explode, not right now. If she felt like she would, she’d get out, you know. Sitting down, she sat next to someone very small. Her eyes moved toward her, tilting her head to the side. “You look like you’re gonna melt away. Do you need another blanket? I’ll be fine.” Ariel wasn’t always nice, but she wanted to be sure the girls were okay. They were nicer, some of them at least.

open starter ;; teddy mercer

They’d dragged him out of his room, no warning, and tossed him into the common room with everyone else. Needless to say, he was mid-freakout. Teddy slid to the ground, trying to block out the people and the noise, curling in on himself. His muttering could hardly be heard over the many other patients and staff, but for those who could hear, the poor boy just kept repeating “make it stop someone help” over and over and over again.  

The more and more everyone else panicked about the storm, the more and more Ariel found herself frustrated. Her hands were starting to sweat and all she wanted to do was sit in a corner and distract herself with a little flame. It wasn’t like she was going to burn anything that day. But it’d become a sort of comfort, a way to deal with pain. When she could just run her finger over a flame and not feel any kind of pain, it helped. But they’d taken all of them from her and she really wasn’t sure that this insane medicine was helping. Everyone around her was driving her mad. It didn’t help that there was some kid curled up on the floor, practically mumbling and panicking to himself. Standing over him, she looked down, trying her best not to laugh. “You do know that mumbling to yourself and hiding only makes it worse, right? You will piss off the wrong person, babe with that too.”