#collapsess ss

     This entire ordeal was enough to induce a migraine. Not only did she have to go through the wreckage of the home she and her father once lived in ( having to face a past she wasn’t particularly fond of remembering ), but she also knew full well that someone was d e a d set on obtaining the secrets of flame alchemy. Whoever it was, they obviously didn’t find what they were looking for ( as all of those secrets were eternally in her care— etched with scars of flame ) Twas likely if they were dedicated enough to locate her father’s workspace, that eventually they would target her for information. What if they broke into her apartment next? Or what if they went after the Colonel— known so famously for it? Even so, she had him deface portions of the research for a reason. Vital parts of the puzzle were missing. All of it was trusted to his memory, and her own. No one else would use it; never endangering themselves or others with its’ uncontrollable power. Fire could not be tamed easily, once ignited. It caught and spread, destroying all in its’ path. And she knew firsthand how it could trigger m a d n e s s in even the best of men. 

Her prolonged silences and array of deepening sighs were likely enough to concern him— she needed to be more careful. His voice shattered all thought and her eyes flitted open to meet his. Even whilst he couldn’t look ‘pon the map of her features, he already knew that something was wrong. However, he needed her verbal assurance to claim that she was physically all right. A bitter smile almost played on her features at his predictability— but, considering the predicament, she couldn’t quite manage it. It seemed that the ghost of her father’s research would follow her around forever. He’d trusted her to keep it safe. And if she wasn’t careful       if it got into the wrong hands… it’d all be her fault.

                   she couldn’t let that happen.

        ❝ I’m fine. Everything is… fine, sir.              It’s just a headache. And besides,              they didn’t find anything. Certainly              tore the place up, though. ❞

The last part was muttered irritatedly, an exasperated sigh pressing through her words. Closing her eyes tight and attempting to shed her discomfort, she continued.