Runaway Elements (full)

Arthur Thomastien
In the crossroads of his mind

I was walking next to a white woman, keeping up with her easily. I asked, "Where are we going?"
The woman answered, "To the place where I last saw my children."
I almost didn't believe my ears. "Seshat?"
"Yes. I am she." She led me to a cottage similar to Auntie's, but it was full of nightly activity. "This is my house, where my children were born and should've been raised. My husband had passed on before the babes took their first breath. I had to raise them myself."
I began to get curious. "Why did their grandfather give them away for adoption?"
Seshat answered sadly, "My father disowned me because I was born white. When he found out my children were born white as I was, he refused to let them stay with me. He hated me and my babes for being white. Both my parents were black in both their lines."
I could tell she was upset for the loss of her twin children. "What was their gender?"
Seshat smiled at me. "You already know, Razi. You meet them both and almost picked a fight with the eldest."
At this clue, I shivered. Seshat's twins were still alive, but what scared me was who they were.

*OOC: Sorry to keep you in suspence like that, but I just had a light bulb.*

*Sorry It's so long.*

Lup Eoliene- Wolf:
Eight years old

When Wolf was eight, that was the first time he realised how different Leo was from the other kids. The summer sun beat down on the small town their family had stopped in. The air seemed to ripple with heat haze it was so hot. Wolf cocked his head as the sound of an argument reached his ears from down by the woods. One of the voices was Leo's.

Wolf dropped the popsicle he had been eating and took off running. He wove through the trees eventually coming to a small shaded clearing. His twin was pressed up against the trunk of a tree, glaring defiantly at three older boys. The other kids looked to be about four or five years older then the twins.

One of them cracked his knuckles laughing cruely as he taunted Leo. "This town doesn't need drifter trash like you. Once we beat you up maybe your parents will decide to leave."

Just as Wolf was about to step into the clearing he froze. Although Leo's expression remained the same, something had changed. There was a look in his piercing gold eyes that hadn't been there before. Somehow Wolf just knew that Leo was about to call fire. In a heat wave like this the woods were as dry as tinder, those bullies would go up like smoke.

Scooping up a rock, Wolf shouted as he threw it. Hitting one of the boys on the head with unerring accuracy. "Hey losers! Leave my brother alone!"

The older boys started towards him and Wolf tensed to run. But suddenly they seemed to realise that the fight had started to attract attention from others out in the woods. Turning they moved deeper into the woods, snapping over their shoulders. "This isn't over drifter scum."

Wolf was already ignoring them, his attention focused on his brother. Leo scowled as he rubbed dirt off his face. "Why did you interfere Wolf? I didn't need your help."

"No but they did. You were about to kill them weren't you Leo? Weren't you?" Wolf demanded, his heart racing from the close call.

Leo shrugged. "So what if I was."

"You can't kill people Leo. You just can't." He pleaded with his little brother, desperately trying to make him see what was wrong with this picture.

Cocking his head in thought Leo suddenly grinned. "Alright Wolf. I don't get why I can't, but I'll stop for you 'kay? Come on, bet you can't catch me!" Leo turned and took off running. Laughing Wolf chased after his brother. But deep down he knew that in that moment he had seen what his brother would one day become.

Wolf groaned as he came to. He sat up and looked around, his eyes taking in the grey concrete room he and the others were in. No windows, the door was set flush with the wall and didn't have a handle. There was a tiny vent shaft in the ceiling that pumped air into the room but other then that it was featureless stone.

He felt the familiar urge to scream as claustrophobia surged through his mind. Wolf moaned as he moved to shake the others awake. "Please god, tell me I'm not underground."

*For those wondering Wolf is extremely claustrophobic. Partly because he is a wind elemental and partly because when he was thirteen he and Leo were buried alive in an earthquake. He's just this side of panic right now so could someone please wake up.*

Eve:
I groan as I begin to wake up. My head hurts awfully. Wolf's shaking me, which makes my head hurt worse.
"Stop," I groan. He stops. I squint at him. He looks like a caged animal, stalking around the room. I look around. I have a sense of de ja vu. I've been here before. But that's impossible, right? I don't remember ever being here. Unless it was before I lost my memory. Thinking makes my head hurt even worse. Wolf's shaking someone else now.
"There not dead, are they?" I ask.
"No," Wolf says. But he still sounds paniced. I start shaking Lidz. She's definitely alive, though she's not waking up.
"Where are we?" I ask.
"I don't know," Wolf snaps.
"Calm down," I say, "Everything will be fine." I'm trying to convince myself as much as Wolf.

Lidz ¬

Vagualy, I could feel someone shaking my shoulders. Still, I couldn't wake. My body felt as dry as a leaf, and as lifeless as a ragdoll. Suddenly, I felt a searing pain all through my body, and I felt myself spasm, once, twice, thrice. I shuddered internally, as I heard Leo's predetory voice.
We will dispose of them. They are merley pawns in this game- pawns I will destroy. Wolf does not care for them, he musn't.
I gasped, and my eyes flew open. Wolf was stalking the small room, and Eve was sitting down sleepily. Wolf looked alright, apart from his eyes. His golden eyes grew more petrified with every step. Leo was going to kill us. Leo was going to kill us.
"Leo is going to kill us," The words were out even before I had time to register them, my eyes widening. Wolf's head snapped up to face me.
"It's your fault," He said, glaring at me. "Why did you have to go!? I. Hate. Being. Underground!" He stormed towards me. "Why did you have to go and get caught?" I shuffled back, shocked. My mouthed gaped wide, and my eyes filled with shiny tears. How could he blame me?
"I tried to help you!" My voice cracked. "I might die, and I spent what I thought would be my last few minutes defending you!"
His voice softened.
"I'm ... sorry," His face became hard, then soft, then hard. He opened his mouth to say something.

OOC: I'll let you pick if he snaps again or apologises. Whatever takes your fancy.

Lup Eoliene- Wolf:

Wolf closed his eyes in frustration. He shook slightly as he tried to push through the fear beating at his mind. "I'm sorry Lidz, that came out completely wrong. It's just, I just..." Wolf broke off as he turned and started pacing again.

Eve gave him a funny look from where she sat on the floor. "Wolf, are you hyperventilating?"

"Maybe. A little." Wolf admitted as he slammed a fist against the wall. "I'm claustrophobic. Really, really, claustrophobic. Being trapped underground is like my worst nightmare."

Leu de Ardere- Leo:

Leo leaned back in his chair and watched the videofeed of the cell. Wolf wasn't holding up very well, not that Leo blamed him under the circumstances. He glanced back over his shoulder at Aly. "What is it necessary to lock them in a basement cell?"

Alison glanced at him in surprise. "They have fire, water, and wind. Earth seems to be the one element they don't have. So yes, it was necessary. The better to contain them. Why does it matter? You almost sound like you care Leo."

Feigning nonchalance, Leo shrugged. "Not really. But we all saw that fire twister shooting out of the ground at that house. I don't exactly relish walking around on top of them. If they get creative they can combine their powers in all sorts of interesting ways." Which was true as far as it went. But Leo hated seeing Wolf pace around the room like a caged... well, wolf.

Arthur Thomastien

I woke up with a terrible headache. I looked for something to light so I could check my energy strength, but there wasn't even a teacup candle in sight. I cursed under my breath. Without something to light, checking my energy strength was total guesswork. I eyed my wrist. Leo's bitemarks were still there. Again I cursed under my breath. I got up, only to have Wolf charge at me. I groaned, "Wait until I'm fully charged, you big mutt. Then we can kill each other."
Lidz asked, "How are you?"
I answered, "I have no clue how much power I have. Considered that I used up my firepower in a fit of rage and madness, I'm pretty much powerless and weak."
Wolf slapped me across the face and growled, "You shouldn't have lost your temper with me, Fireboy."
I blinked. "Fireboy?! I've been called many names but never that."


*OOC: I just thought maybe using Wolf's paranoia as a secondary temper tantrum against Arthur.*

Eve:
I was debating whether to interject in the boys' argument. I didn't like to interject into other people's business. I was more of a passive person. But I needed them to work together if we were going to get out of here.
"Wolf, Arthur," I said, quietly. They didn't look my way.
"Guys, listen for a sec," I said, "Or I will find some way to make it look like you peed your pants, even if it makes me faint." That got there attention. Lidz stifled a giggle. I swallowed.
"Honestly, you're both being stupid. Sorry, but, umm, Arthur, we all knew that Wolf came with baggage. We didn't know the extent of it, but we knew about it, he warned us. So don't be so mad at Wolf. He can't control his brother," I said. Arthur opened his mouth to protest, but I held up my hand.
"Sorry, and Wolf, I get that you're clostrophobic. I know that you're seriously freaked out. But that doesn't mean you need to kill Arthur. That won't get you out of here. It seems more prudent to concentrate on getting out of here, before you fight eachother. Afterwards, you can kill eachother all you want. Sorry."
"And how do you propose we get out of here," Arthur snapped.
"Sometimes, I can unlock doors with water." Arthur opened his mouth again to protest. I held up my hand again.
"Where there's people, there's water," I said, "Sweat, saliva, there's a multitude of sources. But, I was kind of thinking that it would be easier for Wolf to open the door with wind. Just push a lot of wind into the keyhole, and sometimes it'll open." Wolf and Arthur glared at eachother, like they were going to start fighting again.
"Ha, Fireboy," I said, "That was funny." Wolf smurks and Arthur glares. Then Wolf moves to the door and starts concentrating.

(OOC: You guys can decide whether or not he can open the door.)

Arthur Thomastien

I scoffed as the little girl called me Fireboy. Ghostfire was my most favorite of names, but I can't tolerate being insulted. I put my back against the wall and crossed my arms against my chest.
Help him, Razi. The voice told me.
"Go away from me," I whispered. "I have no power to help that mutt. Besides, he's going to kill me once we're out of the woods anyway."
The voice hissed, Help him escape, Razi. Bring him to his real mother. You know his real mother's name. Help Wolf escape and bring him to his real mother. She's waiting for him, Razi. She's waiting for him and Leo.
"I have no business with you."
Bring Wolf and Leo to their real mother. They need their mother and you know it. Help Wolf escape and lead the twins to their mother.
"Get away from me. I have no business with you."
You're the one chosen to reunite the twins with their real mother. Their mother chose you to bring them back to her, so get on your feet and do what you've been chosen to do.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" I pounded my temple, cringing and close to losing my temper again.


*OOC: Leo might be hearing what Arthur was saying. If anyone wants to know what Arthur knows, you're not hearing it from me. It will be revealed in time.*

Arthur's mouthing something to himself. Then, he begins yelling and pounding his head. Is everyone going crazy in here? I grab his arms and put them roughly by his side. He's seems surprised, like I woke him from a trance.
"Sorry," he snears. I roll my eyes at him. I can practically feel the fire crawling under his skin. I hate the feeling and let go of his arms quickly.
Why hasn't Rain woken up yet? I check her over, but she doesn't have any bites. Of course she doesn't. I don't know how I know, but Fire Elementals hate Water Elementals blood and vise versa. How do I know that? And why do I feel like I've been here before? As I try to remember, my head ache flares up again. All that water I made is costing me dearly.

Arthur Thomastien

I could tell the others think I was going mad, but I paid no attention to that. It made me wonder why could I hear that voice and the others couldn't. Why was I the one chosen, of all the Elementals in the group? I couldn't understand why it had to be me. I may know something that Wolf and Leo should know, but Wolf might not listen to a half-black like myself. I murmured, "Why me? Why does it have to be me? I didn't ask to be chosen, so I shouldn't be that way. I don't want to do a man's job."
The voice said slyly, Who said this was a man's job, Razi? Seshat couldn't retrieve her children because her father didn't want her or them to be together. You're the one for the job because you were taken from your mother during infancy yourself, the same way Seshat's children were. You share their pain, Razi. You know it. Now get yourself prepared for an escape.
I mumbled, "How can I when I'm powerless? I've wasted every ounce of ghostfire in a fit of rage and madness. I'm weak like the others."
The voice said happily, You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Razi. Seshat knew that and it gave her flame its blackness. Open yourself to your gifts. Embrace your powers. Accept them and you will be as powerful as Leo, but as loyal to your brothers and sisters as Wolf. You have strength, so accept your gifts to unleash your powerful strength that you've suppressed for the past decade.
I took a breath, closed my eyes, and felt like I was getting stronger than I ever felt before. Opening my eyes, I went to the door and said, "Let me handle it. I think I might find a way to get out." I concentrated on inflammable material outside the room. Smiling madly, I set the material on fire and let the flames go wild.
Lidz asked, "What are you smiling for?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I set my back against the wall nearby and crossed my arms against my chest, my eyes shut and my very self warm and relaxed. I thought, Let's see you try and put out Wild Ghostfire, Leo. I'm having fun, down here.

*OOC: Just "turning up the heat," folks.

I move as far away from the door and the fire behind it as possible, glaring at Arthur. Why was he wasting his strength so stupidly? As the fire got stronger, so did my head ache. I thought I was going to faint again, and it took every ounce of my will power to stay awake.

(OOC: Tomorrow I'm leaving for camp and probably won't be able to be online that much. Do what you want with Eve during that time, because I won't be around that much to sufficiently control her. Thanks.)

Leu de Ardere- Leo:

Leo swore viciously as he raced down the hall. Fire alarms blared throughout the facility. Luckily PIA was shutting this building down since one of those held here had recently escaped. The only people in the building were Aly's team of humans and the elementals.

Of course the moment Arthur ignited that inferno the humans had bolted for the exits. "Useless cowards." Thought Leo. He skidded around the corner and found himself facing a wall of violet flames. The problem was that Leo was a fire elemental, he started fires not put them out.

The only thing he could hope to do was smother Arthur's flames with an even stronger blaze. Leo raised his hands and called forth his own smoky black flames. "Finally." He smirked. "A real test of skills."

Lup Eoliene- Wolf:

Okay the room was getting very hot now. The heat from the fire outside was turning their tiny concrete cell into an oven. Wolf winced as he sensed the flames grow stronger. His pain growing as the fire slowly consumed the oxygen in the building.

This was getting ridiculous. Worse, Wolf's fear was growing as the air in the building lessened. Wolf's thoughts began to haze over as the feeling of being trapped grew too much for him to handle. He needed to get out of this room. Right, now!

As if in response to his panic the ceiling shook and a large section of it broke off. Shoved into the ground by a downward column of wind punching through the building. Wolf gasped in relief as fresh clean air filled the room. Claustrophobia faded as Wolf's mind registered that there was now a way out.

Unfortunately the hole in the ceiling wasn't a viable exit for the others. They couldn't fly. Which meant they were still stuck in here. But at least Wolf could think clearly now.

Arthur Thomastien
*OOC: Light bulb.*

I could tell Leo was trying to put out my ghostfire by using his own flame, but it only amused me. Fire mixed with wildfire makes even more fire, Leo, I thought amusingly. I didn't bother restraining the ghostfire as it grew stronger and wilder. With Leo's flame put into my ghostfire, I had my work cut out for me. Whatever could be burned was burned instantly. I knew I was smiling madly, but I didn't care. I said slyly, "The ghostfire is wed to your twin's flame, Wolf. Once the house above us is burned to the ground, I'll melt the lock into nothing so we can make our escape."
The other girl- Eve, as the voice told me- said frightenedly, "You've gone mad, Arthur! You're going to kill us for Leo!"
I shook my head and raised my voice. "I know you're listening, Leo! Unless you don't want to know where your real family is, let us out of here! I know who your mother is! If you want me to talk, let me and the others out!" My mad smile stayed on my face. "In fact, I'll take you and Wolf to your real mother if you spare my life and all the others' as well!"
Wolf growled, "You're pushing your luck, Fireboy."
I hissed, "Unless you're wanting to kill me now, I suggest you wait until I bring you both to your real mother. Then I'll let you whether to kill me or spare my life in gratitude." I waited for Leo to respond.

Lup Eoliene- Wolf:

"That's not what I mean Fireboy!" Wolf snapped. Memories of what had happened to his family flashed through his mind. "You just played the wrong card. Leo sees family as a threat to the bond between us. That's why he massacred our adoptive family two months ago. An actual blood relation will make no difference to him."

That outburst caught Arthur's attention. His eyes widened in shock and horror as what Wolf had told him sunk in.

Lidz squeaked out in disbelief. "Seriously!?"

Wolf closed his eyes and raked his hands through tangled black and white hair. "Yes, seriously. Up until then I was able to control him somewhat. But what happened just pushed him over the edge. And he's been freefalling ever since." His voice was laced with grief and frustration. And deep down just a hint of despair at the untenable situation he and his brother were trapped in.

Arthur Thomastien

Hearing that Leo only saw blood relations as a threat to his bond with Wolf really put me in hot water. If the voice ever anticapated that, then maybe I couldn't be given this job. I was told to bring Wolf and Leo to their mother. If I did that, their real mother would be sentenced to death in less than a heartbeat and I'd be next. I murmured, "Then it's over."
The voice snapped, Don't you dare give up now, Razi.
I murmured still, "Leo will only kill his real mother if I bring him to her. I've turned into a complete lunatic."
The voice said, Their mother wanted to have them together- her and the boys- as a family. Unless you do what you've been chosen to do, you might as well let Wolf strangle you. What's it going to be, Razi? Live or death?
I curled up in a corner and cried in my hands. How was I to do something I know now would be in vain? I had nothing of my black family but Mother, Auntie, and Uncle Jeremy. My white father wouldn't want me as a son, but a one-man freak show. I spent a decade of my life on the run, stealing from what man I could rob and honing my ghostfire to become my cover-up. Now I have to bring a corrupted Elemental to his real mother who's an Elemental herself?! I've had enough of carrying a heavy burden. If Leo was to kill me now, I had to get the burden off my chest and on someone else's. I got up, grabbed Wolf by the shoulders, and said softly, "This might be the end of me if I don't tell you what I know." I leaned forward and whispered in Wolf's ear: "Your real mother's name is Seshat."