After Chinatown and the Fire

## sephet02/15/2019

Kyle was… dealing. Sort of. He’d called work to clear off a couple days, he figured the fact that his work clothes had burnt up in the fire was a good enough excuse for that. Thankfully his boss had been pretty cool about the whole thing and ordered him a new shirt, along with giving him a week off to figure his shit out. All things considered he didn’t have to worry about paying rent immediately so he figured he could allow himself a week to try and catch his breath. He mourned little things, pictures and collectables and all of his clothes and that watch his grandpa had left him when he died. He didn’t know who to call or what to do though, he could probably give his landlord a little time to get their panic on before he started trying to get info from them.

He didn’t really know what to do though, especially with most of the team off doing dangerous shit he was too weak, too scared or too useless to tend to. He started just making the bed he used and hiding his shit in that room so it wasn’t in the way. Then washed the dishes. Then scrubbed the counter. Then sorted the fridge. Before he really paid attention to it Kyle had sorted and scrubbed the kitchen out of nerves. Leaving everything polished, cleaned and sorted in his wake.

February 16, 2019

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

This was one of those visions he didn't need to see. Valentine often attributed his generally collected personality to his own prescience, and was always grateful for the knowledge he'd been given before it was absolutely necessary. Sometimes, though, he didn't want to witness it. It was so much worse when he had to do it twice.
It wouldn't take a prophet to see how upset Kyle was going to be, for god's sake. The fellow had lost his home, and Valentine knew how that felt better than just about anybody. Being unwillingly and unexpectedly uprooted from where you felt safe was one of the worst feelings Valentine could conceive of, and he knew it was within himself to support Kyle as he worked through it. Who wouldn't?
The car ride home with Eli was silent, aside from his own coughing up soot and the wheezy "thanks" he'd given Eli as he made it inside, mad worried and covered in ash, hands stinging as he touched them against the wall to steady himself. "Oi, who's home?" he called, waiting for the inevitable answer.

## Rose | Rhett | Marci02/16/2019

Marceline was no fool. As soon as she’d seen the news headline declaring the massive fire happening in West Pembina, she’d kept a close eye on the social media outlets. It wasn’t too long before she came across posts and tweets talking about the heroes being spotted. Both at the Slummi Apartment Complex and Chinatown. *Where was Andy?*

Having been at work for most the evening, she chose to leave early and drive to Headquarters. Stopping to pick up a good bit of medical supplies, Marci made it to Andy’s place just as she watched Valentine walking inside.
She got out of her car and quickly went in after him, her heart strumming quickly as the worry she was feeling grew. She had already made up her mind to take care of those who needed it. Slipping inside behind Val, she saw Kyle immediately in the kitchen...cleaning? Her mouth opened to speak just as Val did it for her. Calling out for whoever was around. she carefully put a hand to his shoulder. “Val, you’re filthy.” The words may have been a bit firmer but given the circumstances, she shook her head and quickly walked to the kitchen sink.
She gave Kyle a weak smile seeing as she could easily sense the tension and overall stress he emitted. "Hey, babe...I'm sorry about your place." Her intense eyes had softened with genuine sympathy before continuing to wet a cloth and grabbing a cup to fill with water before returning by his side. Handing the cup to him while wiping lightly against the soot on his face. “Babe, what happened?” Her voice was level but she wanted to know that everyone was alright.(edited)

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

Valentine couldn't really find words as Marceline helped get the soot off his face. He gave a short cough into his equally dirty sleeve, and put a hand over his right eye. He hadn't really predicted his own reaction to human touch, all things considered. He knew he was supposed to be a hero- and really, he'd helped with something heroic, that's for sure- but he certainly felt rather unlike one as he was greeted by Marci's delicate hands.

"It happened just like I saw it would," he gave a shaky breath, biting his cracked lips and holding his arms tight around his middle, in a protective gesture. "Is Kyle here?"

## sephet02/16/2019

“Hey yeah…” Kyle trailed off, what did you really say when you were suddenly living out of a backpack? Valentine was a mess and Kyle knew it was from dealing with the fire that had been made of his home. He felt guilty for not helping and profoundly lost.
“D’you want me to grab some clean clothes from your room? You’re the first back you could probably dibs the shower if you want.” He rubbed his neck and just felt… confused. He just didn’t know what he was supposed to be doing right now. Andy had agreed he shouldn’t be on active duty and it wasn’t like a fire had skin to affect but it was literally his home turf. He should’ve done something. And now he was homeless.
“I uh. I’m strapped, so it’s shitty for me to be the one t’ suggest it but if folks’re gonna be gathering up here maybe we should order some pizza or something?”

## Rose | Rhett | Marci02/16/2019

Once she'd finished gently scrubbing most the soot from the slightly taller male, she let her hand fall down to her side and a heavy sigh left her. "You guys saved so many lives tonight..." She reassured him calmly before turning from Val and going back into the kitchen where she'd seen Kyle.
While he asked Val about clothing, she rung out the now blackened cloth then began rummaging around the cabinets and refrigerator. She paused as Kyle's suggestion of take-out and nodded once in agreeance. Only issue was she didn't know exactly what everyone ate. "Hm, I'll take care of that. Good idea, babe." She smiled to Kyle.
"Who brought you here?" Marci's question was answered once she'd looked out one of the front windows. Realizing Eli's truck was parked outside. She wondered when the other heroes would be showing up then ultimately chose to go ahead with calling in some food.

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

"Eli had, the other three, uh... they fucked off somewhere, I wasn't let in on any plans." Valentine explained with a furrowed brow, wiping his forehead as well. "We uh... we got everybody out but six." if he could have averted his eyes, he would have. They weighed on him, the six people, and it hurt to think about.

"Kyle," he started, "If you wanna help me out with some clothes that'd be really good, man," he tried, hoping some sort of task would ease the tension Kyle was inevitably going to talk about, "I'll shower in a minute." he unlaced his boots, tucking the laces in and placing them carefully by the door.

## sephet02/16/2019

“Sure.” Kyle jogged off to poke around in Valentine’s room and find some clean clothes for him to change into. When he got back he placed the clothing in Valentine’s hands. “I’m sorry you lost people. You guys did a lot of good, though. So let’s take care of you from here.”

“I mean it just seems like a pizza party would be a good call. Some like… beer? It feels like everybody’s gonna need some chill.” There was a certain amount of instinct to reacting to stress with the intense desire to take care for people. It just seemed natural, when things got tough think about other people’s problems instead of your own.

## Jax (token white guy)02/16/2019

After Val got out and walked to the house Eli leant back in the drivers seat. As he stared at the ceiling he breathed slowely, and went over the days events in his mind. The final count had been six people. Six people that they were unable to save. As the what if's floated through his mind he pulled out his phone and typed out a small update for Andy. Considering the time it was likely that thier leader was still at the hospital on thier fact finding mission, but Eli knew he would want to be kept updated and knowing everyone was safe would probably help Andy worry less.

With the message sent he put his phone away and looked at the house. He was tempted to just drive away. Head home for a shower and a warm bed, but he knew the team would need to debrief, and he new that some of them would be hurting, if not physically then emotionally. He needed to be thier with them. He opened the door of his truck and hopped out. Shutting it behind him as he walked towards the door. He still didn't feel right walking in without knocking despite what Andy said but made an exception just this once. He smiled tiredly at the others before walking over to the kitchen and washing the soot off his hands.

## Rose | Rhett | Marci02/16/2019

Searching for the number to the local pizzeria, Mirage turned from the window and looked back at Val. *Everybody out but six.* Her heart sank a little as the briefing sunk in. She didn’t speak but her lips had eased into a frown.
Listening as Valentine requested Kyle’s assistance, she went on with the delivery. Hunting down the number and calling it just as Kyle returned. She smiled a bit at his explanation and nodded her head in understanding. “It’s a great idea, babe...you’ve all had a rough night.” Her head turned to the front door as Elijah entered. He gave them all a weary smile and she mirrored the expression. This was his first mission as captain, she would want to ask how it went later. For now, the pizza guy on the other end was asking a million questions about what she wanted to order.
It came down to about six larges all varying in types. She couldn’t remember exactly what everyone ate so salads were ordered just incase pizza was a no-go. Her finger slid over the ‘end’ button as she finished giving her information. At least there would be some kind of food for them. “I can go get drinks, too. What’s your poison, babe?” She had come over to the counter waiting patiently for Eli to answer her question. Everyone needed to unwind, like Kyle suggested.

## sephet02/16/2019

“Lots of beer and maybe shots if I’m feeling particularly fucked.” Kyle wasn’t entirely sure who the question was directed towards, so he just answered it. He was too out of it to really take notice of subtle personal cues.

“I don’t think there’s spare clothes to fit you, dude, but I can like launder your shit while you shower if you want?” He scratched idly at the light stubble on his chin and fidgeted a little nervously. He didn’t really know what to be doing but he felt like if he ran out of stuff to do he’d go insane.

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

Valentine gave a shrug, hanging his gross coat up on the wall and stepping in a little further to let everyone arrive behind him.
"lemme give you a hand, man," Val said, and did his best to follow after Kyle to retrieve his laundry. He could practically feel the chaotic loneliness- for lack of a better less-goth descriptor- radiating off of Kyle, and though he was no empath, he was also no dumbass.
"that shit's messed up," was all he could think to say when Kyle was the only one in earshot, halfway up the stairs. Even with Vindaya's healing, his lungs were still scratchy and his knees still shook. "I'm not gonna be all gentle with stuff, cause I know that doesn't help. But that shit is messed up, man, and I'm sorry." he shrugged, his expression morose. "you're always welcome to crash with Rhett and I, always. We'll bring nail polish next time." he tried joking, cracking a bit of a smile, but it fell as quickly as it arrived.

## sephet02/16/2019

“It’s… yeah. It’s fucked.” Kyle laughed unsteadily as he stepped alone with Valentine for a moment. He scrubbed his face with his hands and groaned as he tried to figure out what emotion he should be feeling right now. “I guess I should be glad I didn’t have much shit to begin with? Almost everything’s gone…”

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

"To be honest," Valentine started, "you don't have to justify gratefulness yet, man, don't worry about it." he stripped down to just his pants, not letting his sooty hair out of its braid. "sometimes it's okay to just feel like shit is too messed up to understand." he gathered all of his clothes together with Kyle's help, and threw em into the basket. "I'll do the bring grateful for you, I got it." he put his arm around Kyle, just a little bit. "I'm glad you're safe."

## sephet02/16/2019

“I’m glad you guys are safe, too.” Kyle murmured, putting his hand gently on Valentine’s back to reciprocate the gesture. “I don’t know what I’m doing right now, but I definitely appreciate the invite. This is kinda forcing my hand about talking to Andy, huh?”

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

"I just wanna make sure you've got a place to be safe," he explained, "I've been forcibly uprooted from my home more than once, man, and not having people who care about you makes it about a thousand times harder than it ought to be." he shrugged, as they made their way to the laundry room. "could you help me with the washing powder and stuff? I can never figure that shit out."

## sephet02/16/2019

“Yeah, movin’ here wasn’t quite so catastrophic but… Pretty sure there’s still no goin’ back. I spent a little while lost when I broke up with my ex, but I was able to sleep on his couch for the little bit it took for me to get *that* place. Now…” He started loading the washer absently, he wasn’t the best housekeeper but he’d lived on his own for a while and knew how to half-ass his way through things. He just needed to learn how to cook... “Yeah, no prob. I probably don’t use the right measurements but they’ve worked for me so whatever?”

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

"soap's soap," Valentine shrugged, "I'm sure it's fine either way." he hopped up on top of the dryer, his dangling legs almost touching the floor by how bloody long they were. "when I moved to the city for the first time, uh... Well, it doesn't matter why, but my nine year old ass was fuckin' pissed as shit, I hated being forced out of where I was comfortable, and all that, but when I moved back home, it was like... Almost equally unfamiliar, you know?" he rested his chin on his hand, wondering how much soot he'd gotten everywhere. "I think the fact that you haven't gone completely bonkers is kinda metal, actually. But for real- like, you don't gotta talk about it, but don't feel pressured to move on from the incident just cause the rest of us seem like we have."

## sephet02/16/2019

“I wouldn’t work if I tried to go back home anyway. I couldn’t do small town anymore. I’m run ragged here but at least I’m not closeted I guess?” Kyle set up the washer and set it to go, leaning forward to rest his head on it with a light ‘thud.’ He was so, so tired and he didn’t have it in him to try and play it like nothing was bothering him, even if his tone was quiet and weary. He was just too tired. “It’s been a long fucked up month and I don’t even honestly know how to start dealing with it all. I freaked out so bad I hurt Andy. So much fuckin’ baggage.”

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

"Andy wouldn't be a very good leader if he let that kind of thing get to him, especially within the context of- you know- the long and fucked up month you've had. But as far as I'm aware, he's a good leader, and- well Jesus christ dude he forgave Rhett for bringing a fucking *lion cub* into the house and lettin' it shit everywhere- I'm positive he's not gonna be particularly miffed about letting you take your time to recover from all of this. And if he does, he'll hear from me."(edited)

## sephet02/16/2019

Kyle chuckled lightly and rubbed his hands over the back of his head. “He was cool with it after. I went full meltdown an’ I think he felt sorry for me. And that was before I lost almost everything I own. God damn…” He sighed heavily the realisation hitting him again as he thought that he didn’t have pjs anymore. “Thanks for having my back, I got yours if you ever need a… malnourished trauma case who causes skin problems.”

## birdman | Valentine02/16/2019

"oh thank god, just when I thought I was all out of teenage acne," he laughed. "it's square, then, dirty stinky rez kid who claims he can see the future for a malnourished trauma case who causes skin problems. Sounds like an equal exchange to me. Now... I think I'm gonna take a shower, or this is never gonna come outta my hair. Are you okay from here? "

## sephet02/16/2019

“Yeah. Yeah I’ll be alright. Thanks. That’s for being cool about all this.” Kyle pushed up off the washer and turned out the door. “I’m still probably gonna be out of it as fuck the rest of the day, fucking processing this shit is a nightmare, but I’m gonna be okay. Have a good shower.”

February 17, 2019

## Jax (token white guy)02/17/2019

Eli finished drying his hands and dropped the hand towel on the counter, before leaning against it. He rolled his shoulders feeling the tenseness that had built up in them. When Marci spoke he turned around to face her, mulling over her question. He already knew his answer but he wasn't sure how to word it. He tried to form the words in his mind but he couldn't. He would tell everyone eventually. He told Andy he would and he would follow through with that, but not tonight. He was just too tired. He didn'y have the energy for this conversation today.

"I'm just gonna have water tonight. Iv'e got work to do tomorrow." He slowly lowered himself down into one of the chairs and looked at Marci. "How's Kyle doing?"

## Rose | Rhett | Marci02/17/2019

Marci smiled loosely as Kyle answered her question of what to get. He was definitely not feeling it but at least the boy was able to somehow persevere. "Alright, how about you?" She'd turned her head from him to look back to the young man, Eli, after Val and Kyle had begun their adventure up the stairs.

She watched Eli curiously, he wasn't all that talkative or maybe she just hadn't been able to be around the other hero much. Regardless, she waited for his response with the patience of a saint before tilting her head to the side. "Just water? If you're sure." The woman gave a curt nod to his decision then shot him a calm smile. "He's doing okay...at least that's what he says. It'll be a bit but he's got us to help him through." Her sweet smile lessened a bit before she asked the question weighing on her mind. "How are you? I saw the news...Val told me a little too. You guys saved so many lives."