|open| though it might ruin you, let it burn...

[stephjo]

The soft crunching of the worn gravel set trail seemed to echo faintly into the forest edge as boots crushed against the rough exterior. Such boots held the glorious color of crimson...a warning sign to any creature near by. The clumsy foot work of the holder of such shoes seemed to attract no attention as her footsteps remained idol and undecided, each falling from left to right in an uneven pattern. One arm remained with the depths of her pockets, the midnight raven known as Fia gazing ahead with unseeing eyes. In her spare palm lay the softer image of a lighter; its small cap constantly clicking open and shut as she found some sort of entertainment in doing so.

Plump, pale lips drew apart to allow a long sigh to escape, her eyes once again casting around the area in hopes to find something that would prove worthy of her time. Currently, within the lowering heat of the sunshine - Fia had simply wandered out of the clutches of the sane streets on what she liked to call an experience...an adventure. So far, the experience had been dull and she wasn't one to sit and admire the scenery. Allowing the lighter to take tis place and take light, she decided to stop and watch the flame dance in the grace the wind provided. The orange glow set a soft warm feeling through out the girl; finger tips softly gracing the flame yet never once burning the flesh.

The hungry element leaped at Fia's fingers in hopes of devouring, yet failed in each attempted as her smile grew soft. Though, such a smile didn't suit her innocent and child like fears. Her expression held to much depression...to much. It was honesty enough the brunette had been through quite the fair bit in her seventeen years, yet she hadn't declared once of any hatred toward it. Sure she'd had her fair ups and downs - but who hadn't? Blowing at the flame, she watched as it trailed into the calling whispers of the wind only to disappear just as quick as it had appeared. A louder sigh escaped this time, foot fall echoing out once more as she stomped her way toward a near bye log, settling her petite form down on it.

A near bye bird escaped from a tree as if fleeing as the so said girl let out a loud noise of frustration whilst her foot tapped impatiently. She was bored, and although childish to react in such ways, she found she couldn't unleash her building irritation in no other way. Then again, no one was nearby to complain...right? Huffing softly as if denying a privilege, she gently fumbled around the ground for a lone twig. The selection was wide and varied, yet those consisting of a damp appearance soon had the girl's avoidance. The damp prevented any fire from leaping and preforming its dance of passion...the damp was an enemy.

After moments of consideration, Fia soon located a small branch and held it to her face - the fire producing in an instant as she held it to the wooden source. Slowly, the flames leaped up the wooden carcass as they finally found something they could devour...Fia's smirk formed as she watched in a more content fashion as she fire took its time eating at the barren wood; preventing the natures silent screams from calling out. Nature was far more dull to burn...nothing ever truthfully panicked and tried to flee from the blazing glory of orange. "How shameful" She whispered softly to herself as she slowly picked up another branch - the lighter being placed upon her lap softly.

Soon she placed the naked branch to the one clothed in flames, these flames leaping hungrily at the bare wooden form. The smell of burning was an easy notice as small birds continued to escape from their nests within the nearby trees. Yet, Fia soon sat content as she watched these branches burn in her palms - the flames soon attempting to lick at her own tender flesh. Of course, they failed...her past experiences preventing such a daft injury from happening. Though, she almost sat as if glued...frozen. The fire was just a pretty sight...it helped to provide some entertainment.

Even if it was barely enough to keep her quiet.

[emelia automne tanner]

The hobby she picked up in high school became an obsession in the years after she had graduated, and Emelia walked around a worn gravel pathway into the woods, her camera hanging off her neck. She had saved up for a few months to have enough money for her new camera, a Nikon D-40 with her also brand new 50 mm lenses to go along with it. Today was no less than a gorgeous day to get lost in the woods and take some pictures with her new camera that she had been itching to use. Every so often she would stop and be caught in the photographer mode and just take pictures of what she saw. Old trees, spider webs, the path itself, a creek… there were so many things she hadn’t seen as so beautiful here when she came here last.

The last time she had come here must have been at least four years ago, before she started up with photography. Before she really thought that nature was quite as beautiful as it truly was. She wanted to build up a portfolio so that maybe one day she could take some photography for people, and make some extra money on the side. She didn’t ever think she’d want to be a professional photographer, but as always things would change in life and so would her desires.

The smell of something burning carried on with the breeze and Eme looked up from her camera and tried to spot either the flame or some smoke, she didn’t see either and took the chance at following the smell as it got stronger and stronger. She finally saw the flame and the girl by the branches that were ignited and she tried to stay as silent as she could hope the girl wouldn’t turn back and see her. She took a few shots of the girl and the flaming branches, getting one that she liked a lot. As bizarre as the scene was to come across it something she could not allow to pass her by when she had her camera with her. She wanted to get the perfect shot of it, and with the girl’s back to her she had the opportunity.

After a few moments, Emelia voice her presence. “Hey… can I ask why those branches are on fire?” She asked, walking closer to the girl by the tree. Wondering if she were to ask if she could get some shots with her in them, if she would be alright, Eme knew that if some stranger asked her that she’d be creeped out. She just hoped this girl wouldn’t mind any.

[stephjo]

Nothing really interested the brunette's mind as her dark gaze cascaded over the burning branch in which she held in her dainty palms. Her finger tips held the branch just inches from her face - almost as if it where contaminated. Though, the beauty it revealed to Fia was indeed far beyond such a contaminated condition. It's soft, orange glow made her smile grow soft in awe as she allowed her lids to flutter in a gentle rhythm subconsciously - as most did. Soon the flame began to creep further and further up the branch, her finger tips losing their grip as the burning charade collided with the ground. A harsh crunching noise echoed out as her boot clad feet collided with the solemnly burning stick...only ashes remaining.

After a few moments of nothing else entering her mind, she softly reached in search for another stick. Moment after moment passed until her pale and frail hands latched onto yet another stick - bone dry and harshly worn. It's exterior was familiar to the previous stick, just a lot more rough which proved her interest to spark. The lighter was no quicker revealed than the speed she breathed - it's flame hungrily devouring the end of the raw material as she held it to it. The alluring scent of burning reached her nostrils within seconds. A strange appealing satisfaction rushed over Fia at such a scent, it amazing her beyond belief.

Those who where afraid of fire did have issues...not herself. How could people even suggest such a thing? With a swift movement, she launched the flaming branch into the air, only to catch it with her opposite hand - face blank as she sighed out loud. No entertainment. Though, as a voice graced its presence, Fia did literally jump out of her skin. Her aim to remain clam failed obviously, but she soon composed herself quick before turning to glance toward this new coming stranger. A frail brunette, figure envied with a single glance. Yet...her eyes held curiosity. Now that did catch Fia off guard.

Continuously she tried to remember the words of English she had learned within her years of life, her eyes almost Innocent as she gazed toward the stranger simply. "I got bored" She replied, tone holding that foreign touch in which the brunette had forever failed in hiding. Why should she if it where going to be revealed of her heritage some hwo...it always was. With a sigh, she nodded as if to assure herself as she continued to hold the quickly burning branch in her grasp. "I...was bored" She repeated, as if to reassure her own personal track of thought. The girl didn't walk away or raise a brow which once again caused Fia to become startled. This was an improvement. "Can I ask why...you're here?" Fia beckoned softly, tone holding a faint trace of emotion as she glaceed toward this stranger, gaze faintly blank.

The soft orange glow caught in her dark gaze as she watched her, lids continuing to flutter. At least she was trying to be sane...

[emelia automne tanner]

Startling the girl hadn’t exactly been her plan when she had decided to voice her presence; she just didn’t want to keep standing there without the girl knowing that she was there. In a weird way it felt like had she not voiced her presence that she was taking something away from the dark haired girl that seemed so captured by the flame. She felt like, in a very unusual sense that she was imposing although this land wasn’t completely private or secluded. She played with the lens on her camera, twisting the zoom as if it was on. When the girl asked why she was here, Eme simply shrugged. She didn’t really have an explanation was to why she had come here, but she had.

“I got a new camera, and just wanted to take it out. I smelled the smoke and just followed it.” Eme had figured that was probably enough for the girl. It wasn’t like she was going to expect something exactly spectacular was she? Eme hadn’t come her setting out to find her or anything, she had come out here simply in the interest of getting a few good pictures. That wasn’t really strange, maybe the fact that in that interest she had taken a few pictures of this stranger in the meanwhile. She figured she would tell her at some point, but not now, not when she startled the girl so easily.

“My name is Eme.” The brunette offered looking at the girl. She felt a strange awkwardness around her and she couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. She wanted to almost back away from the girl but for some reason she didn’t she stood her ground and played some more with the lens on her camera as she waited for the girl’s name. A name to place to this face and a name to add into the conversation, though she couldn’t help but think that this conversation would always be remembered by burning tree just a few feet away.

[stephjo]

Fia had to admit she was ashamed to be so clearly startled by the appearance of this stranger. Who was she to complain to the form of the frail brunette before her? The area she sat so content within was free...free to all and nature itself. Soon the burning flame reached her finger tips, a light hiss escaping from her plump set lips as she allowed the branch to collide with the ground - heavy foot fall clashing against it to prevent the remainder of the fire from spreading to burn whatever it could. There was enough oxygen surrounding the area to spread the fire like a wild dance; she wouldn't take any risks. Once again focusing on her words, she tried to smile weakly and nodded. "Sorry about that" She stated, her tone clearly thoughtful as she judged her own words.

Now, to listen to what the strange had to say was what needed the most concentration. Each word made its way into the center of her mind and was eventually processed to an extent she felt proud with. English was indeed like her first language...yet, it always had those minor issues to battle against. "Camera?" She repeated after the girl, turning toward her in opes to try and appear some what friendly. Now it would be amazing if that had even worked... "Ah...the smell. I didn't think of the attention it would bring" She whispered, frowning as she once again brought her foot down upon the smoldering stick as if it could prevent anything from being produced from its ashen and burnt remains.

Oh what false hope that was. Dusting her hands off faintly, Fia adjusted herself from her seated position and felt a faint twitch forming at the current height difference between the pair. Was she forever destined to be smaller than everyone?! Hopefully not. "Hello Eme..." Fia toyed with the name softly within her mouth, as if trying to say it correctly. It obviously came out in some sort of strain as she extended her frail hand toward Eme, eyes child like and plain. "My name is Fia" She responded, tone faintly emotive as she awaited for the brunette before her to drop the clutches of her camera and to latch onto what Fia had offered out to her.

"I...It is nice to meet you" She muttered feeble, trying her overall best. What else could she do? In a sense, the brunette herself was doing good overall. After all, at least she was attempting to make conversation with someone for once without bickering or lunging. That was a vast improvement worthy of awards within her own mind and eyes.