you paste me in just to cut me out; hello fascination.

[i_robert_capa]

Robert Capa is drenched to the bone and smouldering. He was out walking on the streets of Chicago when he accidently burst into flames. The stress of the CLF business and his own determination to keep practicing his ability has worn him down. It was an accident. But the people on the street freaked out anyway. In the panic, someone set off a fire

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[uponthewires]

Anne did not expect to see a man to burst into flames in front of her.

The files she was carrying drop to the floor as she runs to Capa's side. She's looking him over, trying to figure out what the hell happened, while simultaneously calling for help.

"Oh my God, can you walk? I'll help you to the medical ward. It'll be okay."

It's funny, but for all her awkward, fumbling ways, there is no pause while speaking to him. The worry that prickles through her skin doesn't allow for awkwardness with a stranger.

[i_robert_capa]

Capa tries to back away from her, he's worried in case he might accidently burn her. In his current state, it probably will happen. "Don't touch me, I don't want to hurt you.." he pants, eyes squeezed tightly shut for a few moments, he can feel himself getting more stressed out.

He suddenly tenses up, more flames ripple up his arms. Yelling out in pain, he curls up into himself. It feels like someone's pouring boiling water over him over and over again. The marks don't show on his skin, because he can't actually be burned. But the water causes him a great deal of pain.

"Someone covered me in water. I'm not meant to get wet when I'm like this," he shudders violently, "I didn't mean to,"

Capa pauses, still panting and tries to think about what he needs. He needs to be dry. "I need to get dry," he says after a long pause.

[uponthewires]

Anne jumps back in one quick motion, scrambling to get back up on her feet. He registers as a wanderer to her, but something about the way he speaks and the unmarked skin leads her to believe he has some sort of power akin to elementals.

"It's okay," she tries to reassure in a soft voice, speaking past the worry swarming inside her chest. She pushes past it, like a lump in her throat.

"You won't hurt me. I'm going to help you, okay?"

She runs into one of the supply rooms and makes it back in record timing with a towel.

"We'll get you dry and I'll be careful. Just try not to move too much," she says in the same soft tone, gingerly placing the towel over his skin. She tries to be as gentle as possible.

[i_robert_capa]

Capa nods silently, trying to calm his breathing. He always had a problem with trying to calm his breathing. Being winded probably doesn't help him, he didn't even realise he hit the ground that hard. "Please, just be careful. I.. I can't control this.." he murmurs before grimacing again, gingerly wiping at his arms in a futile attempt to remove the water.

The thought of help seems to soothe him and he manages to stop the flames and just sort of.. smokes. It's a mix of smouldering and steam from the water. "I'll try not to," he winces and swallows hard.

After a few moments of shuddering, he finally manages to open his eyes again to look at the girl. "Thank you,"

[uponthewires]

"I'll be very careful," Anne promises him. If it helps him calm down, she'll promise to be careful, even if she just wants to help. Her small hands are steady as they place the cloth over the damp skin, attempting to remove as much water as she possibly can without hurting him further.

"Did the Rift give you this?" she asks, lifting her gaze just barely. She doesn't make eye contact. She can't, as much as she may want to. It's dangerous and she needs to remember that.

She needs to keep people safe from what she could be capable of.

"You're welcome," she says softly, flashing him a tiny, genuine smile.

[i_robert_capa]

It will help. As long as he knows he's not hurting anyone with his powers, he can ease up a little.

Capa nods at her question, breathing a sigh of relief as she mops up his skin. "Yes. I came through the rift a few months ago and suddenly realised I could create fire," he tells her.

He falls silent for a few minutes as he concentrates on calming down. After a while, he manages to stop smoking and smouldering and just appears as a slightly damp and rather singed man.

"That's better," he utters with a small smile as he gingerly shifts himself to sit. "Thank you, once again. I'm very grateful for your help," He carefully takes the blanket from her hands with a grateful smile and wipes at his face.

"I'm Robert," he holds out a damp hand to shake, hoping she doesn't mind.