lava2

Dear Mum and Dad,

Hibiscus and I will be on the way to see you by the time you get this letter. No point writing to try and turn us back, we won't get it anyway.

I know you don't want to admit it yourselves, but I know why you had to move again in such a rush.

I know you say the fighting's long passed and your village is nice and remote and the villagers are all fairly tolerant of Sarkaz, but does that really describe anywhere in Victoria anymore?

Besides, according to you, everything's been just hunky-dory ever since the war in Londinium broke out. That's why we have to come see for ourselves if you're doing as fine as you say you are. If anyone's giving you trouble.

Point being, we can talk when we meet. Promise me you'll look after yourselves.

Lava

Lava, you found the chili powder yet? We're not gonna make it in time for dinner if we don't start marinating the meat soon...

Stop rushing me. We only need to get it done before they're home. Why's so much of their stuff in boxes...

A harp? I didn't know they learned music.

That's their friend's. The really good one, Mr. Baroque. I think they lost all contact with him after the war broke out.

...Eurgh, they've still got our workbooks from primary school! I think we should just toss these...

You can't do that! We're almost never home. Mum likes to flip through them.

Flip through these? It's not like we never visit... here's a pile of photo albums—oof! Heavy!

Are these... all from when they were working in Londinium? I don't recognize any of these people... I think by the clothes, it's all their coworkers. Every photo in here has been kept like brand new.

And under that are all the letters. Honestly, you'd think after moving so many times they'd have thrown these away... nothing but clutter.

This pretty much represents most of Mum and Dad's life, after all... we're not going to get it organized just like that. Could you ask anyone to sort out their entire life that easily?

Not to mention they have to head out for work during the day...

Not in here—not in here... maybe the shelves? Urk...

...Hibiscus, look at this.

These are recruitment notices... typist, gardener, childcarer... crossed out, all of them.

They used to work as engineers...

Is living in Victoria really worth putting up with this...?

If you make them leave, where else can they go?

Lava, put those notices back. And don't bring it up in front of them. We should just... focus on doing what we can.

...Can't find the chili powder. I'll ask the neighbors if I can borrow some.

Wait—oh, she's just going to storm off like that... I needed to warn her not to get into rows with the neighbors...

Hello, I live in the building furthest on the east. Would it be any trouble if I borrowed...

Er... no, sorry, we don't have any. Best of luck.

(Won't even hear me finishing a sentence...)

Hello, I'm wondering if I could borrow some chili powder.

They flatly shut the door in her face.

(Tolerant... you say?)

Hello, I'm living in...

I know.

Um...

A curious child peeks out from behind her mother's back, peeking at the young Sarkaz girl at their door.

Ilsa, back in your room.

We only just moved in not long ago...

I know. You've been knocking on every door before mine. Got something the matter?

My sister's making dinner, and we can't find where the chili powder went. Could we borrow a bit?

...So that's all, is it? Wait there a sec if you please.

The door closes, only to then creak ajar. Out peeks an inquisitive little head that stares at Lava—or more precisely, at the horns on her head.

The girl gulps somewhat anxiously, dithers for a moment, then reaches out a hand to Lava.

Lava is well inured to being looked at this way by now, and doesn't twitch. Bit by bit the girl's miniature hand reaches close, and touches on the corner of Lava's hem.

Wow—it's real clothes. Not witchcrafty ones.

Excuse me?

Ilsa! Get back here now!

The mother drops what she was holding, runs to the door, and shields her child behind her. The calm has fled her face. It was bound to.

We don't have what you're looking for. You can move along.

With a furtive rustle, Ilsa climbs out the loft window and excitedly sends the sign to her friends. Soon, more and more people in the street are coming to a standstill as they spot a strange scene unfolding in the distance—

An unwelcome Sarkaz with a chilly expression walking through their village, and a gaggle of children tiptoeing not far behind her.

The lot of them duck behind bushes, dodge behind trees, wink and signal to each other, and occasionally talk into imaginary walkie-talkies in their hands.

Reporting in. The devil's at the haypile in front of Tom's place. She's about to reach his front door. Over!

Roger that! Defense artillery is in place!

Mind, children, you oughtn't catapult things at her. You'll be putting yourselves in great danger...

At an adult's intervention, the children squawk like fowlbeasts and scatter, only to gather again soon after.

Tch. Listen, you lot...

The devil's spotted us! Evacuate!

Devil...?

(What a pain. I need to just scare them off.)

Everyone, look, there's all shiny footprints down the street she went. What's that about?

Hold on, I'm gonna check it out—whoa, whoa, giddy up, it's all fire! Wherever she walks, it's catching fire!

Lemme see—it is! All these footprints are lit on fire! That's amazing!

Hey, she's getting out of sight! After her!

(What, still not enough to scare you?)

Lava stares briefly at the catapults in their hands.

Hmph, fine. It'd be more hassle if I got any of you hurt. Try this on for size, then.

Ah-choo—

She just sneezed fire! Whoa, now she's got all fire wings!

Wowww—! So...

So cool!

...Okay, you kids have got taste.

(Sobs uncontrollably)

Um...

Briefly at a loss, Lava rummages in her bag for a sweet to try and pacify the child, but then Hibiscus floats to mind, telling her children need to be on an empty stomach when testing their blood.

Screw her stupid sis! Dragging me out to help, saying these kids who just lost their parents in the war won't be that scared if they saw other Sarkaz. Well, they've been crying the whole time!

The relentless sobs throughout the ward leave her at a loss. For each and every day the war's still going, these cries will not come to an end.

Um... would you—like to see some fireworks?

(Sobs)

I'll take that as a yes, then. Watch carefully, you only get to see them once.

Ahem.

May my fires bring light to the lands!

A firework formed of flame leaps to the ceiling, and bursts in the air over the ward. Lava steals a sideways glance at the children's faces. The fiery display enraptures them, and for just the briefest moment they forget to cry.

Then, the flame sets off the fire systems, and everyone is doused in sprinkler water. For a while in the ward, just a fleeting while, laughter takes the place of cries.

Children are the same no matter where, it turns out. A flashy trick takes them in.

...Is it really the same? No matter where?

Lava, welcome back. How were the neighbors?

The neighbors? I was just out to borrow some chili powder...

Do you feel alright after making the rounds? You didn't get into fights with anyone, did you?

I <i>said</i> I was just borrowing chili powder.

Lava? What are you looking for? Did you make new friends with the kids outside the door? You always were good with children—

Huh? Gone already? What's that... giant bag of things she took?

Reporting in! The devil's left the house! She's now at the garden, over.

Whoa! Fire! Listen, the devil's using her flames... she just burned a log in half! Reporting in, the devil is building something massive out of a bunch of branches! Very suspicious!

What massive thing? Speak clearly!

I can't tell! Reporting in, the devil's now airing out this giant white sheet... no, some kind of white witchcraft material, I bet, and she's draping it over the branches! Intelligence officer, analysis please!

Intelligence officer here! Hmm, based on my view, this is definitely... some kind of dangerous altar.

That's right, the branches are holding up a screen. Look, she's rolling the log over now. It's an altar for putting offerings on.

(Gasp) The village is in danger!