~ Chromatober 2024 ~

Day 13: Creation/Destruction

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Series: LOTB

AU: Snowfire

Characters: Cinder

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"It's a careful balance."

Flames flick between my hands as I gently shift my hands around it. I could see her mystified gaze on the soft rose and purple glow that shifted and flickered.

"Fire is the epidemy of life and death. To control it requires focus, patience, and something from within you. A strong emotion like anger, sadness, or happiness." I flick my fingers a bit, making the flames spark up a bit. Using the sparks, I let my fingers mold the flames into a small azalea flower in my palm. A soft gasp escapes my pupil as she sits, watching in awe.

"With care, fire can be your source of creation. However... as it can be creation, with lack of carefulness..."  The fire roars out of my hand towards my pupil, making her flinch back and yell in shock.

"It can be destruction."

With a flick of my hands, all of the flames dissipate, leaving me with a full view of Sasha cowering on the ground in front of me. I grimace and instantly stoop to her to help her sit upright. "Don't worry, I wasn't going to let it actually harm you, Sasha. I had control over it that entire time."

"No no- I- Sorry..." She mumbles out, shaking. With a sigh, I pull her in for a hug, feeling a tang of regret in my heart for scaring her like that. "I- I'm ok, Cinder. You just- Took me off guard with that happening so quickly and towards me..."

The silvery-haired woman takes a deep breath in, then shifts back to look at me in the face. Her face covering was askew over her mouth and I quickly adjust it for her. A small smile and look of relief fills her face as her ruby eyes settle on mine. "Still, I should have asked you if you were ready." Sasha just gives a snort.

"You did, Cinder. You did before you started talking and after I asked to learn." I can't help but laugh gently at her comment, then nod. I did, I did.

"I have a question though..." My pupil, seeming to have steeled her nerves, looks at me with a familiar look of confusion and curiosity. "What is it, Sasha?" My gentle voice fills the space between us as Sasha continues.

"What do you draw from... I don't ever see you angry or- Happy- Or even sad when you use your fire."

A small smile and a gentle laugh escape me.

"Love. Sasha. It's love."

"... I- How??"

My pupil stares at me in disbelief, her eyes wide.

"Love is a strong, yet calm emotion. It can be passionate and bright, or it can be gentle and calm. It is the perfect balance between creation and destruction, without it being taxing to your own emotions. Yet I ask you, Sasha. What would be the similarities?"

Her shocked expression turns to amazement and wonder as she murmurs her answer.

"Love is like fire. It can be wild and untamed, just like a wildfire, or it can be gentle and limited like a candle flame." A proud smile comes to my face, knowing she got it exactly correct. "Exactly, Sasha. Good job."

With a grin, my pupil looks excited.

"Teach me more, Cinder!"