Matilda, Child of Fire

TFB: An Honesty Candle Catharsis

32 TFB: An Honesty Candle Catharsis

"But I see in you what I see in myself/Written in the marrow of my bones..."

-Kimbra, song "Human"

7 pm, One Weekend Later, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

After a meal of roast chicken, steak frites, and mushy peas (Harry's personal favorite), both sets of Charmed Ones and their families reconvened in the living room to strategize further. Their simulated attempt earlier that day of vanquishing Portender and the four flame minions had been fruitless, mostly due to the lack of fire-resistance.

Paige's phone suddenly buzzed, its ringtone The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now," as she unlocked her phone. "Sorry guys, I gotta take this," as she orbed to the backyard garden.

"We've got every weapon in our arsenal," Maggie remarked, "but it's no use if we get melted every time—"

"Yeah, Aunt Maggie's right," Matilda chimed in. "Aunt Mel, isn't there a potion or something for this?" Mel shook her head.

"I wish there were, but fire is not a typical substance we deal with—that's mostly an "evil creature" thing. We on the other hand, deal with sparkles, green glows, smoky..." Mel sighed. "If only..." And where on earth was Macy?

7:02 pm, Vera Manor Garden, Seattle, Washington

Paige's eyes bugged out. "Rose did WHAT on Twitter?" she shrieked. "What the fork does that even mean—" she rolled her eyes. Media broadcast standards still following her, even after all these years. "Ok, Jennie, how much damage control do I need to do?" Paige listened to a stream of consoling words that flew a mile a minute as she alternated between nodding her head and inserting a word here and there. She always made an effort to travel between alternate universes; her Whitelighter-witch duality often meant she was shepherded, however reluctantly, into various forms of diplomacy. "When do you need me?" Paige paused and listened. "Now? But I'm in the middle of—" more words ensued, "I know—ok fine—I'll be there ASAP—" she ended the conversation, and screamed in sheer frustration—

"Everything ok there?" Paige whirled around. Macy.

"Um—just life—complications—" Paige managed to reply. How long had Macy been eavesdropping?

As if Macy read her mind, she replied, "I won't tell a soul. Also, I come bearing gifts," indicating a large duffel bag next to her. "Help me bring them in?" Paige nodded and reached for one of the duffel bag's straps as Macy reached for the other, orbing directly into the living room.

7:07 pm, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

"From Nedra," Macy told Harry by way of explanation. "Fire-proof full-body suits—" she held one silvery, reflective spandex-like number, which shone, sparkling, glitterati-like.

"Ooooh, they're pretty!" Phoebe squealed, as Piper frowned.

"Macy, how do we know these work?" she inquired.

"They're from a trusted friend who tested its use—" Macy began.

"On herself, might I add," interjected Harry.

"Oh. Oh my," Piper breathed. "Ok then."

"I suggest we each grab a suit, put it on, then meet back here in ten minutes. Capiche?" Jordan made eye contact with every single member present.

7:20 pm, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

Everyone returned wearing a sparkling coverall suit, exclaiming over its comfortable fit and the sleek embedded soles under one's feet. "Everyone good?" Jordan called out, wearing a full-body suit of his own; all responded in the affirmative as Harry put a hand over the simulation crystal once more.