The Affinities

Jo's eyes cracked open in time to hear Ulrich's joke. It brought painful memories of Igneel. After all giant iguana and a Fire Dragon were nearly the same. In her head anyways. Pushing herself into a sitting position, Jo mumbled, "That's not funny. If you're being chased then maybe you're being chased for a good reason. You probably treaded through it's territory."

 

"Our best bet would be to try and find someplace safe, or what would be considerd safe for us." Keel said after waking up.

 

Andrew's quiet sleep was interrupted by some murmuring he heard inside the dome. "My god, WOULD YOU GUYS SHUT UP?!" he shouted, angrily rolling over and curling up outside. However, it soon became apparent, that mostly everyone was starting to awaken now. Sighing in exasperation, Andrew slowly sat up, putting a hand to his head and rubbing his eyes to try and be more awake and alert. Since he had been lying completely flat on the ground, he had been in tuned with any sort of nearby vibrations on the earth, acting somewhat like a second watch like Ulrich. No one was coming for them. Agh...I better go inside and check on everyone. Stretching and cracking his back, he went into the dome and tiredly asked, "How's everyone doing?"

 

Jo glared at Andrew for a moment, "Well jee, we were fine until you started shouting." Jo tried her best to hide her soldier training behind harsh words, but the fact that she hadn't jumped or even twitched when Andrew spoke, was going to become evident to the others sooner or later.

 

Hearing and seeing Jo made Andrew twitch and snap for a second as his eyes turned furious as he snapped his eyes to look at her. He quickly raised his right hand causing the earth Jo was standing on to make soft and malleable according to his will. And his will was to entrap her. The earth piled up and enshrouded her in a little mound, leaving only her head uncovered and unbound by the earth. "No no no, I don't think you understand. They were all perfectly fine until YOU showed up. And if you're going to continue to sport this irrational attitude, I may just kill you now and end all future problems," replied Andrew as he enclosed his hand into a fist and squeezed a little, making the earth around Jo squeeze her. His eyes and face were etched with a crazed look of absolute fury. He really would end her if she didn't stop with her ridiculous act. If she wanted to be a part of this family, she would have to cooperate. "Well? What's your choice?"

 

Maddie sighed as Haley came up to her. "I just...wish the violence would end...it's just all so pointless" Soon after she had said this, however, Maddie's lip quivered slightly as she heard Andrew's vile threats, her face lined with even more worry than before. "S-stop!" She shrieked quietly on impulse, she absolutely despised fighting and all though her efforts would most likely be put to waste, she had to at least try. "No more fighting, it's bad enough a few of you did what you did, but we can't end up fighting against eachother! What will that achieve?!" She knew she probably shouldn't have interfered, now worrying it might make the two of them even more angry.

 

"Andrew!" Haley said in shock, she'd been glad Andrew was here but he was becoming as bad as them, "What do you think you are doing? You're as bad as her if you do this. There's enough violence as it is" She backed Maddie up before turning to look at Jo, "And don't you start either. If you get mouthy or fight back, I'll let him do this. No more fighting. Understood?" She looked between the two with a uncharacteristic deadly look in her eye. She'd had enough of both of them, she just wanted an end to the fighting. Though she was actually quite impressed with Maddie coming out of hr shell to try and stop them.

 

Andrew held his grip of the earth, but turned to look at Maddie and Haley with the crazed look still in his eye. He was a little taken aback by meeting Haley's own death glare. "Hmph. If it's all right with you, I'd still like to keep her like this for a while. Consider it a time out of sorts," replied Andrew as he turned back to Jo. It was strange. His temper was like that of a fire user's, but he had the powers of an earth user. I wonder if I should be glad that I won't be able to cause nearly as much destruction and chaos as this kid. "If you dare try to escape with your powers and come back at me, I'll bury you alive. There are too kinds of people in this world. Those who give and those who take. You've been taking for a while now, so you've got to learn to give. Because I'm tired of giving you my patience," he snapped at her. "Everyone pack up your stuff and get ready to move. Tell me when you guys are all ready so I can put the dome back into the earth. I'll be waiting outside," said Andrew as he quietly turned and went back outside of the dome. Though his hand was now lowered, it didn't mean that the earth binding Jo wasn't still strong and ready to be squeezed. Or that there couldn't be more earth piled on top.

 

Ulrich sat back and listened, shaking his head. He wasn't the sort to even fan the flames. Jo was mouthy as ever, so of course everyone will get on her. He would not, for if he kept playing as her enemy, she could go feral and destroy everything she ever dreamed of. Andrew, however, disappointed Ulrich's expectations. Rather than be laid back and level-headed, Andrew tried to wiggle his way into a leadership position without trying to get a feel for everyone. His patience was lacking. Maddie shocked him, for he never seen or spoke to her. Her words were one of desperation and compassion. Ulrich respected her for that, despite her timid appearance. Then, there was the de facto leader, Haley. She was trying hard to get things under control. Ulrich thought it was wise to keep out of her radar, but he kept himself ready to act.

 

Jo's eyes went wild with fury at being trapped. An old fear of enclosed spaces overwhelmed her better sense of judgment. Fire mounted around her body, causing the earth to crack and steam. She really didn't like tight spaces. Every instinct of a Fire Dragon was to be free and soar. Being grounded felt just like when they'd manacled Igneel and her in a cave to rot and die when she was just a child. After they'd broken free...Igneel went into a fear filled rage and tried to destroy her home town and the people responsible for their imprisonment. Igneel died in that fight. Flexing what muscles she had, Jo broke apart the earth around her. Her fire burning hot and dangerous, even though she kept her eyes tightly shut against reality. Soon, the heat would make everyone sweat and the air would be hot like the inside of a volcano. Inprisonment....how dare he....! Though she didn't make an outburst, Jo's rage burned on mostly out of fear that wouldn't subside and grief at her own memories. Anger fueled by fear and grief was greater than that mearly out of hatred. No...she didn't hate Andrew, she was afraid of his earth, not because she could've overcome it, but because he could trap her. Her head bowed and silver hair falling over her tan skin, Jo remained like that, letting her fire burn around her.

 

Andrew spoke up, and Ulrich shook his head. All I have to pack is my red trench coat and the clothes on my back... he thought glumly, looking around. "This distrust and impatience is going to get us all killed," the earth-user observed. His attention went to Jellal, and feeling as if he had to be the one to support everyone like a crutch, he tapped his foot and gave Jellal an earth-made crutch of his own. Ulrich analyzed the dome and sighed, noticing the amount of magic it took to make it based upon its density, size, and dimensions. He found it unnecessary. Ulrich began to create an opening, causing the wall of the dome that Andrew used as an exit to disintegrate into dust. Ulrich already made his way towards the exit as he felt fear resonating from Jo's impromptu prison. Ulrich also felt the heat and panic that came from it, and he noticed the cracks and steam surrounding it.

He approached Jo, placing a hand upon the heated earth. Ulrich winced at the touch. "Pardon me," he began politely. "I'll let you out of here if you promise to behave and put out your fire." As he said that, he turned to glare at Andrew. This is too cruel, Ulrich thought, returning his gaze to Jo and her prison. "I also apologize that the earth was used in this manner..." the wizard added genuinely, his voice soft and sympathetic.

 

Jo's panic mounted at the single touch, even though she couldn't feel it, Ulrich's words were much too painful to take in. The earth around her crumbled and ultimately, a bit less than a large scale explosion, burst apart, away from Jo's body. Jo dropped to her knees, her fire lessening in intensity immediately. It's head disappearing and yet a dull flame kept burning scattered on the ground. Tears fell freely down her cheeks, sizzling as they fell onto the heated ground. Jo's hands clutched at the ground, her nails digging into it. She panted and sobbed breathlessly on the ground. "Igneel!" she sobbed brokenly. Her memory vivid in the image of her Master's ashes blown away in the wind and his bones discarded back into the cave. Until Jo was older, she hadn't had the courage to go inside and return his bones to the volcano he came from. Instead, villagers buried his bones when they found her mourning the cave entrance.

 

"Ack!" Ulrich yelped as he rolled away from the force of the miniature explosion, getting hit by the debris. He lay where he stopped, not too far away from Jo, and remained there. He was dazed and smiling stupidly. It took a moment for him to regain his senses as he rose, approaching Jo again. "Are you alright?" Ulrich asked, holding his hand out to her.

 

Andrew hated the looks he had gotten from Haley, Maddie and everyone else. Though he had warned that if Jo tried to break free, he'd bury her, he just let her break her prison, cooking the earth like clay. Feeling the danger from Jo's seemingly uncontrolled heat, Andrew opened up the earth dome and sunk it back into the earth, allowing everyone to be in the fresh air once again. Taking multiple deep breaths to calm himself, he turned slightly to look at Jo again. She seemed absolutely terrified and hurt. Hmm...I guess there might be a reason for her atrocious attitude and personality. With his back to the others, Andrew heaved a great sigh and said a little quietly, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you." With this, he hoped that relations would be on the road to getting better. Although he sort of doubted it. God damn I hate my temper.

 

Looking up, Jo wiped at her tears. She took his hand and stood. "Master Igneel would be disappointed in me if he were to see me acting so childishly. I'm..I'm fine." Her red eyes wide and still glittering with tears, Jo grinned up at Ulrich. "Hehe...I don't like being trapped. Too many bad memories." She still smiled without a care and let go of his hand. Her skin was probably really warm from the exposure to the fire for so long.

 

Ulrich grinned back at Jo as he helped her up, and then turned his head slightly to nod at Andrew. It took Ulrich a moment, however, to feel the immense heat from Jo's skin. He winced and quickly yanked his hand back, shaking it as he repeatedly whined "hot, hot, hot, HOT!"

 

Jellal was knocked against the wall he had been standing next to by the explosion, not a pleasant feeling considering his ribs. With a large amount of difficulty, he staggered back up to his feet, Resisting the urge to punch the crying girl. Slowly, he walked out to where Andrew was.

 

Ariana stood in shock until the fighting was over. The last thing she needed was to get involved between other witches and wizards.she would never fight her own kind- only humans. She laughed a bit as Ulrich complained about his hand. She walked over towards them and rested her hand of his. She summoned some water and rested the water on his hand. "Better?" asked Ariana

 

Ulrich was shocked to see Ariana tending to his hand. He gave her a slight smile and nodded. "Yes," he replied. "Thank you." Ulrich gently moved his hand away, shoving it into his coat pocket. It didn't hurt as much as he played it out to be. The burn was only a mild one, like accidentally putting a hand on a sun-bathed metallic purpose. It didn't hurt, but he figured playing the part of the clown would ease the rousing tension. Ulrich hated violence as much as he hated being alone. He didn't want to watch his own kind fall apart on the account that they're all different people. It was nonsense, after all.

 

Andrew raised his eyebrows at Jellal's approach. "What're you doing walking?" He quickly stomped his foot and mat a chair of sorts. "You really shouldn't stress yourself you know," he told him. However, Andrew was inwardly laughing at himself. Jellal wasn't really a friend anymore, was he? And yet he was still treating him like his little buddy from back in the day. "You've grown up a lot in that one year, haven't you? Already trying to form a rebel group and be a great leader. You should probably take some pointers from Haley. She seems to have it all down, unlike myself. Hahaha..." laughed Andrew as he put his hand to his head. "Oh my poor temper's going to be the death of me, I just know it...Hey, have you gotten anyone to look at your wounds yet?" he asked turning to Jellal.