The flames visibly brighten before Nova forces himself back dimmer. "Thank you," he says.

The hand reforms and he tries again, managing to hold it for a little longer.

"That's really awesome," they say, a huge grin on their emoji face.

Nova flickers sideways and then back, managing to convey shy gratitude for the praise. He'll keep practicing for a little while, fairly easily managing to get it up to a minute. After the first few occasions, the hand doesn't vanish when the cube drops through it, just picks it back up.

"What does it feel like when the cube goes through? Do you think it's a concentration and practice thing or something about your power?"

Nova thinks about it. Picks up the cube again and let's it slide through his hand. "Mm. I- mostly concentration and practice? Feels like it might still be- limited, but can get longer?"

They nod several times. "That's really cool. We could totally figure out a way for you to do—whatever you liked, hold things and interact with anything."

There's that slight change in colour again, accompanied by the shy flickering sideways dance. "Really?" he sounds almost hopeful.

"Of course!"

The flames brighten again. "Thank you!"

"I wonder if you can get other limbs than hands..."

He's still for a moment, flames dimming, more concentration than anything else. Then a singular boot shape appears underneath him.

They giggle. "That's really cool."

That little flickering change of colour is definitely Nova's equivalent of blushing. (These interactions are almost certainly the first time he's been praised for anything.)

He seems to consider Glam for a moment, and then forms a second boot-shape. Although both flicker out about thirty seconds later - two is apparently harder to maintain than one.

"Don't worry about that, I'm sure with enough practice you'll be able to get all of those working with barely any effort. Then we can make you a fireproof suit that fits all your new limbs."

He flickers shyly again, but instead of immediately trying again sort of curls around himself. (He looks, perhaps, a little wanner than he did before they started this experiment.)

"—are you okay?"

"Yes?" he says, immediate and reflexively, then pauses. Maybe...

"Could use some...fuel? F'that's alright?"

"Oh! Yeah, sure." Copy appears. "I'll grab you something right quick. You said wood, right? Would coal be better or worse?"

"...coal? I- don't- don't know what coal is?"

Blink. "It's—it's a generic name for a mineral or plant-based thing that usually burns better than wood and is often used for fire-related things."

"O-Oh. I- I don't know if it- Whatever's easiest?"

"I'm gonna get some of both and you can see what you like best."

Off goes copy.

"I- thank you- you don't have to? Can get by on paper..."

"It's not too expensive, and if you like it better then that's good, right?"

"...I-Yes. I- thank you. Thankyouthankyou."