Ima-Aidala is seriously surprised that she got the invitation. She actually checks with Parafi to see if he got one too, even thought she is pretty sure that having cooking classes in the same room with the Vaesteri Triplets wasn't just a hallucination.

He did. And he's perhaps an order of magnitude or two more confused than she is! Still: he's glad she got invited. Is she going?

She is! With equal parts excitment and trepidation. She has to figure out what to wear.

-Aaaa. He hadn't even started to think about that! Help?

Okay what does he have?

...not much.

Okay, they live in a temple. She knows people here that deal with this specific kind of situation.

...Felix finds them and asks if they have anything to wear for the tea party thing.

No! They don't! -Well. Parafi doesn't. Help?

Of course, does Parafi want to buy something for future occasions like this or just borrow something? Either option is fine.

-That is still more options than he likes. He thinks. He doesn't really expect that many more situations like this. Borrow?

Okay. I think they have a place to lend out clothes for people that need to go to especial occasions...

That was what she suggested.

Oh, good. Now, this isn't a super-fancy event, but it's good to dress up nicely. They can likely find something that will fit Parafi.

He's not really sure exactly what'll be best, and he's still far thinner than is perhaps healthy for him, and he's also tiny, but yeah, they can - which is definitely a relief.

He's very grateful for the help!

No worries, it's a joy to help.

Oh. Good.

Is there anything else he needs to know about this tea party?

Everyone above the age of fifty is likely going to be there as part of a complicated game of social chess. But Felix talked to his grandmother and the two can just have fun and not worry about anything. Be polite and don't respond anything with violence or hostility, but please let them know afterwards if anything bad happened.

Okay. Okay. He can do that.

...Will Ima mind if he hangs out with her?

Not at all!

They can both hang out with Felix if they are feeling overwhelmed, just remember it's just a small get together, and they can just... relax.

Relaxing is something that Parafi is still figuring out. But he's getting there.

Great! She will be there.

How about if they both will be there.

"Are you... Parafi?"

-Uh-oh.

"...Yes?"

Ima was adjusting the shawl over her shoulders and didn't notice Parafi approaching.

"Hey, Parafi! This is my brother Padrikiun. Or Riki."

"Call me Padrikiun," he says, subtly changing his body language to bar Ima to get closer to Parafi. "Nice to meet you, Parafi. We should get in and not let our hosts waiting."

He notices the change in body language, but isn't sure if Ima does. "Yes, sir," he murmurs instead. "Quite so."

Padrikiun scrutinizes him.

But Ima nudges him with an elbow, and they start ascending the stairs. She gives Parafi an apologetic look.

One of the triplets greets them by the door. "I am Fenrad Vaesteri," he says, both to introduce himself to Padrikiun and to identify himself to the others. "Hello, Ima. Hello, Parafi."

Parafi relaxes a little and nods. "Hello, Fernando," he greets.

Padrikiun shoots Parafi a surprised look.

"Hi. Come in you three," he says leading them through the threshold.

It's a very nice house. Understated, but still fancy and almost regal. Everything in white tones with intricate details that can only be picked out up close.

Surprisingly, Fernando takes them to a large balcony where various the tables have been set up.

Parafi tucks his hands behind his back, and looks more than a little lost in the fancy surrounds. He relaxes noticeably when they get out onto the balcony.

There is a very light rain, which nonetheless leaves the place undisturbed, if someone pays attention, they can even catch the glimmer of the weather ward around them.

There is a main table for the food, but every table has (the same, identical, elaborate) two-tier serving platter.

"So, I think we might already met you or one of your brothers?" Padrikiun says, trying to make conversation.

"I would have recalled the red hair, I think."

He leads them to the Aaren's and 'Chelle's table. Padrikiun blinks at 'Chelle's hair.

She notices that, and smiles impishly at him-

-and her hair is now pink.

"'Chelle," Aaren chides, more amused than anything else. "Ima, Parafi, pleasure to see you again. And you are-?"

"I am Ima's older brother, Padrikiun Costu." He offers his hand to shake. "And that is a really cool trick," he tells 'Chelle.

Ima waves at 'Chelle and Aaren.

Aaren shakes Padrikiun's hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

"I rather like it," 'Chelle agrees. "All the better to confuse people with."

"It is very pretty."

'Chelle squints at little at him and shrugs.

"Please, sit," Aaren says, gesturing to the seats around them. "I suppose we have time to get to know each other better."

They dutifully take seats. Including Fernando. 

Ima, despite having just taken a seat at the table, offers the small snack cakes to everyone. 

'Chelle will engage Ima in conversation while taking on of the snack cakes.

She will engage, and try to get Parafi to be part of it if he is feeling like it.

Padrikiun tries to make small talk with Aaren and Fernando in that case.

The Vaesteri grandparents approach the table after a few minutes.

"Greetings, I am terribly sorry we couldn't approach sooner, but Dal-Karlene is not the kind of person that can be Simply Dismissed. Dal-Yora Vaesteri, it's a honor to meet you."

"Dal-Jaon Vaesteri, as my dear wife said." He offers his hand to Aaren.

Aaren takes the hand, shaking firmly. "A pleasure, thank you for the invitation. I'm Aaren Rydel, this is my daughter 'Chelle."

Dal-Jaon's hand is firm as well. He extends his hand to shake Padrikiun's.

"A pleasure, your hair is lovely," she sounds sincere.

'Chelle knows enough about people politicking that she knows that is probably not as sincere as it sounds, but she smiles graciously and thanks Dal-Yora for the compliment.

Padrikiun will introduce himself as well.

(He gives a strong handshake.)

"Firm." Dal-Jaon comments. He turns to Parafi and offers his hand. "I hope you have been adjusting better."

"-Ah," Parafi hesitates before shaking the offered hand - his shake is not precisely firm, more an attempt at a quick handshake. "Yes, sir, thank you."

"No need with the sir. We are all friends here."

Ima briefly squeezes Parafi's shoulder, telegraphed enough to not be surprising.

He doesn't know about that, but he nods, and leans a little into Ima's touch, trying to convey his gratitude.

"It is great seeing you adjusting. Would the table mind if we took a seat, we can scamper off and leave our grandson," she nods at Fernando, "be with his friends."

"It is your house, of course you can."

Aaren smiles charmingly. "By all means."

The couple breaks apart and takes different sides of the table.

After a pause, Dal-Yora sits next to 'Chelle. Her husband takes the seat next to Aaren.

Aaren seems surprisingly relaxed, but will wait for them to start any conversation.

Dal-Yora will ask about 'Chelle's life...

...while Dal-Jaon asks about Aaren's life.

They both respond - Aaren talks some about his military service and what lead him to 'Chelle and where he is now.

While 'Chelle talks mostly about her schooling, and what she's learning to do with magic.

Inara comes in at that point, and her eyes light up when she sees 'Chelle and Aaren, half starting to lift a hand to wave.

Only to be stopped by a reproving look from the woman with her, and a careful word. Appearances are, after all, everything.

They sure are. Though, the Vaesteri appear genuinely interested in Rydel's stories, they do spot when the Sauvesteri arrive.

Dal-Yora follows the rule of etiquette, she raises her hand, catches their attention, and signals them to approach with a flourish of the same raised. Textbook etiquette.

It would actually be impolite to not sit where their host indicates them to sit, which just happens to keep Inara next to 'Chelle and Dal-Ambre next to Dal-Yora.

Dal-Ambre is well aware of the etiquette, and sweeps across the room.

"Thank you for the invitation," she says as she takes her seat - if she's got any feelings about the seating arrangements they don't show.

"It's a pleasure to have you two here. How is Dal-Raphael?"

"Hi, Inara."

"He's quite well, he sends his regards, and apologises that he can't join us."

"Hello, Ima," Inara says. "It's excellent to see you again, I'm glad you could come."

"No apologies necessary. How have you been?"

"Thanks. This is my brother. Padrikiun Costu."

Padrikiun - who totally has not been half paying attention to the current conversation in case there was a chance to introduce himself - turns and offers a hand. "Padrikiun, honored to meet you both."

"Quite," Dal-Ambre says to Padrikiun. "Your manners are excellent."

She turns her attention back to Dal-Yora, and answering the question with the perfect level of detail without really giving much at all away.

Inara shakes Padrikiun's hand. "A pleasure," she assures him, then turns her attention back to Ima. "I love your dress! It's absolutely perfect for you! You look wonderful!"

Okay... He is mentally sorting Inara and her mother into two distinct categories.

Ima grins and excitedly says. "Your is lovelier, but thank you! Padrikiun actually found it in a charity shop really cheap and I just had to do some adjustments."

"You must be a skilled seamstress."

Inara ignores her mother. "Well, it was definitely worth it! And I wish I could sew! I try and try, and well... Can barely even cross-stitch."

"It was in pretty good condition and it's just a matter of paying attention."

"It wasn't that cheap, but it was really nice quality and matched Ima's style."

"It's a lovely dress of excellent taste. I reiterate Inara's compliment. I definitely never honed my sewing skill myself."

"You're probably not quite as bad as Ina," 'Chelle pipes up. "She managed to stitch her cross-stitch to herself."

Inara laughs and nudges her shoulder into 'Chelle's, not seeming even remotely offended. "Just because you're blessed with freakish hand-eye coordination."

Ima has observed Inara during cooking class enough to not be surprised by this.

Giggle. "If you need some cross-stitching to do, I can do it for you."

"Perhaps I just need the right teacher. But I may indeed take you up on that!"

"Any time."

"Don't tempt me."

'Chelle pokes Inara's side. "No making people blush at dinner."

Ima's confused.

His sister would be... but not necessarily for too long. Emergency change of subject. "So... Have you met," line of sight picking target, "Parafi at the cooking class?"

That's probably not the smartest thing to imply while Imara's mother is right next to them.

Indeed, Dal-Ambre arches an eyebrow at the name, but is far too polite to comment.

"I think we met a little before that at the pictures," Inara corrects. "But it was nice to renew our acquaintance at D- ah- Aaren's class."

"Yeah, during Maltadee. The Matilda remake."

"I wanted to watch that, but I had a test the next day and herding the kids around is so tiring."

"I can imagine!" 'Chelle agrees. "I was exhausted just watching the chaperones manage it. Quite the skill."

"I must admit it was very tiring, but I like being able to combine having fun with helping others."

"Aw, you're my grandson." Dal-Jaon says giving Fernando a strong back pat.

"An admirable outlook on life," Dal-Ambre says, tone warm enough.

"Forgive my husband, sometimes one can't help admire one's own progeny."

"They are our legacy, it's nice to know that they will be bringing pride to our names."

"Yes, and isn't delightful when you see their own potential? Like, Inara, I was surprised when our grandsons told me she was such a vivacious young lady. But I can see who she takes after," does her eyes flicker to Aaren? Maybe it's just a trick of the light, "not that matters. I am just so glad to see them making friends."

Aaren smiles. "Inara's a good friend," he says fondly.

"I was delighted to meet them!"

"I was certainly pleased to hear they'd made each others acquaintence."

"She reminds me of Teronmas, speaking of which, where are him and Feliaris?" Dal-Jaon says, looking around. "Oh, the poor things have been snared by the South Reef Matriarchs."

"While this conversation is delightful, we probably should go rescue them and talk them ourselves. Do you know them Dal-Ambre? I can introduce."

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure, no."

"Oh, you must! Dal-Karand Otoesteri knows the best fashion designers in Parjen. They even got me and my husband an unique matching set of tunics we are planning to wear to the next city's council gala."

"It would be foolish to refuse such an offer. Inara?"

"Oh, please do come. You can stay a few minutes and then rescue our boys from the conversation." She smiles very politely at Dal-Ambre while saying that.

"A wonderful idea," Dal-Ambre agrees, rising to her feet smoothly.

"Always willing to help rescue someone," Inara agrees. "If you'll excuse me," she nods to the rest of the table, although mostly Fernando, Parafi, Ima and Padrikiun.

Dal-Yora notices but doesn't comment on that meaningful nodding. Instead, she leads to where her other grandsons are.

Inara and Dal-Ambre follow.

The South Reef matriarchs both have fashionable streaks of white hair, and wear a similar fashion style, but otherwise are not very alike. Dal-Karand is bronze skinned and obviously a born sorcerer just by the way she holds herself, but also her many amulets and charms. Dal-Varja Terosteri is the very archetypical Parjen cast. Fully augmented and therefore very tall, with intensely dark skin. The later spots the three approaching and smiles. "Dal-Yora! I hope you don't want to miss out this conversation. Our dear Dal-Karand is so deeply disappointed with your grandsons' lack of fashion knowledge."

"Blame our wild war torn Earth upbringing," Teronmas says.

"Do not make excuses, young man." Dal-Karand says jovially. "Oh, who do we have here?" She says when she notices the Sauvesteri.

"Dal-Ambre Sauvesteri, my daughter Inara."

"A pleasure," Inara says, curtseying gracefully.

Dal-Varja is pleased by the curtsy, Dal-Karand appears mildly amused.

"Likewise," Dal-Karand replies smiling charmingly. "Lovely dress, maybe you can teach Dal-Yora's grandsons a thing or two about fashion. I asked if the family is going to the South Reef next season and do you know what they said? This one asked what sort of disaster relief we could expect there and the other asked about the beaches. I could hear my ancestors gasp."

"Oops," Feliaris said apologetically, but smiling.

"To be fair," Dal-Varja adds, "the beaches are lovely if you ward yourself heavily against bugs and there are some exquisite fashion disasters."

"Which led to the discussion of the negative influence of the MET gala in Elan fashion."

"I'm not sure I'd call it negative," Inara comments. "After all, if we didn't have the MET gala as a standard, how would we know who was truly exquisitely dressed? Comparing good fashion to good fashion can sometimes be a chore. And very occasionally something good comes from it."

"Nothing against innovation, my dear. But too many designers compromise," Dal-Karand says the word like it's a terrible sin, "and try to be the next big thing by adding LEDs light at everything and suddenly I am having flashbacks of a hundred and seventy years ago, when everyone was using glowing glass on everything. I would leave the atelier with a tan."

"Hey, if it means you don't have to deal with the bugs at the beach."

Dal-Varja turns her gaze down at Dal-Ambre. "Forgive my memory, but I can't recall where I know you from." Which is a very meaningfully veiled way to say that she doesn't know.

Dal-Ambre smiles and politely explains who herself and her husband are. "We hadn't had the pleasure or honour of making your acquaintance before now."

"Oh, I heard of your investments," Dal-Varja comments, "I have a distant cousin that's interested in that sort of thing."

"Aw, don't sell your friendship with Dal-Tiron so short." Dal-Yora comments. "Specially, because it's so great to surround yourself with business-minded people." She smiles at Dal-Ambre.

"Indeed."

"Well," Inara says, "If you're going to be talking business, if you don't mind, I'm going to steal Teronmas and Feliaris?"

Dal-Yora laughts jovially. "Please do, far from me to impose boring business talk on the young."

Teronmas and Feliaris will take the hint.

And Inara will lead the way away from the group, back towards the table she left the others at. "Apologies if you wanted to remain."

Teronmas shrugs.

"It wasn't so bad, though before the conversation about fashion they might have been fishing for information or something." When they reach the table he says. "Hello, guys."

'Chelle waves. "I trust you weren't too bored?"

"Honestly, I just needed a bit of a break from Mother."

"As it happens, but I am glad for the chance to talk to you guys." He waves at the table. "Hey, didn't we work together at some point?"

"Yes! At the trip to reinforce that old fort's walls?"

"That was me. But it's always fun having mistaken twin identities stories with people that have not interacted with us for more than ten minutes."

"How are you two doing?" Feliaris asks Parafi and Ima.

"I- uh. Alright?" He's a little overwhelmed, but it could be worse.

"People have been behaving both more and less like characters in a drama, but things are good."

"Oh, gosh, I hope I didn't-"

"Oh don't lie, Ina, you'd love to be in a telenovela."

Ima giggles. "You absolutely did and you would."

Inara laughs. "I suppose I can't deny either of those points. I suppose it is something of a...result of my upbringing."

"...I guess. You do have the whole thing about being the young heiress and having multiple marriage prospects." She immediately covers her mouth, mortified.

Inara doesn't seem in anyway offended by that summation. "The marriage proposals are really not all they're cracked up to be," she assures.

She is not looking at the triplets. "At least none of the ones that you got yet?"

He quietly puts a hand on his sister's arm, because the situation is might be degenerating from cute-awkward to just awkward.

'Chelle laughs. "Ina swears she's allergic to monogamy."

"No, I said that I thought monogamy was restrictive."

"Hey, a very reasonable opinion!"

"As long you two are happy?"

Internally, he reacts like these words when spoken have the power to smite them on the spot.

Externally he just holds his face.

"Does anyone want a tea refill?"

"Please," Aaren says - does he seem at all concerned about Inara's declaration? No he does not.

Padrikiun will accept some too. Wondering what kind of situation his sister got in to and how to protect her from it.

Tea sounds like a wonderful distraction! "Thanks, you family has really amazing tea. And food in general. Not that yours isn't great Mr. Rydel. The food. I mean, maybe your tea too."

She will just drink her tea.

"Thank you!"

"Please," Aaren smiles at Ima. "Just 'Aaren' is fine. And this tea is truly exceptional, I would love to know where it was sourced from?"

Felix answers him. "It's mostly this good because our cook got fantastic at making tea blends. It's pretty much the only indulgence our grandparents enjoy by themselves."

"I suppose I will have to experiment myself and see if I can replicate it," Aaren muses.

"Like you weren't looking for your next cooking project anyway. Is tea even cooking? Steeping project?"

"The fine art of hot leaf juice?"

"-Could you make it sound any less appealing?"

"Maybe? But the important thing is that it sounds like you haven't watched Avatar the Last Airbender and that sounds something to be fixed."

"Is that an offer?"

"Do you want it to be?"

"I certainly wouldn't object," Inara says coyly.

"Awesome."

"Gosh, who knew that promises of Earth media could be so effective," Felix says elbowing Fernando.

Ima-Aidala will be here quietly shipping this, until she remembers Inara's early comment about monogamy.

Parafi is very confused, but he's not going to interrupt.

"You appear to have found Ina's weakness: Earth media."

"You mispronounced quality."

Felix whispers to Parafi. "Hot leaf juice is a reference to an Earth show, where a character mildly offended the other by referring to tea as that."

"-Thank you," Parafi whispers back.

"We shall have to make a date of it," Inara says to Teronmas. "Although I should perhaps be offended that you seem to think I only have one quality." (She does not, in fact, sound at all offended.)

"Far from me to imply such. It's obviously one of many."

(Okay, back to shipping.)

(Privately, Padrikiun thinks this is probably a scandal and is mildly wondering if there is anything he should be doing to salvage the Vaesteri's reputation.)

"Ooh, good save," Inara applauds.

'Chelle laughs. "Well, you two are well suited in wit if nothing else."

Overall, they can have a nice and fun evening where the children (and Aaren) can hang out and the adults can Plot.

An enjoyable evening is had by all! And by the end of it, Inara will have worked out a date for watching Earth media with Teronmas.

Indeed, a date. A date?

Which Inara turns up for precisely on time, with a box of baking.

"Dad insists we provide our host gifts," she explains cheerfully.

"Your dad taught you well." He accepts the box and makes a pleased sound at the smell.

"He also loves an excuse to bake. There's almost too much baking in his house right now."

"What a great problem to have." He says while leading the way to the TV room.

"It's an excellent problem. Although 'Chelle complains about the fact that she can't go anywhere without having to take something with her."

Snort. "I guess he could try monitize it. Though, I don't know if lightkeepers are allowed to have side jobs."

"I doubt he would, even if they were. He very much believes in just feeding people."

For which I am grateful. Even the Vaesteri residence is not big enough to make this conversation last for long. They reach the TV room, which the relevant device in honored display.

They have to drawn the curtains, because whoever designed the interior decorated failed to account for "light on the screen". Luckily, the place looks quite cozy this way.

"Nice," Inara says looking around, regards Teronmas thoughtfully. "What are your feelings on cuddling?"

Grin. "Very positive."

"Excellent. Consumption of televised media is always improved by cuddling I find."

"Wise words." He puts the baking goods within reach and then sits down on the very comfortable sofar, patting the seat next to him.

She settles down next to him, leaning into him immediately.

Snuggling? Snuggling. Perfect condition to start on Earth-media watching.

It is definitely a good way to be introduced to Earth media! Inara is not necessarily the best partner for viewing things with - she makes observations, alternately cheers for and chides the characters, and generally commentates her way through it.

He loves some good commentary. What's even the point of watching something together without them both participating?

Ooh. Excellent. The more commentary the better! It gives Inara something to respond to and expand upon!

So much cuddly commentary can happen then!

So much cuddly commentary! Inara is quite taken with this offering of Earth media.

It was nicely selected. The company deserves the best.

The company is very grateful. This was an excellent idea!

Thomas tries his best to have excellent ideas. Speaking of those: How does she feel about kissing?

Positively! ...provided he does as well?

It turns out that he is very positive about it!

Ooh. Kisses are definitely well received!

It's a very entertaining afternoon for the people involved.

Eventually though, Inara should probably go home.

Hopefully, they can repeat this some time soon.

She would be delighted if they could repeat this some time soon.

Great!

Well then. She'll see him then. Or possibly at some other point if there's another group outing before then.

If any plans come up, he will let her know.

Unfortunately, life happens despite everyone's plans.

Tsunami warning. A volcano has been given signs of activity lately, but nothing that could be pin-pointed enough until it actually happened.

And today, it happened. Combination of seismic sensors and precognition gave them twenty-three minutes warning before the first wave hits. The emergency siren blast through out the city. Volunters of all stripes are called to help.

Aaren and 'Chelle are out to help, with a couple of 'Chelle's friends.

Fernando drops from the sky holding Thomas. "Do want to help with an official assignment?"

"We are going to meet at our temple and then go to the costal barriers."

"We're extra hands wherever you need us."

"Although we," 'Chelle points to her friends, "are pretty good with tech if that's needed?"

Thomas reveals a rope attached to his arm, moving as with a life of his own. "Hold onto this and we will fly. I think the costal barrier then."

"Looks like fun."

"Behave, Anima," the other boy says, poking the first in the side as everyone grabs the rope. "I'm Alain, the reprobate is Teo, we're at your service."

"I'm sorry," 'Chelle says, faux-seriously, "I would never have inflicted them on you, but they were at ours when the alarms went off and wouldn't be left behind."

The rope grabs them back. Not very dexterously, but firm and gentle. Fernando does the part of taking them up in the air and zipping towards the Vaeteri's Daliath Temple. A light rain starts falling. "Four more volunteers!" Fernando shouts.

Suddenly, they are wearing bracelets, the kind ensued to people during disaster relief. For a moment, they might even think it was Felix, but they catch a glimpse of the speedster, and they had long black hair.

There are people shouting instructions, and they are herded to get a ward on them. Everything is moving very fast.

Aaren is good at fast, regardless of his normally laconic nature. "I have experience with conjuration," he says to the first person who seems to be organising the relevant thing.

Aaren is directed to an area to ward volunteers against drowning and hypothermia. Meanwhile, his children - after being warded - are assigned costal duty and herded into a van. Which is partially drives, partially flies towards their destination at considerable speed.

They're edgy, nervous, but they're definitely interested in the specifics of this van, trading theories quietly with each other, trying not to be too loud.

The van tumbles, jumps, shakes and even bumps into things (leaving no harm behind), without the occupants feeling that they are inside a washing machine going down a hill. From that they can figure out that the vehicle is likely privately owned and finely tuned to the driver. An elderly woman with a bowler hat. The custom decoration composed entirely of worn soft things adds credence to this theory. It was likely some sort of mural made of stuffed animals on the van's ceiling.

Add after a long stretch of skipping on the water like a stone, their drive shouts. "Prepare to be on the move! I will leave in three seconds with people hanging on the door or not!" Externally the movement is abrupt, but they are cushioned from any impact and the doors open automatically.

The barrier is just a house-sized construction of concrete and metal, which they are now on top of.

They disembark rapidly, despite Alain looking briefly conflicted about the idea of hanging off a door, but they've got a job to do here, and they're damn well going to do it.

Someone comes out a cabin, going after the van, but it's far too fast. The thin old operator, turns to them. "This section of the barrier is stuck, again. Do any of you have a power useful for moving large chunks of metal?"

"I'm a technopath, so that might be me?" 'Chelle offers.

"Okay, hurry up." He starts hurriedly guiding her towards the cabin. He turns to her friends and says. "The rest of you! Go down the hatches marked white! At least two per hatch! There is a panel with instructions!"

Teo grabs hold of Alain and tugs him over to one of them, waving vaguely at 'Chelle.

'Chelle is too busy moving in the direction of the cabin to bother responding. What's she looking at?

A plastic control screen that glows bright orange. It's very obviously newer than the rest of the structure. "Look." Says the operator. He demonstrates by pressing buttons. The one to put the dam down on the water gives a message saying that the structure is already down, then he presses the button to retract the structure back and that says that the structure is already retracted. "It won't move!"

"Okay," 'Chelle says, and rests her hands on the screen, closing her eyes.

Everything looks different when she's doing this, and it's not even really sight, more feeling. The problem is easy enough to diagnose when she's using her powers - the sensor that tells the dam where it is has been clogged, she's not sure by what, so it's reading as both up and down simultaneously. She can fix that. She overrides the reading that tells the dam it's up, and instructs it to descend.

The dam descends. Hitting the water without the sound of a splash, but instead of the resonant ting of vibrating metal. They feel the structure shaking with the stress.

Inside the hatches, the various volunteers can find runes and instructions: take turns, put your hand on them and push a bit of health and a bit of stamina. Moderate bits.

Alain and Teo are pretty good at swapping over with barely any pause - like the two of them are already used to casting in unison.

Their only view to the outside is a reinforced porthole. Though that grants the sight of the water in front of them growing still, not in the undisturbed and flat, but with the waves slowing down to the point of glassy stillness.

Then suddenly, the waves started to break, crack and raise upwards. The wall of water hits with speed and violence, the structure shakes, but holds.

For the most part.

'Chelle gets to see it. The wave hits the concrete and goes up. Higher than any building in Milirevi, apparently dispersing into harmless mist.

Further down the barrier, the ward gives in and the invisible wall breaks. The rest of the barrier holds, but there is a localized wave going through straight to the city.

'Chelle stares at the wave in horror, reminds herself that her family are safe, can't help but worry anyway, hands white-knuckled on the nearest unbreakable surface.

She and the operator can observe as the partial wave sweeps across the city. Boats are carried over far further into shore than they were ever supposed to be. Many places have smaller versions of the barrier ward, but not all. And sometimes the different wards working separately have weird effects making the water rebound and hit again on the surrounding buildings with more force, crumbling places that survived the initial onslaught.

The Govad district where the full-augments live is the worst hit, being directly on the waves' path and being less consistently warded.

All the while dots zip about on the ground and the sky, marking the presence of people racing against the force of nature.

Racing against nature is sure a difficult task. They have been expecting for the wave to go around the barrier, hitting the city from the sides and inward. The exact opposite happened and everyone is rushing to change tactic and redirecting the bulk of search-and-rescue.

However, Felix and Parafi's primary task remain the same: find people and make sure they don't drown or die of hypothermia. But maybe Felix needs to be reminded of that.

It's not the first time Parafi's seen devestation like this, and he's handling it the same way he has before - by pushing his emotions and away - but this time, he can actually help. When he notices Felix getting overwhelmed, he touches his elbow gently, hand overly warm, but not painfully so.

Felix takes in breath, it feels like he has been holding it for far too long. His heart is pounding desperately, but he can't get distracted.

"Right. Hold on onto me." They go into the danger zone.

They are not the only ones, but even with the evacuation warning and their specialized role there is no shortage of people to help- shit, that woman is stuck between two carts with water up to her waist.

-Can Parafi get one of the carts to burn without harming the woman? Make it easier to move out of the way?

Yes. With some controlled burning, they can free the woman much more easily than doing by moving the cart. This free Felix to provide some strategic healing to deal with the worst of her injuries. Barely awake she clings to them for warmth. Felix makes sure to say tell Parafi that he is clever, though there isn't much joy in the compliment. Someone with a floating stretcher spots them and collects the woman before flying away.

They are called over to a half-destroyed building half covered in ice. Felix tries to approach and retracts back when ice starts to form in their direction. "Whoever is in there notice me coming and reacted."

Parafi considers it. "I'll go," he says quietly, and starts to walk forward.

"Okay. I will take you out if anything bad happens, just give me a sign."

No ice suddenly manifests on his direction. Upon coming closer, he can tell what is inside the bubble of ice, a group of Efrossians: one is wearing the rescuer uniform and has a wound to their head. The other two are children who look at Parafi with scared eyes.

He crouches down slightly. "Hey," he says quietly, "we need to get out of here. It's dangerous."

The kids nods. The wounded rescuer stirs, he tries to focus, but is apparently too out of it to do anything but speak properly. Parafi is not sure if his eyes are actually focused on him or is that just a coincidence.

"Can you bring the ice down or do I need to?"

The kid look at each other. "Can you help?"

"Yeah, I can."

And he'll carefully start melting the ice, not too rapidly, but at a steady pace, keeping an eye on the man in the rescuer's uniform.

For a moment the man fights back against the melting, but after a pause stops and after another pause starts helping. He is more clumsy than the kids, but it doesn't result in a disaster. Everyone is damp, but not practically encased in ice. Someone in a floating platform spots them and approaches.

"There's someone coming down to evacuate you," Parafi warns, just in case this causes another resurgence of ice.

Some hand twitching that's hard to read. Maybe an affirmative grunt? More importantly, there is no more ice, and they go on the platform without incident.

Felix shows up after they are gone, with the signs of emaciation typical of someone who just spent a lot of health at once. "Please, come with me." And he picks up Parafi.

-Parafi squints suspiciously at him, but can't risk giving Felix a pep-up right now, just in case wherever they're going someone needs it more.

Felix takes him to a crashed truck.

Fernando is by it side...

...holding the hand of a unconscious man stuck inside the vehicle. His pale face might look familiar.

-It isn't even a conscious thought that has Parafi reaching out for the man, ready to try and heal him.

Fernando stops him. "We tried, and it got some debris stuck on. I think, we need to lift the truck while someone pulls him and then heals his wounds."

"-Okay. Where do you need me?"

"Felix and I will lift the truck - Thomas is exhausted - you would remove anything stuck in Katur and heal him. Okay?"

Parafi nods sharply.

Alright. Fernando and Felix start counting. One. Two. Three. Push. Again. One. Two. Three. Push. The Truck moves just barely enough.

And Parafi does his part, removing debris, and healing where it's safe to do so.

There is a mess of what might be wires, though they are surprisingly easy to pull out now that you can see what you're doing.

There is a rumble. And then there is barely enough time to pull Parafi out of the way before a wave hits them.

Felix breathes deeply and dives to share his Breath with Katur, who is now underwater.

-Except he can use the water. He thinks. If he cools it enough, he can...push it away from the people? And use it to push the truck off? That...that'll work right?

Yes! Yes, the water should expand and float. Please, fast.

He can do that, he's working as fast as he can.

So are the triplets. Who take turn giving Katur some Breath.

Then finally, get him out from under the truck and into the surface.

Katur still is very unconscious.

Parafi can feel himself starting to flag, but he still goes to see if he can do anything for Katur.

Katur apparently requires more specialized care than the three of them can provide in the middle of a flooded area.

"We need to take him somewhere... I only memorized drop off points in the town's periphery."

Parafi looks down, thinks. "I- the Sauvesteri's? That's- close-ish?"

"Oh, yes. Thomas came this way..." Fernando looks around.

"There! That building" Felix points. They get moving.

Parafi follows, although he's feeling a little surplus to requirement.

The Sauvesteri house is grand without being ostentatious or gaudy - it's clear they have money, but they are not exactly flaunting this.

Inara will answer the door, dressed in practical clothes, and hair bound back from her face by a bandana.

She will see the sight of four very disheveled young men. Fernando and Felix are making their best to carry the much larger Katur.

She steps immediately to the side and ushers them in. "Can you get him through there?" she points. "I've set up a triage room as best I can."

"Thank you." They carry Katur inside. "Do you have any medical training? We got some, but he is augmented and that's supposed to matter, right?"

"Some. It irritated my parents to learn the detail work required for augments, so I did. Whoever said spite wasn't good for anything."

Fernando would be more appreciative of Inara's constructive spite, but he is too distracted at the moment. They will help setting up Katur somewhere comfortable and where healing can occur.

Inara seems to more need to speak than be acknowledged - there's a nervous energy to her, but she seems relieved to have something to do.

Her triage room was a large sitting room, with sheets thrown over the sofas. She directs then to one of the sofas, already doing her best to diagnose Katur before they've got him settled.

Katur has the typical injuries one experiences from having a van collide to them with enough force to knock them out. Then he spent sometime underwater, though the shivering and wet clothes are enough of a clue for that.

Well then. She'll set to work healing him.

The triplets will fret and worry about Katur.

(They will help around the triage room to distract themselves.)

Eventually, Inara announces herself as done as she can be.

They hug her. "Thank you. I don't know what we would've done if we lost him."

Then he realizes what he just said and backs off.

He gets a soft, understanding smile from Inara. "If you want somewhere a bit more private to wait with him there's a guest room just down the hall that's made up?"

Fernando gives her a rare smile. And Felix soon follows. "Thank you."

She nods. "Anything I can do to help, hm?"

"You're already helping a lot. ...We should tell Thomas, he exhausted himself and got carted out."

"I can do that?" Parafi offers. "I- need to get back out anyway?"

"You should stay and rest. Keep Fernando company. I can go out and tell Thomas, and get back patrolling."

Parafi gives him a flat look. "You're more exhausted than I am," he states. "I'll be fine."

Fernando gives Felix a light shove towards a couch. Felix falls into the furniture, unharmed, but he doesn't immediately get up.

"Sorry, but I wanted to illustrate my point."

One might notice that Fernando is levitating rather than standing.

Inara points at the couch beside Felix. "You should rest as well, Fernando."

"I could help with the triage?"

"I appreciate that, I do, and if I need help, you can. But get some rest for now, and I'll let you know if...when I need you?"

Fernando tries to come up with an argument, but Felix manages to get up enough to pull into the couch. "Okay." He says with as much dignity as he can manage.

Inara goes to find some snacks for them.

And Parafi goes to find Thomas.

Thomas can be find in one of the improvised medical tents. Parafi can spot Ima there, minding a group of children.

He'll check if Thomas is awake enough for the news of Katur's health first.

Thomas appears to be asleep, but stirs when Parafi comes closer, blinking at him. There is a scar above his ear that looks like the result of magical treatment.

"Hi," Parafi says quietly. "Fernando and Felix wanted you to know Katur's going to be okay. Inara's looking after him."

Thomas tries to stand up. "Take me to them?"

"I- don't you need to- rest more?"

"I can rest near them."

Parafi looks around to see if there's anyone to ask whether Thomas is okay to be moved.

Is it important? Oh, wait, it's at his girlfriend house, right? (Why and how this stranger knows this is not immediately apparent to Parafi). Well, we are going to pick some people from there, it's probably not too much work to send Teronmas over too.

They put Teronmas on a stretcher.

-Okay. Parafi will go with him, just to be certain.

...And someone else join the group. He nods at Parafi's direction and blinks when he recognizes Teronmas.

Parafi nods back, a little concerned about how this might turn out, but also not sure how to stop Padrikiun from coming with them.

If there is a way to stop Padrikiun to come it isn't obvious, they are loaded into a wide floating platform that flies in straight lines towards their destination.

Well. He'll keep an eye on the situation.

Inara will greet them when they arrive, businesslike and ready to get to work.

They deliver the people, including their boyfriend. How are things here? Asks a supervisor.

Under control, Inara's been coping pretty well, all things considered. She'll take Thomas to his brothers, thank you.

Alright, they are going to make a quick headcount and collect names. No need to worry.

By all means. The main triage room is there, it's as good a place as any to start.

And Thomas is here, trying his best to leave the stretcher.

"Stay put," Inara says, resting a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be with them soon."

Thomas mock pouts for a moment, then winces in a bit of pain. "Are you dealing well with things?"

"As well as I can. Hard to stay put when I know 'Chelle and Dad are out there somewhere and I have no idea where."

Thomas makes an effort to hold her hand. "'Both should be fine, I am pretty sure. There was a couple of male casualties from the barrier and that's where they send her there. And your dad was in ward duty back at our temple."

"You're almost certainly right," Inara agrees, squeezing his hand gratefully. "They're both too stubborn to die."

"Among other great qualities."

That gets an actual smile from Inara. "It is just one of many."

And here they are, the room where Thomas' brothers and Katur are.

Fernando flies closer. "Was it dangerous for you to come?"

"I love you too. Now, get me closer to Katur."

Fernando does that.

Inara watches warmly. "You'll all heal," she says to them. "And you're safe here."

"Yes, don't leave to go about saving more lives. It would be rude to the lady of the house."

"I will chase you down and drag you back by your ears if you leave before you're well enough. You've all done enough today."

Fernando and Felix exchange looks.

Felix puts a hand on the sleeping Katur's forehead. "Okay, okay, we will stay. We can take turns making rounds?"

"Quite. When I decide you're ready to do so. For now, all of you, rest."

Fernando slowly nods.

"See what I have to deal with?"

"I am not that bad."

Inara laughs. "You'd have a hard time denying you were brothers."

"We would. Wouldn't we?"

"Maybe you should rest, by means of being quiet."

"Alright, I'm needed elsewhere, try not to torment each other two much. Yell if you need me."

"We will!"

Inara smiles at them, and makes her way out of the room to continue with her work.

People busy themselves. Padrikiun has enough common sense to not stop to chat with useless pleasantries, but he does asks her if they have made a census of patients and where to find that.

She points him in the direction of where she'd been recording people and a few brief details about their status.

Padrikiun thanks her and checks the records. He briefly notes that the triplets rescued someone before being interned himself. It will probably make good news tomorrow.

Inara leaves him to it, she has other things to worry about right now.

At the barrier.

They didn't exactly stay twindling their thumbs, but by and large, the people at the barrier had to focus on keeping themselves from drowning rather than doing any search and rescue. And even the few that fell in the water would be rescued by a duo of telekinetic patrolling the area. It was just not worth relocating them while the city was in chaos. Not yet, at least.

But eventually they can see something crossing the water like a skipping stone. And it's resting on the concrete floor before they know it. A recognizable van is there and the doors open, revealing the recognizable driver.

"Oh thank fuck," Teo mutters as him, Alain and 'Chelle hurry towards the van.

'Chelle doesn't want to leave, not exactly, but Teo and Alain are not giving her a choice. It's getting too dangerous out here.

People board the van, who then jumps to the next session of the barrier to collect another group and then go back to the shore. "How is everyone doing back there?" As the bowler hat driver.

"Damp!" Alain calls back, with surprising cheer. "Any idea where else we can help out?"

"Ha! Whole city is more rattled than the fleas in a dog that just got splashed over with cold water." The driver says looking at them through the rear mirror, it has the tones of an old saying. "You lads won't be complaining about not having anything to do! Be glad if you have time to breathe before someone shouts at you to help with something."

"Hi..." A tired voice asks, another passenger. "I wanted to ask. Are you...?"

The van hits the shore and starts making his way through town. Bouncing through or over streets. Both the passenger and their driver stop for a moment while she navigates what might be the worst of the damage, she avoids colliding with buildings.

"Chacha, The Ballistic!" The driver finally says. "Yeah, I am."

"-Oh. Awesome! I've been wanting to- Well, me and 'Chelle, we've been wanting to meet you for ages!!"

The revelation of their driver's identity is enough to pull 'Chelle out of her funk at least. "Like...yeah. This is bucket list material!"

"Ha! I am glad that I still have young fans! You're lucky that I was in town! They want a reshoot - sorry, a remake - of Golden Cloak, I was in the original for two scenes, but people still remember those scenes!" She turns completely to grin at them, her hands completely off the wheel.

While she is saying those words, the van is rolling sideways through a long stretch. She appears completely unbothered by this, and it's hard to tell if she is controlling the thing at all.

And then the vehicle halts suddenly in an upright position and perfectly parked.

"This is your stop!"

"Thank you!" 'Chelle says, scrambling towards the door. Pauses. "-Do you think we'll get a chance to talk when all this is done?"

Chacha smiles and shrugs. "I think my agenda for the next days changed and I want to stick around to help with people's morale. What's your name?"