video; un:mako

[arclightning]

Uh, hey. Mako here.

[ Nailing it so far, right? Mako's standing in front of a half-blue, half-green wall, dotted with small lunar sconces. Everything looks kind of dusty and half-finished, and the watery afternoon light illuminates yet more dust drifting around him.

Notably, a small dragon, red-scaled and content, is draped over his shoulders like a scarf, watching the Omni with bright eyes.

Mako glances momentarily off the screen, mouths something, and then looks back, clearing his throat. ]

It's come to my attention that a lot of you have been setting things on fire left and right since we washed up here. Obviously, this is dangerous to you and the people around you. If that's you, you need to make an effort to control it immediately before something worse than singeing your clothes happens.

For those of you who just washed up, I'm a firebender. That means I can do—

[ He holds up his left hand (scarred with strange marks) in front of himself and splays his fingers, making a small puff of fire appear and hold over his palm. It flickers there like a candle flame, dancing between Mako's fingers, before he drags it in a small arc and lets it go out. ]

—that, and—

[ Another flick of his fingers, this time producing little purple-bright sparks that zap between the tips and then dissipate. ]

—that. And a lot more.

So. If you need help learning to control your powers, and you do, come to the Raccoon Room in Cellar Door on Wednesdays. You'll see the sign. I've been doing this since I was a kid. Anyone else who wants to help, feel free to drop by too.

[ Finally, he looks up, his serious expression dropping just slightly. ]

Trust me. If a bunch of snotty six-year-olds back home can learn how to do it, you can.

[ The little dragon huffs in agreement, fire puffing out of its nose, and Mako reaches forward to cut the feed. ]

Comments

action; ota

[arclightning]

[ Mako isn't actually inside the theater.

He's set up a little training area outside the place, on the cobblestone street, and there he's waiting for people. It's stopped raining for just a little, and the street is still slick with it, but Mako's out there in a tank-top and loose pants, doing a much more complex bending routine than he showed in the video. It's not exactly flashy—his movements are economical—but it's certainly showcasing a lot more power and a lot of what he can do, all martial arts with fire arcing and spinning away from him in controlled bursts. His little dragon is flying through some of the whirls of fire.

He spins to a stop when you approach, all nervous energy, panting lightly. ]

Hey. You here to learn?

[royalfling]

[ Wu gives him applause after he cuts off the recording, grinning brightly at him ]

Good job, baby! But, um. Did we talk about teaching people to bend fire, um, here? You know this whole building is wood... right?

[ You're the responsible one, Mako, he shouldn't have to tell you this! ]

[vibing]

[ Yuri didn't bother to respond to Mako's post about using fire and ice, but he is here on Wednesday because he's getting antsy, he's getting antsy and while he isn't setting anything on fire, he sure is freezing stuff left and right, and it isn't a good look.

Maybe it's the same principle. Maybe he'll stop freezing himself to the handle of his sword or the spoon he's using to cook with. It's irritating. He'd almost rather be setting stuff on fire because at least then it would go away. ]

Nice moves. Hey, glad you made it outta the water.

[ Last time Yuri saw him, he was being carried away by the waves. How many people did Yuri lose that day? At least they all seem fine, even if memories of the waves just make the tightness in his chest worse. ]

[siriusly]

Um--

[is he? he wasn't aware. Manabu's come up just upon hearing Wu's gotten things almost fully operational...or at least decorated. which, honestly? is impressive.

double honestly? Mako looks more like he's out here ready to do heavy lifting.

Manabu's looking rather squirrely, and before anything can be spoken about it--

YAPYAPYAPYAPYAPYAP!]

D'ah-!!

[the little dog that's been tailing him darts between his legs mid-step and rushes over to Mako, ceaselessly barking and jumping and pawing at him. it's all the eagerness to and desperation to be paid attention to in dog-form. the perfect form.]

text; un: doublehedgedsword; private

[laminae]

[Fern is sending this text private. Varian doesn't need to see how worried he actually is.]

hey uh
have you talked to Varian lately



also cool dragon

private 4ever

[arclightning]

He's already training with me. This is partially for his benefit. It's not just him, and he needs to know that.

Thanks. She came out of my chest.

He's doing worse? I got a text.

Text; UN R.BECKET

[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh has so many things to say and ask he's practically tongue-tied. They're all stacked up in his throat but there's one prevailing emotion so he goes with that.

Now he's feeling a little better. Now he's feeling a little more like himself.]

Mako, you have no idea how glad I am to see you here, man.

[arclightning]

[ As soon as Mako sees that username, Raleigh, you had better believe he ushers Wu over to look at the screen, relief crashing through him cold and bright. It's hard to express that in words, but somehow Raleigh will get it. ]

You made it. I was wondering.

Chuck okay? You okay? Find a place to stay?

video | un: dawnknight

[searingwing]

[The view is of a sleek counter with the backdrop of hanging pots and pans. Diluc is dressed a lot more casually in a black button-up shirt and his sleeves rolled up. One hand grips the edge of the pot.]

I can lend you my assistance in teaching and perhaps we can study the cold together.

It hasn't leaked out in dangerous ways but, [He tips his head slightly and slips his hand over the edge into the pot just above the water.]

I don't want to take the chance.

[arclightning]

[ Mako is very, very glad for the offer of help, especially on the cold front (ha) because he has just been... freezing things left and right, unlike Diluc apparently.

He winces a little, now seated at a table in the half-done theater. The stage is behind him, the cleanest thing of all. ]

Yeah, I hear you. The cold can be just as dangerous in its own way. I know Ruby's been freezing herself solid. Does yours work like your normal abilities?

Anyway, the help would be good. Seems like a lot of people need to learn.

video, un:charon

[notimeforfailure]

Ah, this is nostalgic.

You've come far since those first announcements on deerfeed, haven't you? Mako... you sound almost like the Professor.

[Lysithea smiles - there is a faint note of mischief that would have come across as incongruous with her impossibly severe younger self.]

You're speaking to the Coldbloods, of course. Is that your boon as well or do you have your own unfamiliar ability to wrestle with?

[arclightning]

[ Mako goes through some feelings as soon as he sees this reply.

They are, in no particular order: relief, confusion, fond annoyance, happiness, capped off with a snort that somehow conveys all of them. He leans down closer to the screen, unable to stop himself from smiling. ]

Hopefully I didn't make a couple new universes by deciding to make this post. I don't want that much power.

[ How does he say all of those things at once? How does he ask what he wants to ask? There are too many questions springing to Mako's tongue. He settles on a simple, ]

You made it here okay? What's your blood doing? Mine's blue and apparently I can bend ice now.

Video | UN : ClickClickBloom | 1/3

[onekindsoul]

Excuse you! I have this totally under contr-

2/3

[onekindsoul]

[And in that instant Ruby is completely engulfed in flames. They don’t die down after a second either.]

video | un: diggs

[justoscar]

Whoa!

[Oscar was immediately pressed to the screen upon the display, hazel eyes round and wide with astonishment-- a tiny peryton with spindly legs, mottled coat, and equally wide eyes perched delicately upon his shoulder likewise staring into the feed.]

That's the first time I've seen you do that kinda thing, I think. Do you mind if we send Ruby your way? She kinda keeps setting herself on fire.

[onekindsoul]

[Can be seen in the background. Still very much on fire.]

Oh my gosh, Oscar!

I’m working on it!

video | un: vyng

[spiritwalks]

[A tiny gasp.]

Is that a dragon on your shoulder? It's precious.

[Because priorities.]

[arclightning]

Yeah.

[ Carefully, Mako shifts the screen up so it's mostly Zuko's little face in view. She's a whiskered, long-bodied sort of dragon, red-scaled with light fur sprouting in tufts around her head.

She also looks very happy to be praised, lifting her tiny head to preen at Vyng. Mako snorts, half off-screen. ]

This... is probably going to sound weird, but she came out of my chest.

VOICE; un: shiro

[shiro2hero]

[It honestly sounds like Shiro just woke up. That's. New. Fortunately, Mako setting his hand on fire isn't. He's not sure how much New Nonsense his brain can handle right at this moment.]

Is everyone having fire problems?

voice

[arclightning]

[ No, see, Shiro, Mako's trying to handle this particular problem so you don't have to! ]

I wouldn't say everybody, but I've gotten a lot of panicked texts in the last couple days. It's a good chunk of people.

video | klapbak | private

[klussy]

I might have you help Richie out. He's got fire powers and it's a miracle I haven't been burnt alive by them yet.

(This is Eddie's vaguely polite way of saying that Richie's abilities were absolutely off the charts right now.)

But he did set one of my Gucci bags on fire so that shit's gotta stop immediately.

private 4ever

[arclightning]

Noted. Send him over on Wednesday, I'll see what I can do. He's a smart kid, he should pick it up pretty quick.

[ You and like half of Trench, Eddie—at least nobody is alone in this. Everyone's spouting flames like an overenthusiastic fire-eater at a summer festival.

Mako looks away from the video for a brief second to add a name to the list of people to help.

Wait a second. Mako looks up again. ]

...isn't Gucci your dog?

video | un:asamisato

[futureinventor]

[Asami is clearly In The Middle of Something but the video message opens with her looking at the camera brightly.]

Mako! This is such an amazing idea. You're going to make such a great teacher. I hope you don't mind if I come by to watch sometime.

[arclightning]

[ Why is support so much more potent when it comes from Asami? Mako grins, a little self-conscious (last time he made a post like this, he almost caused a panic, and the time before that he actually did) but pleased. ]

You know you're always welcome to watch. Or, you know, give tips. You've been around benders long enough. You could probably teach them a thing or two about how to move.

Wu thinks I'm a bad teacher, so. We'll see.

voice

[measuringdicks]

Hi, I'm definitely gonna take you up on that because I don't wanna burn down my fucking house by accident, but also, you're a firebender. How do you get scorch marks out of the floor?

[Inquiring minds need to know!]

[arclightning]

[ You know, he really should know this, and he certainly did scorch their house a few times when he was a kid, but...

Mako grins a little to himself. He was warned, Richie. ]

You put a rug over them and pretend that was your plan the whole time, or you learn to control your powers and turn it into a feature. Woodburning. Definitely on purpose.

Video | UN: YOURFRIENDSCORPIA

[cuddlery]

[A scorpion woman appears over the feed, fretting slightly while wearing robes that are scorched here and there.]

Wow. You know about those things I accidentally set on fire? You are good.

[She does seem amazed by his display of power.]

Also, you are really great with that stuff! So, you'll teach us? How to control this stuff and do cool things like you? I - I will be there! Where do I sign up?

[arclightning]

[ Hey, they don't call him the best detective in Republic City for nothing.

And sure, no one actually calls him that, and sure, that title probably belongs to Chief Beifong and they aren't in Republic City—

He might be the best detective in Trench by virtue of being the only detective in Trench. Mako snorts all the same. ]

You aren't the only one. Seems like half the city's setting their own rooms on fire judging by all the texts I've been getting. Anyway, you don't have to sign up, you just... show up, and I'll show you the ropes. Guessing you didn't have any kind of power like this before?

un: trienemybest; video

[droptheious]

Showoff.

[It's said fondly, though. He's deeply grateful for everything Mako is doing and is thankful he's here at all. Varian's pretty sure he'd be up the metaphorical creek otherwise. ]

You know I'll be there. And thanks, again, for offering this. I think you'll help a lot of people who suddenly and inexplicably became firebenders.

[arclightning]

How's anyone supposed to trust that I can teach them if I don't show them what I can do?

[ AKA it was Wu's idea to demonstrate something, because if Mako had his way he'd just have made the announcement and cut the feed.

There is a little part of him that does like to show off, though, and so he just rolls his eyes right back at Varian. ]

I have at least six other confirmed people. I know that isn't half the city, but it sure seems that way.

[ But then Mako leans a little closer, his smile dropping into something slightly... nervous, maybe? ]

How's the training going? You manage to find a connection yet?

[ Because he has to now teach at least six people, and if he can't even train smart, fast-learning Varian... ]

video; un: atsushi

[undermoonlight]

Mako-san...

[Another person that Atsushi effectively abandoned when he disappeared from Deerington. He's been wallowing in self pity about that, so looks guilty at the start of his call. Something Atsushi tries to mask and correct as he continues;]

Are people developing new powers here? What's going on?

[As far as Atsushi is aware, the tiger has been the same as ever.]

[arclightning]

Atsushi. Hey.

[ There's a face Mako hasn't seen in months. He sits up a little straighter to see Atsushi here, looking—well, no worse than anyone else, for having probably washed up on the shore confused and tangled in seaweed like they all did.

He looks concerned, to Mako's eyes, but that makes sense: everything about this place is concerning, especially with random firebenders everywhere. Mako is maybe observing him a little more closely, cataloging his face to check for injuries or changes or... anything, really. It's a habit by now. ]

It seems that way. I've been getting reports of people setting things on fire, and a couple people asked me for help, so.

[ He flicks up a hand into the frame, letting fire bloom in his palm and wink out again. ]

Figure I'll do what I can while I try to get my own bending under control. You haven't noticed anything weird yet? When did you get here?

Video: UN - Runeseeker

[onerthes]

Well well... just how prominent is this whole unintentional discharge of fiery projectiles so far? I hadn't noticed it as much as the ice...

But the offer is probably a good idea. You know fire better than just about anyone here. Hopefully your methods work for them.

[arclightning]

More prominent than it should be. Got at least two panicked texts in the last few days asking for help on other people's behalf. It's Harmonic Convergence all over again.

[ Actually... that's something he'll probably have to ask Korra about, now that he thinks about it. Those words are meaningless to Vira, probably, but Mako ducks off-screen to make a note of it to follow up on later. He comes back up looking serious. ]

Hope so. I'm calling them firebenders, but they're not really benders. We'll see if it transfers.

Video; un: liontamer

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan does not need help controlling his non-existent fire powers, but he's here anyway because that was gnarly. He claps, like he just watched Mako put on a stage show.]

Dude, that's awesome! Guess I know who to call if I ever want pyrotechnics.

[He's joking. Wu would murder them if they set off flames in the theater.]

[arclightning]

Wu's already banned me from bending inside unless it's to heat up his tea. Doesn't want anything to happen to his baby.

[ Fritter? The theater? Both?? It's both. Mako at least looks lightly amused about this instead of annoyed. ]

Is... that something you'd need for a show? Fire?

Voice, UN: Hino

[incandescentfaith]

Ah, wonderful. You made it.

[Rei sounds genuinely pleased, grateful beyond words, to not have lost a friend.]

Thank you for taking care of this. I've seen a few accidental fires started, and with the city being what it is, having someone with experience do this is wise.

[arclightning]

[ Rei, too. This is like a roll call for the people Mako cares about, and if he's honest, that was half the point of the post: to give people another way to check in, let him know that they made it here to this strange shore, without him having to track them all down.

He crosses Rei's name off a list in his notebook with a small, relieved smile aimed at the page. ]

Hey, if you're looking for something to do, I get the feeling I'm going to need some help teaching everyone. Seems like a lot of people can do this now.

You wash up safe?

voice; un r.hansen

[lefthemisphere]

Oi, there you fuckers are.

[ r e l i e f. ]

Wu with you?

[arclightning]

[ Oh, good. Wu's going to be thrilled. Mako snorts and makes a note to let him know once he's done teetering on a ladder trying to dust something. There's something kind of nice about this regrouping, this checking-in, people drifting together from the edges of something terrible to come together. It's weirdly nice just to hear Chuck's voice, and to know he's okay. ]

Hey. Was wondering where you were. Wu's here, don't worry. We washed up together, found a place to stay. Raleigh knows you're here, right?

Video | un: alphatwin

[sparklehorror]

Wooooooooooooah!

[Mabel watches these neat fire tricks with wide eyes, delighted by virtue of simply being a kid who thinks powers of any kind are super neat. She is easily impressed by such things, and even these seemingly useless little purple sparks seem like the awesomest things in the world...

...especially given that Mabel can do nothing of the sort.]

Man! Does everyone here get cool powers but me?

[arclightning]

[ There is a part of Mako he shoved down after his pro-bending days ended that kind of loves how impressed everyone is. It's nice to be recognized for skills he's worked so hard to cultivate, even if those were, all things considered, pretty easy stuff.

He grins and lets another little bit of flame trail like a ribbon in front of the Omni. ]

You sure you don't have any? A couple people I've talked to just had them show up late. Anyway, it's probably better to have none at all than to be walking around like a human torch lighting the city up.

[ Ahem, Ruby. ]

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

Good. Please train these idiots before they burn half the town down.

[Maul would do it but his teaching skills better lie along the path of teaching people how to deal with Force-like abilities and combat training.]

[arclightning]

Working on it.

[ Mako looks so... so much more tired than he did when he made this post. ]

Apparently it's not just fire. There's lightning, and then the ice thing I can do now.

[ This is about half a warning for Maul, come to think of it. To watch out. ]