Marielle Orelia

| Turn Your Face To the Sun, child | Your Beloved blazing idol |

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Introducing

Artist: @lucesamaaa

Dancer of 20+ years, Vocalist of 18+ years and Ex-Musical Theatre teacher who has performed both locally and professionally in and outside of Australia. Currently living in Australia, timezone is +8 AWST.Marielle Orelia is an avid enjoyer of all things creative with history in digital art, traditional arts, costume and prop design, Video editing, Creative Writing, Media studies. A self-taught seamstress and propmaker with multiple cosplays having placed in local competitions (including Best in Show).Marielle's knowledge of dance is extensive and was taught the following styles:
- Ballet ( Non Pointe Trained, Neo Classical Trained )
- Tap ( Both Traditional & Street )
- Lyrical
- Contemporary
- JazzMarielle is an Alto / Mezzo-Soprano with a range of F3 to A#5. With a belt to C5. Vocally trained to sing Musical Theatre, Character Voices, POP and Country.Also known as the #1 Aspen and Millie supporter.

About

Name: Marielle Orelia
Alias: Mari
Title: Keeper of the Flames
Birthdate: 8th August
Pronouns: She/Her
Height: 158cm / 5'2"
Language(s): English
Oshi Mark: 🍁
------------ -- ------------ -- ------------ --" For hundreds of millions of years, wildfires have shaped the planet, from the plants, animals and ecosystems around us to the air we breathe. " - Source------------ -- ------------ -- ------------ --
Likes
Activities: Plushie Collecting, Reading, Thinking over every life choice in a split moment of time, Dancing.Hobbies: Writing, Gaming, D&D, Plushie Making, Cosplaying, Watching Tiktoks at 3am, Singing.Anime: Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Lycoris Recoil , KILL la KILL , Kaguya-sama: Love Is War , Kakegurui , Fate/Zero, Wolf Children, Digimon, YuGiOh & Pokemon.Games: Pokemon, Fire Emblem, Twofold, Please Be Happy, Stardew Valley, Horizon: Zero Dawn Series, Digimon, Cattails, FPS Games, Visual Novels, Story-Focused Games, Indie Games.Quotes:
+ " I’m not a happy person. But I’d like to be " - Ouro Kronii, Hololive.
+ " I don't want a replacement for what i've lost. " Millie, Twofold.
+ " I don't feel like I have a home to go to anymore " Millie, Twofold.
+ " There's no tug at my heart, no butterflies in my stomach. Merely an... itch. Just below the skin, impossible to scratch " Olive, Twofold.
" Go forward, You must keep moving on. " - Lets Just Live, RWBYDislikes+ Swimming
+ The Ocean
+ Rage Inducing Games
+ Procrastination and Timeloss
+ Jellyfish
+ Belly Buttons

Art by @adirosette

Goals for 2024

Art by Nekinekocats

• Perform 4 Karaokes

• Hit 600 followers on Twitch

• Release 3 covers

• Form a Meaningful connection with the Kindlings

Guidelines

Art by Jasdot

Shipping is a large part of online communities. From games, to movies, to even Vtubers, it's something that is visible all over the internet and something that Marielle enjoys.Marielle understands that she will be shipped with other streamers as well as fictional characters from games / movies and other media that she streams / talks about.To make sure no boundaries are crossed, Marielle has organised a set of guidelines that all Kindlings are requested to follow to make sure we ship in an appropriate manner.

• Please do not ship Marielle Orelia with any of her Genmates in Natural Disasters.

• Please do not ship Marielle Orelia with cis men.

• SFW and NSFW is permitted. Please avoid anything associated with 'dead dove' when it comes to content.

• If you would like it to be seen by Marielle you are welcome to @ her or to put it in her tags (please do not put NSFW in the SFW tags)

Art by Nekinekocats

“Estelle? Estelle!” The voice screamed out, people rushing back and forth amongst the smoke of the building. Her research had been so close. She’d been so close to everything her life had set itself out for and yet, in the final moments of it all, it’d been another failure. Another loss.She was another loss.Coughed smoke from her lungs, body screaming as she could barely keep her focus on anything. Ears ringing and drowning the crackles of the flames into nothing more than a soft lullaby. As if the world was luring her into something different.Waited.Waited for what was inevitable. After all, she couldn’t move and no one seemed to be able to find her amongst the red and heat. She was done for and as much as every part of her begged her to fight and survive, another part of her knew it wasn’t possible.Blinked slowly as a figure moved to stand in front of her. Bent down towards her.Estelle knew everyone in their office. Knew each person from the receptionist to the Janitor and yet as she looked at the woman in front of her all she could wonder was if she were seeing a ghost. An angel. Something inhuman. Felt the chill of fear the second she glanced at the figures eyes, even the flames did not seem to reflect naturally in both her eyes. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t do anything as the woman got down on her knees towards her, curious, head tilted softly to the right as she inspected her with interest.Pulled back slightly as another cough wracked Estelle’s frame, eyes watering with the effort to keep them open. Yet, the woman didn’t seem to process anything. Just looked at her as if she were fascinating in and of herself. It was only then that Estelle saw them, two animal-like ears that sat amongst the untamed mane of black hair, angled in her direction as if listening to her, listening around them both.“Help me.” Estelle finally found the words, throat aching with every word that she spoke out.Woke to the feeling of fresh air in her lungs. Coughed and hacked until her body could expel whatever it could of the ash she’d downed. Body screaming, aching, moved until she was on her knees, hands pressed firmly into the grass as her body shook out the last remnants of smoke.“Here.” The voice was low, quiet, more tentative than anything as she felt something press against her arm. Something cold. Opened her eyes and moved until she could take in the sight before her.The same woman sat opposite her with a bottle of water held out towards her. It was cold, condensation dripping from its sides as she kept it towards her. An open offer.Estelle wanted to scream.Bit back the fear as she took the bottle, her instincts to survive overtaking her fear of whatever it was in front of her. Downed as much as she could in seconds, grateful for the relief on her aching throat.Gave herself just a moment to process the figure properly. Bathed under the glow of the night sky and the reds of the burning building she found herself not quite certain if what was in front of her was truly human. The thought of the figure being more demonic all the more possible as she looked at the tail that seemed to twitch and the ears that seemed pressed back to the base of her skull.Yet, Estelle was fascinated. Fascinated in how her eyes seemed to light in two different colors. The gold of her eye drawing her attention in an instant. She’d never seen anything like it before. Followed the pattern of the strike of gold through the iris, across the pupil, the light catching it as if it were true gold and not just pigment of the eye. As if someone had poured gold into the cracks of her eye itself.It was strange, in a way, to look at someone who seemed both so human and so inhuman at the same time. A nod to the uncanny as she shifted a little closer to her.“It’ll take a few minutes but that will soothe you just fine, if i’m right. Otherwise you’re going to probably die even faster for a human. I don’t know exactly how these things work for mortal bodies.” The woman spoke, casually, as if it were the most normal conversation starter.
“Water?” Estelle looked at the bottle, confused.
“Kind of– It’s like special water or something like that.” The stranger shrugged, “I don’t really listen when she’s explaining these things.”
“Who?”,
“Oh– You won’t know her, it's fine.” She waved a hand in dismissal in her direction.It was all too strange, blinking slowly as she handed the bottle back to her. Already, the ache in her limbs seemed to waver and fade into nothingness. The feeling of burning heat against her skin fizzling into relief, as if she’d been dunked into the ocean. Felt it’s cool touch against her as a saving grace. Looked down at burnt skin and saw as it seemed to mesh itself over and repair itself to its norm.‘I’m truly dead.’ The thoughts rang in her head like alarm bells. To have injuries fade before her eyes was enough to secure the understanding.“Okay thank the Gods that worked fine for you,” The stranger’s ears seemed to perk up more, tail twitching betraying her relief as if she’d been more worried over it than she’d initially given away.“Who are you?” Estelle questioned, knew that if she were at least to face the gates of heaven or hell she’d want to at least know the name of the being who led her there.“Oh! I don’t really have a name for humans to use. I don’t think so at least.”
“What does that even mean?”
“I mean, I know humans have names for Gods for a lot of things but I don’t think I’ve been given a human equivalent one yet.”Estelle felt the pit in her stomach grow more and more with each word. The talk of Gods was enough to have her head spinning,
“Then what do others call you?”
“Promise to keep it a secret?” The stranger grinned, “I learnt about that human custom from a friend who is a lot closer to observing humans. Apparently it’s a very special contract y’all make.”
“Uh— Sure. I promise.”It felt childish. Silly. Of all the absurd things she could have spoken she found herself too enraptured with the woman in front of her. The one who had held out a hand towards her, took it in her own for just a second before recoiling. The heat was strong, almost like touching an open flame she winced at it for just a moment as the woman began to apologise profusely.“Sorry, sorry. Try again, this time will be different. Trust me.”For all the reasons Estelle had to not trust the outstretched hand. To recoil from it and deny it. To leave. To run.She had every reason to run.Took her hand in her own anyway. Felt herself be pulled up with ease. The heat no longer overwhelming but still enough to run a chill down her spine. The woman's temperature had changed in a matter of seconds, as if on queue and that was everything Estelle needed to know that she was face to face with something demonic.“My name is Keeper of the Flames, by the way.”“Keeper of The Flames?” Estelle spoke the words aloud, tasted them on her tongue. The strangeness of how well it left her as she regarded the woman in front of her.
“Mhm! That's my title.” The keeper seemed to preen, “Had it my entire life.”
“I see–” Estelle looked around them both. Tried to take in the sights for anything familiar. Realised they were close to the research lab, could see the flames lapping at the sky and could hear the return of the sirens in the distance. As if time had slowed the world around them both, as if it’d bubbled them away for just a moment.“So.. I’m dead.” Estelle reasoned aloud.
“Huh?” Confusion crept across the Keepers face, “You’re not dead. At least, you don’t seem dead. I pulled you out of that building so you wouldn’t be. I’d know if you were dead because then the Reaper would have come for a visit.”
“The Reaper?”,
“Yeah the being who takes the souls to the afterlife, I know humanity knows of the Reaper by their title.”It was becoming too much. She wanted to be sick. Her head spun worse and worse with the information being bestowed upon her.“Keeper–” She whimpered out her words, “This is all too much for me to understand”
“Oh!” The woman seemed to fall out of her distraction, moving a little closer, “Of course. Sorry. You went through a lot. I’m sorry, humans aren’t well made for fire are you.” There was a newfound sympathy in her voice, warm hands taking her arm as she tried to guide her until she could shoulder her weight. Tail moving to brush against her back slowly, sending a strange chill under its touch.“I can’t bring you right back to them, but I can take you most of the way?”
“Okay.” Estelle didn’t fight it, didn’t complain, and allowed the woman to lead her until they were close enough that she could hear the shouting. The men, hard at work trying to put out the flames that continued to lap at the building.“It’s strange.” The Keeper spoke aloud as she looked at the glow of the flames, “For once. I think I am sad to have done my job.”– – – –Estelle had dealt with the nurses, the calls of a miracle that she’d made it out without a single burn, a single scratch, the relief of parents who had feared the worst when they’d been told of the fire. Returned to her home with a loud sigh.She’d pushed through the last of the trek alone without the strange woman. Had been taken within seconds of being found, clothes ruined by the lick of flames and dirtied by the rubble of the building.Now, she stood at her home. Exhaustion deep in the marrow of her bone, an exhaustion she felt she would never shake. Showered in the shower that was too small for her bathroom, washed her face with water that ran a little too cold and exhaled a cold breath into the towel held firm in her hands.For all the heat and flames that had burned earlier, the cold of the winter had crept and curled itself into its place amongst her home. Like a beast, waiting to claim her, it chilled her water and iced the air to levels her small heater struggled to fight.Fell into the discomfort that was a worn out mattress that sat well past its prime. The second hand furniture something she’d managed to snag from an elderly neighbour who had been able to finally upgrade towards something better. Exhaled loudly, eyes staring up at the ceiling as she begged exhaustion to take her there and then.Even in her cocoon of blankets it was still too cold, the chill settling into the gaps of her spine and spreading to each limb. Aching. Setting old childhood injuries aflame as she exhaled again.For all her research. All her dreams. She lay there staring at the ceiling after escaping death. Knowing that within the week she would be back to it all again. They’d have her moved to a different lab, their work too valuable to stop. To give them a second to breathe.Closed her eyes slowly. Imagined peace like a butterfly, tentative to land on something such as her. To rest its wings and take its place at her side.But what was she if not hopeful? Hopeful that it would one day find her. Caress her cheeks and promise her safety.Lost her thoughts as the window to her side rattled. Knew it wasn’t the wind, but couldn’t put an idea to what could have caused it to rattle the way it had. Sat up and looked towards it, saw the shadow of an animal pawing at the corner. As if trying to somehow break in through it.“Oh–” Estelle whispered as she moved to look at the creature from the safety of the glass. It wasn’t anything too concerning, a cat who never quite looked at her, instead kept it’s focus on trying desperately to break in.Knew it was in her best interest to ignore it. To go back to bed and not accept a stray. Went against her judgement and opened the window enough to let the creature slip through the gap. The cold air aggressive as it pushed through alongside the feline.Looked outside to see the snow. Looked at her snowless windowsill, the snowless cat happily making its way towards her bed. As if it knew exactly where it wanted to be.“No way you’re probably filthy!” She chastised the animal, moving to place it back on the floor. Dropped a pillow nearby for it, atleast. The cat didn’t seem fussed, russet pelt glittering and well maintained as it twitched its blackened, fluffy tail.Estelle mused over the coloring. It was as if someone had drawn a streak of black from the base to the tip and considered it a job well done.She’d never seen a cat like it before.“I’ll see if you have a person in the morning.” She spoke aloud, mostly to herself, more than to the animal before returning to her struggled attempt of sleep. Shivering under the blankets, eyes closed and praying for sleep to just claim her.Felt warmth, like a hot spring, slowly spread through her body. Fell asleep with a lightness in her chest that she’d never felt before.By the time morning came she felt a peace she’d never felt. Expected to awake with a shiver and chill and instead was met with a room warmed like a fireplace that roared in the wake of the winter evenings. Sat up and yawned, arms stretched high above her head as she tried to process the last 24 hours. Tried to process the woman who spoke like she was not human, of the hospital and of the cat who had decided it needed to stay in her home.Looked around for it and saw a different creature curled up in the spot she’d left.Confusion becoming a familiar guest she moved closer to the small little beast that had made itself comfortable. She’d seen photos of them, and had heard of the kind of animal she was seeing before her eyes.But she’d never had expected to ever come face to face with a red panda before.Yet, it slept peacefully where she’d left and for a second it almost felt as if the warmth of the room seemed to radiate from its fur.“I don’t have anything you’d eat,” she whispered softly, more to herself than anything. Wasn’t even sure exactly what they ate. Made a mental note to check the papers for any reported missing animals from zoos and to get a book from the library that would give her a little more knowledge of what she was staring at in her bedroom.Went about her morning routine as normal, footsteps quiet against the wooden floor as she tried to focus on anything but the woman bathed in flames with an eye that shone like gold. Succumb to her own defeat at the realisation that the woman would haunt her thoughts the rest of the morning.“You’re not coming with me,” she chastised the animal as it tried to follow her outside, “People see something like you and you’re going to be caught in seconds.” she grumbled, trying to use her foot to push the animal back into her small apartment. Was met with her second defeat of the day as it climbed up her leg and situated itself across her shoulders. A loud yawn of content left its frame as it stayed where it was.“Okay, fine then, but if you act up I am taking you to the zoo myself.” She warned. Knowing the animal wouldn’t understand a single word she spoke. Quickly came to appreciate the portable warmth of the animal.If she’d known having a pet would mean warmth she’d have considered getting a cat a long time ago.No one had mentioned the animal on her shoulders. No one had even acknowledged it, as if it were never there to begin with. But she felt it, from the weight that remained and from the slight shifting every now and then it was enough proof to know it was truly there with her. That she wasn’t imagining things. That it was real.Returned home with the success of her day. Dropped the groceries on the counter and watched as the red panda swiftly moved to curl up on the lounge. Joined it with the book in her hand and dared to try and pet the creature.The warmth oddly familiar as heat prickled at her skin for just a moment before calming. Read through the animal encyclopaedia and allowed the hours to drown out around her. Read about the creature until the sun sunk low into the sky, the moon already blessing her touch against the world. Hummed faintly to a song in her head before placing down the last of her study material, having changed from animal books to one of the recently published papers that had caught her eye regarding a new use of terminology in her field regarded as ‘aerospace engineering’.Spoke out loud to the animal snoozing at her side about small details. Revelled in the company of something that couldn’t criticise or find boredom with her words.

Dropped food into one of the spare bowls in her cupboard and placed it in front of the creature. Watched as it rejected it and returned to sleeping.She’d still yet to properly inspect the creature, it always seemed to be sleeping or keeping its face out of her line of sight.Played it off as a fussing creature adjusting to the world around it before retiring herself to dinner and sleep.Felt the warmth fill the room and knew, as sleep gently tucked her away into its darkness, that the creature had taken its place on the pillow below her bed.– – – –It had been gone by the time she woke up.Knew it the second she woke up to freezing cold seeping through the windowsill, through the walls, shivered and walked through her home looking for the small creature. Confirmed all the doors and windows were locked.There was no way for it to have escaped.Had she hallucinated it even being there? Looked at the food to see it was as full as it had been the day prior. Exhaled softly and accepted all too fast that she had to have been imagining it all.Spent the next few days thinking about the woman and the creature. Returned to work in her new office with a sense of lethargy that had her bones aching. Any other time she would have been excited to be back to work, yet a part of her still lingered on the animal. Lingered on the woman who seemed all too excited to talk to her.She’d called herself the ‘Keeper of the Flames’.Was confused as to what that even entailed. How could one keep flames? She’d spoken aloud how she’d been sad to have ‘done her job’ but Estelle had never thought to ask more about it. Felt regret at her silence. Sketched the woman as best as she could into her notebook alongside the formulae that had caused the destructive meeting.Everything felt off. Like something had changed that day.She’d almost died yet the only thing that plagued her thoughts was the woman. Was some stranger who carried her to safety and laughed about things that she couldn’t understand.Felt a stirring in her chest, wondered if all the years of reading of women experiencing butterflies had felt the way she had as she tried to sketch out the features that her mind still clung to.What was wrong with her?A month had passed.Time with its ever pressing matters had forced her to continue along her way. To pick herself up from it all and move on from the lingering thoughts. She’d never seen the woman again. Told herself it was nothing more than hallucinations from the smoke that had messed with her.Was happy with that resolution.Told herself she was happy with it.Felt her throat run dry the second she heard rattling at her window, the sharpness reminding her of the animal she’d found. Turned on her heel to see it once more. The red panda, yet something about it seemed off. Stepped on leaden feet to the window and opened it. Watched as it slipped through the gap and stretched happily. The cold air following it, its fur was lacking any of the snow and as she looked at the windowsill she could see how it lacked any of the snow the others had.As if it had melted away.But she knew why. Knew the second she saw its face properly, saw the strange features on its face. Could recognise that golden eye anywhere.“It’s you,” She whispered. Never more certain of anything in her life. Wondered if she was dreaming. Watched as the animal stretched out its front legs, tail curling before it turned to face her. The slice of a scar running along its muzzle enough to send a chill down her spine. Felt the heat of the room grow, sweat already beginning to bead at the nape of her neck.Watched as the creature's figure began to change. The heat hazing around it’s frame enough to obscure her vision enough it almost seemed like her own mind was playing tricks on her. There was no reason for the heat to be so high that haze was forming, there was no reason for the sweat that clung to her skin and yet she stayed still, watched as the figure grew and shifted into something more humanoid.It was her.No longer bathed in the reds and yellows of flames, instead painted by the silver glow of the moon's light. She stood opposite her, smile pulling at her lips slowly. Showing canines too sharp to be human, the gold of her eye glowing unnaturally. A sharp contrast to how the silver seemed void of light, as if it were swallowing the reflections of the world whole.Estelle felt the heat in her cheeks only grow worse. Covered her face and looked away, trying to focus on anything but the woman whose outfit stood out as so different to anything she’d ever seen before. Tried to focus on anything but the way flame-coloured and black hair flowed down her shoulders like a cascade of water, the untamed mane looking even fluffier than the first time she’d met her.“Hi,” She whispered. Unsure of anything else she could even hope to say.
“Hi,” The Keepers' voice was alight with amusement. Moved towards her with a grace and enthusiasm that had Estelle’s stomach in knots.
“You’re real?” She asked. Afraid it was all a dream. That she’d fallen asleep without realising.“Yeah, I’m real.”– – – – –The Keeper had made her visits common. Disappearing and reappearing, sometimes for days she’d be gone and eventually Estelle had caved into giving her a key. Was sick of seeing the woman sitting by her apartment's door, either as some obscure animal or as herself. Neither a good thing to explain to her neighbours or landlord. The last thing she needed was to explain to them the strange woman was living with her. After all, it had been difficult enough to insist she was capable of staying there on her own in the first place.She’d accepted it all too easy. Took in the strange being without a second of hesitation. For all her years of believing herself to be a woman of science and intellect she’d failed at one of the most basic rules she’d been taught:Stranger Danger.What was worse was that she was not punished for it.Instead, her room no longer felt the cold chill of the winter. She’d slept the best she’d slept in years, warmed by the flames that burned inside the woman.She’d explained it so casually. Sat on the floor with her legs over the couch, looking up at the ceiling.(“I’m fire,” She gestured to herself with a brush of her hand, as if it were the most casual statement she could have made.
“I don’t understand.”
“If you saw what I truly looked like it’d probably melt your mind or something dramatic like that, but it’s like picture lava and flames all twisted together and existing simultaneously,”
“Lava is just molten rock,”
“Well a girl needs some stability in her life, right?” The Keeper laughed back at her, toothy grin enough to have Estelle rolling her eyes. Which had become a terrible habit she’d developed.“So you’re made of fire. Is that why you’re so hot?”
“I mean–”
“Do not.” Estelle warned low in her throat, unphased by the laughter that was met with her response.
“Yeah. But I can make myself look like different things to help blend in better. Having no real real form makes it easy to change a lot and it’s fun you know?”
“So why doesn’t your eye change? Or that scar on your face? If you’re a shapeshifter why don’t you change those. It gives you away every time I see you.”The Keeper seemed to stop for a moment, clicking her tongue as she tried to gauge the best way to respond.“Want to know a secret?”
“Sure?” Estelle tilted her head softly to the side, curiosity beginning to bubble at how the woman's personality seemed to dampen and grow just a little more serious.“There’s others like me, I got into a fight with one millenia ago and we hurt each other pretty badly. Now, there’s parts of us too broken to fix.” She covered the golden eye with a hand, fingers stretched out as she looked at the ceiling with her silver one instead.
“The scars I bear will remain eternal. Until the flames of this earth cease. But he too bears burn scars along his body that will never fade. It’s a reminder for unity amongst those who guide the elements.”
“I’m sorry,” Estelle whispered, conflicted between feeling bad for asking and the guilt that came with wanting to know even more. Drawn into the complexities of an entirely different world no humans seemed to know about.“Why did you fight?” She dared to ask.The Keeper moved the hand from her face,
“When lightning touches the ground I am sent to complete my task. When one who controls lightning becomes too affected by chaos and causes more and more lightning to touch the earth and summon me eventually there is a tension that cannot be talked down.” She exhaled, hand raising towards the ceiling instead as she continued.“One day he struck the earth and I was ripped across to its ignited point. Before we knew it we were warring. This was well before humanity had really settled itself in its place. But the fight was cruel and even then we fought until neither could win. I think– if we hadn’t come to our senses things would have been a lot worse. How do two beings who cannot die ever win a fight without toppling the entire world around them, you know?”.Estelle listened on in silence, too in awe, too terrified. A being of millions of years was sprawled on her carpet, legs resting beside her on the couch talking about fighting to the impossible death with something just as powerful as herself.“So you control fire?”
“I keep it. It’s me. From the fire you use to cook your food, to the flames that you created when you set your workplace alight. All of it comes from me. I am fire, I am destruction in its most natural, controlled self. It is my duty to strip the earth back so that nature can plant her seeds and bring new life.”
“It sounds like a heavy burden.”The Keeper laughed, body shaking with the effort of her voice,
“Yeah. I guess it is, huh.” )“Keeper?” Estelle called out, groceries in hand as she struggled through the door. Knew the woman was home by drastic change from cold to hot in such a short moment's notice. Revelled in the small win that was an escape from the snow that clung to her skin and clothing. Placed the groceries on the kitchen bench and stretched her arms above her head, hummed her approval low in her throat as the rattle of cracking made its way along her spine. Wondered where her companion was as she peaked a glance into the living room. The room itself lacked any familiar shapes the woman would take on.Living with a god-like being had never been something she’d planned on. Never something she’d even considered an option. Had never pictured a day where she’d come home to find a red panda, a bear, or any other kind of wild animal curled up on the same couch she’d curled up alone over the years.Continued looking through the rooms curiously until she found the woman sleeping in the makeshift room Estelle had set up for her. Chest rising and falling slowly as she slept alongside the small cat she’d brought home only a few days prior. Felt something bubble in her chest as she watched on for a second too long, fixated on how something so non-human could look so normal.Wondered just how many she’d walked past without a second-guess.The small feline at her side woke with a long stretch, maw parting in a long yawn as blazing red and maroon eyes landed on her. The way the cat had angled itself had almost made it look normal. The truth of it was ever present as its head turned towards her and revealed the glow and shift of lava in cracks against its skin.The Keeper had explained that it was due to the limitations of her power. Had created her companion when she’d lost her previous one. Desperate to fill a loneliness that had welled at a drowning loss she’d carved her companion from her own flames. Used part of her very essence to bring forth another being like herself. Anything to cope and Estelle wondered how immortality would feel when surrounded by so many who held mortality like a coil. Never knowing their lifespan, their end.The keeper had never explained how she’d lost her companion. Had said they’d been together from the early days. A creature given to her by the old ones who resided past the knowledge of existence. The beings who ruled above all.She’d asked if they were God. The Keeper had only laughed.But sometimes Estelle saw the longing that sat in the woman's eyes, how she held a small felt bag in her hand some days, how she toyed with a small silver vial whenever she thought Estelle wasn’t watching. But she also saw the moments the Keeper laughed with her companion, the two of them speaking in sounds that reminded Estelle of a campfire in the spring. The crackling of wood aflame that it’d taken her a while to not feel her skin prickle with unease as she glanced for any signs of fire in the household. The fear of choking on smoke lingering in her lungs with every breath she took.“Hi Cinder,” Estelle kept her voice a whisper, a fondness growing more and more as she watched the cat get up and stretch again. Eyes closing as it’s back arched and claws unsheathed for a moment. Finally dropping down from the bed to make its way over and brush against her leg with a soft broken meow. Voice continuing to rumble and crackle like the roar of wildfire. Brushed her hand along the feline’s back and felt only awe at how soft the creature was.“Dinner?” She asked, as if pretending the cat could understand her. Saw the excitement flash in her eyes before the bundle of fluff raced down towards the kitchen.Estelle bit back laughter, glanced over her shoulder towards The Keeper once more. Felt a wave of fondness in her chest before closing it behind her. Wondered why Gods slept. Wondered if Gods dreamt.Spent the rest of the afternoon cooking with a lightness that lingered, Cinder happily sitting on one of the stools by the bench as if she were human. Eyes watching with an interest that felt too sentient to belong to her body. Snuck her treats whenever possible. Watched as she gnawed on the stick with renewed interest as it burnt away in her jaws.The Keeper had explained it was a mirage. Still found it all so fascinating how the creature was smart enough to move their body as if they were eating. Knew that the reality of it was different. That beneath the fur and teeth was lava. Could see it in the slight cracks that showed along the cat’s frame. How they’d knit themselves closed and reopen in different places. As if ever working to keep her disguise in one piece.Fell asleep that evening with Cinder by her side.The Keeper had left her that night, was called by the rest of her group for a meeting. Explained its importance as she glanced over her shoulder with an expression that had Estelle’s heart flutter a little lighter in her chest. Wanted to ask her to stay. Knew it was ridiculous to ask it of her. Found relief in the warmth that Cinder gave her, arm wrapped over the cat’s frame as if she were nothing more than some cat she’d taken in. Wondered if she could get her registered with their local council one day.Wondered if The Keeper would stay if she asked.– – – – – –“You need a name.” Estelle announced into the comfortable silence. She’d given up on her research hours prior, book nestled in her lap as The Keeper seemed pleased to sprawl on the floor and look up towards her. She’d been taking on the more humanoid form lately and a small part of Estelle almost missed coming home to a different creature.But she’d found a certain adoration for the way that The Keeper had shaped her frame. How she’d found her own style. They’d gone shopping earlier in the day. Focused on a new wardrobe and now, as she laid there, Estelle couldn’t help but wish for a name she could call her. No titles. No stranger-like relationship. For all the weeks they’d spent together it was only right she got to ask that of the woman.“I have a name.” The Keeper laughed softly, visibly confused as she tilted her head softly to the side.
“A human name.” Estelle reiterated firmly, the book in her lap closing with a loud enough thud to emphasise her words.
“You want me to adopt a human name?”
“It’s only fair. I can’t keep calling you ‘The Keeper of the Flames’ and to call you Fire feels… incorrect. We need to find you a name.”

Estelle felt the warmth fill her chest once more, moved to put her book back in its place. Began to search through her ever growing personal library of literature for anything she could use for the sake of her new goal.Spent hours sat beside the Keeper trying to find a name for her.But how could she find the name for a being that transcended humanity? Were human names even something that would ever make proper sense to a woman that would outlive the very beings that created the concept.Did humans even truly create names? If The Keeper had been known as The Keeper for as long as she had existed was that truly a title or was it a name she’d been bestowed from the ancient ones that over time became nothing more than the outline of her very being.Estelle frowned. Lips pursed faintly as she closed another book, letting it drop into the ever growing pile of failures. Felt the gentle brush of hair against the crook of her neck. Hadn’t even realised the Keeper had moved to lay her head against her, tail twitching back and forth slowly as she scoured the pages carefully.“Mari.” She whispered, almost unsure if the word had truly left her voice. The woman against hers visible ear twitched in response, as if in acknowledgement. Reminded her of a dog hearing its name for the first time. The gentle pull away to look up at her, golden eye shining in the reflection of the light. The silver eye an ominous void of any reflection.She’d gotten used to it. All of it.The small intricacies that wove themselves together to create her. Could picture comfort instead in the growing familiarity. Looked at the figure opposite her and knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was making the right choice.“Mari.” She said the name again, tasted the word on her tongue to make sure. Saw a hint of approval in the woman's eyes as she nodded faintly, as if in awe.
“Mari.” Mari repeated. As if it were the most obvious decision of her life. Like a flame slowly burning to life, the spark before the glow, as if it all had culminated into that very second. That very moment.Felt the distance that existed between them both, the warmth ebbing away the more the woman looked up at her. Tail no longer moving, ears still and directed towards her. It all felt different.As if they’d turned a path neither had ever planned to take.—------Mari laughed, voice light and airy and as much as Estelle wanted to frown in response she found herself laughing along with her.“So humanity is all suffering and pain and everything wrong with the world is what you’re saying?” Mari’s head tilted ever so faintly to the right and for a moment Estelle could only picture her as nothing more than a puppy. Ears angled towards her, tail slowly shifting back and forth in her constant need to be moving. All she lacked was the light in her eyes and Estelle would have wondered if she were in fact taking the characteristics of a Red Panda and not some sort of dog breed.Estelle had always loved Akitas.“Correct, and I’ll have you know it’s far from any improvement with you sitting on my table–” she tried to huff, gently tapping at Mari’s tail to try and move it away from her stacks of papers that had been toppled in the fidgeting, “– Your tail is knocking over my research”.
Mari only seemed to grin in response, tail coming to rest atop her hand instead, feet kicking softly back and forth as she waited for Estelle’s next move.Always gave her the chance to call the end. Always gave her the metaphorical steps.Exhaled softly, head coming to rest against Mari’s shoulder for just a moment,
“You are insufferable.”
“I know,” Mari’s laugh never left her voice.“I know.”—- — — —--“Why do you want to leave the Earth so bad?” Mari tilted her head to the side, always confused, always reaching for answers that Estelle couldn’t find. Shoulders sagging for just a moment as she looked at the paperwork in front of her.For all her years of calculations and science there was still that one uncertainty that lingered in her lungs. The new hesitation that came with following a dream she’d reached towards for as long as she could dream.“I want to see the moon. I want to see the stars.” She tried to smile, wondered just how true it was as she looked back at the woman sprawled on the couch. Refusing to sit on it like any normal person would, instead her head and shoulder hanging off and her legs kicked over the back. Hands against the floor as she watched her with interest.“You’ve been here since the Earth started. Don’t you ever just want to leave Earth and explore space? Visit other places?” Estelle turned the question back towards Mari. The woman’s smile softened in response, almost sad as she shook her head slightly.
“Can’t. I’ll live on this planet until its very fibres are torn by the galaxy falling upon itself.”
“What do you mean?”,
“The Earth is my duty. Without me, fire will not exist upon this planet. Even if I were to leave, I'll be corrupted and become an unpredictable hazard. My form cannot handle the change of space as well as you’d believe. Some of us are made to exist in certain places, you know?”.“What would happen to you when the Earth does hypothetically end?” The question lingered in the air for too long, Mari’s ears angling towards her in response. Showing her full attention as she moved to sit upright.“I don’t know. None of us do. When the time comes I am sure the Ancient Ones will not leave us to fade.”
“Can you die?”
“Some of us can. Some of us cannot. I’ll live for as long as I remain alone. But if I were to take on an apprentice, someone who follows in my mantle then maybe I would. I’ve seen many of us fade away as they’ve done so. Marry, have children, fade and pass the title to the next. I’ve seen entire generations of Elements exist.” Mari moved a little closer, as if she could feel the weight in the room. As if her tail wrapping around Estelle was enough to give her the comfort she needed at the weight of the words.It was.To know even beings like Mari could die felt wrong. But to know that her fire would exist was comforting. Knew she’d at least never know her future without The Keeper.“Rai and I are two of the originals of our kind. There’s a few others, nature for example, since you like plants and all that. They’ve never passed on the mantle. But others such as the Wind? They’ve passed on many times. The Princess of the North Sea is another who has taken on the mantle after generations of her kind. Then again, she’s not quite the same as Rai and I. A lot of the others I've met haven’t been the same as us as well.” She brushed her hand along Estelle’s leg, warmth trailing along her skin for a second before her face turned to look at her.“For a long time it was only a couple of us. Slowly building the world and completing our tasks. It was only when humanity came that everything changed. Civilisation brought a lot more of us, established new beings and gave us more. When I gave myself to humanity it made me stronger as well. As if giving ourselves to humanity was always our goal. As if by giving ourselves to you completes us.”The words lingered in the air for a moment, her chest aching with something she couldn’t quite put into words. Wondered when exactly everything about her life had changed. Wondered how such a moment all that time ago could have triggered what had made itself visible to her now.– – – – –It’d been six months.Six months since the woman had appeared in her life. Six months since everything had changed in the spark of a single action.Received the news with a weight in her stomach and a lightness in her chest.She’d been accepted.She’d achieved her dreams.Looked beside her at the sleeping woman in her bed and brushed her fingers across her cheek. Hummed softly, smile unwavering as she pressed her forehead against Mari’s. Continued on with her day as usual.Continued through the weeks as usual.Mari never argued it. Never fought.(“I’m going to space.” Estelle held her hand up towards the stars. Tucked against Mari’s side as they sat beneath the blanket of the night sky. Far from the busy nightlife of the city streets. Nothing but themselves and the silence of the hill they’d set up on for the night. Wondered what the woman was thinking as she followed her hand to the sky.“That's incredible news! You’ve worked so hard for this.” Mari smiled up at her. There was no coldness, no bitterness. Revelled in the way love seemed to drip from her words as she spoke them. Curled herself a little tighter against her in response as she soaked up the woman's warmth.“I’ll be up there for three months if all things go well. We’re going to do a couple things and then come back again. It’ll be everything I've ever wanted.” Estelle whispered, fingers brushing against the back of Mari’s hand.
“Then when I'm back I can find new goals. New plans.”Mari laughed, took her hand in her own. As if she understood. Looked towards the stars and laughed.
“New plans?”.
Estelle could hear the hope in her voice, the awe that lingered as she tried to look anywhere but at her. Could see the nervousness, the excitement, and laughed. Could only laugh. Pressed her forehead against Mari’s shoulder and revelled in just how absurd it was to even consider anything with someone who wasn’t even human.“New plans.” She whispered against her frame, “You and I. A small apartment somewhere so far away. You’ll do your duties, I’ll write papers and we can find our own happiness. Far from the eyes of the world around us.”“I’d like that.” Mari whispered in response, trying hard to match her volume.“I’d like that a lot.” )The press conferences had been exhausting. The stories people spun of her even more. Talk of a single woman. Of someone going above what was expected and achieving success like no one else had. Questions about her love life frustrating as she curled up each night alongside another in her bed.How could she tell the world she was in love with something non human?Would she ever have to?Enveloped herself in the warmth of a giant tail, Cinder curled up behind her comfortably. Knew that the following day would be exhausting for them both.The following months only that much worse.She’d left all the things to maintain the house to Mari. Had told her what to do to pretend to be human when necessary. She’d taken it all to heart, did everything to show she was serious about trying to blend in.Laughed whenever the woman tried to hide the animalistic features of her form. To try and blend in better with humans.It always felt off. Like something was missing.Knew her time was coming to an end. Knew the three months would be exhausting.Wished upon every star she could that it would be kind to them both.
“Mari?” She whispered into the silence. The soft hum enough to let her know she had Mari’s attention.
“Will you wait for me?”
“Until the end of time itself.”
“I don’t think 3 months is exactly quite the end of time itself.” Estelle laughed, satisfied with her answer anyway.– – – – – – –Saying goodbye was never easy. She’d never been one for farewells. Saw them as nothing more than the addition of pain. There was something human in farewells, though. Something so naturally human that even she herself was not immune to them.She’d whispered her goodbyes to Estelle. Had reiterated her promise. Had held her hand like it was a lifeline. Saw the way time slowed for them. As if it were granting them that very moment.Wanted to do something more for her. Something to show she would miss her. Brushed blonde bangs from her face, looked at her like she was a light. Like she was nothing more than a moth to the flame. Pressed her forehead against hers. Whispered her farewells. Listened to the promises of temporaries and of returns.“It’ll be three months.” Estelle whispered.She’d spent centuries alone. She’d spent millenia wandering the earth with nothing more than a companion of flames. Yet, for the first time in her existence, Mari felt something drag at her limbs. Felt the way pain tasted of anxiety and loss. As if it were something more. As if the longing for someone was so deeply woven into her veins, as if it were slowly becoming the very flames that flickered behind the person she’d disguised herself under.Watched as she disappeared past the clouds. Past her field of vision. Watched the sky until the people had finished celebrating in the streets. The sound of the radio a blur in the back of her thoughts as she stood until the sun melted into the horizon. The moon slowly climbed to take its place as the stars sparked to life before her very eyes. Hands gripping the railing for any sense of stability.She hadn’t even noticed Cinder at her side. Wasn’t sure when her companion had joined her.“You’re still here? It’s well past midnight. The people have gone to sleep. You should leave too.” Cinder’s voice was calm, collected. Reminded her of someone else from centuries past. Glanced down towards her familiar before looking back to the sky. Listened as she followed behind the feline. Fell asleep in a bed she’d only ever known to carry another body.Curled up against the couch she’d spent months sprawled over. Carried herself through work. Through her tasks. Listened as she was called upon by Time and Electricity to complete her duties. Stayed focused on her work. Fell asleep in a bed that slowly lost the smell of perfume she loved so dearly.Waited as one month became three months became six months became eight.Waited in a lonely house for a woman whose shadow lingered in the hallways like a ghost. Waited by the windowsill like a dog awaiting their person's return.Didn’t fight when the home was put for sale by Estelle’s parents.Didn’t question the tears that fell onto the floorboards as she remained hidden from their sights. Slipped from the house one final time with the couple of items she could save for herself. Said her silent farewell to a place she’d stayed at for only so little yet held so much in her heart. Wanted to cry. Felt nothingness pooling in her stomach instead.As if the Ancient Ones had ripped even that from her. As if her price to pay for what she’d dared to do came in ways that would tear her apart for all eternity. For what was she if she could not express the grief that lingered in the essense of her being.– – – – – –It’d been years since she’d returned.Followed the path she’d taken many times alongside her. Past the cars, and growing buildings. The world ever changing. Yet, even after all those years the path still seemed to make itself known to her. Cinder at her side as she found the hill. The sun already beginning to dip into the horizon. Already farewelling the earth, giving itself up to the moon who would soon take its place to watch over their shared creation.80 years had passed in a blink of an eye to her.She’d experienced a lifetime of differences since she’d last brushed her hands through the grass. Knew even that itself had long since changed in the time she’d been there. No longer as soft as she exhaled softly to steady her thoughts.Waited until the stars bathed the velvety dark with their gentle light. Wondered if somehow she was still out there. Ear twitching softly as she looked to them for guidance. For anything.She’d never sought out the truth. Never wanted to know what had happened to her. Why she’d never returned.Instead. She waited. Waited like a long left house waiting to be lived in once more. Waited like the promise she’d made her all those years ago. As if a promise could be enough to bring her home.Wondered how she’d find the world now. The many people Marielle had met since her.“Marielle?” Cinder asked, head tilted softly as she looked to her.
“What are you thinking about?”“The night is so quiet... I miss her.”