Track Four: Light My Fire

[SunlessNick]

"They aren't always with me," Zara says in response to Ember saying she can't see them. "Like I said, they aren't my friends."

[Mr. Handy]

"Well it likes you, and you like us," says Liz, "so that should count for something."

[jp1885]

"Well, let's hope it likes us..."

Gingerly putting down the extinguisher, Tony sets one of the neckties alight and holds it out at arm's length towards the creature.

"Here salamander..."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The vague, smoky shape becomes slightly more opaque, and a protrusion, something like a tentacle, extends to the necktie. At the point of contact, the flame is extinguished; simultaneously, the shape glows, as if from an interior fire, and increases in size. At the same time, Ember becomes more animated, laughing and jumping up and down, and producing a tiny flame from the tip of her right index finger.

"That tasted good," she says. "My friend says thanks, mister."

[Mr. Handy]

"Fascinating," says Liz. "Ember, your powers seem to grow stronger when your friend feeds, and you help it to feed. It's called a symbiotic relationship, where you help each other."

[jp1885]

As Liz talks to Ember, Tony watches the feeding process with fascination.

"I've never seen anything like this," he whispers to Zara. "Clearly trying to separate the girl from the creature would be an extremely dangerous idea, but allowing the child to grow stronger could also prove problematic. Perhaps if we sever her link with the Master, then she and the salamander can be allowed to live in peace?"

He turns to Ember.

"I'm glad your friend is pleased. Tell me, does is it as devoted to the Master as it is to you?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"It needs me to help find the Master, so it can feed all it wants. Me and him are kind of like linked together, you know? I think we should go find him now."

[jp1885]

“The trouble, my dear, is that the Master appears rather keen on hurting people. He does seem to like burning folks. Think of all the good things you could do with your powers without his influence, hey?”

[SunlessNick]

"And he didn't care much what happened to you when you disappeared," Zara adds. "We're the only ones who came to find you."

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, and it doesn't make me feel any better that he's in the hands of the American government," says Liz. "They'll want to exploit his powers and use them in Vietnam. Just think of all the horrible things they could do if he could draw on your friend's powers too. They'd probably burn down all the jungles if they could, and they wouldn't care who got burned with them. This lot are the sort who not only invented atomic bombs, they used the bloody things - twice!"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Listening with a serious expression to these arguments, Ember seems to come to a decision.

"I guess you're right. It was fun, but I don't want to hurt anybody. I better go with Mom, huh?"

Whether because it is not satisfied, or because it reacts to Ember's mood, the smoky, translucent shape fades away, the few remaining visible tendrils drifting off in the breeze.

[jp1885]

"You're a very good girl," Tony says, relieved. "It'd be for the best and we can help your mom get used to your abilities so that she doesn't have such a downer over them."

A thought occurs to him, making the playboy detective grin.

"Hey, maybe you should become a firefighter when you're older. Your friend could suck up any fire you're called out to!"

[SunlessNick]

"That's a groovy thought!" Zara says.

[Mr. Handy]

"Quite," says Liz with a grin. "Girls can do anything boys can do."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Hey, all you folks out there in Radio Land! Guess what's purple and plugs into the wall? That's right, the Electric Prunes! And here's their latest far out hit, coming at you to blow your mind!