Dwight can only stare at Adalet in stunned silence. He's seen the girl use her powers but nothing like this. This is wild and uncontrolled. This is Adalet's terror given form. The fire is catching on things in the room, the curtains, a plush or two. In a flash they are disintegrated by the navy fire. Why does it feel like the room is getting...darker?
He jumps at the sound of his name, turning to find Leera sitting beside him. Egan has found his way off the bed and is now curled in her arms, the dragon now on Leera's shoulder. That green eye is looking at him pleadingly, and he swears he sees an inkling of fear there. But is it because of Adalet's flames? Or something else entirely?
Leera reaches over to take Dwight's remaining hand, lacing their fingers together. She could never be afraid of him. She knows who he truly is, and who he is isnt his anger. She knows how much he's come to care for others. She knows he would never hurt those people intentionally.
But she also knows he has made a dire mistake in this moment.
Dwight doesn't have to be told. It takes several moments for him to deduce why Adalet's fire would be that color. Flashes of memories come to mind, of the girl brushing off and snuffing out flames before he could completely catch the hue. But now he sees it completely. And he can't deny what it represents.
He's in a maelstrom of feelings. The fear and uncertainty is threatening to eat him alive. But the longer he watches Adalet and hears her scream, the more he finds himself drowning in guilt.
"Adalet?" Dwight says, his tone completely changed from harsh to soft. "Adalet, I'm so sorry. I promise you're safe. I would never..." I would never hurt you again. Never again. And i would kill anyone who dares to try. "I shouldn't have yelled like that. I shouldnt have said those things."
His change in tone seems to have helped but only slightly. The flames are still towering over them, even though the room seems to be getting darker by the minute.
"Adalet. You have to breath, okay? If you don't get your breathing under control you could pass out. Can you breathe in and out on counts of four? Just in, two, three four. And out, two, three, four." He mimics what hes saying as well, hoping its enough for Adalet to start calming down.
Addie can barely hear anything with the ringing in her ears. Everything feels cold and dark regardless of the flames surrounding her. She feels weak and scared and she cant fucking breathe.
I tried to tell you, turtle dove, says a nasty but oh so familiar voice in her head. No. She should be gone. Injustice can only be answered with justice. Your kindness has become your weakness once more.
No. Thats not true. It can't be true.
He let your Uncle get taken away, and now he has the audacity to blame you? After everything he's done to you? You cannot possibly still believe he is worth saving.
Thats not why I spared him. I didnt do it for him.
Oh? Let me guess. You thought if you didnt let the evil mass murderer get the punishment he deserves that I could never exist? Oh, turtle dove, you are so naive. I am you. Dont you remember what i told you? I am always a possibility.
Dwight's brow furrows. Its like the room is getting darker. Egan clings to his mother as she tries to conjure a flame. However, it extinguishes as if blown out by a strong wind. Or like...its light had been stolen.
"Adalet. Can you hear me at all?" He's afraid to touch her in case it sets her off further. Egan makes a whimpering noise.
You have the button for his anklet, dont you? All you have to do is push it. You have to know its the right thing. He will never change. He may have for a time when your uncle was here, but now your uncle is gone. There is no one to hold him back now.
Addie can just shake her head, more tears falling down her face.
Alright thats enough from you.
Addie's eyes snap open. She knows that voice, even in her darkest moments. "Tallest Purple?"
There's a sound of hissing before Addie can feel the presence of Darth Phoenix disappear. It almost feels like her old mentor is here with her. Holding her.
Dwight finds himself also flabberghasted. There's a ghost in his fucking space station, and of all the ghost its Adalet's old mentor and someone he spent a great deal of his life hating. He isnt sure how to feel in this moment.
Then those deep violet eyes are narrowed right at him. He's shaking and he cant tell if it's from rage or fear. He does his best not to look away, though. Something tells Dwight if he breaks eye contact he will lose something.
"Call to her again," Tallest Purple tells him. "You seem to have forgotten how much you've hurt her. That pain doesn't just go away, Dwicky. She may be one of the strongest people you know, but remember she is also a fragile young girl."
Addie huffs. "Im not fragile."
Tallest Purple just pats her head before he fade away. "Be glad i dont tell him why the flames are navy blue. Though something tells me he's already figured it out."
Just when Addie is about to retort, the ghost Tallest disappears, the shadows in the room are beginning to recede. The flames are still there, now in Adalet's neutral lavender. She meets Dwight's gaze and begins to tremble.
"Adalet," Dwight says. Its perhaps the gentlest he's ever said her name. He really had forgotten that while Adalet has seen her share of battle and bloodshed, she's still so young, and had had monumental trauma she probably still needs to work through. He makes a note in the back of his mind to find her a good therapist.
He moves a little closer and reaches out his hand. He doesnt move to touch her, letting her be the one to take his hand if she chooses.
Addie hesitates. Can she really do this? She thought she was so much stronger than this. She shouldn't be so affected, right? But something about seeing Tallest Purple made her remember. They all have their dark sides. They all have people they have hurt. And they all are just trying to live.
She doesnt even care as her flames transform back into the navy blue.
Slowly, she reaches for Dwight's hand, and as soon as their fingers touch, the flames are gone.
Dwight holds Adalet's hand for just a moment before letting go, not wanting to make the girl uncomfortable. He clears his throat. "I am...very sorry. I...should not have snapped like that. Not at you."
Addie shook her head. "Im sorry I didnt get here sooner."
Theres a long silence, the air heavy with uncertainty. Leera manages to sooth Egan for the time being before turning a sharp gaze at Tenn. "Where is Johnny. How do we find him?"