I, once lost, am found.
He, once closed, is now open.
I, once bitter, found sweetness again.
He, once reliant, thought for himself.
I, ill of it, embraced it, along with him.
He, feeling selfish, acted selflessly.
And we...
We, once lost, are found.
Thoughts of poetic grandeur swirled around the lovebird's heads in silent connection as they strolled along the beach, tightly embracing one another. After a tumultuous week, it was time for them to spend the weekend, their bond stronger than ever.
Exiting the beach and leaving the past behind them, the two gently made their way up the stairs back to the Coral Isle Pier above.
As they made their way up, more and more stimulation came their way. As they made their way up, more and more lights of red, white and blue, people, and tension came to be.
Alas, following her breakdown at the Aquatecture exam site, Ember set the Elementopia world afire, with a widespread search party culminating in the Coral Isle Pier.
As they made their way to the top of the stairs, Wade and Ember were shocked to find hundreds scouring the grounds in search. Policemen scanned every nook and cranny with flashlights in hopes that they would find the lost girl.
Alas, with the point of a crowd member's finger, they'd found her.
"Hey- there she is! The lost girl!" the crowd member barked.
"Where?" another added.
"Over there!" the first reiterated.
Unsure if these accusatory barks were friendly or hostile, Ember began to feel a sense of fluster, gradually slipping behind a now-trustworthy Wade.
"Wait- you're right!" the second crowd member recognised.
"Police! We found her!" the first yelled.
Upon prompt, as if the word 'action!' had been yelled out, all the flashlights pointed Wade's way as Ember cowered behind him. Her eyes bulged in fright, causing her to kneel down.
Wade flinched at all the bright lights facing his way, holding his arm up.
"Oh- Ember! Wade!" a familiar voice called out.
Wade's own eyes widened as he heard the familiar call of a relative.
Privvy to the commotion at hand, the Sea-Nears, present in the crowd, pushed their way to the front. Followed just behind them were Ember's worry-stricken superiors, Lin and Phil.
With all that stimulation, Wade gently began to look down at a hiding Ember, turning to her. Like before on the beach, a painful sense of fright could be seen in her eyes.
"Oh no..." she muttered.
Having had enough of seeing her so down, Wade lapsed into a sure expression as he came to a decision.
He kneeled down to meet her level, obscuring her visage to the pressurable eyes abound.
"Talk to me, Ember." Wade began.
"Th- they're gonna arrest me! Flame- this is all my fault." Ember stressed.
"What?! Arrest you for what?" he exclaimed.
Ember went to speak, but her words fell muted due to the strain inside her head. She looked down in defeat, letting out some gentle, embarrassed tears.
Feeling able to read her body language correctly by this point, Wade shut his eyes and exhaled. He felt he knew.
He gently looked over his back to a few policemen in front of the crowd, performing crowd control.
"Stay behind me," Wade told Ember.
On a mission to protect - and partly regain trust - Wade got to his feet and stood tall, going to approach the policemen with her in tow. He gently extended a hand behind for her to hold as he inched forward like a shield toward a policeman.
"I'll have you know-" Wade began confidently.
The policeman in question towered a head over Wade, making it all the more intimidating when he faced him.
"Were you the finder of the lost girl?" the policeman queried.
Wade's expression of confidence hit a brick wall, instead raising an eyebrow in perplexity as he stood. The policeman raised an eyebrow back to him in query, forcing Wade to rebuild his shattered brick wall.
He let out a hesitant nod in partial intimidation. The policeman let out a long exhale - assumingly frustrated by the tediousness of it all. He gently took hold of a two-way radio and used it.
"We've found her. Have her taken back to the station for questioning." the officer said.
Taking heed of the offer's request, two policemen quickly entered the fray, going over to grab a hidden Ember just behind Wade. Calling upon himself to be a protective dewdrop, Wade bruxed his teeth angrily, snarling like a dog.
"No!" he barked.
The three policemen sharply stopped and looked at him, at the ready with batons out. Feeling guilt for his needlessly violent outburst, Wade bruxed his teeth further.
"S- sorry. But, sh-she's innocent." Wade argued.
The leading policeman put his arms on his hips rather sassily, raising his eyebrow further. Such only added to Wade's growing self-deprecation.
"It- it was because of me," he admitted.
The leading cop let out a hearty guffaw in reaction.
"Yuh-huh. Husband?" the officer reckoned.
Wade reached a third level of teeth bruxing upon hearing the statement, his eyes widening.
"Uhh-" he sounded, looking side to side.
As he stood in his spot astounded, two police officers managed to get behind him, taking Ember by both arms with gloves. Wade sharply looked over at them, a panicked scowl abroad his face.
"Hey!" Wade barked.
The two cops began to drag Ember along, causing Wade to give chase. In the background, the Sea-Nears, Lin and Phil watched as the commotion ensued.
"Wade! Don't let them take me in! D- don't take me in!" Ember exclaimed.
"Remain calm. You'll be home by midnight." the leading officer said.
She sharply got plonked into the back of a police van, immediately rummaging about in anger. Before long, however, a group of four cops gently held her in her place, draping a fire-proof blanket over her back and seating her.
"Huh?" Ember sounded.
Wade reached the police van with his relatives and guests in tow, before being sharply halted by a couple more officers standing in protection of it.
"Yes- yes. We're sure you're uneasy at the moment. But, because this was a matter of mental health and you didn't harm anyone involved, we won't be pressing charges." the leading officer of before stated.
Ember sat, perplexed.
"H- how?" she stammered.
"The government passed a law earlier this year covering workplace incidents due to mental health. However, I wouldn't take this as a get-out-of-jail-free card." the leading officer advised.
"But-" Ember further stammered.
Before she could go on, two present officers sharply closed the van's back doors on her.
"What in the Eternal Flame? Let me out!" she exclaimed, suppressed by the doors.
Given how protective he was over his Ember, Wade became frustrated at the sight of losing her once again, rustling about.
"Hey!" he exclaimed.
The leading cop looked over at him, raising an eyebrow once more.
"You take her, you'll have to take me there too," Wade said.
"You will anyway. This isn't a negotiation." the leading officer stated.
He pointed nonchalantly to an open police car door, enough to fit Wade, the Sea-Nears, Lin and Phil. Wade raised an eyebrow, folding his arms in perplexity.
"You and your relatives will have to accompany her as her representative, in case the company involved here do decide to press charges." the leading officer advised.
Suddenly, the van holding Ember roared to life, beginning to escort her back to the station before Wade even knew what hit him. Ember held her hands on the van's window as it drove off, staring into Wade's eyes.
Unwanting to let her go, Wade marched over to the cop car without hesitation, angrily getting in with arms folded. Before long, Lin, Phil and the Sea-Nears joined him in their quest to solve the Aquatecture exam dilemma.
Following a battering of the work week, travel to the police station, and a tense amount of waiting around, Ember, Wade and the Sea-Nears found themselves waiting in the bullpen for the outcome of her Aquatecture exam meltdown - in the hands of Phil, Lin and the leading officer of before.
Ember sat between Wade and the Sea-Nears, looking down and shivering with the same blanket wrapped around her. Wade felt it right to console her throughout the whole thing, gently caressing her back for what could very well have been hours on end.
After a tense amount of waiting, the leading officer exited an interrogation room with Phil and Lin.
"Ms Lumen, we've reached a decision." the officer advised.
Like a jury asked to rise, Ember and Co leapt to their feet, her holding her hands in prayer.
"Your bosses and I have to come to the agreement to not press any charges as a result of the incident today at the Aquatecture site. No one was harmed, so we won't either." the officer stated.
Like a heaving weight being lifted off their shoulders, Ember and Co all let out a sigh in relief, to the extent of thankful chuckling.
"However..." the officer interjected.
Their merry rejoicing sat on hold for a moment, staring over at the officer.
"If you are to resume your position at Aquatecture, they have recommended you go through counselling." the officer stated.
Unsure of what to think, Wade and the Sea-Nears looked to Ember for her reaction. Her smile faded appropriately.
"C- counselling?" she stammered.
The officer nodded in confirmation, arms folded.
Ember quickly looked to Wade with a yearnful look. He looked back at her with a sense of concern about him.
Seeing that it was a lot for her to take in, Lin moved forward, body language reading rather gently. Ember slowly looked over to her with a stare of daunt.
"Look, Ms Lumen. There is nothing to be ashamed of." Lin comforted.
"So- I'm not fired?" Ember stammered, looking side to side, feeling on the spot.
"Fired? Oh- no. You'll just be placed on indefinite leave until this is all over." Lin comforted rather curiously.
"So I am fired... unless I do this... counselling?" Ember deduced.
"Essentially." Lin clarified.
"Uh-huh," Ember said with a sigh.
Still unsure what to feel, Ember looked over to Wade in need of guidance. He gently held her hand in support, bringing her close. She gently looked down at his hand with a smile, then back to Lin.
"W- what kind of counselling is it?" Ember asked.
"Anger management," Lin said.
Just like that, Ember's expression fell from a gentle smile to an unimpressed look.
"Oh- come on. Don't you think that's a little elementist?" Ember remarked.
"Ms. Lumen, please understand, I fought with the higher-ups to keep your position. I'd view this as a bit more of a courtesy for the workplace!" Lin retorted excitedly.
Wanting more than anything to argue, feeling so on the spot, a majority of Ember felt inclined to swallow her pride and be thankful - as she had done before with Wade on the beach. Appropriately, she did just that, letting out a sigh.
"Thank you... for not firing me outright." she thanked.
"You're welcome! But it's not just me you should be thanking." Lin said.
She gently gestured a hand to Phil, moving to the side and letting him move forward.
"If you were any other intern, you'd be on the streets." he quipped.
In the background, the Sea-Nears held their hands in worry, pouting slightly at the odd remark. Wade looked at Ember with a bit of a smirk from Phil's quip.
"Any questions?" the officer said.
Ember looked over to Wade once more, a gleam in her eye as he returned her gaze.
"A moment?" she murmured.
He let out a nod in confirmation, prompting her and the others present and moving to the side to speak privately. Ember held Wade's arm as they arrived at their private zone.
"What's up?" Wade asked.
"I don't know about this. I mean- anger management? It- it feels weird." Ember expressed.
"I know it feels odd. But, think about it like this; what's so weird about a chance to improve yourself?" Wade framed.
Slightly taken off-guard by his answer, she raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she queried.
"Think about it. You thought your temper was under control when we left Element City, and now look where we are." Wade said.
"Okay- I'm not sure I like where this is going." Ember debated, folding her arms.
"My point exactly." Wade snarkily pointed out.
Appropriately, she let out a frustrated exhale, looking unenthused at her dewdrop.
"What I'm trying to say is that... maybe this is good." Wade reckoned.
"You're not serious." Ember debated.
"I am. A hundred-percent. Drop- I thought I was done with mine, and look where that got me." Wade said.
Still, with a stern look about her, Ember stared at Wade with arms persistently folded. However, hesitation grew within her, causing her body to slowly relax. She gave it up, exhaling a looking down in agreement with him. As she stood rather defeated, Wade gently put a hand on her face.
"I know this is a rough burn, but I think any opportunity to grow is good." he comforted.
She let out a chuckle in admiration, looking up at him and slowly exhibiting a nice smile.
"Okay- alright, fine," she said.
Coming to a conclusion, Ember gently went back over to speak with Phil and Lin, Wade behind her with an arm on her back.
"I'll do the counselling, e- even if I have to work from the ground up." she accepted.
"Oh- you won't have to work from the ground up. You'll be moving on." Phil advised.
Suddenly, her mood completely shifted from worry and guilt to that of intrigue and hopefulness.
"Wha-?" Ember stammered.
"Did you forget what happened?" Phil said.
She stared at him, dumbfounded and speechless, unable to take the hint as hope grew within her. Phil let out a playful sigh and chuckle, shaking his head.
"The list was ticked off. The house was done. You... technically passed, even though the place was in ruins moments later." he said.
Ember let out an astounded chuckle, arms folded and raising an eyebrow with a curious smile.
"A- are you being serious?" she queried.
Phil let out an exhale, stepping forward a bit closer.
"Offer's on the table. I know how daunting this sounds, to just dive into the deep end. But, you've been swimming there since you first started." he remarked.
"I can vouch for that," Wade interjected with a cheeky smirk.
Breaking the rather nice moment, both Phil and Ember slowly looked at him in confusion. He returned them a slight chuckle, tugging at his collar.
Before tensions could build, both Ember and Phil laughed it off, shaking their heads. Wade began to laugh in unison, wiping up some of his sweat.
Ember and Phil gently looked at one another, her with a warm smile. As she did, Phil reached a hand into his pocket, handing Ember a little business card.
"We've already set up a meeting for next week. All you have to do is ring to confirm," he advised.
Ember looked at it with hesitation, before reaching out and grabbing it...
...without realizing she was of fire.
As to be expected, the card burned up and turned into dust the moment she touched it. her eyes widened in embarrassment as Phil chuckled away.
"I'll just do it for you." he offered.
She gently lapsed back into a half-embarrassed smile, nodding at him in thankfulness. She gently looked over to a prideful Wade, looking at her with tears in his eyes.
Both Ember and Phil gently got to their feet - he, a little bit slower due to his age. Ember walked over to be by Wade's side, leaning on his shoulder.
Thankful for everything they'd done, the Sea-Nears instantly went up and shook both Lin and Phil's hands erratically, shaking them both about.
"Thank you so much for your help and understanding." Uncle Sea-Near exclaimed.
"Uh- ho. N- not a problem at all." Phil said, jiggling about.
In the background, the leading officer looked down at his watch with a slight smirk.
"Alright. If both parties involved are satisfied, you're free to go, Ms. Lumen." the officer advised.
As the Sea-Nears' wild hand-shaking came to a close, Lin and Phil both nodded in approval. The two went to approach Ember personally.
Lin got on one knee in front of Ember. With her hands held at her stomach, Ember looked down.
"Thanks again... and I'm really sorry." she apologized.
"These things happen. Thank drop you didn't hurt anyone." Lin said jokingly.
The group of six let out a chuckle in unison.
Lin smiled warmly at a calming Ember, extending a hand to touch her shoulder but stopping herself before she could.
"Until we meet again." Lin wished.
Ever so gently, Lin got back on her feet, leaving the scene with a wave. Phil began to trail her, waving at Ember in addition.
As Ember waved back at the two, the Sea-Nears knelt down to her side.
"What do you say? Should we head home?" Uncle Sea-Near offered.
Ember gently looked between him, Aunty Sea-Near and Wade, letting out a warm smile.
"Yeah." she reckoned.
With a bond stronger than ever before, the group got to their feet and made their merry way out of the police station, leaving the events of the week in there. As the two lovebirds followed the Sea-Nears out, Wade gently put an arm over Ember's shoulder.
Just ahead, Phil stopped himself and held the door open for them all in one last gesture. The Sea-Nears nodded back at him thankfully.
Feeling like he had to take the chance to make a gentlemanly gesture, Wade stopped at the door with him, letting Ember go ahead. She shot him a cutesy smile as she went ahead.
As he went on his way out, he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Curious, he turned around to find Phil still holding the door.
"Son. A minute?" he asked.
Perplexed, Wade came to a stop, turning around to him for a moment. In the background, Ember came to a stop, looking back at the curious exchange in intrigue.
Phil allowed the door to close, giving him and Wade a little privacy.
"How'd you do it?" he queried.
"Do what?" Wade asked.
Phil let out a long exhale, inching forward a step closer. Barely knowing the short, stout Earthman, Wade stepped back a foot, slightly intimidated.
"Back at the exam site, she was enraged by the thought of you. Now she can't get her hands off you," he observed.
Feeling less on the spot, Wade let out an exhale of relief, looking down and thinking.
"I- guess I have a charm with her," he answered.
Phil let out a playful guffaw, putting his arms on his hips sassily.
"Nah. That isn't all." he recognised.
Wade's sense of comfort was once again tested, causing his facade-driven smile to slack a bit. He looked at Phil with an expression of curiosity.
"What happened? Down at the beach?" Phil asked.
Wade's mouth fell slightly agape, unsure of how to react. He gently took another breath, looking down and letting out a smirk.
"I got down to the root of the problem... and I solved it. I... knew I had an onus to express how I felt... because I knew it was the only way to make her feel comfortable enough to express herself," he admitted.
"That easy, huh?" Phil remarked.
Taken off-guard, Wade sharply looked at him in intrigue, nodding silently. After a brief silence and staring down, Phil let out a chuckle.
"Well, I'm not one for dictating what one can or can't do, but you almost sound like a therapist in the making." he reckoned.
As the statement hit his ears, Wade's eyes went wide in realization, feeling rather complimented.
"R- really?" he stammered with a smile.
"Well..." Phil began.
He went to leave out the door, holding it open with one hand and patting Wade's back with the other.
"I wouldn't knock it down," he said.
Leaving Wade speechless on the spot, Phil exited with a smile.
Like a statue, Wade stood frozen stiff, staring aimlessly in intrigue. A sharp tingle tickled his spine, along with a heaping, enlightened smile. He looked back to Phil in curiosity, raising an eyebrow and chuckling uncontrollably.
Perhaps it was something to pursue.