Phoenix stood on a grassy knoll and let the breeze toss her long red hair about.
It had been some time since she’d seen her friends and defenders and all of the joy she’d felt upon realizing she had such friends had worn away.
..Skye...
Phoenix’s liquid blue eyes filled with tears. In a matter of moments, she’d lost everything she’d gained.
Everyone had left her to pursue their own lives, and, once again, she was alone.
I ought to go and drown myself. They’d all be better off that way.
That kind of talk won’t get you anywhere and you know it.
Except maybe Phoenix’s Aerie.
Maybe, but you don’t know what it has in store for you.
Sure I do. The lege–
Yes, a childish, FOOLISH legend.
...
You know as well as I do that the Legend is poppycock.
So what if it is? It’s something to hope for isn’t it?
Why hope for something that won’t happen?

Phoenix let her tears flow as a number of emotions ran through her–anger, depression, hate, love...–Her tears glowed softly as she shed them, and had their mythical effect, causing flowers to grow where they hit the ground. Little red flowers...

Adsero saw the girl on the hill crying and walked up to her. She lacked basic comforting skills so she hoped her basic idiocy and good humor could cheer her some instead. “Boo.” She smiled and looked at the flowers that had grown where the tears fell. “That’s a neat trick. Pretty color too. Red like fire, eh? Or I guess blood or something too but fire’s much more fun; less morbid.” She tilted her head and smiled again, looking at the girl. “My name’s Adsero. And no crying, ok? I don’t like the thought of people around me leaking acid out their eyes. Though I admit, when I phrase it that way it does sound so much more dramatic.” She thought of what else she could do to cheer the girl up. Beer seemed a good answer. Hell, didn’t it always? She pulled a flask from a bag at her waist and offered it to the girl. “Want some? I don’t know if it’ll make you feel better but it tastes good. Well, it does to me….”