Aloe vera? I don't even know her!

“Well... that’s new,” Jayne muttered as the pain set in. Her first instinct was to grab it with her other hand but she barely managed to **** herself not to. Her mouth twisted in a silent scream. Her recent discovery of the eye of the storm kept her from panicking but did nothing for fire roasting her flesh.

Maria looked on in horror, Tasya sprung into action fast, taking off her coat and grabbing a pitcher from the table before one of the staff who was cleaning up after dinner could claim it. “Sorry for the mess!” She apologized before dumping the water onto her coat soaking it, she ran back, “Maria get her on the ground. Keep the arm still!”

Brought out of her stunned horror, Maria grabbed Jayne, who was still trying not to panic, she **** her on the ground, sitting on her torso, and tried to hold Jayne’s arm out to her side. She had to keep it together for Jayne. Even if she was scared for her. She didn’t know what was happening. Or why it was happening, only that Tasya had a plan which she prayed worked.

Running back into the room the short blonde dropped her soaking wet coat over Jayne’s burning arm. “More layers we need to deprive the fire of oxygen!” Of course, she hoped whatever this was it obeyed the normal laws of physics. Which was not a safe bet around here.

Unbeknownst to the others, Jeeves had seen this happen and had not hesitated a second to run into the kitchen and grab an emergency fire extinguisher. As Tasya and the others were trying to smoother the flames he came running back with the red cylinder and hose ready to go, “Please do back up,” is all he had time for before he began to hose the soaked, smothered arm. Careful to aim it away from Jayne’s face to avoid inhalation.

Jayne was shaking. To say her nerve endings were on fire would have been literal. She’d never experienced a pain like this. Everything seemed to move in a blur, she couldn’t identify voices or distinct sounds she only knew people around her were trying to help. Maria was on top of her? She reached out and seized the woman’s shoulder, **** for something familiar, something her other hand could do. She saw the fear in Maria’s face and tried to gently squeeze her shoulder. Maria was looking at her now. She couldn’t quite hear the words she was saying. The world began to move. No... she was being carried. People were nearby, following and rushing to get things. It hurt a lot. How was her arm? Was it still there? She turned her head to see it was covered. It wasn’t on fire anymore. So. That's good. It’s her right hand. That’s her favorite. She knew that she wasn’t all together here right now But her thoughts seemed to be her own. Apparently, her eye of the storm kept her guarded against the mental effects of fear. But her body was an entirely different story. Was this a bed now? She saw Maria and Tasya. Two of her favorite people. That’s good. She thought about taking a nap now. Yes. Sleep was good too. They’ll wake her if they need to.

...

She came to, sort of, laying in the mud and rain. This was her storm. The sky was beautiful, wasn’t it? There was a new face, though she couldn't make it out very well. The figure wore a ragged black hood and robe with faded traces of gold thread down to her ankles, her feet were bare.

“So you are who created this place... a mere child,” said the figure. It was a woman’s voice. Somehow she sounded young and ancient at the same time. “It would seem you’re having a bit of a hard time right now. Let’s get you inside.”

Her storm had an inside?

...

Tasya was not a true doctor... she was a medical researcher. But she possessed more knowledge about treating and healing injuries than actual doctors thrice her age. She’d done all she could for now. “Jayne went into shock,”

“Well anyone would be shocked, her hand burst into flames!” Maria said as if this wasn’t new information.

“No, no. Actual shock, the medical condition. Her body started to shut down, she’s stabilized now. But non-responsive,” she was glad the staff had already moved many of her machines into Maria’s bedroom. Though she found it a little odd Jayne and Maria were sharing the same room. Of course, she was worried. But her analytical mind had taken over now. A certain level of detachment helped in treating a patient, especially someone you know. “I can heal her arm without issue. But it’s her mind I’m worried about now. You see these graphs over here...” Tasya pointed to a chaotic series of up and down lines, clearly they meant nothing to Maria. “It’s charting her brain function... frankly this isn’t like anyone who’s asleep, or in a coma... or frankly even awake. I realize I may be the pot calling the kettle black. But this is, well. A human’s function shouldn’t look like this. I don’t’ know anything that would.”

Maria bit her bottom lip as she mulled that information over, she looked at the **** Jayne with concern. She sat on the bed next to Jayne and had challenged anyone who told her otherwise. “Are you trying to say she’s not human?” Well aware of the irony of that coming from Tasya.

Tasya shook her head, “no. She’s very human. I’m saying she’s defying what we know of modern, and even magical medicine.”

Maria blinked at her, “I wish I could say that was surprising by now... is there anything else your machines can tell us?” Because otherwise, she was about to go beat answers out of certain Keeper if she didn’t cooperate.

Tasya felt a mixture of pride and concern both. “Yes... now mind you this is an extremely experimental device...”

“Is it dangerous?” Maria interrupted.

“No. It’s basically monitoring her... aura. You could say. Jayne seems to be emitting an anomaly only theorized about previously. I’m not too fond of the given acronym myself... RAGA, or reality-altering gravitational anomalies. Gravitational not in the sense of a planet, or black hole. Simply that she attracts these anomalies to her... somehow. As for the reality-altering. It’s measured on what once started as a joke about an old search engine. You can thank the internet for that. The degree to which her reality differs from the reality we’re grounded in is measured in cuils. Zero cuils is the baseline for everyone. Anything higher than that indicates a reality differing from our own. I have a theory about some of her powers... I was going to monitor her tomorrow during your training to test and see if it is accurate.”

“So... let me get this straight. Jayne emits an aura that gathers these things, which you aren’t quite sure what they are, and using these things, consciously or not, and actually alters reality or our perception of it around her?” Maria asked, frankly not sure that makes the most sense out of anything, or is absolute bullshit.

“More or less the gist of it... I don’t need to say how dangerous that is. If it were anyone but Jayne we’d probably be dealing with a monster. If I’m right, her ability is unconsciously shaping reality around her to what she desires most, what do you think Jayne desires most?”

“To be wanted, and loved...” Maria answered succinctly. It felt like that should weigh heavier on her than it did.

Tasya was a little bit surprised, but it made a lot of sense, “I’m assuming since all this started, most people have found her anywhere from charming, to irresistible. Perhaps subtle things, people developing thoughts or ideas that weren’t their own. Which wouldn’t actually make someone act on those, but I suspect in this respect the power is highly suggestive in nature.” The girls shared a knowing look.

“But... then would that make any feelings anyone developed for her... artificial?” Maria felt her heart pounding. She didn’t want what they had to be fake... It had to be real...

“That is... beyond my realm of expertise. I am not a philosophy major,” Tasya replied, uncertainty in her voice. “If I’m correct though, this would be more akin to someone you trusted telling you, ‘hey, that’s a great idea.’ or ‘this person isn’t so bad.’ I don’t think she can **** anyone to feel anything they aren’t already inclined to, or isn't already buried deeply below their conscious mind, such as repressed feelings and desires. Therefore you’d feel things you’re already inclined to toward the person. The feelings aren’t any less real.”

Maria felt a bit of relief... that would explain a lot of her thoughts and feelings towards Jayne. It felt like manipulation on one hand, but honestly, she couldn't bring herself to care. Maybe she was just too far gone to see rationally when it came to Jayne, and she was fine with that. What she felt was real to her. “I... am not sure we should tell Jayne about this... and I hate the idea of keeping anything from her or being dishonest towards her.”

Tasya frowned, but she understood at the same time. “Lord Lucero wants me to report my findings to him... perhaps he should make that decision? I too think it would be unethical not to tell her. But I can see where you’re coming from.”

“It’s just that, I think that kind of revelation would crush her. She would feel bad and blame herself... and if it’s true what you said she subconsciously alters things based on her desires. Do I have to say how devastating that would be to her, to everyone around her?” Maria felt a little sick about all this.

“I think, perhaps plan to tell her at a time and a place. Even events that devastate a person, shouldn’t change who they are. Her primary desire wouldn’t go away, I think. If she’s surrounded by genuine support she’d come around soon. But then again, as I said I’m no philosophy major.” Tasya looked over the **** Jayne and did feel an urge to protect her. But that feeling was always there wasn’t it? She had saved her before she had these crazy powers She had bathed this woman and laid her to rest in her own bed... And then there was the matter of the handjob, and getting herself off at the same time. No. These were things that were already there. Maybe they were stronger now, but that’s something she can live with.

“I think we should wait,” the girls said in unison, surprising each other. Then they grinned and suppressed their laughter.

“So a question for the not-a-philosophy major... is this decision based solely on our desire to protect her, or is that her subconscious maybe knows, and is trying to protect her?” Maria asked with a rueful smile.

“I think I don’t get paid enough for that kind of question,” Tasya answered, though it was hard to say if it was in jest or the truth. It could’ve easily have been both.

...

“Oh, you. You’re finally awake.” the hooded figure said.

[Somewhere thousands of miles away, a game developer cried out in pain. Mostly because I already used this joke.]

Jayne found herself in what looked to be a stone hut of some sort. The walls formed a circle save for a door where the minimal light of the eye of her storm shone through. The was a small fire inside, and the wooden roof was constructed in just a way that the smoke had room to escape but then that was covered too in order to keep the rain out. Like a chimney that had a top and vented out the sides. There was some sort of animal skin blanket she was sleeping on. She felt it over her whole body, confirming she was naked in her storm once more. But the most pressing concern was who was this person, and why were they there?

“You seem to be confused. Truth be told, I was myself. I’ve not felt that flame in a long, long time.” the figure pulled their hood back, revealing a woman with tan skin and raven dark hair kept tight in a ponytail. She looked young, like in her mid-twenties. There were tattoos of some sort that started on the sides of her neck and disappeared into that robe. “I had not only been surprised by the flame but that it came from one so young,” she smiled. The firelight of the hut danced across her facial features. She looked like a woman who had lived a life bereft of luxuries. But had retained a young spirit about her, her eyes however were another story...

Jayne lost herself in the woman’s gaze... her eyes were piercing blue. There it was. There in her pupil, there was light. She found herself drawn in closer... she was there now. She saw the world through this woman’s eyes as she stood amongst others who were dressed similarly. They were her sisters... and the tallest amongst them that they all looked to, was their mother. She held something akin to fire in her hand, but not. She plucked at it seemingly tearing little pieces of it and giving a piece to each of her daughters. Jayne shook her head and blinked. She was looking a the woman’s face once more.

“It’s impolite to stare, you know.” she teased. “Yes what you just saw was real, and happened a long, long time ago, far away from your world... well it was far away then. Not so much anymore.”

“Forgive me, I’m... I’m Jayne Bronwen... who are you and how did you find this place? Am I hallucinating? The last thing I remember was my hand burning then I think I passed out.”

“So full of questions, aren’t we, Jayne Bronwen? I’m familiar with who you are... little birdies love to gossip, especially for anything soft or shiny. But what truly brought me here was that fire on your hand.”

Jayne paused to look at her hands both were intact. The cover over her fell down her chest as she had withdrawn them... she felt like she should cover back up. But this was her storm, why was this woman in it?

“You see, prior to ‘the first flame’ our coven of witches practiced a primordial pyromancy... It was difficult to control and dangerous. We burnt our hands more often than not. But we learned ways to practice that minimized that. Then came that lord soul... My mother broke off a tiny piece of it and gave us each a part of that soul. That brought about a new age of pyromancy... we could take a small piece of ourselves, our souls if you will, and use them as a focus for our pyromancy. Everyone who learned that could practice pyromancy without cooking their hands off... as you nearly did. I believe at that point we would’ve been what you call... ‘hipsters’. As we manipulated flame first. But no one really cared. Few remembered us, An even fewer numbers worshiped us as though we were some sort of ancient gods of fire after everything went to hell.”

“Well, Ma’am, I appreciate the history lesson. You mentioned birdies... eh... they didn’t happen to be Tickle-Me and Pump-A-Rump?” Jayne asked, this was the first she’d heard of them from someone else if so. Which would also mean either that was their actual names or they were bullshitting everyone... and could ground that one dream in some sort of reality.”

“Oh, ma’am, am I? I suppose there is a bit of an age gap. I’m just glad you didn’t call me mommy,” she teased.

Jayne was suddenly glad she was at an angle under this blanket, her cock twitched at that, and she blushed in shame.

The woman gave a knowing smile, “yes, I suppose I didn’t answer your first question. I am Quelana... no epithets or surnames, not anymore. Quelana will do, and to clarify you somehow performed what I called primordial pyromancy... I was like a moth to your candle. But I go where fate takes me. That statement is probably a bit more literal than you think... and you've probably realized time moves differently here. Long enough that I made this hut out the remains of nearby buildings. In case you wondered why there’s suddenly a building here. Mmh. I have a bad habit of making you wait on answers, don’t I, Jayne? Yes. Those are the birdies of which I speak. Such gossipers. I could never repeat some of the things they’ve said” she gave Jayne a coy grin, “let’s just you’ve got all sorts of eyes on you right now.”

“Great. No pressure, right?” Jayne didn’t know what her life had become anymore.

“Seems like you've been under a lot of pressure lately. Pressure to perform, notwithstanding.” her eyes lingered on Jayne’s exposed breasts. “You also seem confused as to what this place is. It is very much real, and it is your creation. As to where this place is... no it doesn’t just exist in your head. Somehow you’ve managed to create a pocket dimension just try to overcome someone’s enchantment. Congratulations, that does not happen every day. As your creation you are sovereign over it... no one can enter or leave without your permission. I don’t think fate realized that when it put me here. Or maybe it did. Either way, when I’m ready to go, I’ll need you to get the door for me.”

“So wait if this is real...” a flash of horror occurred to Jayne, “then di-?”

“Did you knock your little friends up?” Quelana grinned mischievously, “no. Because while the place is real, you are visiting through a form of projection. So were they. It’s cute you care though.”

“Cute? I thought was just being a decent human being...” Jayne looked puzzled.

Quelana laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Full-on belly laughs. Until she was on her side clutching her ribs... “Heee... hehehehe... oh dear. Please don’t think I’m laughing at you. I just now understood a choice an acquaintance made. Oh goodness. I know you weren’t intending to, but thank you. I haven’t laughed that earnestly in... I don’t know you stop counting after a while.” she smiled through tears of joy.

“Ooookay.” Jayne had somehow made what seems to be a nigh-immortal pyromancer literally roll on the floor and laugh. “Well... I don’t know if you can share what’s so funny. But I suppose I’m always happy to see anyone get that much enjoyment out of something I did. Intentional or not. Somehow I could tell you weren’t laughing at me... there’s usually a kind of cruelty or malice associated with that, and I just don’t get that feeling from you.”

“Hah... you are one of the good ones.” she grinned, “yeah I can’t tell you what it’s about that. But I’ll propose a deal to you... you’re going to eventually find a way to teleport yourself here physically. Then you’re gonna uphold your end of the bargain... I’m trusting you here. I wouldn’t do that unless you didn’t come highly recommended.” she chuckled “One other condition you need to fulfill for your end of the bargain. Lose your virginity. Because I ain’t gonna be the one to take that from you. Go make love you little knight who’s at your bedside as we speak. Or anyone else you choose. Okay? I can tell you’re confused. Your end of the bargain will be to give me a daughter.”

Jayne stuttered, “I uh... well. That was fast.”

“My kind only has daughters... and I’m tired of being the last of my kind. But you’re probably wondering what sort of exchange would be worth making a child with some inhuman undying fire witch. Remember what I said about pieces of souls and how they let you control your gift? I will bestow upon you a little piece of myself and teach you your first pyromancy. I trust you’ll use it well. if you don’t agree you could always tough it out and figure out how to control primordial pyromancy. by yourself. What’s a few third-degree burns and destroyed homes in the process huh? Yeah... I get it. It’s borderline ****, but you need it, and you have something I want.”

“Did you have anything to do with me just now bursting into flames? I don’t think so, but I have to ask,” she eyed the woman. She didn’t seem to be a danger presently, but things are weird now.

“No. I didn’t. Your Keeper friend did that. I’m still not sure why your world doesn’t have fire keepers. Your. keepers watch wards, not flames. But many of our fire keepers were full of nothing but humanity. They often would care for the soul of lost fire keepers as well. Could’ve boinked her so hard a past life came out. I don’t know. Ask her... by the way that was quite a show.”

“Well. First of all, thank you for that information. Secondly, you were watching? How many people watch me like that?!” Jayne asked a little disturbed

“Don’t worry about it. You’ve got a life to live. So what if you’ve got some extra eyes on you, it means you’re important, or entertaining... maybe both. I’m leaning toward both. Might as well enjoy that fact. Pretty certain your own governments do something similar anyway.”

“Eeh... let's get back that deal. This topic makes me feel a little paranoid.” Or something... was that a new fetish for her now? She kinda wanted to take Cecilia and push her big tits up against the window and fuck her silly where everyone can see and just spill load after load into her until a steady stream of their cum made a white waterfall.

Quelana snapped her fingers, “hey... I’m sure whom or whatever you’re thinking about fucking is totally worth the time and effort. But I’ve explained everything to you. Any more questions or do we have a deal?”

‘Wow... I totally just zoned out, and she hit the nail on the head what I thinking about.’ Jayne thought as she crawled out from under the blanket in order to stand up straight. The ceiling of this hut was actually pretty low, she realized now that she was standing. She did her best to ignore that she was nude, erection and all, and offered her hand to Quelana.

She arched an eyebrow, “well I wasn’t gonna make you shake on it,” she stood as well, she was pretty short, maybe 5’1” or so. She reached out and accepted Jayne’s hand. “But we have a deal. Thanks for the show too.” she eyed the entirety of the woman before her now, her eyes lingering on Jayne’s throbbing member.

The redhead blushed but shook hands with Quelana, “I guess I am getting used to being in the nude... at least here. So how do we do this? You said a piece of you?”

Quelana nodded and took her hand back. She pressed both of them to her chest, over her heart. There came a sort of singing sound... like running your finger over the rim of a crystalline wine glass. She closed her eyes and appeared to be in some discomfort for a moment before slowly retracting her hands. She held something tiny in both hands now. It was smaller in diameter than a dime, or less than 1.35 mm if you prefer. it was roughly round, not perfect, it vaguely resembled hot coal but the color was just slightly off from that. The light it gave off had a small golden aura. “Jayne Bronwen... I bequeath to thee a piece of myself. Take it and place it over thine heart.”

Jayne used both hands to accept it, it was so small, so precious. She was afraid of breaking it. Following instructions, she pressed the small object to her chest, and felt it... enter her? It didn’t break skin just.. went inside. She briefly felt her body tingling all over. It was rather pleasant. “Well, you’re inside of me now.” she smiled as the tingling started to fade.

“Hah! Yeah, I was tempted to tell you I needed to put it in your womb and see how you reacted, in my heyday maybe I would have.” the witch grinned back at her. “I’m part of you now. Do please try not to die.”

Jayne held her hand out willed a small flame into existence in the palm of her hand. There was a warmth there, but it didn’t burn. She closed her hand and it ceased to exist. “That’s so much better than burning my flesh off.”

“Ha. Yeah, tell me about it. Now one more thing. Hold out your hand either one. Palm facing forward. Close your eyes if you want. It’ll help you concentrate. Eventually, you’ll be able to do this with your eyes open and it’ll be second nature to you. Now, pyromancy unlike some other forms of magic, don’t ever talk to me about miracles, is a very raw and emotional form of casting. The fire is with you always. It is part of you. Now imagine something familiar, deep bonds. Something you love. Your girlfriend, puppies, and kittens then will a warmth to exist.

The small hut was suddenly enveloped in a golden light that tingled slightly. It was indeed warm but never burnt. It moved like fire but existed in a stationary position in the air where Jayne’s hand had been.

“You did it. You’ll figure out the rest. My teaching years are over. An obvious piece of advice, find someplace less flammable to practice in. Here’s a bonus one. If you’re ever with someone who smokes and they ask for a light, use your thumb like a lighter. That trick never gets old. It’s juuuuust simple enough to make them think you pulled some sleight-of-hand trick.”

Jayne basked in the glow and was frankly surprised this was a pyromancy ability. But she’ll take it. She could heal herself and others if need be. “Can I ask you a question?”

“No.” Quelana jested. “The irony here is that was a question But go ahead.”

“This may seem really petty but. you’ve got a very modern vernacular. When did you learn to speak English?”

“This is where I’d like to freak you out and say, ‘but I’m not speaking English’ but the truth is, I suppose around the later 14th century in your world. There was an English poet. I suppose I fancied him, or his work at least... he could’ve done so much better than marrying a lady-in-waiting. But that’s... neither here nor there.” she gave wistful smile.

“Thanks for the answer that. I appreciate it. I suppose it’s time for me to get back to the waking world...” she went to close her eyes and tried to imagine herself back at the manor, only to be interrupted by Quelana.

“Okay. Quick piece of advice. Lay down before you try that. They probably have you a bed and it’ll feel like falling when you wake up if you’re upright. A very minor inconvenience, but I hate that feeling, and I have a vested interest in your well-being.” She motioned towards the bedding.

“Huh. I always wondered about that sensation. Thanks,” said Jayne as she lay down and looked over to Quelana, “any other advice on willing myself awake? Do I click my heels three times and say ‘there’s no place like home... there’s no plac-

...

“-there’s no place like home,” Jayne mumbled as she groggily came to in Maria’s bed. Maria was napping next to her. Even Cecilia had come upstairs and was sitting in a chair. Looking a little downtrodden.

Tasya was analyzing some data from a machine and looked up as she heard Jayne mumble, she smiled brightly, happy to see the redhead start to rouse “you’re not in Kansas anymore, Jayne”