The Experiment (larger group RP)

“Okay, all’s a good plan, but how the hell would I start a fire in here?” Embers asked, a little flatly, sardonic. “I get that I’m the expert, but honestly? I need my crap here to start a fire anywhere near good enough to get anyone’s attention.” he said.

“Maybe if we don’t try to escape? I feel like escaping is a not good plan.” Mary said mockingly, as if she wasn’t herself working on an escape plan right that very second.

"You can have mine too," Phoenix offered, glancing distastefully at his pile of clean clothes. Elowen huffed, crossing her arms across her stomach. "Besides, I can do more than sweet talk, thank you very much. My particular set of skills happens to include pickpocketing, gambling, a bit of martial arts, being smart, and yes, sweet talking. Not to mention a decent shot with a pistol. Don't diminish what I'm capable of, sugar."

"It's not about a sense of adventure," Elowen interjected to Shea, her pale brows furrowing in anger. "It's about a sense of self preservation, which none of you seem to have! If we ride this out, then we go into the world as normal citizens, because unlike the lot of you, I find it better to do my not entirely legal dealings secretly! If you had one single brain cell between all of you, you would see that." She tilted her head towards Mary. "Only she has any sense, knowing that thinking of something better and staying here, at least for now, if not until they let us go."

"I say we let Embers start a fire and make a break for it," Phoenix added in, glancing at the boy in question. "With her stuff, you can do it, can't you?" He looked around at their small group. "And then we can attack the guards right there. We get the two of us guns, and the two of us can lead the charge. Sound better?" He directed this last question at Shea, raising an eyebrow. If the two of them had guns, they could be the protection for the others, or possibly a distraction if needed. Elowen made no further comment, clearly aggravated.

Phoenix nodded. "Sounds good," he agreed. He rolled his shoulders back in anticipation. "We're getting out of here, because I for one am not staying in this hellhole."

Elowen could've screamed she was so pissed off. "What are you idiots doing?" she hissed. "Kai, I love you and all, but you're being thickheaded. This girl is treating us like dogs going to do her bidding–what kind of a name is Sparky and you did not just touch me, graffiti girl!" With that, Elowen whirled on her. "Trust me when I say you do not want to know what I'm capable of."

Phoenix's eyes widened at that statement before narrowing as he turned to his sister. "Elowen, enough! I'm the older brother, so I make the decisions–"

"–Is that how it works now?" Elowen cried. "That's not how it worked when I–" She took a deep breath, seeming to calm down instantly in a way that could not be a normal human reaction. "You know what? Fine. I'll go along with your dumbass plan, because none of you will listen to me. If we survive this, I'm not following your rules and I am not going anywhere with anyone except Kai. And if any of you get him killed, there will be consequences." Despite her small size and previously goody-two shoes demeanor, something about that last sentence sounding more menacing than it should be possible for a girl that frail-looking. Calm Elowen was much more frightening than angry Elowen.

"No one said you had to, El," Phoenix said with a long-suffering sigh, though he clearly noticed her sudden shift in demeanor. He turned to Shea and Embers. "Sorry about her. She's very stuck in her ways. Anyway, yeah I'm on board with that plan. By the way, you guys can call me Phoenix."

"You guys are cute when you argue, but I still think this is a bad idea." said Mary. "I'd personally recommend just getting showered and getting dressed in the perfectly reasonable clothes provided." she said. "I don't think anyone here should be getting shot, alright? I can use- I mean, you're all very useful to- I mean, you'd be very good assets- I want to escape as much as you do! But now is not the right time.""

"Glad you think I'm cute, sweetheart," Phoenix responded to Mary with a lopsided smirk, clearly only hearing what he wanted to. "I'd suggest you get on board unless you want to be left behind."

"Oh boo hoo," Elowen said to Shea, rolling her eyes in an unimpressed manner. "Tell it to someone who cares. I'm sure my brother will be more than happy to comfort you." She was on board now, although reluctantly. Leave it to Phoenix to latch onto the first person to show him any sort of attention. Sometimes he was such a pain.

"Of course I'm coming," Phoenix responded. "Let's blow this popsicle stand already. I'm ready to be out of here too." He hurried over to Shea, getting ready to run out the door.

Elowen blew out a breath in annoyance. "Agreed. If we're doing this stupid plan, might as well get it over with. No point in waiting, so we can all argue some more. I'd rather we argue on the outside, or at least get caught already. This waiting is irritating me."

"Let's burn some shit, give me the stuff. Once they sniff smoke, it's all over, so I hope you've got a plan to get past those guns, or get one." Embers said gleefully, like he'd be just fine watching their own demise as long as he got one last fire. As long as he got to burn with them. He could always use the most destructive plan, but that would make a need for at least a new hoodie if not a new shirt entirely. Setting yourself on fire and running at guards did that to you.

(Embers internally: yes let's go violence violence murder kill kill kill violence-)