Sasha still wasn't sure what to do, but she did feel better. She managed to smile, and said softly, "Thank you" She looked down, biting her lip. "She had a picture of my mother, so I'm pretty sure she is related in some way..." She trailed off, "I'm scared" She admitted, "I have to go talk to her, don't i?" She swallowed, rubbed her eyes for a second. 

"Fire and Ice. How odd is that?" She said, clearly hesitating and trying to postpone talking with Penny. She started down the steps, but stopped when she reached the bottom, clearly debating about running away, instead of going over to Penny. She tried to be so strong, but right now, she was just scared. 

[hider=flashback]
Sasha chased after her little brother, laughing and sure-footed on the ice. Both had practically been walking on ice their whole lives, and neither fell as they turned. Their parents watched them briefly, smiling, before lifting up baskets each, calling the children to them. 

Both Sasha and her brother made grumbling sounds, but nevertheless, went over to them. Sasha bounced excitedly on the ice, as they walked, watching as her father opened up a hole in the ice, and sitting back as they started to fish. 

She was getting bored, when there was a large [b]Crack[/b] followed by smaller creaks and cracks, and suddenly, the ice shattered beneath them. Sasha yelped, trying to hold onto the ice, as she plunged into the water. She heard the scream, cut off as he slipped under water, of her brother, the cries of her parents, and briefly, very briefly, she felt her mother's arm grasp at her wrist, before sinking under water. 

She didn't know what happened, but she found herself on the ice, shivering slightly, calling out for her parents, for her brother....[/hider]

Sasha shivered as if she was back there, her gaze far away, her body rigid, and she made no effort to move, and just stood there at the bottom of the stairs, as Penny turned towards her, and smiled slightly. 

Warmth flood Sasha as if she had just plunged into flame, and she sank weakly to the bottom step.