[i]Scared.[/i]

There was a light at the end of the tunnel approaching at an alarming rate as Saffron stood on the tracks, the resolve he had just found wavering as a chance to escape dwindled. But, could he really consider it an escape if he had chosen to get on the tracks? Of course not, and while his heart quivered and his mind seemed to race, he had accepted death. That it was alright to be scared, that it even made sense to be scared. But that was the future he had chosen, and as such, he closed his eyes and awaited his demise. It happened so fast, his body didn't even have a time to register it.

When the noise suddenly vanished, he opened his eyes to reveal nothing. As if the world had faded out of existence, or perhaps it was him that had faded. But just as soon as he noticed this void did it immediately get replaced with a field of grass, with a wide variety of flowers he had never even seen before. He looked up, shocked to see that there was a sky above them when what was most likely mere seconds ago they were inside the subway. He touched his skin and arms to make sure he still had feelings in his body, laughing to himself hysterically that he felt alright and more importantly, alive.

[color=#ff9933][i]I'm alive! Haha! Holy shit that's awesome![/i][/color]

It didn't seem like the ghost girl he had feared had lied at all, and yet he had just died and somehow came back to life. It really was a new beginning, one far away from the troubles that used to get inside his head. For the first time in what felt like an eternity of despair, he had hope of what the future would bring. It was a shame that hope came at the cost of leaving his old life behind for the time being, but to Saffron, it felt like a small price to pay.

The others, too, seemed to have arrived in this place as well... The Irriss, was it? A realm between life and death, and here he stood in it's glory. Maybe standing in front of that train was an act of defiance, or maybe it was a way to express his feelings of hopelessness at his current situation, but to Saffron now, none of that mattered. While he didn't know anything about this world or the mask he held, he felt as if he had some sort of control in his life now. 

But as the others mingled and began to ask questions, Saffron stood aside from them all, not in the slightest concerned. The ghost girl had been straight with them for the most part, and while it only took standing in front of a train to realize that, it added to the reassuring feeling that this was the right decision in the end. Among those around him, there were several familiar faces, and much to his surprise, it seemed his coworker had followed him here. He didn't even remember her being in the subway in the first place, and if he was being honest, it slightly dampened his mood seeing her here. 

[color=#ff9933] [i]Why did she decide to come here? Didn't she have a future awaiting her? Whatever, it's not my problem. She can do whatever she wants, and so can I![/i][/color]

By now, someone had already put on the mask they held, and to a very disturbing result. For a second, he glared down at his own mask, moving his hand across the jaded and jagged obsidian and the smooth topaz. The duality of the mask was alluring in a way, and holding it in hand gave him a slight sense of power. In a way, it suited his own desires of strength. Looking back at the group, another one put on their mask, and looking at her, he knew it was the girl he had jumped on the tracks first. He didn't remember her name, but at least for her it brought joy.

He glanced back down at his own mask, and for a second it was if time had stopped in his mind. After all, he was being consumed with the desire to put on the mask, feeling like any sort of risk wouldn't outway the positives. But these thoughts were cut short when someone flew in front of him, startling him and causing him to almost drop the mask and fumble to catch it in the air.

[color=#ff9933][i]This guy... why does he look familiar,[/i][/color] Saffron thought, trying to remember where he had seen him, [color=#ff9933][i]He knew my name...So... OH right! He's a regular at Johnny's. Guess nearly dying really does affect your memory haha![/i][/color]

He thought to himself, grinning like an idiot before processing what Ascot had to say.

[color=#ff9933][i]Shit wait what. He wants us to lead the way? Wait, when did he get wings? Is that his semblance? Hang on that isn't what's important Saffron! Focus![/i][/color]

Before deciding to answer Ascot or acknowledge what he said, Saffron took several steps back, holding out a finger as to indicate for Ascot to hang on for a second. With no more hesitation, Saffron placed the mask upon his face, feeling it suddenly burst and coat him in darkness before exploding in a burst of flame. Saffron stood there, his eyes burning red and his hair suddenly blond with a long ponytail. His outfit had been replaced with the colors black and gold to signify the flame that burned in the darkness within himself. But what he felt was most important were the hovering fists beside him, both a literal and metaphorical symbol of his newfound strength. They were made out of some sort of metal, with magma almost acting as the hand. 

He glared at Ascot, deciding it would be best to be blunt with the kid. He wasn't sure how to take the sudden confession, but Saffron certainly didn't feel weak or a desire to lean on someone else at the moment. 

[color=#ff9933]"You can lead if you want, but I don't think I'll join you. And now isn't the time to think about the real world, right? I don't get how you can think about the real world and what we'll do when we get back when you have this much power. I'm strong as the earth! This is exhilarating! I don't have an answer for you right now."[/color] He replied, taking it upon himself to distance himself from the others once more and waiting for something to happen. Releasing his semblance as an unfettered also made him somewhat tactless and rude, but at the very least he was honest. After all, this was a part of him he tried to hide, and now that it was unleashed he didn't see a point in holding back as much as he did before.