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[h2][color=magenta]Ashton Griffone[/color] || Riverside ||[/h2]
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Last night had been interesting to say the least with the bit of drama Ashton had managed to get into, but overall it was a fun time. Marine and Ein drank quite a bit though to Marine's disappointment she didn't really find anyone to her fancy. Still, it was a great time and the tall firefighter couldn't really complain. The next morning was the day of her appointment where she had to attend, so she had the day off. Honestly, she'd rather be working instead, but taking a break was okay. She just wasn't sure what to do. Honestly, she didn't have too many friends to hang out with outside the station. Everyone was on duty as well.

Ah well, it was alright! Today was a bright new day to have fun and greet the world and its people with a friendly smile!

Walking along the river wearing her usual baggy clothes of a white t shirt with a raggedy old black jacket with some fluff at the edges of the hood and torn up jeans, Ashton flicked her gaze toward the river as she recalled the morning.

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Sitting in the familiar office, the morning sun gingerly seeping in between the blinds, Ashton sat in a cozy leather chair, gently kicking her legs as her back relaxed against the cushy back of her seat. In front of her sat a woman in a light gray suit, brown hair pulled up in a bun and her blue tinted glasses resting upon her nose as she took a pale finger and pushed them upward. The professional woman sat in another chair, behind her a desk that had her name of 'Mrs. Saffron' with some photos of family sitting on the desk as well as plaques of awards on the wall, sharing some space with serene pictures of nature.

[color=springgreen]"Miss Griffone, how are you feeling today?"[/color] Mrs. Saffron questioned, her voice having a soothing and calm sort of tone, though perhaps with slight frustration.

Ashton turned her amethyst eyes towards the psychiatrist and gave a smile along with a thumbs up with her right hand.

[color=springgreen]"That's good. Have you had any nightmares as of late? Have you tried to communicate through speech?"[/color] Mrs. Saffron asked, her green eyes watching the dirty blonde seem to ponder the question before holding up her hand up horizontally and lightly waving it side to side in a 'eh' motion.

Gingerly scribbling down some notes on her clipboard, the woman looked to the firefighter once more. [color=springgreen]"I see, do you still feel pain when you make a attempt?"[/color] came another question.

Tilting her head, a index finger gingerly scratching her temple, Ashton raised her hands along with her shrug and bobbed her head side to side in a 'eh yeah a bit' sort of way.

Sighing softly, Mrs. Saffron took her glasses off and gingerly rubbed her eyes with a thumb and index finger. [color=springgreen]"Miss Griffone, I feel that perhaps you should try and take some rest from your work. You seem to have a tendency to over exert yourself."[/color] she suggested.

Ashton gave a soft smile, waving her right hand before her before leaning back and putting her hands behind her head. Watching as Mrs. Saffron sighed before the clock on the desk buzz, the woman tapped it before standing up. [color=springgreen]"Well that is all for today, see you at our next appointment."[/color][/i]

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Memory ending, Ashton took a breath but smiled thoughtfully. It sometimes was a little inconvenient with her lack of speech with some people not really understanding the odd situation. However Ashton was just as satisfied even if she never spoke again. She didn't need to speak in order to communicate. Plus, wasn't it fulfilling to get across your feelings without words?

Walking along the river, Ashton paused as she could see some smoke, come from one of those more pricey apartments that rested near the river. Amethyst eyes widened as she saw flames flicker out from a window near the top floor. Immediately, the dirty blonde started to bolt, leaping into the river as she pulled her phone and pager out to hold out. Tapping swiftly with her thumb as she notified Marine of the situation and location. Clicking the pager as well before dunking her head under the water then climbing out. Shoving the two items in her pockets as she ran along towards the apartment building.

A crowd was starting to form at the bottom as they started to notice the flames, the loud ringing fire alarm screaming its warning. Quite a few of the tenants were already outside, panicked. The tall blonde blinked her amethyst eyes before charging into the building. As she moved, Ashton's eyes quickly looked over for a fire extinguisher, yet the station where it should be wasn't there. Confused but having little time to think about it, the firefighter charged up the stairs.

With each floor, she checked for one, yet all of them seemed to be missing. Odd. Still, the tall dirty blonde bolted to the door that was starting to burn, flames flickering and spitting threateningly, a clear warning to stay back or get burned. However the tall woman ignored such a warning, using her right foot and kicking the door down. Raising her hands over her head as smoke spewed out, threatening to suffocate her. Crouching lower, Ashton quickly entered inside the burning room. Over the roars of the flames, she could hear crying screams of distress coming from the kitchen where the flames seemed to have taken over the most.

Moving foreword the firefighter saw a child of perhaps ten years of age over the body of a man. Perhaps the little girl's father. As the child looked up to her, the girl could only utter sobs. Ashton removed her jacket and draped it over the little girl before crouching to examine the man. He was breathing, he had burns all over his body and he needed immediate attention. It sorta seemed like he was cooking and something exploded. Either way, she didn't have time to think about it. She checked his neck, for any indication that it would be bad to carry. Not like there was much choice.

So with a soft twist in her face, she lifted the man in her arms, throwing him over her right shoulder. Her right arm wrapping around his waist to get a good grip on him while her left arm wrapped around the girl's shoulder. Quickly rushing them out of the building. The girl stumbled in the rush but Ashton was quick to get the girl to her feet and continue the escape. When they were outside, Ashton set the man down before flicking her amethyst eyes towards the little girl as she pulled at her sleeve sobbing. 

[color=c4df9b]"...K...K... Kitty...!"[/color] the little girl wailed as she pointed toward the building once more.

Ashton before looking to the building as she stood up, patting the little girl's head before charging back inside. She could hear the sirens or the emergency vehicles and the roars of the fire engine, but she didn't stop. Soaring up the flights of stairs, she returned to the burning room, coughing a bit as she crouched and covered her mouth. Quickly scoping out the apartment for some signs of a pet. Entering a bedroom, she faintly heard a wail. Moving to look under the bed, she saw a wailing small white kitten covered in soot. Reaching with her right arm, Ashton snatched the kitten gently before bringing her into her chest. Just then there was a crackle above.

Snapping her gaze upwards, a chandelier groan before falling. The tall firefighter held the kitten close before trying to dive out of the way. Tensing and gritting her teeth as she felt sharp metal crush against her left leg. Face scrunching, she used her other leg to kick at the chandelier off of her before stumbling on her feet. Or foot. Her left leg shot pain through her body as she tried to stand on it.

Tightening her lips together, the fire crackled against a bookcase, and she watched as it collapsed in front of the room door. Coughing, Ashton looked around before turning to the window. Limping and opening it up, she looked over the side. Hearing the roars of sirens, the yelling of people, and the hissing flames behind her. Looking below, she saw the river. Looking over her shoulder for a moment, Ashton scrambled through the window, her left arm holding the kitten close while her right hand held the window sill. Right leg firmly pressed against the window sill as she tried looking around. 

Clenching her teeth she took a breath before pushing her foot firmly against the window sill, launching her off as she jumped.

She felt the crushing impact of water, and her world instantly going from a inferno into cold cool liquid. 

The light turning into darkness.

Then nothing.