Name: Jack
Story: commonplace
Colors: White Cross 20. Spiritualized
Word Count: ~225
Rating: PG

"I'm not going back, you know," Tlalli said as the train hurried down the coast, away from the volcano where she'd Called the spirit of fire. "I might as well have burned the school to the ground."

Coza said nothing, but she reached out and took Tlalli's hand as they sat next to each other in the private car.

"I've burned away so many things," she continued. Coza forgot how old Tlalli was, sometimes. Coza's own hair was well on its way to silver, but Tlalli's still shone black against her brown skin.

Her instinct was to comfort, so she hugged Tlalli close to her. "I'm sure you only did what you had to."

"I- I left my husband and daughter behind in Tenochtitlan," she said, and Coza nearly pulled away in surprise. "Years ago. She might have children of her own by now."

"You don't know?"

"I never... it seemed better not to ask."

Coza nodded. "When we're done saving the world or whatever this is, why don't we go down to Tenochtitlan and see if we can find her?"

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"After seeing my girl come home to her father... I do. If you don't want to, we don't have to. But think about it. You can tell me your answer when we're done."

Tlalli smiled, then, and Coza leaned in to kiss her.