In the Kiln [Alex, Kimitsuki]

Kimitsuki was glad to come by. Indeed, she didn't know this man terribly well. However, if he had connections to Abalia, and Hayden, it was very likely Alex was alright. The Danava gave Alex an affirming nod as he gave it to her straight; that he needed someone to keep an eye on him, or beat the shit out of him, if things went south. Such a proclamation made her wonder... what had happened to him? If this was something simple, like lung cancer, then she could understand why he couldn't smoke without hacking up a lung. However, why would lung cancer limit his ability to use his powers? Unless, his powers were extremely dependent on his breathing patterns.

Eventually, he created a purple spark above his own hand, and winced just from that small bit of exertion. It was strange. How could such a simple effort of a spark cause such pain. Kimitsuki paid close attention, letting her focus waver when she gave Alex a big smile; glad to come by and try some of Nel's donuts when they were fresh.

"Glad to help, Alex. Even if we don't know each other terribly well, I honestly don't mind helping at all."

A warm smile followed after Kimitsuki had spoke. However, she soon returned to more of an observing face as Alex continued to conjure energy and create a flame upon his palm. The more Alex pushed himself, the more the action seemed to noticeably hurt him. Something felt odd about his energy. It was clearly there, but it felt... strange. She couldn't be sure how to describe it, especially since she had never met Alex before now; with no previous ground to stand on, there wasn't a lot for Kimitsuki to judge right now. So, she simply kept watch, keeping a close eye on Alex.

"You got it. And of course not, better than focusing on the pain, after all."

Kimitsuki smiled at him, watching as he seemed to get angrier at his own inability to do more than light a spark in his palm; achieving the ability to create a flame in his hand, one that was certainly much larger than the spark before. However, he seemed to collapse to a single knee; something that caused Kimitsuki to lurch forwards a small bit. However, she ended up kneeling in front of him instead of trying to catch him. She listened to what he said, conjuring a small flame in her hands. It was different from the flame she had summoned up before. It seemed to be more wild, more free than her regular fire. Which was likely odd, given fire was already quite wild to begin with. She smiled at the man, nurturing the flame in her hand.

"Well, I'm part of Vastime; to put it bluntly, I'm a soldier. Albeit, I haven't had a lot to do with actual battlefields and such. Hayden actually recruited me himself. Bootcamp as a demon was certainly an adventure of its own. However, it's nice to know Abalia has such an opinion of me."

Kimitsuki raised the flame slowly, showing it to Alex. She wanted him to know what it was. After all, it probably did him far better to know what it was before she literally placed it on him.

"This was a gift from someone dear to me; a flame that could liberate. I figured... You're in a lot of pain, and I can't help but wonder if it might help. So, if you'll allow me... I'd like to try."

Kimitsuki waited for him to approve or deny. If Alex's answer was denial, Kimi wouldn't do a thing; she would simply let him continue to struggle. However, if allowed, Kimitsuki would grow the brilliantly wild flame as she moved her arm forward; hovering her open palm in front Alex's chest as the flame spread onto him. She was attempting to liberate the source of his pain; be that his cancer or something far more threatening to his life. After all, if just using his powers could cause such a painful reaction. Surely, there was something Kimitsuki could do for him.

"What about you, Alex...? You mentioned a Nel. Do-Do you have a family?"

Whether or not Kimi's liberation flame would actually help Alex was yet to be seen. She had seen no noticeable effect, or really reduced the pain he had felt. Kimitsuki was still concerned, the kind girl she was, but she wasn't really able to do much more than leave the liberation flame on Alex's torso and hope the continued exposure helped him out in the long run. Soon, Kimi nodded at what Alex had said about his daughter.

"Of course, I wouldn't mind in the slightest. I can teach her what I know; but I am sure there are better demons out there who can cover such things."

Kimitsuki nodded at him pleasantly. However, she soon stood up as Alex was requesting for them to fight. Frankly speaking, Kimitsuki was uncertain of Alex's condition, if it was a good idea for them to fight right now. However... She did not have the heart to dissuade him. Not to mention, she could tell Alex's mind was set on doing this; and there was likely nothing she could do to dissuade him anyways. Kimitsuki simply nodded at Alex. She was glad Alex was trusting her enough thanks to Abalia's recommendation. Soon, the demon watched as Alex stood up and finally asked Kimitsuki to 'hit him with it'. It was hard for Kimitsuki not to chuckle. However, after she was asked to hit him with it, the woman took a few steps back, keeping the liberation flame going on Alex; as long as she could at least. After Kimi took a step back, she punched her own palm; fire flaring out from where her knuckles connected with her other hand.

"You got it, Alex; don't go dying on me!"

Kimitsuki, Danava of Fire, looked at Alec closely as her hair's hue started to become more orange; started to flicker. She was fire, and when she used it; her body would reflect such changes. After her hair changed it's hue ever so slightly, Fire burst forth from the ground behind her; causing her hair to rise up with the sudden surge. She smiled at Alex. He wanted to be hit with it, and who was she to deny a man's simple wish. Besides, he did wish for Kimi to come at him full force; to not hold back. She felt bad about it, but she could make it up to him later.

Kimitsuki stomped one foot onto the floor, likely doing no damage, and then sent the full force of the column of fire towards Alex; planning to engulf him in the blaze. Not to mention, she used the fire as cover; dashing through her own fire while summoning her most important Atma Vatou, a blade made from the essence of flame itself. Once in range of Alex, hopefully not seeing the attack quite yet, Kimitsuki would use the blade as a distraction from her true objective. She was intent on delivering a powerful kick to Alex's side; basically feinting with her blade so he would attempt to avoid or deal with the blade and perhaps not anticipate the kick. Not to mention, Kimi had focused fire on her foot and leg; focused points meant to infuse a great deal of heat in such a focused point.

However, Kimi wasn't exactly the best at hand to hand combat from time to time; which normally caused her to rely on her fire in situations in which she was at a disadvantage. Which meant, perhaps Alex could see her ploy and properly react, and counter. Anything was possible. However, Kimitsuki didn't care much about winning this fight; or even if she got her ass beat in general. What she cared about was helping Alex; and hoping she could help him through this issue of a hollow eating upon his soul. There was a chance... If her liberation flame could do it's thing, perhaps even purge the hollow... Right now, Kimitsuki only hoped for that chance while doing her best to help Alex. And beat him up a bit.

Perhaps it was a bit much to expect Alex to dodge her sword and her fiery kick; then again, she had never fought Alex before. However, what she didn't expect that he would take both strikes, not take a great deal of damage in the process, and then counter with a good punch. Even if Kimitsuki had some minor advantages, in some areas, Kimitsuki had little time to avoid the punch. It was a good strike, and one that certainly made use of the opening that Kimitsuki had produced by attacking. She decided to flow with the force of the punch, as she couldn't really avoid it. Kimitsuki was nowhere near as durable as Alex, but this little maneuver of letting herself turn with the force of the punch decreased the damage a bit; albeit, it did leave a small tear in Kimi's lip and cheek. Indeed, it was healing, but quite slowly. Kimitsuki chuckled softly, gently wiping her lip a small bit.

"Right back atcha, Alex~"

The demon grinned at Alex, letting the damage heal naturally, for now, before Kimitsuki took a deep breath in, and let it out; in that brief moment, her fire had increased in heat in that short period of time. Her hair seemingly burned brighter, the demon bearing a load of flame behind herself. If Alex did not know Kimi was the Danava of Fire... perhaps this would give him quite a great hint. Since he wanted Kimitsuki to come at him full force...

Kimi's yell echoed through the room as she sent an even larger torrent of fire at Alex; the flame burning hot enough to quite possibly make Alex beware such intense heat. In those brief moments, Kimitsuki felt truly, and honestly, alive. She had not felt so free in such a long time. She had not let her fire run rampant like this ever since she had first obtained her small power over liberation. Kimitsuki let out a small chuckle as she let her fire burn through the room; likely damaging nothing. However, her only intent was to fight Alex, and not to harm anything else. In a blur of movement, or perhaps not since Kimitsuki was not the fastest being ever, Kimitsuki rushed towards Alex as she once again used her fire as cover. It probably wouldn't work twice, but Kimi was enjoying herself a bit too much to care about combat effectivity.

As Kimitsuki rushed through her fire, she did not bother with tricks like feints; she came at Alex head on. She aimed a right hook towards Alex's face, covering her fist and arm in fire; intending to deliver quite a powerful blow straight to Alex's jaw. Not to mention, the demon would follow up with a few strikes of her sword; luckily, she could use her sword with either hand, and not only one. After those strikes, Kimitsuki breathed fire, quite literally, point blank at Alex. Of course, even if Kimitsuki was starting to have fun, enjoy the freedom of cutting lose, she was still keeping a close eye on Alex's condition; still attempting to use her liberation flame to aid his condition as much as she could. Not to mention, there was no true threat as long as Kimitsuki was still in control; and as long as Kimi had control, there was no need to worry. As long as nothing terrible happened, Kimitsuki had hope that the hollow that was gnawing away at Alex's soul could be properly dealt with. After all, Kimitsuki didn't want to lose a new friend to a Hollow.