<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/74/Siren2.jpg)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Aline Myobi -</strong> <em>Getting turned to pulp...</em></span></div><br/>"Oof!" Before she had a chance to respond in any way, Aline practically fell backwards and instead staggered a few steps back as Ingrid threw her arms around her in a vicious bear hug...and commenced trying to break her bones out of affection. "I-Ingrid." She gasped and patted the other woman's back weakly in an attempt to be reassuring while still trying to breathe. "Ingrid, I'm fine but I'm going to pass out soon if you don't let go."<br/><br/>She felt herself warming, a layer of frost melting as her chest warmed with her friend's frantic affections. Squeezing her back in a tight hug, the smaller women just let herself be content for a moment. That detached feeling was still there, but not as evident. Instead, it was as if Ingrid's worries helped to ease Aline's own and restore the calm that had eluded her earlier. She could cry her eyes out later...but not in front of everyone else. Even if the gallery was burning, even if her home, her dreams...Firmly, she pushed the thoughts away, the hot prickling of tears already threatening at the back of her eyes. No, now was not the time.<br/><br/>Brushing back Ingrid's tangled hair, she noted with a grin of her own that both of their faces were smudged with ash. Twin streaks trailing clear streaks down their cheeks. "We're a mess, but we're safe and that's all that matters right now." Her own lips found the other woman's full ones before tiptoeing up slightly to place another on her forehead. "We can exchange stories on how we got out later, but you're right, a head count's priority right now." That familiar tone she used for business was back in her voice, the facade already in place.<br/><br/>Pulling away somewhat reluctantly, Aline wasn't completely confident that she'd be able to stay as calm as she was pretending to be, she spotted Morgan and her eyes lit up. Relief, happiness,...a quick few steps closed the distance and her arms had wrapped around his neck in a hug as well. Not nearly as forceful as Ingrid's had been, but still full of enthusiastic affection. "Good to see you, even if you are missing a shirt." Then again, she wasn't one to talk herself with her own clothes a mess.<br/><br/>Her expression grew serious as she unwrapped her arms, and turned to survey the crowd, trying not to stare at the smoldering building - the fire now mostly put out. "Let's get everyone together. Maybe even breakfast at the waffle house so we can...figure this out." It was the first sign to catch her eye as she stared down the street. A meeting was inevitable. She needed to sort this out, but mostly...she needed the support.<em>God, what the fuck is going to happen to us now...?</em>The thought was grim in her mind as she began going around gathering the others with the help of Ingrid and Morgan.