Elliot, the pyrotechnics king, had a theory.
A dangerous one.
A theory that should never have been spoken aloud.
"Explosions look better when Aria is in the shot."
He said it once.
Quietly.
Casually.
And the entire effects team froze like he had summoned a demon.
Because…
he was right.
And that truth would soon break Mason's will to live.
The First Explosion Test
The test was simple:
Controlled explosion in the background
Julian walking through smoke
Aria standing beside him, looking tense
No diving.
No stunts.
No instinctive combat rolls.
Just walking.
Easy.
Mason begged them beforehand:
"No running.
No dodging.
No shielding each other.
And NO making the explosion look romantic."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"Why would it look romantic?"
Mason pointed at both of them.
"BECAUSE YOU TWO EXIST."
Action
Elliot signaled his team.
"Fire in three… two… one—"
BOOOOOM
The explosion bloomed into a perfect cinematic fireball.
The smoke curled dramatically.
Julian stepped forward, calm, unbothered.
And Aria…
Aria walked through the drifting smoke like a myth in human form.
Her hair lifted slightly in the blast wave.
Her silhouette sharpened by the fire.
Her eyes focused and calm—like she'd walked through much worse before.
Rick the cameraman gasped.
"Oh my god…"
Daniel whispered:
"She looks like she's resurrecting from the flames."
The makeup artist quietly dropped her powder brush.
Lighting tech loudly whispered:
"WHY DOES SHE LOOK BETTER THAN THE EXPLOSION?!"
Elliot Is Ecstatic
He slapped the table.
"YES!!
YES!!
THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING!
SHE IMPROVES FIRE!"
Mason screamed:
"SHE SHOULD NOT BE IMPROVING FIRE!"
Julian glanced at Aria, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
"You're glowing."
Aria blinked.
"…It is warm."
Daniel groaned.
"STOP COMPLIMENTING HER. SHE'LL WALK INTO THE NEXT EXPLOSION ON PURPOSE."
Take Two — Aria Accidentally Upstages the Fire
They reset.
"Action!"
BOOM!
The second explosion rolled behind them like a dragon exhaling.
Julian shielded his face slightly—normal, human behavior.
Aria?
Aria turned her head and watched the fire with mild curiosity.
Like one might watch a sunset.
Rick whispered hoarsely:
"She's not reacting. She's… admiring it."
Elliot nearly cried with joy.
"She RESPECTS the flames!"
Mason slapped his forehead.
"SHE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO RESPECT THE FLAMES! SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AFRAID OF THEM!"
Aria looked at him calmly.
"I am not afraid."
"We KNOW!!" Mason shrieked.
Take Three — The Moment That Goes Viral
They tried again.
"Action!"
The explosion erupted—
And this time, a piece of debris flew toward Julian's shoulder.
Before Julian could react—
Aria moved.
A fast, clean, instinctive motion.
She stepped in front of him.
Raised her arm.
Caught the debris midair.
Dropped it at her feet.
Never breaking eye contact with the camera.
Rick almost dropped the camera.
Makeup let out a tiny squeal.
Daniel yelled:
"STOP PROTECTING HIM! YOU'RE MAKING THE SCENE TOO COOL!"
Julian stared at her, stunned and strangely touched.
"…Thank you."
Aria blinked.
"It was small."
The crew collectively swooned.
Mason Tries to Salvage Control
Mason marched over, shaking.
"Aria… sweetheart… gentle menace…
Please react normally to explosions."
Aria nodded once.
"I will."
Julian smiled knowingly.
Daniel whimpered.
Elliot prepared the next charge with manic joy.
Take Four — Aria Tries Her Best (And Fails)
"Action!"
BOOOOM!
Julian flinched slightly.
Aria lifted her shoulders exactly one inch.
One inch.
Daniel shouted:
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Aria responded seriously:
"I reacted."
Julian hid a laugh.
Mason screamed at the universe.
Final Verdict from the Crew
Lighting Department:
"She glows better than fire."
Makeup Department:
"She's flame-proof AND photogenic. Unfair."
Stunt Team:
"She walks like she owns the explosion."
Camera Crew:
"She improves every shot. It's infuriating."
Pyrotechnics Guy (Elliot):
"She is the Goddess of Flames."
Mason:
"NO SHE IS NOT! STOP NAMING HER AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS!"
Aria's Final Line
Aria looked at Elliot.
"The next explosion should be larger."
Mason fainted.
Elliot pumped his fist.
"YES MA'AM!"
Daniel screamed:
"STOP AGREEING WITH HER!!"
Julian quietly laughed and said:
"She'll look good no matter what."
Everyone collectively groaned.