This Vintage Collection Went Up In Flames

About a year into her job she began experiencing burnout. With the constant work of singing, songwriting and dealing with rather demanding men, it was getting rather rough for her. To help combat this she cut the singing down to at least two days a week and the rest of the time she would spend cooking in the kitchen since it was the other favorite pastime of hers. Only thing she didn't like about cooking is the cleaning you had to do otherwise but thankfully the place had a dishwasher and she could skip that part. She could probably get paid to do nothing at all as the men back there were overly kind and always asked if she wanted them to do something for her. Dyna would politely decline though as she knew that people like these always did things for an ulterior motive and she definitely didn't trust that. Just because she was pretty didn't mean she had zero braincells after all! On this particular night the air felt somewhat thick and strange. Dyna even had to close a kitchen window as the air just felt off in some way, the smell was almost vomit-inducing. She was helping clean and shut down for the night when a siren began blaring in the distance, causing the crew to scramble out and see what was going on. Dyna quietly observed as the cook and dishwash spoke.

"Hell's Bells, that alarm is annoying."
"Sure is, wonder what's up?"
"Dunno, can't see anything. It's so dark."
"Holy Smokes!"
"What?"
"Look! By the Mayor's place!"

When the crew turned to where the dishwasher was pointing they all gasped in horror. A wall of flame was tearing through the town and leaving behind a mess of ash and some sort of dark substance. Dyna watched as the fire roared and it didn't take long to realize it was headed for her home. Her home that had all her wonderful vintage items. A collection worth millions.

"No, no, no."
"What Dyna?"
"It's heading for my home!"
"It looks like its gonna tear up the town, we gotta go!"
"I can't!"
"Why?"
"My vintage!"
"Forget your stuff Dyna! We gotta get out of town!"
"I will NOT leave it behind!"

Before the crew could grab her she took off like a speeding bullet. They didn't even move until they saw her disappear into the house. There was no hope of saving her now but they truly wanted to. They looked one last time before joining another small crew and piled into a catering van for the bakery next door. All they could hear was the screams of folks and the roaring blaze...
When Dyna had ran into her home it had already begun melting due to the sheer heat close by. She was desperate as she tried to save every little thing she could get her hands on and carry. She had a hard time deciding what to grab and soon became overheated and collapsed. The fire was now taking her home and she decided she wanted to go with it. It'd be okay. She'd at least be with her things as they all melted together, no? She clutched her little stuffed rabbit tight as she closed her eyes. The heat was making her feel quite sleepy really. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as she thought? No. It was worse. She could barely relax as the skin began to heat and feel like it was bubbling off of the bone. She gave a roaring screech before silence. Darkness had now taken over.

Dyna had been sure she had died when she slowly opened one eye. She quietly looked around. All she could see was darkness though she could tell she was still alive by her hard beating heart. She attempted to steady her shaky breathing as she weakly pulled herself to sit up. Her eyes were just adjusting to the dark when she heard a voice.

"Ah, so you survived."
"W-Who's there!?"
"Calm yourself now. Would hate to lose you after all."
"..."
"That's better. My name is Ophius. I saved you from a terrible fate. Now you owe me."
"I don't owe you jack. I didn't ask for this."
"Oh but that doesn't matter. It's in the past. You now do my bidding."
"Frick off. I am not doing anything for you, you freakish monster!"

Ophius had stepped into view and the only light that seemed to radiate came from his halo. It cast an odd glow on his face and Dyna would rather perish in the fire again if it meant getting far away from him. Ophius informed her that her freedom had expired when she decided to go save her material items from an impossible to fight fire. She listened quietly as he gave her the run down and informed her that she was indeed experimented on and had a fantastic new look considering she destroyed her old body. More lights flickered on and she found herself surrounded by mirrors. One look in them told her everything and she screamed again. Oh she was a hideous creature! Vile! Disgusting! She could see some remnants of her old jewelry had remained embedded in her skin but otherwise she became this ungodly freak of nature. Society would never accept her again. Ophius informed her that she didn't need society as she now had a new family. His. She looked at him with disgust but knew better now than to argue. She was given on single task. One job to do while she remained within the confines of this place called Paradise Lost. Sing. Dyna was confused. Sing? Why that? She didn't think she had it in her after everything that had transpired. Ophius told her if she refused the task she would be tormented accordingly. She decided to agree much to her disappointment and followed him for a tour.
Dyna still performs for entertainment though she doesn't quite have the joy she once had for this passion. She is paid in peace and sometimes get a bonus where she is allowed to choose one vintage thing that was "found" by a team that scavenges for bits and bobs. Dyna recognized some of them as her own things but dared not kick up a fuss. There have been whispers of an upcoming rebellion though anyone caught speaking about it is terminated immediately. Dyna truly hopes it's true as she'd be more than happy to help the rebels in any way she can.

credits

Lea

Character/Story by Glory

Art by Sinjun

Background by Wallpaper Cave