It seemed to be getting better. In small, very small, cautious steps. So small, that for some, it would go unnoticed. As it did many times for Gaia herself.
A Garchop stepped along next to her, mostly relaxed but still keeping an eye on every person that passed them. Not that anyone would try to arm Gaia. Not with him next to her. There was, however, a little kid, walking up to them, a boy, about five-ish Gaia guessed. Kyan noticed him first, halting and looking at Gaia, clearly not sure what to do with this.
The kid muttered something, of which Gaia recogniced only 'pet' and 'garromp'. To her own surprised, the redhead chuckled and nodded, laying a hand on Kyan to keep him calm.
But then, something happened she didn't expect. The kid grabbed Gaia's hand, and while she didn't expect that, it shouldn't have sparked the reaction it did: fire. Between the boys hand and her own. In shock, Gaia pulled both her hands back, scared that she had hurt the boy.
She wanted to check, desperately, but the flames that kept emerging from her hands drew her attention towards them. Gaia keeped on stepping back. Away from the kid, away from Kyan, all the way backing until she inevitably ended with her back against...
She had no clue what.
She was only aware of the material it was made of.
Wood.