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Apocalypse How Mods ([personal profile] apocalypsehowmods) wrote in [community profile] apocalypsehowcomm2022-05-16 08:09 am

Event - Appalachia: Into the Pines


Appalachia: Into the Pines

Footage plays on the television as a new story comes on, showing a series of sweeping vistas, intercut with clips of wolves that have clearly been filmed at some local wildlife sanctuary. "As far as anyone knows it, the last wolf to ever freely roam the Allegheny Mountains was slain in West Virginia in 1897. Daniel Stoffer Hamrick saw to the beast's passing, and the woods in our part of the world have gone quieter ever since. Appalachia does not forget its history, though. It buries it beneath coal and flyash, debts and white powder and pills. And the blood of people taken before their time, by the mines, by the mountain, by things we don't have names for, just hurt. But Appalachia does not forget.

"This is Cindy Parsons with Channel 5, Wolf News." Footage cuts to a newscaster standing outside a gated apartment complex with FYRE's logo emblazoned on it. "As we know, our beloved Wolf Pen is home to one of the biggest FYRE worker housing complexes in Wyoming County. It is a monument to the history of our town, and this week, we'll be on the lookout for visitors from all over the country, coming to see the grand re-opening of the historic Bluestone Mine as a museum."

Footage cuts to a nondescript businessman, identified by the news footage as Carl Watts, CEO of FYRE. He's smiling blandly as he stands at a podium and gestures to the entrance of the mining tunnel behind him. "The Wolf Pen community has been a partner to us for decades now, and we knew it was finally time to give something back to all y’all. We'll have our soft opening on Monday with a full Rumble Down Under party in the old mines scheduled for June 15th. We'll have a live bluegrass concert and anticipate a huge influx of tourists to the area to help out our neighbors itching for a few more pocketbooks to tend to." A wink.

The footage returns to Cindy. "FYRE has stated that this new museum will provide an educational tool and tourist attraction for those wanting to learn about West Virginia, Wolf Pen, and the hard-working men and women who have made this beautiful part of our nation their home. Time will tell. Time is always telling when it comes to the promises of people who have used our land and our bodies to line their pocketbooks. They fill our blood and our lungs with black tar and-"

Cindy cuts out and is replaced by in-studio anchors. "Thank you, Cindy!" a blonde woman says, smile just a little strained. "I think we're all looking forward to seeing the big opening by FYRE on Sunday and that rocking good party next month. It should be a gneiss one! Now to Tim with the weather. Tim?"


➥ Links
failedpromise: (Oh?)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-05-25 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Cortana flashes a winning smile at the woman, seemingly oblivious to any annoyance her presence may cause.

Being called Halsey almost makes the mask slip (S̴̩̒́͠h̷̟̽̌ȩ̴̅̂ ̶̲͗ī̴̝̑s̶̜̹͐̂́ ̵͙͠n̶̩̂̋̕o̴̼͍̔t̴͚̲̲͑͂̚ ̵̙͓͈̇̎ḩ̴͚͍̍͐ê̶̢̹͓̕r̶̭̻̓͠ ̷̧͚̿m̷͉̊͐o̸̠̎̚t̸̹̥̦̽̏̓h̷͕͒̓ȇ̶̘̮̕r̵̈́͗̓ͅ), but AI are fast reacting and adaptable as part of their nature, the tiny breath she takes unlikely to be noticeable. It feels simultaneously right and wrong: a relation acknowledged, a name that isn't her own.

She'll just have to get used to it. At least he's not calling her doctor.

"Thank you, Mr. Boss." Her expression is one of pleasant satisfaction and relief. "I'll endeavor to make this as painless as possible."
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-05-26 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
He just makes a disgusted sound as he brushes past her and heads out of the trailer. The woman sighs again. "Let me get you a few things, inspector." Cortana will find herself handed an ID badge for a Frank Everett, then a high visibility vest, safety glasses, and a hard hat. "You need to keep all of this on at all times. They're part of the safety protocols that keep our people in the mines safe. Listen to Eth- to Mr. Boss and stay where he tells you. I'm sorry he's so gruff, but these inspections are disrupting our work, and we've already been behind this week."
failedpromise: (Default)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-05-26 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
She listens patiently to the woman, taking each item offered. It all seems fairly standard to her, given what she knows about 21st century mines.

"Thank you, miss...?" might as well get her full name, if possible.
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-05-27 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Regina Lamb." She gestures to the door. "Best not to keep him waiting."

Once outside, Ethan will turn on Cortana. "Badge there. You stay close to me while we're in there. You go wandering off, I'm kicking you out of my mines when I find you. Don't care what kinda score that gets me on your little assessment sheet. I'm not losing some fool inspector in there and having to stop everyone working so we can come find you."
failedpromise: (Look)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-05-27 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Cortana nods "Thanks, Ms. Lamb." and leaves.

For now, she'll follow Ethan's instructions to the letter. "Wouldn't exactly be safe if you just let people wander around, would it?" OSHA inspectors or not. Of course, she's going to have to slip out of sight at some point most likely if she wants to hack this place, though really, all she needs is a few minutes near a USB port and an opportunity to plug hers in without it being seen...

She'll just have to think of something as she goes. If worst comes to worst she can disappear and hide by de projecting herself until it's safe to come out and leave, or use her memory of the layout to break back in later.
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-05-28 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"We'll start at the bottom with storage and work our way up." He starts walking, not slowing his steps to accommodate her shorter stature. At least while they're in the main tunnel, he can stand up straight and stalk forward apace.

As they head toward the end of the main tunnel where there's clearly some sort of elevator system, Cortana will be able to see there are smaller tunnels branching off. These have much lower ceilings and look like people going into them would need to stoop. They just look claustrophobic.

There's something else that might not be immediately apparent to her, but will become so the longer this tour goes on. She is hungry. Not in the physical sense, but something more primal. Whatever reserves of fear she has seem to be draining slowly away in here. While it will not affect her appearance, thanks to the disguise in place from others, she will likely begin to feel thinner, less there... and in need of a 'snack' to fix that.
failedpromise: (Look)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-05-29 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
She'll hurry to keep up with him, trotting awkwardly alongside.

The feeling of hunger initially manifests as a desire for data, and she examines the branching tunnels curiously. Her data on mines tells her that they can be cramped, so the atmosphere of claustrophobia is unsurprising, though it is still noticeable in a way that makes her wonder if fear is the intention.

Every single one of those tunnels could lead to something terrible, and yet her chest burns, as though by not learning what's down them she's depriving herself of vital oxygen.

...Actually, she's feeling really short of breath just, in general.

"Couldn't work in a mine if you were claustrophobic, I guess." The remark is a distraction from her current state, but only in part: the need for attention grows alongside her need for knowledge, and she finds herself thinking more and more about fear.

...She wonders: is Ethan even aware of the entities that FYRE has ties to?

The feeling intensifies. Her non-existent stomach is roiling now. It's a new sensation, one that almost stops her in her tracks.

...Oh Hell. This is entity influence isn't it?

Her expression loses it's brightness, taking on a more unhappy but pretending not to be look. Unfortunately, self awareness doesn't lessen the urge and its influence at all.

Cortana is, historically, not the best at suppressing these sorts of urges.
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-05-30 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
He glances back and down at her with a deeper frown. "No. You feeling claustrophobic already? We ain't even gone down to the warrens."
failedpromise: (SomethingOff)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-05-30 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not at all." The strange feeling of claustrophobia the tunnels give off aside, things would need to be a lot more cramped in order to bother her.

She grins at Ethan. "Just a thought. Though I was imagining how difficult it would be for an old friend of mine to fit in one of those tunnels." The Chief wasn't necessarily claustrophobic, but he was very large.

Her insatiable curiosity, enhanced with entity hunger, surges to the forefront again: she is interested in seeing the Warrens... and any terror they might cause.
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-05-31 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
He continues to eye her suspiciously, but doesn't comment as they make it to the elevator. It looks like something from the early-to-mid 20th century, not the modern era. Some guardrails have been added for safety, but it's not a standard elevator.

"I'm showing you our equipment storage down there, then you'll get to see some of my boys working, then we're coming back up and you're leaving. Don't got time for these inspections."
failedpromise: (Oh?)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-05-31 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Got it." Fat chance, buddy. She's gonna get the data she wants, regardless of what she's got to do to get it.

The hunger has spread to the rest of her being, a sort of light and tingly feeling like her body isn't entirely there. She looks at her hand for a moment, checking that it's still there and unharmed before her eyes light up with intrigue and she steps onto the elevator, going right up to the guardrail in her curiosity.

She glances back at Ethan "So, how long have you been in charge?"
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-06-01 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Took over two years ago. Been working here three decades before that." His ever-present sour look darkens. "If you're questioning my experience..."
failedpromise: (Look)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-06-01 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
She waves a hand. "Not my intention. Besides I can't say anything there."

He's been working for longer than she's been alive.

"What about the person in charge before you?"
pennedin: (Boss)

cw: mention of terminal medical conditions involving the lungs

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-06-01 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
"Martin Webb. Emphysema got him after I took over." He squares his jaw. "We've got the legally-required safety equipment and controls in place to deal with the coal dust." The elevator finally touches down and they'll find themselves in a network of smaller tunnels with lights stationed at regular intervals. "And extra protection for anyone who wants it. Just a part of this job. Men know it when they sign up.

"You work here long enough, you pull part of the mountain into you. Just the way it is."
failedpromise: (SomethingOff)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-06-01 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
She's starting to enjoy his suspicion and paranoia with every question.

"Pull part of the mountain into you, huh? Awfully poetic way of putting it." She looks thoughtful.

What, she wonders, is most likely to put him on edge?

"Anything else you consider just part of the job, Mr. Boss?"
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-06-02 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
"I write poetry in my spare time. Got a problem with that, Ms. Halsey?" His words are growled ahead of her as he ducks his head and turns down a particular tunnel. "Just part of my job's dealing with you right now. Not sure they pay me enough for all y'all been snooping around."
failedpromise: (Profile)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-06-03 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
"No." She can think of better things to occupy her time, but it's not as if poetry is some terrible evil. Even if it was practiced by a monster of terrible evil.

...Is there anything not tainted by his memory?

"Do they pay anyone enough for this job?" It's a rhetorical question: she's pretty sure the answer is no.
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-06-03 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
That question actually earns a huff of a laugh. "Here we are." Boss turns into another tunnel and it opens up significantly into a larger room where he doesn't have to stoop anymore. "We got the extra PPE over here. Extra supplies in that corner. And the-"

He stops, brow furrowing as his gaze darts around the room. Boss goes quiet for a long moment as he steps forward, clearly looking for something. Cortana will be able to see him becoming visibly agitated and even distressed for a moment before he smooths his expression over to a hard scowl.

"I need to check something with my lineman. You stay here."
failedpromise: (Working)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-06-04 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Perfect timing.

Cortana looks with some interest at the indicated items before Mr. Boss drops off into silence. The change is startling and she looks up, observing the shifts in expression-movements lightning quick to an organic are molasses to an AI-with some interest.

Seems like something has gone wrong. Potentially something serious.

More importantly, an opportunity has arisen.

"Got it." And if she can find what she needs nearby, she might actually keep her word. She'd definitely prefer not to have to go wandering around in a supernatural coal mine.

She'll take a note of what direction he runs off in. Once he leaves, she spends a few moments assessing several things in this order:

1. Is there something obviously missing that should be here that he'd be worried about?

2. Is there anything here that shouldn't be?

3. Are there any computers that she can access?
pennedin: (Default)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-06-05 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
Ethan hurries away, ducking with the tunnel. His voice echoes back to her as he calls for someone named 'Alfie.'

Cortana will find that there is, indeed, something very obviously missing. There's an open space in one back corner with a tarp lying on the ground. On the tarp is the following sign:



The rest of the equipment looks very much like it belongs, and unfortunately, there don't appear to be any computers beyond what's within the equipment, like a few devices that seem to be designed to map rock formations.
failedpromise: (Shock)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-06-05 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
The thing about AI is most of them are incredibly fucking smart.

The thing about Cortana is she's kind of an expert when it comes to blowing things up in the most massively destructive way possible.

So when Cortana sees the tarp, she goes over to examine it curiously then freezes, blanching as the destructive possibilities of maliciously used explosives in a coal mine immediately start coming to mind. She takes out her smartphone and, after taking a brief moment to check if anyone is coming, snaps several pictures of the tarp and missing ordinance.

Finding a computer has become a much less important issue for the time being, but if there are any rooms connected to or otherwise right next to this one she'll take a brief glance inside, just to make sure.
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-06-05 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
There are a few connected storage rooms, but they contain much of the same equipment. As she's looking around, she'll hear angry shouting echoing back toward her. Boss is clearly laying into someone and viciously so. Then, the sound of his footsteps approaching.

"Ms. Halsey, please come with me. We need to head back up while my boys clear the Warrens. We got a safety situation." From his tone, this is clearly an order, not a request.
failedpromise: (Oh?)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-06-05 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
At the sound of footsteps, she moves right back to where she's supposed to be.

"Got it, Mr. Boss." She can see that there's a situation. He might catch a bit of concern in her expression-a glance at the tarp that covers nothing, a bite of the lip-but she schools it back into a calm neutral.

She's definitely not going to argue with him about going back up. In fact, she really only has one remaining question, which she'll ask once they're back on the elevator.

"So, Mr. Boss: why did Bluestone mine close? Is it really that much more profitable as a museum?" She doesn't say it directly but what she wants to find out is whether there's still coal in that mine.
Edited 2022-06-05 22:09 (UTC)
pennedin: (Boss)

[personal profile] pennedin 2022-06-07 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
Boss is drumming his fingers impatiently on his hip as they head up, his mind elsewhere enough that he startles just slightly at her voice and question.

"Why would I know? I told 'em they should've kept digging in there. Seemed like they were gonna reopen it, then all this bullshit about a museum cropped up the last couple years. Higher-ups decided to go with that. Fucking idiots, far as I'm concerned."
failedpromise: (Wideeye)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-06-07 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
"So there's still coal in there? Seems pretty odd that they'd pass up on the potential profits."

They might have decided that it was simply more important to have a mine to use for their ritual... or they might be thinking about starting a coal mine fire. Create a fire that is near impossible to put out and renders the surrounding land a smouldering, poisonous, uninhabitable mess for potentially hundreds or even thousands of years? It's what Cortana would do.

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