Network: Leave Me Here, Burning With You

[bloodalwaystells]

Who: Andrew Jaeger
Username: a.jaeger
Warnings: cw: fire damage/injuries, mention of death




Hello. For those who don't know me, my name is Andrew Jaeger and I'm involved in the Investigation and Security divisions of ADI.

I wanted to make the group aware of some work I've been doing on a string of fires. Due to past incidents involving the Desolation, I've been keeping an eye on reports for arson and other suspicious fires, matching them to the modus operandi of the Avatar we know as Pyre. These recent reports caught my eye, particularly as they seem to be moving toward Massachusetts from the original incident in New Haven, Connecticut.

Specifically, the situation is this: the popularity of "fire shots", or lighting a shot or cocktail with high alcohol content on fire, has led to injuries and four deaths in the area, and reports of a patron ordering several fire shots and then vanishing. One bartender has claimed that she witnessed a man drink a still-flaming shot right in front of her.

Right now this is unfortunately spotty, but I want to keep an eye on it. The proximity, the spectacle, and the unfortunate fatalities are worth noting. I'm happy to accept any questions, comments, or other information for my file- if I can make a concrete case for further investigation, I'll submit it for action. Otherwise, it will be filed with ADI as a case to be watched, since Pyre is still unaccounted for and a credible threat.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[the_archivist]

Are you saying that we have a Desolation avatar who is basically still a university student in terms of what they're doing?

[bloodalwaystells]

It would seem so. If this is in fact Pyre's work, we've already established from past encounters that he's young and addicted to spectacle. When he was at the circus, he was center stage and very much enjoyed disturbing and unsettling people. He might be going for small fixes for that craving, while he works his way back to bigger things.

And bars and nightclubs are a surprisingly good for panic and chaos. Dark, loud, and crowded. It wouldn't take much to escalate to a mass casualty incident...so far there doesn't seem to be anything supernatural about the fires but a change in that could result in serious fatalities.

[the_archivist]

There's something going on at least. You're supposed to get rid of the flame before drinking, so either someone was very stupid, or there is a sort of compulsion to it.

[failedpromise]

Well I suppose that is one way to lure victims.

(Aren't people supposed to put those out before they drink them?

She's not even going to comment on how stupid this is. When it comes to booze, stupidity isn't even remotely surprising.)

[bloodalwaystells]

[People aren't supposed to drink things that are on fire, generally, no.]

Bars are a good way to stay anonymous while still creating incidents to power one's Patron. Drunk, excitable people packed into a small space is something terrible waiting to happen, if someone is so inclined. So I'm suspicious that this is more than just a passing trend, and I want to continue to keep an eye on it.

If I'm wrong, I'm happy to be wrong, but there's a little too much about it that triggers some warnings for me.

[failedpromise]

Apparently drunk, excitable people also see someone drinking fire and instead of wondering what's wrong with them and how aren't they getting burnt decide that they want to want to do it too!

(SIGH)

Do Humans always pick the stupidest options possible? That's a rhetorical question by the way-I already know the answer is yes.

un: valentine

[outofthepast]

An Avatar, or any given fraternity party on a Friday night?

[Kids these days.]

It is an unusual number of similar incidents at once, though. Is this all we've got to go on?

[bloodalwaystells]

It's entirely possible it's both. I thought the degree of damage and the number of fatalities was notable, and the fact that it seems limited to our general location rather than scattered over a wider area. New Haven is only a couple of hours' drive away.

For now, that's all, unfortunately, but I felt that it bears watching. Donna Noble and I have discussed the matter and agreed that Pyre is still a threat, considering his role as an Avatar, his familiarity with our operations, and how many of our faces he's familiar with.

And if this is a *new*, emerging avatar, then that is worth concern as well.

[outofthepast]

Thanks for explaining that. I'm still new at all this business. Avatars and criminals with superpowers and all that. Lot of it still doesn't make any sense to me.

Any next steps in mind? I want to follow your lead.

[musicdied]

Is it moving, or spreading?

[bloodalwaystells]

From what I can tell of the locations and incidents, it seems to be moving northward along I-91. If it continues to follow that track, it will remain to the west of us and continue north to the Canadian border by way of Vermont and New Hampshire, but New Haven is only a few hours' drive away. Certainly much less than a day's travel, so heading into Boston or Providence is a possibility as well.

I haven't seen any reports of incidents outside the area. Very localized, even if it's just a "harmless" trend and not avatar activity.

[musicdied]

It's a very believable stupid trend, but stupid trends don't usually stay that contained.

Some of Down's cult got their start in Canada, didn't they? There may be something there, if it is related. It might be worth taking a closer look. Not a full-scale investigation, but a few people on short, targeted trips.

un: SGR

[punched_hitler]

Should we be keeping an eye on the bars?

[bloodalwaystells]

I don't think it would hurt to keep an eye on our local places, as well as continuing to monitor the news for future incidents. The trend may simply die out, but if someone is deliberately causing them, then what direction the track takes will be helpful. Also, any signs of further escalation or changes in MO.

If this is deliberate work of an avatar, then it may be building to a larger event and I'm concerned about that. It *could* simply be opportunistic feeding but as they grow in confidence and need, it might escalate.

Text; un: Kruos

[whisperedone]

Did you see my or George's report on Pyre from when we were in Wolf Pen?

[bloodalwaystells]

I did, and that worries me more than if Pyre had simply disappeared after his association with the circus. Watts is still unaccounted for as well and that doesn't sit well with me, either.

I don't have the full picture of their involvement with each other or what Pyre was looking for in Wolf Pen, but he's young and his previous home at the circus is gone now. I expect that whatever loose ends he's at, he hasn't lost his desire for chaos and horror.

un: valentine

[outofthepast]

I didn't, but I'd like to know more. Would you mind giving me the skinny?

un: supertemp; text

[thedoctorsmate]

I can definitely add something to my notes for people to be on the lookout at local bars.
Planning to post an updated thing every month or so, just to keep anyone new informed.
But great.
We've got an avatar on a bender, maybe.
Though, finding out your circus and your dad are dead might drive a man to drink...
Good work on this, mate!

[bloodalwaystells]

[Okay, it's not professional to use smileys in corporate communication, but Jaeger is smiling a little bit at the praise.]

I think regular updates are a fantastic idea, a lot of these investigations are ongoing and may have future fallout. It's a lot to keep track of, but it's worth at least some energy to keep an eye on past situations that might return to bite us on the ass.

[Okay, sometimes he can be slightly less than professional. But that is his expert opinion, okay?]

I'll send you what I've already gathered so far, as far as news reports and interviews are concerned, if you want to maintain a complete file. I have my own copies, and a fair amount of it has been submitted to ADI as well to keep them in the loop on my current caseload.

text; un: bright

[abrightboy]

Is there security footage of this person drinking the fire shot and disappearing? I saw Pyre's original show at the circus. I think I even still have the footage of it my previous roommate recorded. I might be able to find comparisons between the two.

[bloodalwaystells]

I haven't been able to nail down any pictures of this stranger, though a person in a jean jacket does show up in several shots where there's odd distortion of the image.

The kind of distortion that I tend to see when I take pictures of supernaturally-oriented objects and sites. So it's worth noting, even if there's no particular other signs of magical influence.

I'd be happy to send you the videos and pictures I've been able to collect, but for access to the police reports I would need a hacker, which I am not.

un; punchgirl

[lesbeau]

ughhhhh thats probably fucking pyre, yeah. i was looking into that too. investigators always find wax at the scene. it has to be him.

here i thought he wasn't stupid enough to go make a spectacle of himself but guess the fuck NOT

[bloodalwaystells]

Wax? That's definitely telling, then, yes. Thank you, that's important.

I think at this stage, Pyre is very much addicted to the power his Patron gives him, and the rush of causing chaos and panic. Especially now that he's on his own and can't rely on the structure of the Circus. It's both helpful and a disaster in the making- it makes him easier to track, but eventually he'll get tired of the small fixes and go looking for something bigger.

un; username

[canofmanji]

huh never would have thought to set a shot on fire before drinking it. is there even a point? does it make the booze taste any different? [That is not the part to focus on, Manji.]

[bloodalwaystells]

[No, that's not the point of the post but Jaeger will humor him.]

Mostly it's for show, but with at least some drinks, yes, setting them on fire changes the taste. It burns off some of the alcohol, caramelizes sugar and makes flavors like citrus oil more potent.