apocalypsehowcomm | Network: Leave Me Here, Burning With You

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Network: Leave Me Here, Burning With You

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.

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I'd appreciate updates if you do stumble on anything notable, please. I intend to continue building my file on the subject to keep all the details in one place that's easily accessed. Don't go too far out of your way, but just being watchful is important given how much things have escalated already here. I intend to continue monitoring the news, both locally and more regionally, to keep tabs on the situation. If I find something that we can actually act on besides "more research", then I'll pass that along as well.

It's not out of my way. Technically, it's part of the job, right? Noticing things we haven't been "officially" alerted about still counts, in my book.

But I'll let you know what I find. Even if it's nothing, it might be good to know the phenomenon isn't spreading.

[It's probably impossible to read the wry tone the words would have if spoken, but he adds,] Think ADI would reimburse me for a few drinks?

Edited 2022-09-28 16:31 (UTC)

There are a lot of things to watch for in this city and the bar is not a bad place to catch wind of what's going on in general. As you said, being able to eliminate particular things is useful in its own way. So I think it's time well-spent, I often spend a couple of hours at the coffee shop or bar myself for the change of scenery. Just listening and getting a feel for the crowd and what's going on.

[The latter draws a small laugh from him.]

You'd think they would be more generous with their expense accounts, wouldn't you? It doesn't hurt to ask, I'm sure.

The worst they can say is no. But all I'm asking is that they reimburse me for business expenses.

[Yeah, even he knows that's really going out on a limb.]

But I'll keep an ear to the ground. Or the bar, as it were.

I'm Steve, by the way. Steve Rogers.

It never hurts to try, especially on the paycheck we're collecting. And in most cases, it's good to have that safety net, people knowing where you are and what you're doing in case something goes wrong.

{He doesn't trust ADI completely, not even close, but there's a professional way to go about the whole thing and he tends to adhere to that when possible.]

Nice to meet you. I'm Andrew Jaeger...most people just call me Jaeger.

I guess It probably is a good idea if someone knows where I am.

[Typed like it would probably be said with a sigh, out loud. Steve is not really used to needing people to know what he's up to, but these are not normal circumstances for any of them.]

Oh - you must be Tony Stark's other roommate?

It feels very elementary school to always have a buddy that knows where you are, but things get dangerous around here and if something goes wrong, it's good to have that safety net.

[Jaeger is used to working alone, too, but he's professional enough to conceded the necessity of good communication on a job. Especially here, when things have gotten so much worse over the past year.]

That would be me, yes. Do you know Tony well?

It's better than the alternative; I feel like anything goes here. I'll make sure someone knows where I am.

I do, yeah. We're from the same place. He's a good friend. Although maybe that's easier to say when I don't have to live on top of him and all of his projects. We usually had a little more space to spread out. Well - he did. [He's seen your apartment.]

Have you been here long?

People disappear here way too frequently. Not just the ones that vanish from ADI, but missing persons in the woods, on the beach...pretty much anywhere and everywhere. It's definitely not a pattern to be ignored. Tony...I think he means well enough. The mess can be a bit infuriating but it seems to keep him happy and calm to be able to work on his projects, so I can bend a little on that subject.

[Jaeger really does wish the guy all the best, even if he can be A Lot at times.]

I've been here a year, as of this past August. And I was in a very similar line of work before I came here, so I've adapted pretty well to the whole thing. There's a few things in common with my own world, too, that have made it easier to get used to, though I wouldn't necessarily say that they're *good* things. But I've done well enough.

A guy could wish it wasn't a pattern at all, but wishful thinking never got anyone anywhere.

[ And that does sound like Tony; Steve smiles to himself, glad that things are going well for the guy with his roommates. Not that he's Steve's responsibility, or anything, but he is his friend. ]

Well, if Tony's told you anything about where we come from, it's got some things in common, too. I guess, for better or worse, it's better to be prepared. Part of me wonders if there's a rhyme and reason to the people who end up here, no matter what ADI says. I've been trying to figure out if that preparedness has anything to do with it, but it's hard to tell.

He's said a little bit, and it's pretty clear from the work he does that technology in your world is more advanced than my own. I come from a very modern world, but there are still a lot of things we're working on. I've discussed it with others and we came up with something like a theory that trauma may have something to do with it- those of us who live "exciting" lives are more likely to be drawn in, to attract the attention of whatever it is that brought us here. It's just a theory, though, and not one that we can do much with. Speculation at best. And I'm fairly sure that ADI does know more than they tell us. I don't think I necessarily agree with their approach, but for the moment, I'm willing to work with them.

You know, honestly, I don't know that I would take Tony's work as indicative of the general level of technology in our world. He kind of blows everybody else out of the water.

It's not a bad theory, though. I'd buy it. And I do know that maybe in the end, knowing why we're here won't really help us do what needs to be done, but trying not to speculate isn't exactly easy. And really, I think we have a right to know, whether that right is ever recognized or not.

Exactly. I don't trust them entirely, but for now, our goals align. If that changes... well. So will my mind about them. It's good to know I'm not the only one, though. And good to know that people who've been here longer than I have feel the same way, you know? A little less like I'm too paranoid.

That's very impressive, then, because the things he does seem to be well past the limits of what's possible in my world. We're only just starting to get into space travel, for example, and robotics are still pretty limited by comparison. It's interesting, but definitely not my area of expertise.

[As for that last part...]

I think they have good intentions, generally, but the execution might be a bit lacking. And a large organization has its benefits, but also its very clear limitations, especially when trying to operate in relative secrecy. Those of us who are from other worlds, I think it's very important that we communicate outside of ADI, and on a more personal level. We're the ones on the ground, facing the threats directly. It's important that we understand each other and how we respond to what we're presented with. And I'm glad that posts and information-sharing like this has given me the opportunity to talk to those I haven't gotten to know, yet.

Tony is very impressive. We don't have much space travel, either, but there's some. It's not commonplace, though. For us - there are aliens around, though. I think that's not common where a lot of other people here are from, though.

I think it's the secrecy that's working against them most of all. But I could be biased. I've been burned by agencies who kept things so secret, that included the rot festering right inside them. The right hand didn't know what the left was doing, so to speak. I'm not saying that's happening here, but I think you're right - those of us who aren't from this world could do to keep our own counsel.

But it can be hard to make friends. Especially when you don't know who to trust.

[Steve trusts Tony's judgement, though. So he already trusts this man, because Tony clearly does.]

Edited 2022-10-27 01:04 (UTC)

I've had this conversation before, and it's come up that some of the creatures in my world might as well be aliens as supernatural creatures. I have no idea for sure, but as far as I know my world hasn't had any true extraterrestrial contact. But on the other hand, we have vampires and such. So, it's an interesting trade-off. I have experience with secret agendas as well. Unfortunately, it's a balancing act. I think most people, if they knew what was really out there, would panic and very real witch hunts would happen. Secrecy isn't ideal, and there's plenty who use that for their own gain, but the world might not be ready for the reality. It would be such a seismic change, it would have to be handled carefully. And I think this world is more complicated, because magic and similar powers are almost universally negative. The fact that there are hugely powerful Things in existence trying to control the world to foster fear and horror, that's massive. And shocking. People like their illusions because it makes them feel safe.

[Deep breaths, Jaeger. Sorry, Steve, he's got some serious feelings about the topic stemming from his own world.]

It can be hard to make friends, but it's worth it, I think. We're doing dangerous things and risking our lives on a regular basis, I like to know that I can trust the people at my back. From information and support to the actual fight, we're relying on each other for a lot and it's good to have some trust there.

[Huh. That is an interesting trade-off, isn't it.]

No, I agree. I don't like hiding the truth. But while I would like to believe everyone should have the truth, I know that telling it in the wrong way can make things worse.

I just don't want to fall into the trap of thinking that we know better, and keeping the truth to ourselves without holding ourselves accountable. Accountability is important, especially when you are hiding things, I think.

[Hey, it's okay. Steve has a lot of feelings, too! He'd rather other people think about things and talk about them, whether or not everyone ultimately agrees.]

But you're not wrong. So much about power and magic seem negative here. And I know I still don't know as much about these Things as I'd like. Maybe none of us really do.

If nothing else, I have learned that sometimes when your back is to the wall, the friends you do make are the ones you'll treasure the most.

It makes me a bit sad, at times, how much faith I've lost in the world around me. But it's the way I was raised and trained, and it can be very hard to change one's outlook after that long invested in a certain mindset. The past few years, I have been doing my best, though. And that does very much include accountability. If we're going to do this, all of this, then you're absolutely right. There is responsibility there, too. Especially when you've seen the worst and really understand the sort of evil that can come of it.

[He's a little more experienced with that part than he wishes, but on the other hand, it does make him particularly well-equipped to fight *against* it. That's something. It has to be, because he clings very heavily to it.]

I'm still getting used to the idea of friends, to be honest. People that I can trust. In my previous situation, I was surrounded by a very cutthroat atmosphere, people that manipulated others on a regular basis, and that was...difficult. I've been lucky since then, to be able to make more sincere connections and work with people that will actually have my back. It's one good thing that's come of Gloucester, for sure.

I'd like to think that good things can come out of adversity. It's always nice to have that confirmed, though. Especially friends. I think there's very little you can't do with the right people around you. Or, at least, no way you won't go down swinging.

[He thinks that's something people often struggle with, though. Trusting people. Accepting help. Tony struggles with it, he knows. And God knows Steve isn't perfect, either. He might trust easily, but accepting help… that doesn't come easy. But he's also learned the benefits of working together when one person simply can't get something done on their own.

And he thinks that's particularly important here.]

None of us are in a situation we understand completely. But I think acknowledging that, and leaning on each other's strength, is going to help us out in the end. Even if it might not be easy for us. But hopefully it's something we can learn, you know? I think that's where we're going to have a major advantage over anything that wants to do this world harm.

I think horror really can bring out the best of us. If nothing else, it shows the absolute worst we can be, too, and if you can maintain a relationship, a friendship through that...that says a lot. Knowing the people around you through any kind of adversity.

[He's trying to make it sound like a good thing, he really is?

And Jaeger is a little further on the journey than others might be. He's had six years with Indigo to learn reliance on others as well as himself, and his year here in Gloucester has only enforced that. He still has his reservations at times, the parts of himself that even he doesn't really trust, but he's made a lot of progress from where he was even just five years ago.]

It's been...surprisingly good, being able to get to know other people, learning to work together again and being something of a mentor where I can. I spent a lot of time on my own before I came here, and it didn't always bring out the best parts of me. Here, I think I see things a lot more objectively, with others to contrast to and keep me on the right path.

[Don't worry, pal. It sounds like a good thing to Steve.]

I think being alone can be hard on all of us, whether it's forced or by choice. I've always tried to believe people are stronger together. That when they work together, they can do anything. I guess that means bad as well as good, but here, I do think we can do something good.

And you can count on me, if you ever need anything.[Any friend of Tony's is a friend of Steve's.]

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Network: Leave Me Here, Burning With You

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