apocalypsehowcomm | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.]

Network: Leave Me Here, Burning With You

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