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

[bloodalwaystells]

It's a hard call to make. We don't always have a lot of options when it comes to controlling those that are truly dangerous. Execution isn't particularly agreeable, either, but there's a lot of hard necessities in the world.

[canofmanji]

And who says they need to be controlled? Maybe all they're really doing is trying to break free of the ADI.

[bloodalwaystells]

When they are gaining their power by torturing and murdering people, that's usually a pretty good indicator that they need to be stopped.

I don't think ADI is always right in their approach, or how much information they keep from us, but I fought things very similar to Avatars in my own world and have seen the horror they can inflict.

[canofmanji]

Maybe they wouldn't have to go to such extremes if ADI didn't treat abilities as trouble before even giving them a chance. [Truthfully? Manji can understand ADI's stance on not allowing people to use their abilities. He knows how tired and lethargic he often feels when he tries not to 'feed', just like how he knows the only way he can make that exhausted feeling go away.]

[bloodalwaystells]

Normally I might agree, but I come from a world where certain types of magic are incredibly corrosive, and seeing the influence the Powers have on those of us that do have extranormal abilities is very sobering.

It may just be the way this world is, unfortunately, but I understand their concern given the price of magic here. There's some room for discussion for some of us, I think, but most every Avatar we've seen so far has been consumed with their need for inflicting pain and fear. There is a point of no return.

[canofmanji]

And what might your power or ability be?

[bloodalwaystells]

I'm a trained combat mage, with some minor spiritist and divination ability.

[canofmanji]

so what? you see ghosts or something?

[bloodalwaystells]

Ghosts, sometimes. Also the natural spirits of places, what most would call something like elementals.

[canofmanji]

elementals? like people made of fire? or that dark chick?

[bloodalwaystells]

A little bit, maybe, but not quite. The spirits I'm used to are a natural part of the world. Souls of things like water, trees, even cities to a degree.

Here, the whole idea seems to be...twisted, corrupted. The spirits I've been able to see have all been warped and incredibly violent.

[canofmanji]

i know some people back home who would be pretty happy to hear theyre not nuts for believing everything has a soul. but dont know if im sold on the idea yet. cities seem to be a bit far fetched. at least a tree is natural.

[bloodalwaystells]

Cities are full of the energy of the people who live in them, the things that happen there both good and bad, so it does make a kind of sense if you look at it that way.

[canofmanji]

That's the people in the city living their lives. That's not something spiritual as it's own separate being.

[bloodalwaystells]

That energy of people living their lives seeps into the stones, though. It's not always a sentient thing, but it's something I've felt and seen with my own eyes.

Emotion and psychic traces are a powerful thing in my world, especially when it comes to magic. But I know that might not be true for other worlds.

[canofmanji]

[He considers that for several moments.] Do you think a city could become an entity?

[bloodalwaystells]

You know, I'm really not sure. I've never seen it happen, though I know old, thriving cities can have some very powerful spirits.

I think if enough people believed in it, it could happen. At the very least, a *piece* of the city. A...reflection of it, given form.

[canofmanji]

could that be what is happening with dogtown? its becoming its own entity or whatever? so not this whole city but the small park area.

[bloodalwaystells]

It's a possibility I'd have to entertain, I think. Though the manifestations seem to be a variety of different Entities...the Flesh, the Hunt, the Slaughter, the Buried. No single influence in control.

I think there's power there in the ground, some kind of force that makes it easier for these things to manifest. Whether it's developed an awareness of its own or not, that's hard to say.

I haven't been able to communicate with spirits here. They all come out violently insane. I think Dogtown's "soul" would be even worse than that.

[canofmanji]

thats interesting. He scratches at his chin on the other end of his phone. Thinking the implications of that over. adi know you can do that and thats what youve noticed

[bloodalwaystells]

ADI is aware of at least some of my abilities, so probably. I've made notes in my reports in the months I've been patrolling the place, though whether they listen to them or not, I don't know.

I think they have given them at least some consideration considering the safety measures they've finally taken. But on the other hand, conjurers don't seem to be common in this world...probably exactly because the spirits here are so twisted.

[canofmanji]

I would hope so. I know they don't really like abilities here, but I hope they at least listen to the advice their getting.

[bloodalwaystells]

Agreed. Some of us have a great deal of expertise in our own worlds that actually translates well here. Investigation, observation, proper security measures and keeping yourself and others safe. I've been doing my best to be available to others- even if ADI doesn't always accommodate, working with the others here is helpful.

What did you do in your own world, if I may ask?

[canofmanji]

samurai turned murderer turned body guard

[bloodalwaystells]

That's certainly a useful skillset, in the right circumstances. Especially for the more martial situations here. This place is not sparing with the life or death situations.