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apocalypsehowcomm2023-06-16 07:57 am
Event - The 25,000 Light Year View
The atmosphere in the lower level gym at ADI headquarters is… tense, to say the least. Nia, Neil, and Rae are present with the rest of those remaining at the organization (or willing to come when called by Neil and Rae for a final statement) seated in benches and chairs that have been dragged in. It's not the usual, orderly meetings that some might have gotten used to for mission briefings.
Neil speaks first. "Thank you, everyone, for coming in. Lot's been happening, but we've come to… an understanding about where we need to go. The artifacts that were in the Vault have all been accounted for or noted as destroyed in some manner with a few exceptions. We're still chasing- ADI is still chasing those down with help from anyone who might want to give it. Won't pretend this is going to be a kumbaya moment, so let's get down to brass tacks. There's an apocalypse on. Whatever this organizations stands for now, its original mission was to uncover and stop those. That's still my mission."
"Mine, too," Rae chimes in.
"It's one we all share," Nia adds.
Neil nods before continuing. "So, we stop this, and we go our separate ways. I'll be leaving ADI and starting my own organization. We've seen a large number of threats in the Appalachian region and a lot of folks heavily impacted by decisions ADI's made. I'll be taking my organization there. Already been in touch with our- with ADI's field agents in the region. Some will be joining me. Along with a certain newsperson who keeps sniffing around. We'll do what we can to do right by the people who've been hurt most. That's going to be our focus. Support and security. We're not feeding the Hunt anymore by running down threats."
Rae steps up next. "And I'll be going where I need to. Lot of threats out west. If you're looking to do some good that won't be working for the Hunt… maybe think about heading that way."
Nia is the last to speak. "And I'll be staying here in Gloucester. ADI will be staying. And I will be its final Warden. We're stopping Zyrian, then we're figuring out what the hell is going on with Dogtown to get all of you people from other worlds home. Or at least stop anyone else coming in. After that? I'm out. What happens after that is still in the works. But Neil's agreed to stay in touch to help with everything… once I'm gone." There's a flicker of emotion across Neil's stoic expression. Regret, frustration… grief. "But right now, we look to Wolf Trap. I-"
There's a pause, and Neil and Rae look to Nia in concern as she puts a hand to her temple. She recovers, though. "Huh… We look to Wolf Trap, Virginia. We'll have buses to get everyone down there. We'll be arriving just as Copernicus' launch of the New Horizon's project is underway. That's where Zyrian Steel's going to do his ritual. We need to find the server rooms at the event. Those are important."
Rae squints at Nia, "You sure?"
Nia nods. "Yeah. I'm real sure about that. It'll be dangerous, though, and that's not the- it's not the only threat that's gonna be there."
Neil's looking wary. "Nia?"
"There's something else. The Web? It's not just the Vast that's involved in this, I don't think. It would make sense, right?" She shakes her head. "We'll be facing multiple Entity threats down there, not just the Vast. And I'm sure Zyrian's gonna kick the ritual off on the last day, once he's had time for-for something… not sure what. But he's a dramatic bastard, if nothing else. And timing's everything."
Neil and Rae exchange uncertain looks before Neil speaks up again. "Coming is voluntary, like always, but we'll want boots on the ground to cover as much ground as possible. They'll be holding the biggest events and productions at the Filene Center stage. But we're expecting tech booths scattered all throughout the park. Be on your guard."
"And bring a gun," Rae advises.
(click the map for a larger version)
no subject
“I remember you, I think—“
It helps, the memory. A bus, a bus is big but also small, much smaller than an ocean, or space—
He covers his mouth, and the sky shudders, a thin crack appearing in it that shows endless stars, like if the rolling storms above them were just a projection and the vast universe was threatening to peek at them—
“Don’t—don’t mention that word—don’t even think about it! We have to think of something else, anything else—”
(CW for depersonalisation/derealisation)
"John I need you to calm down. Please. Please I don't know if I can do this again."
Raine focused harder on something to try and ground themself, and in a sudden and rather violent upheaval their surroundings shudder. Raine fought hard, not to slip back fully into the memory. They were there to help their friend, not deal in escapism once more.
But the world around them flickered, and the strange hallway and oceanic terror disappear in fragments.
Instead, the two are surrounded by a rather peaceful field of snapdragons, in a clearing with enough room to move around. Raine looks disoriented for a moment, having fallen to their knees, but Raine also looked different. Younger. They're surrounded by a bell cittern and a violin, as well as a small closed basket.
When Raine gathered their senses, almost as if on a script they look frustrated.
"Eda, we planned to meet an hour ago. I understand things are hard now, but I-"
As soon as their green eyes lift to John, they widened in surprise. Raine recoiled back from John, and scrambled a few feet away from him.
"Who are you?!" They exclaimed, spell circle drawn and at the ready. The guy didn't look like a Coven Guard, but who knew what the Emperor would do to capture Wild Witches. "You're not Eda."
no subject
“I—“
But then suddenly their surroundings change. Thankfully, perhaps, as he wasn’t in the best state of mind at the moment to resist the Vast’s pull.
Being away from it grounds himself, brings him back to himself a little more. He blinks, staring at the scene around them—a clearing, full of snapdragons, this is nice, actually, and-
“Raine?”
They look different. Younger. Is this…is this a dream?
Except—uh-oh. Raine doesn’t recognize him and that’s not good.
“No, I’m not Eda but I know Eda, Eda is a friend of mine, too.”
He holds his hands up, in an easy, placating gesture.
“And I know you, too, Raine. We work with ADI, we’re on a mission right now. I’m John. Do you remember me?”
no subject
Raine had been in and out of memories to protect themself from what the Matrix had to offer. But something was different. Something was wrong.
This wasn't a good memory; and Eda was missing from it.
"What? You're- You know Eda?!"
They processed the rest of what John said- the mission, the ADI. It made sense. They remembered. But Eda wasn't there. Everything was wrong Here.
"I don't- I.."
Raine pushed their glasses up off their nose and covered their face with their hands. Their head hurt. A lot.
"I don't know what you're talking about."