apocalypsehowcomm | Event - The 25,000 Light Year View

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Event - The 25,000 Light Year View

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.

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General Setting Prompts - Part 1 & Part 2
NPC/Mod Response Prompts - LINK

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Snakes. [Manji repeats as his mind starts to whirl.] Wire snakes. [Snakes he can handle. Wires? That might be a bit more out of his expertise. Video games even more so. Maybe he should consult Cortana? Was there time for that?]

And you escaped by running? Nothing special?

[He shakes his head.]

Nah, man. Nah. It wasn't simple at all. There are these little bauble things, like mini-disco balls. They're all around the people who're in the wires, and the snakes patrol near them a lot more than other areas. I had to sneak and crush some of them. Sneak back to hide, wait for the snakes to figure out a different patrol path.

I-I think the people in the wires, though, crushing the balls helped? Maybe. Like some of them started twitching more when I got them all off. But hell, man, maybe they were going into death throes, too. I don't know how the hell to deal with any of this.

[Mini-disco balls. Yeah, Manji feels even more out of his element.] Well, even if they were dying it might have been doing them a favor. [He could sugarcoat it, but that's not the type of person Manji is.]

And that's in? Just smash the... mini-disco balls.. [Whatever those are. A ball is round, he assumes he can figure it out.] And run? You didn't have to do some sort of spell or... I dunno, anything at all? [He's pretty good at smashing and running.]

[The man's cheeks darken.]

Y-yeah. Yeah, it was a spell, but like... Look, don't fucking judge me, man, but I tried... jump rope songs.

'Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack
All dressed in black, black, black'

[He covers his face briefly.]

My mom told me music could ward away evil spirits when I was a kid. And the wires kept trying to trip me up. So-so you jump them, right? Get in a rhythm and it's easy.

Mary Mack. [Some sort of spell caster maybe?] So you sang songs and jumped? You really think that worked? The singing didn't make them notice you for making noise?

I wasn't screaming them at the top of my lungs, man. Just... y'know? Under my breath.

But I don't know if they can hear. They're fucking wire snakes. How does that even work?

Huh, yeah, I guess snakes don't have ears. [Briefly he tries to pictures snakes with human ears.]

Anything else you can remember? Breaking balls? Rhythmic jumping and the jumping rhyme?

The only way to actually get into the room was closing the door to the outside. There were these plastic dividers when I stepped into the place. I couldn't find a way through them until the door shut. Then it was some bullshit miracle, like the way just 'appeared.'

Fuck, man... you actually believe me, though? The security people around here aren't-they just aren't listening. Like you tell them there are bodies, and they look at you like you're insane.

[That gets a soft chuckle from Manji.] Do I strike you as a completely normal and sane man? [From the scars across his face and missing arm.] Yeah. I believe ya, kid.

I wonder if we ripped the door off... [He starts musing out loud to himself. As if to prove his point about not being exactly sane.] Then smash the other barriers.

When you got out. Did the way out just appear again? Door wasn't locked or anything besides the wire snakes to keep you inside?

[The young man gives Manji a once over, taking in those markers and really looking at him for the first time.]

Ah, fuck, you're missing an arm? I didn't even- I don't know about ripping off the door. The way was just there again when I finally got out, and the door was closed again. What if taking off the door traps everyone in there permanently?

It felt like I was jumping for hours. That place is way bigger on the inside. Like some comic book shit. So, anyone going in there... it'll be a long haul. Like, I barely took four steps into the server stacks and it was like I was suddenly miles away from the door.

Hey. I do just fine with one arm. [Something he's a little more sensitive about these days.] So, what you're telling me is that you don't really have a good idea on how exactly you got in and out? Probably something with jumping which took hours. [It reminds him a little of the bakery. Where they went in and found a much bigger area inside the place.]

The jumping song. Can you write it down for me? Or teach it to me? [If he ends up going inside it may be important to know.]

Hey, man, I'm doing my fucking best. [He seems a little put out by Manji's summation. But the request has him nodding.] But, yeah. I can write it down. You don't... know- You know what? Never mind. I'm, uh... Jazz, by the way. I was really just supposed to be running tech for the band. This shit's way too weird and the job's not paying enough. Think I'm gonna be out as soon as- a-as soon as I can maybe help, like... a couple of people. No idea how many got lost in the wires.

Manji. [He says simply.] Wait. Isn't Jazz some sort of music? [Says the man named after a Buddhist symbol.] And you work for the band? [Did the song only work because this man has a connection to music? Would it not work for everyone? His name being a type of music might be important. He thinks jazz is a fairly new form of music.]

Some sort of- Dude, when are you from? It's the best kind of music.

[This might be a little off topic, but Manji seems to have hit on something that Jazz is passionate about.]

This band hired me to run their cables and make sure everything sounds good for the venue. I'm doing if for whoever's in the area. Wolf Trap. I just got home for the summer from college. And of course, my first fucking gig gets me this. The lead lady in the band's super weird, too.

Oh, shit! She's the one who told me to look for the bathrooms over by the server room.

I'm from here! [He snaps quickly in a very defensiveness manner which any show would clearly suggest that he's hiding something.

Especially when he's happy to latch onto what else Jazz goes on about.]

Weird? Weird how? Normal weird in small ways? Or weird-weird?

Weird-weird. Like the rest of the band was practically zombies next to her. Or they were hanging on her every word. I tried to talk to one of them and they basically ignored me. She was the only one who actually talked to me. And she has this... magnetic quality to her. I can get why the other people in the band are obsessed. She pulls the atmosphere out of the room when she wants to.

And this isn't an attraction thing. I don't do chicks. So, I know it wasn't that. It was just like you can't help waiting for her to tell you what to do. Weird-weird.

[That... that doesn't sound good. That sounds like a possible avatar.

He wasn't sure he really wanted to get Jazz wrapped up in all of the mess that the ADI brings with it, but if he's been that close to an avatar they may be his best bet to staying safe.] I think I might know some people who can help. It's-- hm.

[He's still not confident about introducing Jazz, but maybe if he makes sure to keep an eye on him? Manji would feel responsible for Jazz after this if the ADI did try to mess with him. After a moment to think about how he feels about that Manji makes his choice.] Would you be willing to talk to them? Tell them what you told me?

[Jazz just blinks at the sudden offer.]

Like... right now? Yeah. I can- Sure. If you think they'll help, too?

Yeah, I think they can, but listen. [Again there is a moment of hesitation. A telling pause as Manji struggles to know if this is the right call or not.]

Getting tangled up with the people I know? Ultimately they may be able to help, you could still be at risk. Take what they say with a grain of salt. They mean well, but when it comes to dealing with strange things like snake wires? Well, there is rarely a simple and easy answer to it all. [And he just hopes he's not getting Jazz tied up to the Hunt by bringing him to ADI.] If you can just tell them what you know and get out that would probably be for the best.

Are you with, like... a gang?

Worst. [Manji says with a chuckle.] A bunch a pricks that like to act like government officials while also not acting like government officials when it suits them. Still, they often help more people than they hurt.

I think.

[Jazz makes a face.]

A gang would've been cooler. [He considers it another moment before nodding.] Okay. Sure. Who should I talk to?

[Manji takes a moment to think about it.] We'll see if Neil is around. [They seemed the best to take care of a possible threat.] Come on, let's see who's free.

[Another small nod.]

Neil. Got it. Let's-let's do this. Then we gotta get back to help out- Yeah. Gotta help.

We'll do what we can.

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Event - The 25,000 Light Year View

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Apologies for the delay! Moving ate most of my life.

All good! I knew you were moving and I know it can be a NIGHTMARE even when things go 100% right

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seems like a good spot to ftb!

Yup! I think so too!