apocalypsehowcomm | 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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Hunter is quite distressed, which is at odds with the little jig he's doing - and would very much like to cease. The problem is, his brain is screaming stop but his limbs aren't obeying. (It's like Belos has taken control again, only... Belos would never dance like this. Or at all, probably.)

He catches sight of Winter, and it seems he's not affected by the music. Hunter tries to convey how much he wants to not be here between one revolution and the next.

Edited (Icon) 2023-07-03 21:25 (UTC)

Earplugs are great inventions. Winter can't hear anything. But he sure can see, and that was definitely a plea for help. He braces himself for a beat, then dives into the crowd to grab Hunter and, unless he struggles too much, scoop him up into a fireman's carry to cart him out again.

That's the goal, anyway. If Hunter wriggles too much, he might fall off and into a bridal carry, instead.

He can still hear the music as he's hauled away. He would like to feel relieved, but he can't stop moving. His body wants to keep dancing despite his current (very awkward) position.

Being shifted to a bridal carry is just as embarrassing, but the position puts one ear against Winter's shirt, muffling the sound. Gradually, he can feel his limbs coming back under his control, and tries to say so, but...Ah. Winter can't hear him.

Winter reacts almost unconsciously to Hunter tucking his head down by wrapping one hand up around his head, too, blocking out more of the sound, in the hopes that it helps. He's not planning on stopping until they're all the way outside, anyway.

Then finally they're busting out into the open air, outside, and he pulls his hand away, looking down at Hunter to make sure he's not going to fall over when he puts his feet on the ground, again.

His legs feel wobbly when he's set down, but he is very determined to stay upright on his own. Fortunately (??) he has experience with operating while physically worn out. Unfortunately, it's not just the unplanned dancing that has him feeling shaky.

He looks up to thank Winter, before pausing in alarm - "Flapjack!" - and moving to shove around him, fully prepared to run back in. But a red blur barrels into him, squawks a few times, and disappears into a hidden pocket in his sweater.

Okay, now he says, "Thank you."

Winter makes an abortive grab for the boy when he tries to run, but thankfully it isn't necessary. He works one earplug out in time to hear the thanks, and nods. "I'm just glad I brought these." He holds it up, frowning. "I don't think I would have reacted well to that. You're okay? All you again?"

"Oh. Ear plugs." He knows what those are! Donnie had given him a pair some time back, but they were all squished afterward so he tossed them in the trash. He hadn't considered something like that would be necessary in a place like this.

"I'm okay..." Still trying to process how horrible it feels to have no control of his own body (again), but physically... He suddenly looks alarmed and holds his arms out in front of him, examining them. (Nothing looks different. No new scars, no green rot, no weird markings.) "Do I look like me?"

Taking the question seriously, Winter puts a hand on Hunter's shoulder and pointedly looks him up and down, then gives said shoulder a little tug to urge him to turn around so he can see him from the back, as well. He understands the horror of not having control over yourself. And of the physical changes that entity shit can drop on you unawares.

In this case, though, he concludes: "You still look like you. Do you feel like you?"

The hand on his shoulder causes him to tense up, but he lets Winter move him around and look him over. He didn't feel anything had changed physically - not like the crab arm or being possessed by Belos - but it was a relief to hear anyway.

"Yeah. I feel like me. But I felt like me before, I just...couldn't control anything."

"Yes." Winter sounds resigned, a little. That's not only happened a few times here, though not to him, but he also has... the memory of it, himself, from before. Fucking HYDRA. "I know the feeling. Maybe stay out of that room for the rest of the trip. Or we can get you earplugs, too."

Oh.

He has no context, but he doesn't need it. It doesn't matter how, or even why, it's terrible. "I'm...sorry. No one should have to experience that."

He looks back at the area he'd been rescued from with a frown.

"I don't plan on going back there. But I should have some anyway. That probably isn't the only trap here."

Event - The 25,000 Light Year View

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