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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"Well, desperate times do call for desperate measures." Steve's not above punching snakes, broken hands or not. But he'll maybe try stomping any offenders, first.

But he nods, face serious, when Raine goes on. He appreciates the warning - and the clear statement that Raine will not feed on him. That's - a relief.

"I understand. We'll work with what reserves you've got. I'll be as fast as I can."

At least breaking things is much easier - and faster - than fixing them.

He flexes his hands, making the white electrical burn scars webbed across them stand out against his skin. He may not have super strength, but he's no weakling, either. He can rip and tear and smash and throw.

Raine gave Steve a reassured, though mildly nervous smile. They returned to their stance. worried only for a moment about their magic. They'd spent quite a good amount of time practicing- using birds, squirrels, whatever other small animal they could to figure out how things exactly had changed for them in Gloucester.

Raine didn't like doing it, but the ease of familiarity was leant to them when they finally set their sights on the three snakes closest to them, and pulled the string on their violin. The unfamiliar yet incredibly recognisable way it bent the snakes to freeze to Raine's will.

They target other snakes in the area with their newfound puppets, causing quite a successful distraction. Not enough to perhaps prevent other snakes from taking notice, but as of now they weren't in any immediate danger.

Raine looked back at Steve, and called out a soft: "Go. And good luck."

Steve isn't sure what to expect, watching Raine pluck the string. He's hopeful, but still trying to plan in case it doesn't work -

For a moment, he's not sure if it does. Steve balances on the balls of his feet, bouncing a little, waiting... and then Raine says go.

So he does. He dashes off down the nearest row, looking for something to pull out or apart. Clearly Raine isn't sure how much time he'll have, so he opts to act like he doesn't have much at all.

The sounds of mild destruction might echo back toward Raine, telling them that Steve is definitely up to no good - or very good, depending on how you look at it.

The bard watched Steve go with an anxious demeanour, but their attention is quickly turned back to the snakes. The three they had taken over had dwindled down to just one that could actually move around- the other two had been damaged in fights.

They step out into the chaos of wires after Steve- his sounds of destruction were definitely attracting the attention of the snakes, and they wanted to at least try to help, and use the same magic to possess a few more snakes, and try to keep them away from themself. And Steve.

Still, they're a bit overwhelming, and Raine finds themself having to alternate between using other bard magic- namely, whistling- in between controlling snakes and having to fend those they couldn't get off.

"Steve!" They called out. "I need a little help."

Steve's going for speed (and volume of things destroyed) over trying to keep the audible volume of what he's doing low; he doesn't know if the noise will attract snakes but he figures he's just going to have to take that risk. Hopefully they'll come for him over Raine -

He hears the other call his name, and stops what he's doing, cursing softly and spinning on his heel. "Coming!" he calls, and takes off for where he left the other, jumping over a snake coming his way in the hopes that it's not much of a jumper, itself.

It seems not, but of course, he spots plenty more shortly, all with their attention on Raine.

"Shit - " This time, the curse isn't so quiet and Steve reaches for the nearest one by the tail, hoping if he can surprise it, yank it away, maybe he won't get shocked.

Steve, luckily, is right on time. Enough time that Raine can stave off the others by whistling, and pushing away the other snakes- and whatever's surrounding them.

"I think-" The bard began, before they played a note on their violin, simultaneously controlling and attracting more snakes. "We're in a little over our heads. I'm still okay magic wise but I don't know how long I can do this for!"

Steve gets ahold of the snake he's going for and - surprise surprise, the thing shocks him even as he tries to pull and toss it away. He makes a strangled sound, clenching his teeth and just barely managing to throw it - probably only saved by the fact that by now, he's practically used to getting shocks, thanks to an unruly Mjolnir.

"No," he gasps, starting to list a little, hands tingling with pain. "No, we - can't - "

Actually, he doesn't want to leave. But Raine is right. There are a lot of these snakes. He can pull more off, but he's already feeling weak at the knees. "Can we - get on top of the servers, you think?"

It's not ideal, but snakes are likely to stay on the ground. Right?

Raine gasped when Steve was electrocuted, and they began to move to try and help him but paused when he threw the snake. They needed to keep an eye on their own problems, but it was a little easier when they had a layer of snakes between themself that they still had control over.

They glanced up at the servers, and grimaced.

"I can try. But are you okay? That looked like it hurt."

"I'm fine."

Okay, the tightness in his voice probably belies that he's not quite fine, but Steve is nothing if not stubborn. He steps closer. "I can maybe give you a hand up? Then we make our way to the front without having to get near the ground."

Raine didn't push it, even though they were quite certain he was not.

"Sure. I'd rather get the high ground on the snakes. I've been electrocuted before, but... I'd rather not do it again if I can help it."

"Yeah," Steve agrees with a grimace. Not getting electrocuted again sure would beat the alternative.

So he steps closer and links his fingers together, offering Raine a little step he can put his foot on, so Steve can lift him high enough to reach the top of the server. He may not have super strength anymore, but he's no pushover. He's been trying to keep up his strength, if a little inexpertly. Plus, Raine doesn't look too heavy.

It took Raine a moment to realise what Steve was doing, but they crawled up onto the server with relative ease. Though the bard was fairly lean, they were most likely slightly heavier than expected. All of that lean was still muscle to run away from evil emperors and his lackeys back home.

Once Raine steadied themself, they reached their hand out to Steve in return.

"Here, I've got you."

Steve manages to give Raine a boost, even if it's not as east as it might once have been. And he almost protests when the other reaches down a hand, but -

But okay. He reaches up, trying not to put too much weight into it as he pulls himself up, other hand grasping for the top of the server, but the extra help does not go unappreciated.

"Thanks," he breathes, once he's up. It does feel like they can take a second to get their bearings. He really hopes those snakes can't climb. "Now all we have to do is stay up here." As in, get to the door without falling off.

He thinks they can manage it.

Event - The 25,000 Light Year View

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Sorry I missed this thread! I thought I'd already replied.

and then it got lost in my inbox /o\

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Now I got busy with school stuff lol

<33 it's okay, this month has been nuts for me ;;

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