Event - The 25,000 Light Year View

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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.

➥ Links

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

Wolf Trap Park
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Comments

[byeeeeeeeee]

He nods. "She is. She's...a really good friend." You're family now echoes through his head. He will never admit to absolutely falling apart when she said that to him.

He feels a bit like that now, listening as Raine goes on. His references for parents (or the parent-adjacent) were Belos and Camila, and they couldn't be any more different. He doesn't want to be too bold and assume that's the direction Raine is pointing toward when they mention "parent". Though he feels...pleased with the idea. Overwhelmingly so.

By the time Raine finishes speaking, Hunter's vision is swimming. He presses the palm of his hand against one eye, scrubbing a wet trail over his cheek, and chokes out, "Oh."

Impulsively, he reaches out to snag the edge of Raine's sleeve.

[rainestorms]

"That's good." Raine replied softly, with an accompanied smile. "You deserve good friends. I hope I can do something to get you back home so you can be around them again."

Raine's attention was caught by the gentle tug on their sleeve, and leaned into his touch. They let their palm lay upward, in case he wanted to hold their hand.

Still, they'd offer a hug. Hunter, in their opinion, could use several very long ones.

"Would you...like a hug?"

Perhaps it came out a bit awkward, but Raine was genuine. They still weren't completely sure that it was okay to hug Hunter unless they asked first, and it wasn't like asking did any harm either way.

"If you don't that's okay. You can also hold my hand or...not do any of those things if you don't want to."

They glanced away, fist over their mouth as they tried to discern whether or not they were too.. overbearing? Still, they try to play it cool, and lowered their hand. They used it instead to gesture, and looked back down at Hunter.

"I'm here for you either way, Hunter."

[byeeeeeeeee]

Hunter would really like to see his friends again. He has no idea what is waiting for them back home, and a part of him is afraid there may be no way back. But he holds on to the hope, however fragile, that they will make it back to the Boiling Isles someday.

He still has a loose hold on Raine's sleeve as he looks down at the offered hand. He thinks: Raine doesn't need to ask. He trusts them. He also thinks: it's really nice to be asked, to be given choices. It eases some of the uncertainty, the worry that he'll do something wrong or upset the other, to know what his options are, and that he can refuse any of them.

In this case, he nods. "I...would like a hug. Please."

[rainestorms]

Something caught in Raine's throat. They tried to keep it down, though it threatened to overwhelm them and make them lose their stature. They inhaled, and nodded.

"Of course, Hunter," Their voice was soft. They admittedly weren't sure what to do with his hand that still held their sleeve, but they moved their torso and wrapped their arms around Hunter's shoulders, and held him gently. They pulled Hunter closer but gave him the room to pull away if he wanted.

"You can always have a hug if you want one."

[byeeeeeeeee]

Hunter releases Raine's sleeve as he folds into the embrace. He presses his face into their shoulder, all of the tension draining out of him. The anger is gone. The stress he'd been carrying feels lighter. Now he just feels...tired.

He's content to sit like this for a moment - for as long as Raine will allow - just breathing and...cared for.

[rainestorms]

Raine was still. Silent. They made sure they don't move, but they allowed themself to relax more into the hug when Hunter does. They'd let him decide when he was done— after all, Raine worried that they'd cause him to feel rushed if they pulled away first.

So, the Bard decidedly leaned back against the tree, their eyes closed most oof the way as they quietly took in the smells, the sounds of people nearby. They gave Hunter's back a gentle rub, and enjoyed the moment of peace.