bravenewworld | Magnitude 9

[It is almost precisely 2AM when the first earthquake hits.

The ground vibrates dully at first, like the rumble of construction machinery or the shaking of a heavy Pokémon coming down the streets. In the throes of sleep, it seems unalarming, if a bit out of the ordinary. Worse than this has occurred in the past.

Then the walls shake. Paintings tilt and sway and objects teeter and fall off the shelves, one after another. The ground shifts underfoot and a cautious step out of bed only succeeds in sending the frightened sleeper reeling to the floor.

High up in the sky, the towers sway. An infinitesimal amount at first, but any amount of swaying is terrifying, unfathomable, an event so utterly wrong it is inconceivable that it could be happening. The tilting progresses, becomes noticeable, measurable, and it can only be hoped that it is a reflection of a panicked imagination rather than reality.

After an eternity, the rumbling dies down...

Just when it seems safe to investigate, about a half hour after the quake began, the Warp Band flares to life. A voice speaks - it can be heard, too, from outdoors, issuing from the emergency broadcast system. It is a woman's voice, speaking briskly, efficiently, holding no trace of fear or panic.]

Effective immediately, the Council has issued a state of emergency for Union. This is not a drill or an exercise. All citizens, please be prepared to follow standard residential tower emergency procedures; all relevant instructions are posted on every floor. For the majority of citizens, this means to stay in place and to take shelter until the quakes are confirmed to be over. Do not attempt to evacuate unless instructed to do so now or unless severe injury has been sustained.

This message is for Towers D and E of Sector 3 and the Cloud Towers in Sector 5. Again, this message is for Towers D and E of Sector 3 and the Cloud Towers of Sector 5. The gas lines have ruptured, and all residents should prepare for immediate evacuation. Swords and Guardsmen assigned to these sectors should proceed immediately to their stations to assist. Further instruction will be given by officers on site. Again, residents of all other towers should stay in place at this time.

Entrance 2 to the Old City has collapsed and Entrances 3 and 5 have been severely damaged. Again, the Industrial District entrance has collapsed and the Habitat and the Southern Wall entrances have been damaged. At this time, a large number of wild Pokémon are seeking entrance into Union from all other entrances. Rangers and remaining Guardsmen, please report to these areas to begin containment measures. Be prepared for potential aggression.

All medical personnel trained in Emergency Medicine, report to the Medical Center if and when possible. All Habitat employees with Level 2 clearance and above, report to the Habitat Tower to initiate emergency stabilization protocols.

All citizens, please stay alert for further information. Major aftershocks are predicted to continue for the next six hours, and damage assessments will be ongoing. Be ready for further quakes and be prepared to contact emergency services if an emergency situation is seen developing.

[She cuts off with alacrity. An uneasy echo hangs in the air after she concludes...]

((This post may be used as a mingle thread to address any of the issues raised within. You may also make your individual posts at this time. Responses may be addressed in regards to the initial emergency situation, or forward dated to address the assessment of damage after the first major quake. The wild Pokémon will not stop coming, and the aftershocks will continue for long after six hours.

Characters may follow instructions but may also feel free to move around at will and help however they can. Actions taken throughout this event will be noted and may affect the status of Union after the end of the event.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's okay Sora's survival instinct is low enough that lots of teeth don't faze him all that much. Now if you were a Zubat-shifter on the other hand...]

Wow!

[He'll reach out to try to touch the wings because clearly the answer to seeing blade feathers is to TOUCH THEM]

Are they heavy? Do you feel it when they get touched? Is it really metal?

[Congrats you totally distracted him from his earlier upset]

[Eren allows this, but gives a warning] They're real sharp, so be careful.

[SUCCESS. Eren is the winner] Not heavy at all. Nah, it's more like... hair? You can't feel an individual hair, but you can feel when someone touches it. Like pressure. And they're for real metal! Steel!

I will be! [TOUCHING THE FEATHERS!! Except okay he knows to be careful since say same concept as his axe- don't touch the edge. He looks awed because wow, it is like touching living metal]

That's amazing. [He laughs a little] I'd hate to get into a fight with you, you must be really tough to beat!

Edited 2014-01-28 17:21 (UTC)

[well, it is. He is living metal. Eren gives a rather unsettling grin]

Damn right I'm tough to beat. And if you don't want to find out first hand you better get your butt to the medical centerl!!

[he's bluffing, of course, and the smile on his face gives him away, but he still lowers himself into an attack position and rustles those metal feathers intimidatingly]

[He laughs, knowing that it's a bluff. He puts his hands on his hips and gives him an amused look]

Hey, I thought you're supposed to escort me.

Yeah yeah. C'mon, you, let's go. [Eren headbutts Sora gently to get him walking]

[Headbutted! Fortunately it just makes him hop forward a bit since it was gentle enough because yeah- kid has the weight of a twig]

Okay, okay! [Starts walking]

...Thanks, by the way.

Edited 2014-01-30 03:29 (UTC)

[Eren walks behind him, keeping close distance]

Ha? For what?

For escorting me to the medical center. I was worried for a moment you were gonna send me back to the orphanage.

[Or stab him, but you know he won't mention that part]

No, I... Wait, you live at the orphanage?

[Eren didn't know that. He blinks a few times]

Uh-

[He glances away, rubbing the back of his neck.]

Yeah. I do.

That's... [Eren looks down at his feet] Sorry. I didn't know. Heh... Honestly, I should probably be there. I haven't seen my dad in the flesh in a year and some change!

[he was about to say the usual "it's okay" brush off. Since frankly he didn't know how to talk about that stuff. But eren's remarks distract him]

- You haven't? Where did he go? And where have you been staying?

Oh, he's around the city. He sends me money once a month. Dr. Jaeger, have you heard of him? There was a pretty bad epidemic a few years back in one of the poorer districts and he saved a bunch of people. Anyway... I just live by myself. It's not that bad.

[Epidemic.........okay he should probably lie]

Really? Uh, Wow...I don't remember the name, but some of my neighbors got sick...!

[Sure. Why not. The more important part is that Eren is alone]

Oh. That sounds...a bit lonely. But on the other hand, I bet it's great to have your own space! And privacy!

[he doesn't really care, one way or another. It's just a point of reference. Maybe his dad helped someone, maybe not. He hasn't so much as seen the man since his mom was killed. As long as he keeps sending money, what does Eren care?]

Nah. It's not lonely. I have my eevee, Blitz, andhe's a handful. So it's fine, really.

An Eevee, huh? You're the third person I've met with one of those...

[And all guys. you sure love your cute fluffy things]

But I'm glad to hear that! Er, that you got someone to keep you company.

Yeah... I think I read they're the most popular companion Pokémon? I mean, they are good for friendship. They're cuddley and soft and bond to their people pretty close... They're also pretty strong once they evolve. Blitz wants to be a Jolteon, so, I'm trying to figure out how to get a Thunderstone.

[Teasingly] Aw, so you cuddle Blitz?

[But seriously now]

A thunderstone...? Can you buy those? [he's never checked]

Of course I do! He's super fluffy, why wouldn't I?

[BECAUSE IT'S NOT MANLY, EREN]

Mmm, I've never seen one anywhere. I doubt I'd be able to afford it anyway.

[Aw man, teasing fail there!] Haha, I guess you're right.

[Considering he sleeps with Simba, how much can he really judge? he puts his hands behind his head as he walks]

Yeah, me neither...I'll keep an eye out though!

[Eren's pretty honest, even if that's mostly Jean's thing. He's hard to tease!]

Yeah, let me know if you see one?

I will, promise!

Though once Blitz's a Jolteon, I don't recommend wearing or sleeping with anything that can cause static electricity.

Hehehe. Like mareep wool?

Yeah, like that! I had a wool blanket once, but Simba would shock it so much I never got any sleep.

(no subject)

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