bravenewworld | A Close Call?

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A Close Call?

It comes suddenly and without warning. The ground beneath the land shakes with great force and fury, the great towers of Union shifting dangerously due to the magnitude. Somehow, miraculously, nobody is injured, but great structural damage is sustained on many of the connecting bridges that keep the city together.

On the streets, people are fearful. What if another quake comes? What if they aren't as lucky that time? Teams of Engineers are all over the city, checking on the damage and making what repairs they can. Electricity has been knocked out in many areas and crews are still struggling to recover it, although the Signal Tower remains with power and broadcasts over radio and television are sent to reassure the populace.

Thankfully, no aftershocks come. Messages are already coming in from other ally cities, Caldera and Citadel are mostly fine, Refuge, while fine, has devolved into panicked prayer to appease whoever they offended to send such a large quake. As surveyors go out to examine the damage, they will find that new underground routes have been opened all over. Unfortunately, those who went to investigate have not returned, sending a second wave of panic through many of the cities. The Union Council is working with the governments of the other cities to plan a proper response, and they hope to announce within the next few days as the city recovers. For now, however, the new paths are strictly off-limits to all citizens, and have been placed under heavy guard by the Swords of the Savior, the Steel Battalion, and some Valkyrie volunteers.

((Feel free to use this post as an IC mingle to react to the earthquakes!))

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[ The jumpy one fell almost all the way to the floor, and is suspended in pillow purgatory, attempting to process the changes in her recent environment. She has to fly. So she has to climb. She cannot climb. So she has to find something she can climb. But where is she now?

Nocturne will find Bagon face-down in the pile, not doing much of anything: she can't get back up. ] Gongon.

[ Gold is equally satisfied that they should probably leave this room and....find a human, he thinks he needs a human. Preferably Trainer's Trainer, who is always so on top of everything and therefore would be able to handle three babies with ease (or so he thinks, for such is his confidence). The humans will probably be happy to see that all these babies are okay, too! So he will have helped.

The baby on his back seems okay, so he bends down to try and nudge his water bowl, Togepi and all, with his nose. Is he able to move this by pushing it? ] Jol!

[ The dish gives a tiny skid. We're going for a ride, eggbaby! ]

[Nocturne hisses, trying to get Bagon's attention while tossing a pillow off to the side.]

Toge! [whee, this is fun!]

[ That's two happy babies, thank goodness. Gold feels bad about leaving all these pillows here, but he's realizing there's no way this particular group will be able to help him with cleanup. So he keeps trying to nudge baby towards the door. Going for a ride, going for a - jol! - ride! ] Jolteon, jolteon!

Bag. [ Bagon's head pops up at that; she can move a lot better when she's not thinking about it. What? Are you going to fly again? ]

[at least kitty seems to enjoy getting chauffeured around. But then she squeaks, unsteadily making her way over to Gold's buttend. Where's her new friend?]

Noi! Noooibat bat! [come forthwith! The trials and tribulations we have suffered will haunt us no more!] Toge!

Jol! [ Sorry for suddenly nudging your bowl more than usual, baby. That is a really funny feeling! Gold's head jerks up to try and look at what kitty's doing back there. (Said buttfur, particularly the fluffy part, is standing on end. Fuzzy jungle.)

Cheered therefore by nearly all parties involved, Bagon emerges from the pillows, looking around. There is the thing that flies, she likes it - and there is an egg she thinks she's met before - and up there, on the big yellow fuzzy thing....

Her friend! Bagon comes running towards kitty (and Gold). ] Baaaag!

[oh thank goodness. Nocturne breathes a sigh of relief and follows so she can keep an eye on any stragglers.

Kitty meeps at Bagon, takes a step forward, and...tumbles off of Gold with a squeak. At least she lands on her feet?]

[ Kitty lands just in time for Bagon to nearly bump into her (ignoring Gold, who puffed up and made a sort of screeching hiccup sound when he watched baby fall overboard). It's the fuzzy thing! This is exciting. She jumps up and down, flapping her arms. Let's go find somewhere else to fly! ] Bag bag gon!

[ Gold turns his head to keep pushing eggbaby's dish. Maybe they'll follow? With Nocturne bringing up the rear? ] Jol!

To - [ - is eggbaby's response to the screeching hiccup. That sounded vaguely alarming. Should she be alarmed?

Kitty stumbles a little, but then mews importantly. She totally meant to do that. And fly? Fly where? Sounds exciting!

Nocturne lands behind them, shooing the babies along with her wings. C'mooon, get a move on.]

[ Fly somewhere. Bagon hurries right past Gold and eggbaby, checking over her shoulder when she reaches the door to make sure kitty is following her. She doesn't know where she's going to fly yet, herself, but she's sure there are more good perches around here somewhere. ] Gon.

[ Gold takes a deep breath, hopes they run into a human in the hall, and hiccups in the middle of it so he puffs up like a giant fuzzy balloon. ] Jol!

[ He doesn't seem alarmed, eggbaby. Just...really fluffy. ]

[kitty runs after Bagon, totally ignoring Gold and eggbaby in a bowl. Though she might accidentally run into her new friend if Bagon stops suddenly.

Togepi blinks and then wiggles excitedly. Do that again!] Toge!

[Nocturne looks at Gold and all the kids and...zips out the door, flying quickly down the hallway.]

[ A sudden stop has indeed happened, for Bagon has discovered - the front door. Which is closed. That's funny. She's run out of hallway....She'll be staring up at that, confused, when kitty potentially collides.

Gold, meanwhile, is making his way down the hallway, bowl scraping along the floor, fur fluffed in the hopes that will amuse baby. Cries would bring a human, which would be a real relief....but not if the human they bring is Trainer's Trainer. And he's standing there with a crying baby in his water bowl. He's starting to get tired, though. And tired of hiccuping. ] Jolte...on...

[ When he sees the other babies are stopped, he stops too, panting with his tongue lolling out. You kids are energetic! ] Jol!

[aaand kitty runs right into Bagon, tripping and falling over with a squeak. She mews in protest from the floor. What's going on??]

Toge! [when the bowl stops moving, eggbaby is going to try climb out and escape. What's happening by the door?

Nocturne makes her way back, silently circling above before finally landing on the floor. She's not exactly communicative, but at least help is coming?]

Bagon. [ Oh, friend. Bagon gestures at the closed door. This used to be a hole she could walk through, with things for flying practice on the other side. Now there's a wall. How confusing.

To say baby's great escape dismays Gold would be an understatement. He looks over at Nocturne. Thank you so much for all you've done. Do you think you could either watch these babies or go looking for a human? Natto would be good too. Somebody needs to inform the humans that all the babies are safe and happy, but Gold's beginning to realize that won't be happening with said babies in tow.

Yet he will see this through to the end! They haven't figured out how to open the door yet. The worst has not yet happened. ] Jol! Jolteon jolt eon ee - jol! - jolteon jolte.

[oh, oh! Kitty knows what to do! If she reaches up and scratches at the door like this, something should...happen? Kitty is joined by eggbaby, who starts imitating the cat by patting at the door.

Nocturne just looks at Gold and blinks. What did you think she was doing when she flew off earlier?

Togepi stops after a moment, turning around and looking down the hallway. Then she's turning around and practically running down the hallway, trilling excitedly.]

[ Bagon watches the other babies for a heartbeat before deciding that if her friend thinks it will work, it's worth a try. She attempts to scratch at the door herself, but her snout is longer than her arms so she bumps it against the door instead. She ends up having to place her head sideways against the door and stand very close before her arms will reach. But she's trying too! ] Bag bag bag.

[ Gold's sheepishness at Nocturne's rightful critique is only overcome by surprise, and then a mix of relief and dread, when he notices baby running down the hall. That....could that mean?

He turns to look himself, unsure whether to hope or fear. Either way, he hiccups. ] Jol!

[oh man, kitty squeaks happily at Bagon. They'll get this door open in no time!!

Aaand then Michiru is rounding the corner, leaning down and scooping up eggbaby in one fluid motion.]

Why, hello there. [and she's taking out a handkerchief] How'd you get all wet?

Pri!! Toge toge priii! [you're saved, Gold! Probably!]

Gon. [ Bagon is in no position to tell that herself, as she can't actually...see the door anymore. But if she leans on it, it starts to make a creaky noise!

It is Trainer's Trainer! Gold shoots out a paw to try and scoot the water bowl away, but that also feels like covering the evidence and Not Taking Responsibility. Both Trainer and Natto are big on Taking Responsibility.

So he stops halfway through and ends up just spilling the rest of the water all over the floor, and himself. He sneezes. ] Jolt! Jolt jolteon jolt!

[ He's sorry! He really is! He'll clean up the mess!! But look, they're all safe! Does that help? ]

[kitty jumps back in surprise at the creaky noise, but then starts patting at the door with a paw to try and get it to do it again.

Michiru tucks a now dry eggbaby into the crook of her arm. Let's see here...

Nocturne stays unhelpfully silent as her Trainer walks over, avoiding the puddles. Heh. She crouches to smile at the two Pokemon.] You've had a long day, haven't you?

Dolce! [what was the other one's name again?] Uranus!

[kitty's ears perk up as she looks over at her Trainer. She turns to the door, pats it a couple of times, and then saunters on over to Michiru.]

[ !! Uranus! That is who she is!

Bagon tries to turn to look but her head can't turn any more, either. So she remains stuck against the door longer than Dolce, but eventually she works through backing up and then getting her head aligned with the rest of her body. And then turning around to face the human.

And after that she's stumping on over on her little baby legs, waving her arms excitedly. Human! Human! She flew! ] Baaaaaag! Bag bag! Bagon!

[ Gold slinks back, dragging his empty water bowl with him, and tries to look inconspicuous so as not to interfere with reuniting the babies with their "mommy". He hiccups. His ears droop. ]

[she has no idea what this baby is saying, but between the flapping and the excitement, she can respond appropriately enough.]

It certainly looks like you've had fun.

[and she's scooping up Bagon too. Not one to be left out, kitty squeaks in protest and hops on up, kinda squeezing herself somewhere between her Trainer and Bagon's head.

At least Michiru looks pretty amused. A look at Gold, and then:] Let's get them settled in the nursery [where everything is baby-proofed] and we'll get you some water.

[Nocturne just looks relieved.]

Gon! [ Bagon's flying again! ...No, wait, she's just being held. But she's still off the ground, and that's exciting. And now friend is here too. So much happiness. Maybe now they'll go somewhere she can fly.

Gold, addressed, nods as seriously as he can and then tries to pick up his water bowl. It takes him a few attempts before he can get it up off the ground, but if it's empty, he can carry it in his mouth.... ] Jllll.

[ He's ready, Trainer's Trainer! And will try super, super hard to behave. Thanks to you, he learned all those cool Electric-type moves earlier. (Maybe someday Trainer will let him show them off.) ]

[and now, she's giving a demonstration of the proper way to hold all these babies - or at least, how best to use arms and opposable thumbs to your advantage. Kitty half flopped over on Bagon's head probably loses a few points.]

Shall we? [Michiru starts walking, but Nocturne really zips off, flying ahead to find the nursery door. The sooner they trap all the babies inside, the better.]

[ Gold follows dutifully, trying very hard not to look guilty should they pass the study the babies wrecked earlier. He'll come back and clean that up. He has to remember. He will. Everyone will want their pillows!

But for the meantime he's just trying not to hiccup around his water dish, which is making his eyes cross and his nostrils flare. Fight it. Fight i- ] Jlll!!

[ Drat. Bagon laughs, tipping her head up to look at her friend (who is, wow, right there). This is fun! ] Bag bag.

[and right on cue:] Toge!

[kitty meeps and whoa, slides backwards a little when Bagon tilts her head up.

And here's the nursery! Nocturne is already scrabbling at the handle, pulling it down with her weight. Michiru just needs to nudge the door open and...there. She walks in before crouching and letting go of Bagon and kitty. As for eggbaby, she brings Togepi over to her usual nest of blankets and. Huh. Where'd the blanket go?]

[ Bagon jumps the distance to the ground, flapping her arms in eternal hope of flying (foiled, but that's okay - she's done it once before, she's sure she'll do it again). Spotting a toy, she toddles over to investigate. Now that she has a friend, maybe they can play.

Gold notices what Michiru's noticing and, putting his water bowl down, begins backing towards the door. He then proceeds to back into the door, and sparks in surprise when it closes. ] Jolte!

[ So much for being helpful. ]

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