Two days passed since one of the Gibbs Militia Bases northwest from Downtown Sandfield went offline - the remaining forces there fled to other bases. Despite setting forth to make their way to the Two Schools further west, a combination of patrols, dangerous sightings of mechs, and adverse conditions for moving on besides put a truly eclectic group together at a local safe zone - having been ushered inside by other locals who discovered it.

The Gibbs Militia did not as of yet know about the location - in the back of an old store - a dark room formerly used for storage that had now been repurposed. As many things had been.

A collection of pieces of wood from broken pallets, empty wooden boxes, and other flammable detritus now gathered in the center of a circle, being used for warmth. The actual air conditioning for the place was nonexistent, and despite it being summer, the safe area trended colder.

A single lamp light overhead remained functional, swinging on a flimsy cable. The light illuminated Pablo, Mina, James, Heather and Tom, all sat enjoying some of the stored food in the location. Thankfully the canned food there wouldn't go bad for literal years - and the war couldn't last for years now...could it?

Indeed, the storage unit had shelves of depleted food supplies. While the food wouldn't go bad, the supply was limited, and this was a popular waypoint for those traversing war-torn Sandfield.

Maintaining the fire and controlling its strength was the diminutive figure of Malcaba. Formerly a fearsome "Mage of Shadows", the blue skinned, squat figure had a bulbous head, large eyes, and what looked like four little whiskers by his mouth. His formerly grand robes were replaced with a shabby, stitched together bland outfit that half resembled a night gown. A perpetually morose look crossed his face - a sense of true, abject loss.

Among others presently in the storage unit waiting for safe passage or looking for some food (or perchance other things) were the likes of rocky, grey-skinned Billy Slate, the feline Katarina Cato, and the well covered up Rebecca Weathers.

The Mall

Further out to the south, in the midst of Downtown Sandfield, the Shinyfield Mall had already fallen on hard times well before Sandfield was surrounded by giant, destructive walls and encircled by a militia. Half the fountains didn't work, the doors had to be forced open half the time when they were supposed to be automatic, and the ongoing fighting didn't help the damages to the ceiling mounted lights.

Several of the ceiling windows had also been broken down, and while there remained some young people who had enjoyed the place before now nobody openly walked the halls for frivolity's sake. Several of the stores had their windows and doors smashed open and in the case of the latter, right off the hinges.

It was a risky spot to take up residence for those who chose this as their home base for the time. But the old book store in the back remained largely unmolested, and there were enough rooms within to suffice. All that was left was to venture out and try to find stores with food that hadn't gone bad yet.

Those present in the book store would be Veda Valentine, Ross Chase, Seraphina Twilight, Colt Griese - whatever their reasons, there for supplies, looking for information, hoping to find others... they would be brought together by common circumstance.

Joining them were a pair of Sandfield natives:

Luke Locke paced back and forth in the bookstore, anxiety written on his face. The lean and tightly formed Luke carried with him a slim sword, more made for swift jabs than slashes. The fencer wondered when things all went so wrong. He'd been famous. 10 million followers on Instagram! He made fencing interesting! And he had, if he dared say so himself, a very handsome look that helped in that. But now? He had seen no hint of militia activity or patrols around the mall lately. Quiet, now?

"You guys do know we should be moving out of this derelict store sooner rather than later, right?" Luke stated. "There's got to be something going on."

Also present was one of the weirder students from Coolidge High - Kyle Sakahara, a slim swimmer with short blond hair, light blue eyes, and interesting ideas about his origins. As he would explain to anyone - literally anyone - who asked, Kyle believed he was a Pleiadian Prince from outer space. In tandem with his, he had taken to his adoptive parents' beliefs in a strange "grass roots religious movement" emphasizing happiness above all else. The result saw Kyle attempting to assuage Luke, "Now now, let's not be negative about this! I mean, they could've moved on, maybe those Angel guys from up north beat their tushes."

However, also haunting the mall was the figure of Cendrillon. Standing six foot ten inches tall, she had her own reasons for lurking about, surely.

Green Wall

And in Green Wall, it had been two days since the introduction by Elijah Gibbs of his adoptive son Caine to Jayden Gardner. And in that time it seemed that Caine was exceedingly eager to try and make friends with Jayden. The young man seemed all too ready to ask Jayden all sorts of questions, and there seemed to be a want for familiarity. He didn't seem to realize or even understand how anything might be perceived as a result.

Seem to.

There was an oddity to him. A strange "knowing". As if he somehow figured there was more about Jayden that hadn't been shared. That he knew very well what happened out there in Sandfield. Was he truly just playing the fool so aptly well? Or did he honestly have no idea...?

Today was no different. "Good day to you, Jayden!" Caine propped himself up against one of the walls as he tried to make conversation, "You know, if you're bored with the food on supply here I can probably organize for us to get something a little more exciting. How does that sound? After all, I figure it's about lunch time..."

That smile never seemed to reach the eyes...

Edited by NickTheSwing on Jul 23rd 2023 at 5:48:06 AM

Jayden Gardner

The Investigation Club was probably dead.

This was something Jayden had grown to accept over his months spent in Purgatory. His not-really-friends were probably dead, their bodies either chucked into an unmarked grave or burned into ashes or just left decomposing on the side of the road. (His imagination had wandered a bit. Sometimes, it wandered to really morbid places.)

So, as the last member of the club left, Jayden figured he had about two months before he went crazy and stabbed a man to death.

That was before Caine Dekeren came into the picture.

Jayden wasn't stupid. He remembered full well Caine's name in the Umbral Horde. Some sort of Grandmaster candidate. Whatever he was, him being here had to be a ploy. A plan of some sort.

Jayden really, really needed some time alone. How was he supposed to sneak out if this guy was dogging his every step so they could be "friends"? It was maddening.

Fortunately, he was an expert at driving people off.

"Nope, I'm fine," Jayden said as he passed, not even looking up from the journal he was pretending to read. Now take the hint.

Seraphina Twilight - The Mall - I was only gone for a few weeks and this is what I came back to?!

What. A. Shitstorm.

These were the first thoughts Seraphina had upon returning back to Sandfield after her weeks-long vacation in Los Angeles. After Tom Winters disappeared, she had a nagging feeling about his disappearance that prompted her to get away from the town. When she returned, she not only heard news about the nuking of Dubai, but also that the Masquerade surrounding magic was broken and everyone and their mother knew about it.

As Seraphina traversed through the town, she witnessed the chaos first hand and had to evade some panicking locals going completely insane. She eventually made it to the mall, holding unto a miniature version of her signature tommy gun, Clara Bow, in her tiny purse, and found herself in a book store. She was searching for a temporary shelter, supplies, and answers to whatever the hell was going on here. In the book store, she found a bookish man with purple eyes, a tallish guy wearing a mix of warmer colors and darker pants, and a peculiar-looking man with red sunglasses and clothes.

She then heard two locals who she'd seen in passing before, Luke and Kyle, speaking.

"Who are these Angel guys?" She asked Kyle. "I'd just arrived here after I got back from my vacation and holy fucking shit, this town is all fucked up."

Edited by Cutegirl920fire on Jul 23rd 2023 at 6:12:46 AM

Rebecca Weathers

Becca was leaning against the wall, keeping as far away from the fire as possible. And as cold as the room was, the air around her was even colder, to the point where one could see the wisps of her breath popping up from under the scarf covering her mouth. A scarf that she refused to remove, even to eat, and she intended to open the can of tuna she was holding later, when she was on her own.

All of this would give Becca the air that she didn't want to be there. And this would be entirely accurate. She wasn't from Sandfield, and she hadn't been planning on staying there for long. Unfortunately, the Green Wall threw a wrench in those plans. Now she was trapped here, along with everyone else. Initially, she'd had no problem on her own, scavenging for food and moving from place to place, taking care of Gibbs Militia whenever she encountered them. But once she learned of the store safe zone, she figured she may as well take advantage of it. She wasn't about to turn down a reliable source of food.

But what Becca really wanted was to get out. In theory, escape should be simple: create an ice construct big enough to dig a tunnel for her to go under the Green Wall, and freeze it to keep the tunnel from collapsing. Tall as it was, it had to have a bottom. Problem was, not only did Becca not know how big she'd have to make that tunnel, she couldn't stay in one place long enough to dig it, especially in a spot close enough to the wall itself. As much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't going to be able to do get out on her own. But perhaps these other people at the safe zone could assist her.

"So," she said to the others. "Any of you thought of a way to bust out of here?"

Edited by RapidFirestormer on Jul 23rd 2023 at 10:04:43 AM

Cendrillon: The Mall

Here she was, free.

It was boring without any stimulation.

Now and again she saw signs of life and occupation. She barely even looked at most of the unsettled citizens and they would cower at the sight of her. Even though she was dressed down in a simple hooded jacket and sweatpants, her stature and blood-red eyes were enough to intimidate most people even in passing. It was those that didn't bat an eye she found faintly interesting.

She could take on a job, but that would mean finding infrastructure. This region clearly had none since the siege, or at least they were on too shaky foundations for such work to be worth pursuing. She could try and get herself hired by the militia people, but they'd probably see her as a tool rather than the special being she truly knew herself to be. Neither were appealing, so she chose to wander.

I want to kill something.

Which would draw attention, and paint a target on her back, and damn it no she needed an excuse. Some kind of legitimate cause to get behind, one that wouldn't stab her in the back. She was craving excitement but she couldn't get any because of this god damned occupation-

-CRUNCH-

She'd suddenly stomped the ground while she was in an empty part of the mall. Naturally, the ground had cracked under her foot, as she'd pumped some of her magic into her muscles for the hell of it. She smirked a little as she felt it give way, taking a moment to close her eyes and relish that feeling of control before swiftly moving on. She could do whatever she wanted. It was fine.

Wait.

Her head tilted to one side, as she heard chatter in the distance. She focused her magic into her hearing, amplifying it by several times. Sounded like some kids talking. She let her hearing return to normal, then bolstered her vision instead to look in the direction of where the voices had come from. It was a little ways down another section of the mall, near the back. She decided to head towards it, keeping her eyes fixed ahead until she could read the sign from a distance. A bookstore. She could use some reading material.

She approached the store's exterior, paying no mind to the fact that those inside could see the extremely tall, white-haired and red-eyed woman striding right up to their hideout, and then she nonchalantly knocked on the window.

"I'm a visitor. Newcomer. Can I come in?" she asked as if she were merely a new neighbour and not a potential threat asking for an invitation in a survivor's group.

Edited by Enirboreh on Jul 23rd 2023 at 2:29:06 PM

James sat by the fire eating a can of kidney beans. He'd only been in the thick of things for about two days, but surviving out in Sandfield proper was showing itself to be very different from simply waiting things out in their last safehouse. The past two days, finding food and shelter had caused him more worry than any of his past life or death experiences. They had secured both for the time being, but he got the feeling that it would be a long time before they could take such resources for granted.

The strange figure in the coat had brought his mind back to the long term with their question. It was hard enough living day to day, but they were going to have to break open that wall somehow; or at least halt it. The worrying thing was, he had no idea how to do so, the thing's advance seemed truly inexorable.

"The only way I can think of is to dig underneath, but I fear they must have come up with some way to counter that."

Veda - The Mall

Veda flipped through a book with one hand, adjusting his wristband with the other. A quick check showed Visionary Violet was still in mint condition, as expected. Restoration was one of the simpler uses of his transmutation magic, and he took great care to maintain his equipment.

He hadn't expected to run into this many others in his quest for knowledge, but it was reassuring to know that sane people still existed in town.

"If something big happens, it's quiet enough that we'll hear it coming." Veda replied to Luke without looking, though thanks to his Oculus Veda could see everyone in the store regardless. He pointedly avoided looking at Kyle, having deduced rather quickly that the boy suffered from toxic positivity.

As if in response, there was a crunch, and not long afterward a strange woman showed up at the window. Veda stared at her a moment, letting his mind process her appearance and mannerism, and upon determining that she was not an active threat (despite her eccentricities), said "Certainly. More the merrier."

With a gesture, a hand made of purple energy appeared by the door, unlocking it and opening it.

Colt Griese - Waking Up After A 2 Month Walk…In The Mall

From Ireland to Sandfield there was an ocean, a wall and an intimidating number of miles. The ocean was simple. Just a ferry ride that lasted about 3 weeks. Not a trustworthy ferry by any means, but levitation was always an option. The wall, however, was a more substantial roadblock. It took a good few days of waiting, but eventually the sun was unobstructed in the sky. Around 7:00 AM, a straight burst of impossibly strong radial force erupted near the top edge of the Green Wall. No damage was sustained, but it was theorized by some that it wasn’t an attack, but a method of entry. They were right.

And between the two, of course, there was a lot of walking. Officially, Colt Griese never left Ireland, so the name had to be something different. Inconspicuous was the best way to go. Kenneth Walker moved with haste through the American landscape. By foot, by bus, occasionally by a stranger’s car. It didn’t matter. To The Aspirant it was a pilgrimage to the holy land. To Colt it was a fuzzy haze of faces and names and mouths that didn’t seem to know who he was. All he thought about was walking. All he knew was real was the path in front of him. A mind encased in a body that wasn’t quite his own. Eyes shining, blinding the malicious, uplifting the needy. He became a figure of stories the common man would spread in his trek to Sandfield. That of the man with yellow eyes. Shining like the sun. Before, they would’ve called him an angel. Some, a demon. But now, in this day and age, as the stories passed along they were met with cynicism. Without the masquerade he wasn’t an angel or a demon, but a man with particularly strong magic. And most didn’t like that.

But his road-trip was a story for another time. Colt’s haze cleared in a bookstore. It was the first time in 2 months he was thinking clearly. Walking through that door, seeing the others and taking a breath that could’ve revived even a clean skeleton. His hidden eyes took the place in, and his chest constricted tight. He wanted to be afraid, but deep within his mind a voice soothed him.

Fast forward to now. Here the boy was, sitting idly in a small chair. He had it on its hind legs, his heels resting on the edge of a bookshelf and flipping idly through an issue of Time from back when this all started. Without looking up, he responded to Luke.

“Probably, yeah. Though I’m not too sure where we’d go.”

The Aspirant had been quiet as of late. He’d asked it what it had been up to in the time Colt was out, but no response was given. The radio silence had him perturbed. And then she knocked on the window. He didn’t respond to her or Veda’s decision to open the door to her, and he didn’t seem to be concerned at her presence, though he did close his magazine and remove his locket from his neck, rubbing the locket with his thumb as a sort of fidget.

Edited by Yayakuza on Jul 23rd 2023 at 7:02:15 AM

Katarina — Storage Unit

Katarina wasn't sure how she got here. She wasn't sure how anyone got here. One day the town was hunkey-dorey, the next it was Mad Max. The rest of the world wasn't much better. Last she heard someone set off a nuke, but all it took was a single spark to start WWIII. Even if they escaped, where would they go? Was there anything left? She didn't want to think about it, but this run-down hellhole was probably the safest place on earth. She wondered how she hadn't gone insane. As if she didn't have enough to deal with.

But perhaps dealing with everything else was what kept her grounded. She'd spent the last few days scrounging for food and searching for her mother when she had the chance. That's when she wasn't fending off strange looks. But she couldn't blame them. She'd known magic existed, but not about everything else. She barely believed it herself. She certainly didn't want to. But knowing and accepting were two different things. She'd largely stuck to the shadows, but occasionally someone got a peek. Most of them were scared shitless. She hated them. Almost as much as she hated herself. Small comfort.

She was searching for more food when she found this old dump. She thought it was just an old store, but there was more to it. Part of her wanted to investigate, but she wasn't the only one here. Best thing to do was take a few cans of tuna and leave. If she was lucky they'd turn tail and run. Better than being chased off with a baseball bat.

But they didn't. Maybe they hadn't noticed her, but they didn't seem phased. But was safer in here than out there. She'd wait and see if they brought out the torches and pitchforks, but she'd stick around a bit longer. She sat apart from the rest of the group, paying more attention to her food than to them.

"Forgive me for being a filthy realist, but I don't see the point. Even if we found some utensils and dug our way out with manly spoons, what's waiting for us? If the world somehow isn't engulfed in nuclear armageddon, it still won't be pretty. Chances are it's become Mad Max or Walking Dead and that's being charitable."

Edited by kkhohoho on Jul 23rd 2023 at 9:04:29 AM

Rebecca Weathers

"Maybe," Becca said to James. "But all the other ways around the wall have defenses we know about. Under is our best bet, and I," she hesitated for a moment. "...have the spells to dig a tunnel."

Becca wasn't entirely used to telling any random person about her magic. Her family had been careful to keep up the masquerade so no one would know how they were making their lives so comfortable, but with magic revealed to the entire world, she figured she didn't have to bother with hiding her power anymore. No one knew who she was here, and she was perfectly capable of fighting off militia members.

"I've found the bigger problem is setting up a dig site," Becca continued. "The militia's been keeping me from being able to stay in one place long enough to make much progress on a tunnel."

Then she heard Kat's concern. "Perhaps. But the food in here will run out eventually, and we'll have the entirety of the world to hide out in instead of a single town getting slowly destroyed by psychopaths. And I, for one, am capable of fending myself if I have to survive the apocalypse. If it turns out outside the wall isn't any better than in here, so be it."

Edited by RapidFirestormer on Jul 23rd 2023 at 10:12:20 AM

Pablo has been running himself ragged these last few days, and with how things have been going, he couldn't expect much in the way of good news these days. And the sights around just make him more anxious, as if he was going to find more people to bury, or if the images of the past just clashing with what they have in front of them.

Sighing, he wondered what they could do.

"Hitting this or that point could collapse a section of the Wall, but how to handle the tons of falling debris?" He muttered to himself. The ridiculous amount of junk would be a nightmare. And who knows how many would be affected.

He wanted to leave the place, and wanted some hope. There are people he wanted to find outside, wanted to get a chance at better food, not just for himself.

Billy Slate

Billy looked over from the cans of food he had been putting into a pack slung over his shoulder, half-listening to the conversation, half-paying attention to what he was grabbing. The golem may not have had to eat, but everyone that relied on him back home did, and he wasn't about to let them go hungry. It had been a...rough few weeks, to say the least for the stone-skinned man, and his solemn expression reflected it. He closed his eyes for a moment before approaching the others, crossing his arms as he looked down at Kat.

"Point bein', we don't know that the world's gone to shit completely yet, kitty-cat," he spoke up. "Forgive me for bein' an optimist, but if there's a chance we can find a way outta here n' help everyone else trapped, it's worth takin'. I dunno about you, but I got people who count on me n' I'm not about ta' give up on trying to save em'."

Billy turned his attention to Rebecca, "Now, if it's tunnelin' your planning on doing, I think I can be'a some help," he lifted a loose cinderblock and absorbed it into himself, growing slightly larger as a result, "Dirt, sand, concrete, you name it, I can absorb it and expel it, should make diggin' easier."

"Heh, but, where are my manners," He continued, bowing slightly, "Billy Slate, nice ta meet ya."

Edited by bestmand902 on Jul 23rd 2023 at 11:38:39 AM

"It's true we have no idea what's beyond that wall" James mused "I hate to admit it, but it's highly likely that the Milita has more forces stationed right outside the thing. We might be better off working on halting its advance rather than escaping it altogether."

He nodded at Pablo's point. "I don't know what it would take to make a dent. Maybe if we can salvage some cannons from the mechs the Milita keeps sending over"

James extended his hand to Billy. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm James North."

Katerina — Storage Unit

"Thank you for that astute observation, pebble-face. Do you normally state the obvious or is that your special talent?" She attempted to calm down, but he'd struck a nerve.

"But that's the difference between us then. Callous it may be, but there's only one person I give a damn about and they just so happen to be somewhere in this godforsaken hellscape. The sooner I've made sure they're safe, the sooner I can go back to sticking my head in the sand. I'm sure that's where the masses want it."

She wasn't completely truthful. Part of her did care. She loathed those who abused their authority, but what was she supposed to do about it? A scintillating expose wouldn't do much good on the battlefield. Even if it did, they'd sooner run towards a loaded machine gun than listen to her. Or use it on her instead. She was shocked the others hadn't done the same. Colonel Billy was somewhat odd, but he wasn't as much of an oddity as she was.

"If we're introducing ourselves, you may refer to me as Katarina Kato. I'm sorry if I'm being blunt, truly. But I've always believed in the value of honesty. Or used to at any rate."

Edited by kkhohoho on Jul 24th 2023 at 8:45:43 AM

The Mall - Ross Chase

"..." So this supply run went...different than usual. People were found. Ross was currently sitting in one of the corners of the store, hesitant to talk.

It is true that quietness can be foreboding sometimes. It is also true, however, that the resistance wasn't completely outmatched, despite the siege scenario. There was merit to both Kyle's and Luke's lines of thinking.

"I, ah," he finally spoke, "have people waiting for me somewhere else. Can't stay here forever." Those people, however, were waiting for supplies as well. Food was at a premium. And Lil' Katie needed something as well. As unlikely as finding proper stuff for her was, there still could be something that could be cut into her fuel. Plant oil? Ethanol? Anything liquid and flammable at all? "One last search of the building before we head out?" he asked, adding a little "...maybe?" afterwards.

It would be a good time to ask everyone else about their shelter situa- Knock, Knock.

Those red eyes. That piercing stare. Definitely makes a mighty first impression. Before Ross could weigh in, Veda has invited the tall woman into the store. Holy shit, she's taller than you.

He collected himself as best as he could, and asked her, "So, do you have a, name, perhaps?"

Edited by JackCossack on Jul 24th 2023 at 2:41:40 PM

"Always the more the merrier!" Kyle responded when the gigantic woman at the door showed up. Then looking over at Seraphina, when she asked about the "Angel Guys", he informed her, "The 317th are up there by the Two Schools Area. They're actually fighting the Gibbs Militia...really doin' El Riveille's work on this Earth. I think they must be receiving power from the fifth dimension or higher!" Kyle sounded so utterly convinced of that. So completely convinced.

Luke however wondered what the deal was with this woman at their doorstep. He'd already seen that not everyone you meet on the street was exactly trustworthy now. But the whole white hair and red eyes was just...wearing it a little on the nose there? But if the others were going to let her in, then he guessed he could be the sole competent man in the room when things went sour. It already made a smirk tug at his lips.

"Me personally..." The dejected figure of Malcaba glanced up from his duty of keeping the fire under control for anyone who needed heat, "As long as there's life...there's probably hope." A couple little pieces of wood cracked and sizzled on the pyre, and the squat creature looked out the window, glass broken out, "Once the forces in the area clear up a bit, we could make our move along the river and cross via a corporate building. Once we're over, the way should be clearer to the Two Schools."

"I'd love to just take the fight to that big-ass mech they got waddling around out there." Tom for his part ate some of the canned meat. It was salty, a bit thick...but it was tastier than the usual rations for 317th members. "The more we let the really big one amble around, the worse it's gonna get over here."

"...You mean the Eye of Wagner, yes?" Malcaba responded, "...Simply too big. A fight with it now is unfeasible. The location is an issue."

Caine decidedly did not take the hint. Either he was that totally oblivious to it, or he knew and consciously decided to continue anyway. "You do seem a little stressed these days, Jayden. I do understand why. The situation you're in is...far beyond the pale. Perhaps I can assist you in whatever matters trouble you."

"Your stress? I have successfully lobbied my father to allow the creation of "Warrior Lodges", a gathering place slash spa that assists our soldiers and anyone else in Green Wall in unwinding. And all my father needed to hear was that there'd be no "Satanic Yoga"." Caine for his part found the condition amusing enough to spare a chuckle.

"And if you need to get anywhere, do...something," leaning closer, Caine said, "Just ask away. What are friends for, anyway?"

Edited by NickTheSwing on Jul 23rd 2023 at 10:48:12 AM

Mina Parker—Safe Zone

Mina had just walked back in after cataloging the remaining supplies in the makeshift safe zone. There was not much to report, aside from the dwindling victuals, and she had a feeling that it would only get worse from here. Except she'd raided the gardening aisle for some relevant magazines (some anarchist, freegan, and anarcho-freegan publications prior to the Gibbs invasion now having actual use) and was now compiling her most extensive broadcast yet about how guerrilla gardening was likely the next invisible front of the war.

That was, if the Gibbs personnel didn't literally salt the earth first. That thought made Mina grimace as she pulled another book over, fact-checking and cross-examining tips from her many different sources. But the fact remained that the Militia's food had to come from somewhere—mostly outside, which Sandfield couldn't cut off because they were trapped inside. Unless help could be called in to do so from the outside, unless communications to the outside could be restored in the first place, unless, unless, unless...

However, Mina's specialty was support, and it wouldn't be hard to relate communications with logistics at all. She was sketching plans to bolster the rooftop gardens the Two Schools (so far referred to with a distinct presence of capitalization) already had, working from memory and the readily available materials likely to be laying around (rubble, ruins, and wreckage). Pausing from her fervid note-taking, Mina raised her head for a moment to contribute to the conversation.

"Not that it's guaranteed to work or anything," she proposed, as it seemed like Kat had someone she cared about go missing. "But I can add a missing persons bulletin to my broadcast. Even if it's just a reading of names and flashing of photos, I can get the news out, get people to be aware, if not actively looking, I think. I'm the only source of news around, folks would have to listen."

Edited by JumpingFruit on Jul 24th 2023 at 6:53:21 AM

Rebecca Weathers - Safe Zone

"Becca," she said to Billy. "And that would be useful in getting the tunnel dug faster."

Becca stroked her chin at James's point about outer defenses. "True. What I'd give for a scrying vessel right now."

Then she heard Malcaba's comments. "What's at the Two Schools?"

Edited by RapidFirestormer on Jul 24th 2023 at 11:15:04 AM

Katarina — Safe Zone

Katarina blinked. She hadn't expected any help, but this little girl was offering to assist her for nothing in return. She wasn't sure how old she was supposed to be. Maybe fourteen? She should have asked where her parents were, but she didn't have many options.

"Thank you. I've searched everywhere, but I can't find heads or tails of her. It's as if she vamoosed. If it wasn't impossible, I wouldn't blame her."

She shuffled away. The last she wanted was to bring attention to her literal sour puss. The others hadn't bothered to why should she? The more she was around them, the more comfortable she became. If only because they treated her like a human being. If she'd stuck to the streets, she wouldn't be so lucky.

"Look. I'm not going to stick my neck out for you bleeding hearts at every possible moment, but I suppose I can pitch in. If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Though I must say, you do seem a bit young for this. Did all the responsible adults disappear when I wasn't looking or is this an audition for the Goonies?"

Edited by kkhohoho on Jul 24th 2023 at 8:38:22 AM

"Heh, Pebble-face, huh? That's a new'un. And nah, statin' the obvious is more of a part-time thing." Billy replied. The cat girl looked young, and was probably just as nervous and on-edge as everyone else, no sense in getting mad. Save the anger for the people trying to kill them.

"I see," He said as Kat talked about finding the one person she cared about, "But, then, you're gonna be needin' help with that, yeah? If you're willin' to accept it, I'm willin' to help. I don't got as much reach as news girl does, but I got a whole bunch'a people from all around the city sheltered at my place, I can ask around 'ta see if any of em' have seen someone like your missin' person if you've got a photo of em' or can describe em to me," He rubbed the back of his head with his hand, "Not much I know, but I figure offerin' some kinda help's better than nothin', y'know?"

Billy reached over and shook James and Becca's hands, "Nice 'ta meet ya both, hope we can get along, then at least one nice thing would come outta this whole shithole situation."

Edited by bestmand902 on Jul 24th 2023 at 9:03:09 AM

Tom stood up and answered Becca's inquiry, feeling secure enough that he could trust these people, "That's where my superiors are. I'm Tom Winters, a Frontliner with the 317th. We're successfully fighting off the Gibbs Militia, so much so there's a marketplace set up near the Schools. That includes fighting and destroying their giant war machines. The Eye isn't invincible."

He then looked at Kat and stated, "...Lots of our folks tried to protest at the old park. The Gibbs Militia responded to this by gunning them down. My mom among them. So as they say about the Militia: I'm from Sandfield...and I say - kill em all."

Malcaba for his part minded the fire some more. "I tried my hand at fighting that horrible goliath and it just ended in me losing my scythe. But if you young people want to try, go right ahead. Just be careful not to let it damage any vital locations. This area has more than a few hiding spots."

Jayden, In a Wall

"What is 'Satanic Yoga'?" Jayden asked incredulously, and then immediately regretted it because that was four more words than he ever wanted to say to Caine Dekeren. It meant acknowledging the guy's existence. He didn't want to do that.

Luckily, it didn't last long.

"Jayden!" His younger sister, Amy, came running up to him. "Mom says she needs us, it's important."

"O-oh, okay! Okay!" Jayden gave Caine a brief wave, not even looking at him, before Amy grabbed his hand and sped off, taking Jayden with her.

Neither Jayden nor Amy had seen much of either their mother or their older brother Kyle for the past few weeks. But Jayden, so sick of Caine trying to "befriend" him, had enlisted Amy to drag him off on "important obligations" so he'd have an excuse to not talk to him.

"Does this guy ever give up?" Amy asked once they were a sufficient distance away.

"Not so far. But I'm a master at playing hard to get." Jayden absently twirled the ponytail he'd grown over the past few months. It wasn't really a style choice. He just didn't cut his hair much. Or brush it.

Past Jayden, for all his faults, at least brushed his hair in the morning.

"I can't believe it," Amy muttered. "Hundreds of people in this stupid wall and the one person anywhere near our age is about as trustworthy as Jafar."

"I don't know how he's doing it," Jayden said, voice low. "He's...obviously up to no good, but no one else seems to notice."

Amy sighed. "Can't we have friends who aren't trying to use us? And want to talk to me?"

The last part sounded a bit bitter, but Jayden didn't comment on it. Amy had had friends—real ones, not just teammates—before all this had happened. She was probably lonely here, and worried for them.

"Not like there's a way to leave," he said.

And that was a bald-faced lie. The past two days, whenever he managed to escape Caine, Jayden had been checking his sketches, looking for holes in the security, mapping out an escape route. He needed to get out, if only for one night. He wanted to get home, or whatever was left of it.

He wanted to know who his dad had been. And home seemed like a good place to start.

But he couldn't risk telling anyone.

Rebecca Weathers - Safe Zone

Becca hesitated before shaking Billy's hand. If his rock body could still feel temperature, he'd notice that Becca was quite cold when he touched her hand. What might be more obvious to him is that she was slightly slower to grip his hand, as if she needed visual confirmation that she'd grabbed it.

"Sure," she said hesitantly after Billy made his comment.

Then she perked up at Tom's words. "Winters, huh? That was my mom's last name before she married my dad," Becca remarked. "Anyways, I'm certainly up for taking care of the Militia. If we're not getting past that wall, count me in for whatever you've got planned."

Kat — Safe Zone

Kat looked at Billy somewhat askance. He seemed strong, but he didn't impress her. She wasn't sure he'd be much help, but what did she have to lose?

"If you insist..."

She pulled out an old photo from her pockets. Part of her didn't want them to see it. There wasn't anything wrong with it. It was a perfectly good picture. Maybe the only one she had left. But it was also damning. Perhaps they wouldn't figure it out. But what if they did? They weren't treating her differently, but they didn't know the full story.

It came down to chance. She closed her eyes shut, picturing a coin. It was vivid, as clear and detailed as the real thing. But the stakes were clear. Tails, she stuffed the picture back in her shirt. Heads, she showed it. She clutched the bronze ankh around her neck. She flipped it in her head, letting it fall where it may. She wasn't happy with the outcome, but the results were clear.

She presented the photo. It was worn and crumpled, but it didn't seem old. It was taken fairly recently, four months ago at the most. An older woman stood in the centre, standing proud. She was beautiful for her age. She stood proud, brown hair bunched up in a proper bun, dazzling the cameraman with her pearly teeth. She wasn't built, but she was hardy. She could take a beating and dish it out, a must for her line of work. She was bold and brash, hands at her hips, ready to face the day with nothing but her wits and daring.

"There she is. If I didn't know better, I'd swear she was insane. But that's an archaeologist for you. She may not seem impressive, but between you and me, she could eat Mr.Jones for breakfast.

But she wasn't alone. Next to her in the picture was a young woman, black hair hanging over her shoulders. She was somewhat sultry, but she seemed happy. Curiously, she was somewhat familiar. She was taller than Kat. No tail, smaller ears, a lot less fur. But something about her was familiar. Even their clothes were the same. She wore black tights under her shorts and a leather jacket up top, but the rest of it was a perfect match. She held a notebook in her hands, a pencil between her ears, a gold ankh around her neck. But that trademark attitude was unmistakable.

"Me personally, I'm against throwing myself into the abyss, but that may not be necessary. If we fought it head-on, we'd be sending ourselves to an early grave, but it may be possible to hack it. Or was everyone about to pull a Hail Mary and throw caution to the wind?"

She was about to say something else, but she kept her mouth shut. On some level, she condemned their parents' stupidity. If they had the gall to charge in and get themselves killed, they had no one but themselves to blame. She hoped her mother had more brains than they did, but someone had to bring these monsters to task. They should have been more careful, but she couldn't fault their gumption.

Edited by kkhohoho on Jul 24th 2023 at 9:48:17 AM

Shop Storeroom

She was watching the interview on her phone again.

The sound was off, she already knew all the answers, she just was sitting there staring at the humanoid disguise of her most powerful Totem in an injured state read through and answer some basic questions. Why couldn't she figure out where this was from? How in the damnable divinities was she able to Totem a character that she didn't even understand, let alone confirm the existence of? It was enough to give Heather a headache as she went for another spoonful of delicious soup. Others were bickering over how to get out or how to take down the mech...

"Teleportation magic exists, yaknow. If Parallaxus kept the old magic shop open downtown we could probably just... Learn it."

Heather shrugged and set her can down.

"That said I deeply doubt the world outside has gone to more hell than in here. Like yeah the Masquerade went down but that just means the danger that already existed can't hide anymore..."

Another shrug, a lilting wobble.

"Quick question: How does the odds of fighting the mech change if we had a dragon involved?"