the veil is thin . . .

[thespaceopera]

[ On the night of the 16th, the feeling of tension and horrid anticipation comes to a head. Everything stops when the sun goes down-- even the ever-present music in the hoppingest part of the city center. One by one, everyone turns their eyes to the skies. The young and old alike pour out of their houses, some in bare feet, and they point to the velvety blanket of stars.

It takes a second to find it, especially if one is unaccustomed to the starscape. But even a casual observer can see it.

A brightly-shining star, larger than the others, and growing larger.

An announcement cuts across all communication channels that encourages people to evacuate to the space station, but it’s clear that these are just people and they’ll need some help. Supplies, equipment, organization, there’s something for everyone to do.

Civilization is disrupted by a panicked stampede of people vying for limited seats aboard spacefaring craft. Within hours, there will be crushed glass, looting, and chaos.

The clock is ticking. Will you help? Or would you rather watch the dying gasps of a Singing Planet from a safe distance? ]

[OOC: Please see this post for plot details. Phase two has begun! Feel free to use this post as a reaction post, mingle, etc. or make your own!]

Comments

Snow Villiers | Any time up until the Impact

[heroofcocoon]

Evacuation

[Dealing with crazed and panicked citizens is literally old hat for Snow. As soon as the announcement for the meteor (it's always something, isn't it?) goes out, he's out on the planet's surface, helping people carrying things, picking up children that get separated from their parents, and generally looking more alive than he has since his arrival to the Fleet.

He leaves a group of teenagers who are pulling along a wagon full of things that look like costumes after moving some obstructions in the road to a group of men, arguing.]

Hey, stop this. There's a whole line of people making their way to the space port. Either get your asses in the line like reasonable people or get the hell out of the way. No matter what you do, move.

[That is definitely not the way he talked to the little old lady looking for her pet lizard. And after he tells that group off, he's right back to helping people with their things.]

Supply Lines

[Not only do the people need to get into space, evidently the space port isn't that well supplied to handle the evacuees. So, as someone with super-human strength, Snow can be seen carrying massive boxes and beds as if they don't weigh anything.

And if you look carefully, he looks almost happy to be doing this.]

Wildcard

[Let me know if there's anything more specific you want to do. I'm open to anything, and you can reach me on plurk at makochan.]

Wildcard

[herosheroine]

[ His voice is what stops her mid-stride. In between healing injured citizens trying to escape Serah picks out a familiar voice in the crowd, but for a moment she was sure she imagined it. With the large press of bodies all around her it's difficult to pick out Snow, even with his towering height. It isn't until he speaks up again in a louder tone that she's sure she heard him. At that point she has to put aside what she's doing, she has to. ]

Snow!

[ Pushing her way through the throng of people she followed the sound of his voice, but it didn't seem to be getting any closer at first. For a moment she almost panicked. Desperate, she called out- "Snow!!!" -startling enough people to give her the room she needed to break free of the crowd and see him resting off to the side by himself.

The sight of him hits her like a freight train. She wants to surge forward and throw her arms around him, she wants to ask a dozen and one questions- at minimum, but she does neither of those things. She instead jogs over, slowing to a stop in front of his seat with most of her emotions laid bare. ]

It is you, isn't it...?

[ He looks older, more worn, and his hair and clothes are different from the last time she'd seen him. The memory of his brand also comes rushing back, but... one thing at a time. First she has to know she isn't just dreaming, and that he's not some desperate figment of her imagination. ]

[heroofcocoon]

[Since Snow has had really no desire to interact with others of the Fleet that weren't in his immediate purview, he's missed the fact that two very important people are here that he knows. In fact, he's done his level best to avoid anything having to do with the communicators after his initial checking to see what it was. Everything he's needed has been on the Blue Fish, and a great deal more.

However, being down on the planet's surface, stretching his legs and putting his curse to use has been good. While he still isn't smiling like he once would, his face has made it out of the perpetual scowl. And of course, he's still human and needs to take a break. This rock is as comfortable as anything and he's relishing the pull on his muscles that all the work has caused.

Then he hears a sound that makes him stiffen and sit up straight.]

Serah?

[No, no. It can't be her. It's a trick of his imagination, a mirage created by the ache in his heart. And not or the first time. But then he hears his name called again and he slowly stands, half-curious and half-furious.

Until he sees her.

His eyes go wide in disbelief before shutting down completely. Everything is in turmoil. He wants to go to her and hold her, bury his face in her hair, in the warmth that she might exude. But what if she's another trick, like so many times Lumina has tortured him in the last thirteen years? What if he opens his eyes and she's not there?

What if she is?

How can he face her?

How can he not?

For the first time in ages, he has no clue what to do. No clear path. No way to go forward. And he just stands there, like a statue, refusing to open his eyes.]

Not sure there are many others like me, but it depends on who's asking.

[herosheroine]

[ It was not the response she expected. For a few painful heartbeats she isn't even sure what to make of it.

She's reminded of Claire, who'd come from sometime in Serah's future, but where Claire- Lightning -had seemed somehow softer and more open for the change, Snow seemed more closed off. If Snow was also from her future, then how had he changed? Through everything she'd been through Snow was always like her rock. Even after everything that happened after Cocoon's fall he'd more or less remained the same. What was it that had shifted so much that he wouldn't even look at her? Serah was beginning to really suspect that maybe her first suspicion had been correct. ]

Hey... what kind of answer is that? [ Her voice trembles a little, worry evident. ] Look at me, Snow. What's wrong?

[heroofcocoon]

[He can't stop himself. To be honest, he doesn't want to stop himself. One heavy step after another, he gets closer to her, until he can all but feel the heat radiating off of her body. It feels like walking into the summer sun after a lifetime in blizzard. It's definitely her. There's no denying it.

He's not sure that his heart—what's left of it anyway—can take it, but not seeing her, even for a moment, is harder than all the torture he's suffered with Lumina at the helm.

He opens his eyes at her request. He's never been able to deny her anything she's wanted, except for one time. And that was only because she didn't really want it. Neither of them had.

She hasn't changed, not a single hair is out of place. She's beautiful. So beautiful. It's like every dream and every nightmare he's had for the last 900+ years wrapped up into one petite package.

He's not sure when his hand started raising to try and touch her face, but he quickly takes it back. It's a mockery of an interaction with another small woman he's had recently. One that reminded him of the very woman in front of him now.]

Serah.

[Saying her name is so hard, and his voice cracks in the middle of it. So much pain, love, desire and anger wrapped up in five letters.

What's wrong, she's asked, but the answer to that is too complicated to really say on a dying planet in a foreign galaxy, surrounded by strangers. And talking, talking just hurts even more, but he can't not talk now.]

What's wrong? Everything.

[herosheroine]

[ The world is going insane all around them with people frantically trying to evacuate, her conscience is screaming at her that they should be doing this later, there are still people that need help, but there's one standing before her that needs her help right then, too. Her world narrows down to just Snow.

Everything.

Everything seemed a pretty accurate summation.

The tension and emotion ROLLS off of him in waves, almost battering at her senses even though of course, that's not physically possible. It would be impossible not to notice, though, how on edge he seems, and his body language tells a story all its own. Her eyes followed the movement of his hand until it fell away, but where Snow hesitated to initiate that physical contact, she didn't. For too long now they'd been separated, and each time they saw one another on her journey through time there were things that she'd wish she hadn't left unsaid. Now he was right in front of her, and clearly hurting, she wasn't about to recycle past mistakes a third time.

She reaches for his hand, trying to clasp both of hers around it gently. And at first she's at a loss for words, doesn't know where to start to try to make things right, but she owes it to him to try, after everything he's done for her, and with how unconditionally she loves him, she can't just stand there saying nothing like an idiot. ]

That sounds pretty serious... but no matter how bad it is, we're going to face it together, Snow.

[ Simple, maybe understated, and maybe even foolishly optimistic, but an honest admission. She thinks maybe she understands some part of what brought him to this point, but she won't presume to know the full story. No matter what it is, though, she intends to stay by his side to help him deal with it, or to deal with it together. This was also her way of telling him that she wasn't going anywhere. Years ago, in her timeline, he'd stopped her from walking out on him to face her burdens alone. Now she fully intended on doing the same for him. ]

[heroofcocoon]

[He knows that he was doing something before all this. There are other people around them, sure, and there's a reason he's on a world that isn't Nova Chrysalia, but he can't remember what. All he hears is the screaming of his own brain and heart. All he sees is her familiar face. And wonders if this is Heaven or Hell.

But he knows he's not dead. Not yet. If only because everything else is there to remind him of his greatest failure with every breath.

Even through the thick leather of his gloves, he can feel her touch. And he wants to cry, but he's not sure if he can anymore. All he can do is stare down at her like a man dying of thirst looks at a pool of poisoned water. It's worse when she says that they'll face it together, because how can they?]

Together.

[It's exactly what he wants and exactly what he fears. How can she still say something like that when he's failed her so many times. He couldn't save her this time. Couldn't protect her, couldn't help Noel keep her safe.]

It might be too late for that.

Evacuation

[soulsflight]

(She will land not far from him, armed to the teeth and wearing the protective gear provided by her new ship. Back to business as usual, eh Snow?)

Your bedside manner sucks. (FYI. Said little old lady will be given a kinder reception from her as she wraps an arm around her shoulders.) We'll keep our eyes open. For now, you need to prepare to leave.

[heroofcocoon]

[The voice and hair gets his attention first. He can't help the half-sneer, half-grin that seeing her drags out of him.]

You're one to talk! Last I checked, you're first reaction is punching first and asking questions never.

[Excuse you, he's being polite to the little old ladies. He just doesn't have time for the dipshits starting fights in the middle of the road. As it is, he picks up a kid running from the line by the scruff of her shirt and passes her back to her mother.]

Stay with your mom, little lady. It's not safe to run off.

[soulsflight]

(Some welcome! She looks over him, feeling an icy tendril of unease climb up her spine. So he's from -

Great. And with Serah here -

Seems like she might need to be a mediator.)

Do you see me punching anyone? (Okay so she had done that earlier, but shhh.) Some of us do learn from our bad habits.

(She smiles faintly at how he deals with the kid.)

We'd better work together on this.

[heroofcocoon]

[They've already had a meet and greet recently. Now's not really the time to rehash old wounds.

Besides, if she thinks that she's going to be in the same room as Snow and Serah so they can talk, she's been huffing too much of her own Savior-hype.]

With you, it's inevitable. [He should know. He's taken more than a few of her punches.] And we all learn something eventually.

[Even if it's how to stop joking around with everyone, to learn distance. Isn't that what she wanted from him? To not be so "chummy". She got her wish.]

Fine. You can stay here and I'll make sure those idiots over there don't hold up the line again.

[soulsflight]

(What about healing old wounds? Lightning isn't a savior anymore. She's just a regular woman - okay maybe not regular - doing as she sees fit. No gods, no rules.)

I'm actually doing better on that front. (Anger management is a lot more effective when you face what is making you so damn angry. She has.) You're dragging your feet. I expect better of you since she is here.

(Screw being chummy! Her feelings aren't crushed.)

They're losing their homes. Go easy on them.

[heroofcocoon]

[Can some wounds be healed? Probably, with time and patience, something sorely lacking for either Snow or Lightning as he remembers her.]

Save the lecture for another day, "Sis". We're busy trying to save people, right?

[He sneers before turning to look at the evacuees around them.]

Losing your home is no excuse to be a jerk to those around you. If that's the excuse they need to push old ladies to the ground and almost step on kids, I'm not giving them any sort of leeway.

Supply lines

[deviances]

[ Eithan's taking a break from herding people into ships planetside, and is helping families set up on the space station instead. He's trying to help one couple drag their gigantic box of belongings over to the area they've staked out for themselves, but... well, Eithan is a scrawny little mage kid, and trying to move the box himself is just plain not happening. He's muttering to himself about what the hell two people can shove into one large box to make it weigh a fuckin' ton when he spots Snow, kinda gapes for a second, then waves to him. ]

Hey, uh... when you've got a minute, think I could get some help? [ He nods at the box, flashes Snow a sheepish smile. ]

[heroofcocoon]

[Snow puts down the boxes that he's carrying for another family and looks over at the boy calling out to him. Curious, he accepts the thanks from the new evacuees before heading over to where Eithan is.]

What do you need help with? [He looks down at the box and back at him.] I'm guessing you can't lift that by yourself then.

[deviances]

Heh, uh... yeah, no.

[ Snort. He holds up an arm as though he were about to flex, but obviously, there is not a damn thing to flex! So he just kinda waves his arm instead. You know, for comedic value. ]

Never was a strong guy, honestly. So, yeah, if you don't mind helpin', I could really use it? [ He nods in the direction of the couple across the way. ] It's those guys' stuff. They just need it over by them. I've got no idea what's in this thing that makes it so damn heavy, but I'm guessin' it was important enough to them, yeah?

[heroofcocoon]

[In a way, this guy reminds him of Hope. Wrong coloring, not as pesky, but there's something about him that's just strangely reminiscent of the blond boy that Snow watched grow into a man.]

Not all of us can be strong men. Takes all kinds.

[Snow walks over to the box and hefts it.]

Their whole lives must be in this thing. No other reason for it to be so heavy.

[And even he is having trouble, super strength from being a l'Cie and all. Where're Gadot and Noel when he needs them?]

[deviances]

[ It's a sobering thought, one couple's whole life in a single box. He takes a second to let that sink in as he follows. He's pretty sure that if the big guy drops the box, he's not really going to be able to, help him much, so... time to hope for the best! Looks like he's got it, though. That's a good sign. ]

Thanks, man. For real. I didn't wanna just leave 'em to have to deal with their own stuff just 'cause I couldn't lift it. Pretty sure they've been through enough.

[heroofcocoon]

[In Snow's opinion, they're lucky that they were given enough time to even pack up their things. Not everyone's got that luxury from what he's seen in his lifetime. But, the box isn't the heaviest thing he's dealt with. Behemoth kings are pretty heavy, after all.]

No problem. It gives me something to do. Nothing worse than standing around, feeling useless.

[He knows that from personal experience.]

You got a name?

o7! also evac

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose wanted to be off this planet as soon as the evacuation efforts started, but, against her better judgment, she stayed behind to help.]

[The regret sets in almost immediately, but it really starts to set in when a group of teenagers starts blocking the road. What's the point of staying behind to help people if she can't actually reach anybody?]

[Thankfully, someone steps in, right when she's about to lose it. Unfortunately, the other guy doesn't get the message completely across, so she still loses it.]

You heard him, move. At this point, it's either those stupid costumes or your lives.

[heroofcocoon]

[While this girl has their attention, Snow lifts their box of costumes without breaking a sweat.]

Get a move on or I'll dumb this entire box on the ground and carry you all. And I wont guarantee it'll be gentle or fun for any of us.

[poisontippedcure]

[Snow's words do the trick, and the group skedaddles out of the way pretty quick, one of the teenagers rushing to grab the box.]

[Once the coast is clear, Rose turns to thank Snow.]

Has anyone ever told you that you have a way with words?

[Y'know...thank.]

Ugh, typos, Jayne....

[heroofcocoon]

[Snow gives a snide grin as he watches the girls run with their box of clothes between them. It's both what he wanted and a little sad.]

Not really. Don't think it's going to start any time soon either.

[Not with Lightning around that is. But, you're welcome.]

[poisontippedcure]

[This entire situation is a lot, but if they can help what people they can, that accomplishes something.]

You managed to get those idiots to move, that's something. Thanks for that.

[She wasn't sure what she would do if they'd stayed there, except for head back to the ship. Rose isn't happy risking her life as it is, there's no way she's going to put herself in harm's way because a group of teenagers can't let go of a few rags.]

[heroofcocoon]

Used to crowd control. Did a lot of it back home.

[Even in the palace there was crowd control to do if monsters attacked.]

Besides, they just need someone to motivate them to think beyond the fact that they're scared. Fear does weird things to people.