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

[bryces_pup]

A. Evacuation

[Riona's never handled an evacuation before, but she knows people. And people panic.

She's wherever is needed, either in convincing people to leave or helping them load up supplies. She's got the pilot augment, so shuttling takes up a good chunk of her effort. Back and forth, ferrying people off the planet and onto the station where hopefully they will be safe.

Sometime during it all, she winds up helping a rather large family. There are at least eight of them, and she's heard mutterings about grandparents being stubborn and concern about other relatives scattered throughout the city. With so many people comes a lot of stuff. Riona's trying to talk them into bringing bare necessities, but it's not going well, and the shuttle is getting full.]

Believe me when I say I understand, but there's only so much room and there are still countless people to evacuate. Please bring only what is necessary - no, I don't think those crystals are necessary and yes, I know they've passed down through generations, you told me this earlier when we had the same discussion. Food, clothes, and bedding are all you need. Everything else can be replaced.

[Riona sighs as the head of the household argues otherwise. She looks ready to punch him. Perhaps some help is needed, either with resolving it or being able to provide extra shuttle space.]

B. More Evacuation

Does anyone recognize this little girl?

[Riona has a native child in her arms. She found her earlier, crying and alone. There's so much to do yet, but she couldn't just leave her. Frantically she searches through the crowds swarming towards waiting shuttles.]

Someone? Anyone? [She sighs tiredly.] Maker's breath, this is a nightmare.

C. Eleventh Hour

[Even with the impact imminent, Riona's still on planet, shuttling people out at the last minute. One more run, she told herself. One more family or group, and then she would head back to the ship.

It doesn't take long to find some people who were still left behind. Riona hears people inside a house still. She runs up and pounds on the door.]

Listen to me, we need to go now! I have a shuttle, just grab what you have and let's get out of here!

[They fall silent. No time for this! Riona kicks at the handle until it breaks, and with a hard shove she opens the door. A quick scan of the downstairs reveals no one, so she goes upstairs.]

"Leave us alone! We're not abandoning our home!"

Maker's - you're going to die here! You can rebuild and have another home! Please, I'm here to help, but we need to leave now.

[Silence. Riona peeks inside a room. Curled up under the bed is a child, shivering with fright. Riona kneels down and offers her hand.]

Come on sweetheart, let's get you out of here.

[The child tentatively reaches out-]

"Get away from her!"

[Riona looks up, just before someone grabs her and drags her up. Unprepared for a fight, Riona struggles with the assailant. The panicked person shouts and shoves her hard.

Straight through the bedroom window.

She barely knows what happened before she lands on the ground. There's the distinct sound of a bone cracking, but worse yet, Riona screams as she feels a shard of glass cut into her back. With one arm now useless, Riona uses her remaining good arm to drag herself away from the shards of glass that litter the ground. She tries to get to her feet, but it's hard, every movement burning with the strain of the glass in her back.]

I need help!

D. Wildcard

[Hit me with something of your own!]

C

[whatisright]

[Justice was on his way anyway up to this point. There aren't many stragglers left and he could feel the Warden Commander. He'd thought maybe she could use help sorting through the last few people still behind.

Then something goes wrong. It splinters on his senses like sharpened ice shards on bare nerve endings. The Commander is hurt.

He's still over a block away, but he wants to be with her so badly that suddenly he just is, standing over her as she struggles to her feet as though he's been there the whole time. He didn't know he could do that in the mortal world.

Something to think on later. He catches her least wounded arm, supporting her weight as he checks her back. This is one of the rare moments that his feelings are clear on his face, even if someone doesn't know him. His brows are drawn together, his shoulders are tense. He's worried.]

Commander, you're injured.

[Badly, in his unprofessional opinion. She's not wearing armor. The glass is in her back and she's not moving right. The pain wafts off of her, disrupting the usual familiar humming her presence causes. He doesn't know how to treat any of this. He doesn't know what non-healers can do to fix human bodies. Why hasn't he tried to learn by now?]

[wolfehawke]

[Adalwolfe may not be able to feel Riona like Justice can but he can very well hear her, and after what sounds like her falling from a window to boot. (Of course he knows what it sounds like, why wouldn't he? He's knocked his fair share of people out of windows and was even defenestrated himself once. Long story. It's in the book.)

He races himself over, back flap on his robe flapping with the speed of his approach and the ground crunching under armored boots when he skids to a halt beside her and the spirit.]

We've got to get her to Anders.

[He looks at Justice a bit warningly but without explanation for it, then turns his attention to Riona proper.]

Are there people still in the house or did you jump for fun?

[Poor humor, but he hopes it'll serve its purpose and keeps her focused on the now instead of on her injuries.]

[bryces_pup]

[Riona nearly jumps out of her skin when Justice appears literally out of thin air. Maker, she knows he's capable of some weird shit, being a spirit and all, but teleporting? Or was she really that unaware? But she could have sworn she didn't see him before...]

Yes, I am injured. I noticed.

[And before she can speak further, she hears someone else approach. Oh hey, it's Wolfe. Holy shit is she glad to see him. And thank you, Wolfe, for not appearing out of nowhere and giving her heart palpitations.]

There are people in there. They refuse to leave. I tried- [She groans as she turns a little bit, her muscles screaming at the movement. Her back did not like her moving that way.] They have a child. Tried getting her out and one of the parents or someone grabbed me. Tussled, and then I got shoved out the window.

[whatisright]

[Yeah, Justice is surprised too, Riona. He catches the tail end of Wolfe's warning, but Justice assumes that he simply said or did something wrong and gives it no more thought than that. They have more important things to attend to right now.

Justice sends a glare up at the broken window, but the Warden Commander is his immediate concern. The family should be convinced to evacuate, but Justice doesn't know if he has the necessary convincing skills. Thank goodness Anders' boyfriend has arrived.] The child wishes to evacuate. Perhaps the parents can be convinced to leave for the sake of her well-being. [The child's fear rings like a bell, rising above the suspicion of her parents. Justice ignores it for the moment, closing his eyes and chasing a presence that's far more familiar instead, searching for Anders until he knows exactly where the healer is.

There will be too many wounded for one mage. Anders has mentioned using Justice to strengthen his healing. If now isn't a good time for that, Justice doesn't know what is.] I will go with you to Anders. He may need more power, and I can give it to him.

[Who the hell needs lyrium potions when you're friends with a powerful spirit? It's normal for healers to use spirits to boost their magic anyway--perhaps not usually such powerful spirits or justice spirits that have possessed them before but spirits nonetheless.]

C

[alwayscomeback]

[Sokka has been trying to save as many people as he can. He needs to look out for his crew, as well,
and he's wearing himself far too thin. This...is more difficult than he anticipated.He was already herding another family towards a shuttle when he heard Riona's cry for help.]

Keep heading to the shuttle and go!

[With that, he races off in her direction, heart in his mouth- terrified. He can't lose her, too. He just can't. When he finds her, he practically skids to a stop beside her, worry and panic clear in his expression.]

Keep still, I need to take a look at it.

[bryces_pup]

[Riona's going to feel horrible about making him worry. Already does a bit, but she's more preoccupied with her injuries and the family inside.]

Some shitheel shoved me out the window!

[She hisses as she stops moving, clutching her broken arm tightly to her chest.]

Family's inside. They have a child. I was trying to get her out when someone grabbed me.

[alwayscomeback]

Seriously? Wow, way to thank someone for trying to save you.

[Jackass. He frowns looking up. ]

Okay, I'll try and get her out. Once she's safe, we're getting you back to the ship though, okay? You need to be looked at.

[bryces_pup]

Blighted morons. I understand being panicked, but...

[Ugh. And ow. Piss and shit, she had forgotten how much glass hurts when it's sticking out of you.]

Yes, yes I know. Just go. Hurry. And be careful, they're obviously not afraid of getting physical.

B!

[collegedropout]

[Sam appears, or rather is pretty obvious among the crowd thanks to being taller than most of them -- and when he does he puts a hand to Riona's shoulder, soft and to let her know his arrival. He's got a serious aura about him, of someone who is so utterly used to the chaos of panicking people and crowds, but when he glances to the two of them he paints a more comforting expression.]

Hey, don't sweat it -- I'll help you look.

Um, get her on my shoulders. [He turns his attention to the child with a sweeter smile. His voice also manages to go a few notes softer and kinder.] You'd be able to help find your mother and father up high, right? [And to that the child nervously but more openly nods, fingers nervously sucked in her mouth.]

[bryces_pup]

[Riona spins at the hand she feels on her shoulder. She honestly hoped it would be the girl's parents. Instead, it's another fleet member, one who's at least offering to help.]

Thank you. I've been at it for a half hour and I think my arms are about to fall off.

[If not longer. She hands the little girl off to him, trying to angle her to get her up on Sam's shoulders. With some adjusting, the girl's on his shoulders and clutching his head, staring wide-eyed at the crowd. Riona keeps smiling for her.] Now you can see everyone!

[collegedropout]

[Sam reaches and grabs the child's ankles, keeping her steady -- Sam is about to reply appropriately to Riona, but then arms snake around his face and he has to... try to... adjust... He peers at her from over a little forearm, smiling sympathetically; yeah, he can imagine Riona was having a time of it.]

Last thing we need on top of everything is limbs popping off.

[The child is at least genuinely on the lookout. Thank god.]

You're Riona, right? Sorry, I'm Sam. Bartender on the Iskaulit, among other things.

[bryces_pup]

And I do like my arms where they are.

[Riona watches her carefully, making sure she's steady as well and not ready to fall over. She can't help but smile a bit as Sam's face is suddenly smothered by limbs.]

I am. I've seen you a few times at the bar. [Maker knows she's been to them enough lately.] What a situation to have to be properly introduced.

A

[apurrstate]

[He's been helping herd people to the shuttles, hoping to maintain some sort of order so his job of healing those who were nearly trampled in the panic will be a little easier later. It's proving very unsuccessful. But that's for later, right now he's doing another sweep of the area, checking to see what else he can help with before he goes up with Vash's next run to start helping on the station instead.

That's when he stumbles across Riona and the family she seems to be trying to help. Although hurting might be more on her mind just at the moment, he recognized that look.]

Sorry to interrupt, but as it happens there's a little bit of room to be had on the shuttle to leave soon, not enough for bodies, mind you, but some trinkets could surely be spared.

[He put on his 'healer's smile' to try and put the people at ease.]

But I'll need you to listen to the lovely lady's orders and evacuate before I can see to your things.

[bryces_pup]

[Oh Anders. She wants to hug you right now, her blond, still-to-skinny savior.

The patriarch "hms" and "haws" for a moment, tapping their lips with their finger.]

I'm sure there's a way to be able to get your things back once you're on the station. They're logging what's being transported. Please, it's either this or you leave things behind.

[Still not entirely happy about having to part with his things, the patriarch grumbles for a moment before finally nodding in assent. Better a temporary separation than one made permanent by a fireball in the sky. He asks Anders to wait a moment so he can collect their things. As they turn and leave, Riona heaves out a sigh.]

Thank you for that. People are so stubbornly attached to things.

[apurrstate]

[His doctor healer's smile is still on in force, but when he turns to her, there's a touch more mischief to it.]

Oh absolutely. They'll surely miss all of it, but they'll be alive to miss it, so they'll get over it.

[Maybe one, two items might end up on that shuttle Anders was referencing, but definitely not all of it. Luckily, he was an excellent liar without Justice sharing his head.]

[bryces_pup]

They're going to have to. Ugh.

[She keeps an eye out for the patriarch to return.]

Perhaps I shouldn't complain. Most here have been understanding and cooperative. But there always have to be a few. They need to understand how lucky they are they even have warning. No one got to warn Denerim the Archdemon was coming with its army.

A!

[deviances]

[ Eithan's never had to handle an evacuation like this before, so he's a little in over his head with it - but he's doing everything he can to help people.

He happens to overhear Riona dealing with a particularly large family - specifically, the particularly stubborn head of said family - and he makes his way over to try his hand at diffusing the situation. ]

Hey - couldn't help overhearin'... Space is really tight on these ships, but if you're willin' to put 'em on a separate ship and find 'em later, there might be room in another? It's not a guarantee, but you can try askin' the official police-lookin' guys over there?

[ He jerks his thumb in the direction of a uniformed military dude with a tablet, carefully recording who and what is going in which shuttles. Looks all official, indeed. ]

[bryces_pup]

"But what if someone steals them before we can get them back?"

[Riona rubs at her forehead. Don't. Punch. The. Idiot. Then they'll never listen.]

Sir, your choices are this: either you leave your things behind and you will definitely never see them again, or you put them on another ship where you might see them again. At least if they're packed away elsewhere, there's a chance to recover them.

[She glances at Eithan.] Right? [Back me up here]

[deviances]

[ Riona, please don't punch the idiot. He feels you, he really does, but please don't punch the idiot. ]

She's right, honestly. [ He's got u, Riona. He looks appropriately grave and apologetic about the delivery, of course, because that's what they need to see right now. ] Sorry it's not more ideal conditions, but it's literally the best anyone can do. And honestly, I think stealin' is the last thing on people's minds right now. Everyone just wants to get out of here safe, with their own stuff. You know?

[ Oh dear goddess please buy into what he's saying for the love of everything please. fjsdkl ]

[bryces_pup]

[But he looks so punchable!!

The man says, but finally nods.] "All right, all right. Let me - let me see what we can get."

[Riona blows out a long, tired breath once the man is out of earshot.]

Thank you. I really didn't know how else to parse it to this idiot that he needs to leave some things behind.

B

[expellerhead]

There's a cordoned off section where they're reuniting family, [aizawa says, jogging up to riona and holding out his hands to take the girl-

only she shies away from him, clinging to riona and burying her face in her shoulder. looks like she doesn't want to go. since it would be faster to just show her there than to pry a girl screaming from the arms of someone she trusts, aizawa gestures with a toss of his head.] This way, follow me.

[bryces_pup]

Is there? Maker's breath, good. I wish I'd known earlier.

[She nods, readjusting her hold on the girl. She's not going to force her, either.]

Lead the way.

[expellerhead]

They just set it up. [since all of a sudden, there was a stampede of people and people weren't just getting separated but hurt.

aizawa glances over his shoulder,] Is she hurt at all? Does she need medical attention first?

[bryces_pup]

No, she doesn't appear to be. Just lost and upset. [The little kid shook her head. "I'm not hurt. I want my mama."]