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

B

[monolike]

[There are still so many people who won't leave, why won't they leave. Sorey is running around, doing the same as Adalwolfe when he hears a familiar voice coming from inside one of the mansion's open doors. He stops at the gate at the raised, angry tones and spies-]

Adalwolfe! You're back, you're- [Sorey rushes in to help.] Is everything okay here?

[wolfehawke]

This violet-hued nitwit is telling me how to ru--

I'm telling you how to survive, you tangerine twit!

[There's not time for a cheerful reunion just now with Wolfe's hackles up trying to save people who can't get their heads out of their asses long enough to save themselves. He does acknowledge Sorey though, giving the briefest of smiles then motioning to the two huddled children with their other father looking doubtfully at his blustering husband.]

Would you get these three to a shuttle off this doomed planet, please?

[Which of course makes the blowhard that was arguing before puff up in even more anger.]

[monolike]

[Okay. Okay- this guy clearly doesn't want to leave his stuff, but Adalwolfe is right; they can't just leave and let this family die.

So Sorey steps up beside Adalwolfe, kneels down and bends forward to press his hands and forehead to the ground.]

I don't have much, but whatever I have, I'll give you, [Sorey begs.] Just please, please take your family and get out of here before it's too late!

[wolfehawke]

[Both the difficult man and Adalwolfe are taken aback by Sorey's sudden groveling, but Wolfe recovers first, taking advantage of the disruption to the heat of their argument and speaking in a much gentler tone.]

Sir, I know it's difficult to leave everything behind, but what's really important will be coming with you. Your family and your status, so long as everyone is brought away from the planet safely.

[The orange man starts to bristle for a moment, glancing at his husband, who shakes his head and gives a bit of a half smile. With a sigh, the councilman finally nods in assent.]

Just let us pack some clothes.

[Adalwolfe nods back, not quite breathing a sigh of relief just yet but pleased he's not about to have to toss this guy bodily onto a shuttle in front of his children. Then he offers a hand to Sorey to help him up as the family rushes to get supplies and whatever it is they can't live without.]

I can't believe you groveled. Nice job.

[monolike]

[Sorey takes Adalwolfe's hand, though he tilts his head quizzically.] I just wanted them to know I was sincere. I think a lot of people are upset and scared, so. [He shrugs, dusting off his Shepherd's cloak.] Sometimes people just need someone to tell them their true feelings.

[wolfehawke]

I was about to just drag him off by his ears.

[He says it sourly, especially since he's always prided himself on trying to find the most diplomatic solutions. He must really be in a funk.]

People gets stupid when they're afraid. Sometimes it's difficult to deal with, even if you've been in their shoes. It's hard to remember having to leave your home in a hurry for a crisis when you want nothing more than to forget it.

[monolike]

[That's a lot more consideration for their feelings than Sorey had expected to hear given how annoyed Adalwolfe had been...but nevermind that. Now that he's back and now that the family is gathering their things, Sorey takes a moment to throw his arms around Adalwolfe in a tight hug.] It's good to see you again, [he says warmly, squeezing him before pulling back before too long.] I wish the circumstances were better.

[wolfehawke]

I-

[He hugs back, albeit awkwardly. Sorey didn't really give him enough time to refuse and he's not sure he even would given that then he's have to explain why. It's stupid. He knows its stupid. And yet here he is not announcing his presence and avoiding people anyway.]

-...yeah, so do I. We should get on seeing if there's anyone else that can be helped.

[monolike]

[That's definitely not the enthusiastic consent Sorey had expected either, so he draws back to give Adalwolfe a concerned look before backing off and nodding.] Want to split up? I'll take the east of the street and you take the west, we can meet up and head to the next block?

[wolfehawke]

[Sorey's not the first person to look at him like that in the last week and so Adalwolfe remains outwardly unphased, giving Sorey a somewhat benign smile as if he can't possibly see how anything is out of the ordinary in their conversation.]

Good plan. I'll meet you at the end of the street.

[He nods in assent and starts off, trying to figure out what exactly he'll say if Sorey has questions for him when they reconvene.]

[monolike]

[Joke's on you! Sorey knows what a person looks like when they don't want to talk about something.

So when they meet back up at the corner to take the next block, he doesn't mention anything beyond,] The rest of the street that way is clear! Everything good on your end?

[wolfehawke]

[To be fair he's really not sure even how to talk about it.]

Yup. Half the houses were empty already, thank Andraste. Do you want to head through another street or see to supplies? I'm not sure people are prioritizing the things they should...

[He glances over Sorey's shoulder, where two of the orange people are trying to lug an enormous antique clock around the block.]

[monolike]

[Glances back over his shoulder and sighs, rolling his eyes.] Yeah, you're right, don't worry I got it- Excuse me! [Sorey goes jogging off over to them, waving a hand. You can't take a darn antique clock, folks.]