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

a

[unbridles]

[--So John's helping with the evacuation too. Granted, he's not as fast as some people, but he's doing what he can. He's currently got the arm of an elderly native, and -- well, hey, that red-and-gold blur seems to be somewhat helpful, so he'll try and flag it down.]

Yo! There's a few more people a couple doors down.

[supertardiness]

[Barry hesitates for a moment when he sees John waving him down, just enough for him to get the jist of what he's saying, before he takes off again. A few seconds later, John and his elderly friend are joined by a newlywed couple, and a few seconds after that, the Flash himself, with their toddler in his arms.]

Okay, I think that's everyone!

[unbridles]

Cool, no animals or nothin'? [Just, like, ignore that he's staring at you a little wide-eyed, Barry. He can deal with this rationally so long as there's people to help.]

[supertardiness]

[He shakes his head.]

Nope, we're clear.

[And to the rest of the group as he hands off the toddler.]

The shuttle's not too far from here. We'll get you somewhere safe soon.

[unbridles]

Yeah, I can take ya there if you wanna stick with us. [With a glance to Barry] Unless there's more people back that way?

[supertardiness]

[He shakes his head before gesturing for John to leave the way.]

I'll walk you up just in case.

[The gravity of the planet could flux at any moment and he wants these people to get where they're going safely.]

[unbridles]

Yeah, okay; I just thought with your speed you might wanna --y'know. [ But it's up to Barry, after all, and John can't say he doesn't appreciate the help. So he'll be leading the way, keeping an eye out for anyone else they might pick up.]

[supertardiness]

[He nods in agreement before giving a small shrug.]

Yeah, but the more I use it, the faster I burn myself out. It's good for me to slow down a little sometimes too.

[unbridles]

...Oookay. That makes sense, I guess. Um, can I ask how -- I mean, uh, I've never seen anyone who could move that fast. 'Cept maybe Alexander when he's writin'. [Bad jokes and small talk should keep the locals calm, right? At least that's what he's hoping.]

[supertardiness]

[Barry waves a hand because it's not a weird question. It's probably a question he'd get asked a lot if he wasn't trying to hide his identity.]

I was struck by lightning the night a machine called a particle accelerator exploded. When the lightning combined with the radiation created by the explosion and then hit me, it gave me superpowers.

[unbridles]

Yeah? So what else can you do? [This is definitely interesting. Not something he's ever heard of, but interesting all the same.]

[supertardiness]

[He gives a small shrug.]

Mostly things related to being very fast. I can throw lightning? Oh! And sometimes I can phase through walls if I find the right frequency.

[unbridles]

....Okay, but how is lightning related to bein' fast?

[supertardiness]

Have you ever rubbed your stocking feet back and forth on a carpet and then touched someone else?

[unbridles]

....Yeah, an' you get shocked. Same concept?

[supertardiness]

Basically, yeah. When I run, I create friction, the friction builds to a static charge, and since there's so much of it, it comes out as lightning.

[unbridles]

Ah. Okay, that makes a lot more sense now.

[supertardiness]

[He nods.]

It's not a connection a lot of people would think of.

[unbridles]

I mean, I guess unless you studied that kinda thing.

[supertardiness]

Which I did, so that probably explains it.

[unbridles]

See, you don't learn much about that kinda stuff when your father wants you to be a lawyer.

[supertardiness]

Well, if you want to learn more, I will happily talk about science all day.

[unbridles]

Cool! I'll keep ya in mind if I got any questions.

[supertardiness]

Awesome.

[And they make it back to the ship, and Barry glances back to John with a nod.]

I'm gonna head out again. I'll catch you later?