everything's on fire

[krasnaya_vdova]

who: Everyone!
what: The residential building is on fire
when: ~2am, August 23rd
where: The Residential building
warnings: Fire, destruction of property, injury, general warnings for crisis situations



It's a reasonably quiet night, pleasantly dry with a slight breeze. Almost nice, for those that enjoy the hours after midnight long before dawn starts to creep on the horizon. Right until it isn't, when the air changes, and there's the scent of heat that promises smoke. In most places it starts with a flash of blue light that arcs from floor to floor as energy pulses through the building, and there's a crack of sound that follows. The power dies for a moment, and if you're one of the unlucky ones, the light that follows is a literal spark in the dark, burning to life in bright orange-red, yielding heat and smoke and trouble. The energy surge doesn't just hit the lights, but sparked flames that burst to life, and they catch quickly, spreading.

The worst of it starts on the ninth floor, where the smoke and the beginning of heat starts moments before the surge. The fire spreads faster there, people starting to startle awake and realize what's happening as the flames crackle. Eventually there's an announcement on the Network, both alerting people to what's happening and trying to organize both those that are willing to help and those that need it.

Some areas are untouched, while others are ravaged badly, reduced to ashes and crumbling ceilings, so watch your step. There's chaos, but through it there's people doing what they can to help each other, and the official fire services show up to help control the blaze. After that, it's just a matter of repairing the damage that's been done, rebuilding and putting things back together, seeing what's been lost and what was saved.

Even later, people start putting the pieces together, and there's the official investigation into what might have caused a fire like that in the first place.


[ooc: As promised, the residential building is on fire! OOC plotting post is here if anyone wants to work out some last minute plans before diving in. Plotting post also includes the relevant details. Elsewise, just top level and mingle. Try not to get burned too badly. :) Good luck!]

Comments

Jonathan Samuel Kent | OTA

[supersweet]

[ i. crashing thru your window, yes yours. ]

[ Jon heard it before the announcement came through the network. Unsurprising, since his hearing is far better than most of his other senses. For a few seconds, Jon lay in bed, trapped in his uncertainty. Then he threw off the covers and reached for his suit — the Kryptonian one his father had gotten him. It feels different. Tighter, more . . . like a uniform than the threadbare costume Jon had put together himself. Adjusting his cape, Jon leaps from his window and flies —

— only to come face to face with a burning building. He stops in mid air, old memories overlapping. Of his tree burning, of his town in flames, and Manchester Black's hands on his face. No. Watch. Remember. Black is black and white is white. Jon presses his lips so tightly that they ache. He had been afraid, afraid to use his powers since then. Afraid that he might find a waiting abyss, a darkness that Manchester Black had been ready to exploit. Jon could be that monster. Jon felt it under his skin.

But Superman was not here in Riverview. There was only Jon. And that had to be enough for now.

Jon flies through the window, ignoring the glass shards. The flames lick at his suit, but Jon can't feel it. He hones on the closest heartbeat, his eyes darting back and forth. ]

If you're here, we gotta go! Right now!

[ ii. take my breath away. ]

[ As Jon flew people in and out, he also walked through the building with ease, blowing out fires with his super-breath. A few staircases had caved in, making it impossible to head for the exit. With a frown, he musters up his ice-breath, creating slopes for people to use. It's not perfect but Jon couldn't carry everyone out or fully expunge every flame. He coughs, some of the smoke entering his lungs and for a moment, he struggles to breath. He couldn't stop, not yet. His father wouldn't have stopped. He blinks away smokey tears, straining his eyes as he calls out to anyone near by. ]

I can make an exit! And a slope to get down.

[ Jon cracks his knuckles to demonstrate his competence. Though he's probably nearing his limit. ]

[ iii. aftermath ]

[ For a while, Jon just watches the fires go out. The heartbeats in the area are full of sorrow, shock and loss and it slowly grinds away at his composure. This was his first moment . . . his first steps outside of the loving safety net his father had always provided. The first time he might have jeopardized his identity and everything his father stood for. He might have compromised his safety, left himself open to another manipulation like the kind Manchester Black had subjected him to.

Jon didn't know. He doesn't have any of the answers. He rubs his throat, feeling the sting of smoke. Maybe instead of worrying about the future, he should look into getting a glass of water. And a long night's rest. ]

(( have something else in mind? let me know ))

im doing a wildcard thing :V

[spellslots]

[Elves don't really sleep; Taako is awake when the message hits the network, and after giving Lup and Lucretia a heads up, he pulls on his cloak, grabs the umbra staff, and heads out the door. He's not a hero, but he has friends that live in communal housing.

Once he arrives, though, Taako doesn't head straight in, because there's something he should do first.]

Hey, Jon, c'mere.

[It's said clearly, but not loudly. He's just hoping Jon will be paying attention.]

you rebel you

[supersweet]

[ It doesn't take long for Jon to descend to where Taako was. He's all suited up, his cape fluttering in the wind. ]

Taako? What's wrong?

method rp

[spellslots]

Oh, this is nice, I love this.

[He's grinning as he sees Jon, gesturing a little at the suit, because that's - that's very cute.]

Nothing's wrong, just thought maybe I could do you a favor, cause you've got that secret identity, right?

[And unlike Clark, who had a long time to practice the 'unassuming reporter' schtick, and who was one among many dark haired white dudes in their late 20s/early 30s, Jon is one of the few kids amongst their little group of arrivals.

So Taako can help.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon flushes lightly, not used to being scrutinized. Then his attention is caught by a "favor". ]

Yeah . . . What about it?

[spellslots]

I'm gonna make that a little easier on you, just don't fight me, yeah?

[Because this is a spell that an unwilling creature can resist, and Taako would rather avoid Jon having to make a saving roll.

He casts seeming, altering the colour of Jon's hair (to a dusty blond), his eye colour, and just kind of gently changing how Jon's face looks so he isn't immediately recognizable as Jon.]

There you go, little man, a proper disguise.

[supersweet]

[ Jon pats his hair and face curiously. ]

Do I look different?

Is my hair green?

[spellslots]

[Taako grabs his phone real quick to take a picture, which he then turns to show Jon.]

Green's a little much, don't you think?

[supersweet]

[ Jon peers at the picture, a little impressed. He doesn't get to see magic often. His father has never been fond of that weakness. ]

Green could be cool. Just saying.

Thanks Taako.

i.

[dancingmd]

[She wakes easily enough. With a job like hers, a life like hers, deep sleep is a rarity. So at the first signs of trouble, she's up and alert. Smoke is rapidly filling the sleeping quarters and when she checks, the door is hot to the touch. No way out there. And they're too high up for the windo--

There's a crash and a... a boy flies in. Flies. Coughing through the smoke, she wonders if she saw that correctly. And then he's calling out and the voice sounds vaguely familiar.]

How...?

[supersweet]

No time for that.

[ He offers his hand, insistent. The flames curl around his form but Jon doesn't so much as blink. ]

We gotta go. Let me take you.

[dancingmd]

[There's a moment of uncertainty, but with no other options, she reaches out to take his hand...]

[supersweet]

[ Jon takes that for the consent that it was because his grip is firm as he tugs her to her feet. Then he looks mildly apologetic because the next thing he has to do . . . she probably won't like it. He rubs at his face, trying to hide his flush. ]

So . . . I'm going to have to . . . carry you out.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly stumbles to her feet, surprised by the strength of his grip. Even so, he's so young, so little... how can he possibly carry her?

(Then again, people aren't supposed to be able fly either and yet here he is).]

Are you sure? [She coughs again. Clearly the smoke is getting to her.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon nods, moving his arms to scoop her up with ease. His face is completely red but he tries to look professional. He moves towards the window he had just broken into, glass crunching beneath his feet as he blows out a few more flames. Briefly, Jon looks out the window before leaping out and hovering in the air. Then he steadily makes his way downward. ]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly is generally a very calm and collected person in times of danger and stress. It's all part of being a doctor - and a mom for that matter. But this... this is something else.

She yells as they leap out the window. Don't look down, don't look down-

And of course, she looks down. Too high and there's no way to escape it. No doubt Jon can feel her heart racing, the panic rising. Still, she does her best to quell the fear, squeezing her eyes tightly shut.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon doesn't take it personally. Though he does give her a couple of concerned glances as he makes his way down. Hovering is not something he's good at but he makes a concentrated effort to come down slowly.

Finally, he sets her down, legs first, keeping his hold on her until she's totally steady. ]

Are you all right ma'am? It's okay now.

i

[inebriety]

[Tony hadn't intended on taking the cure for the amnesia sickness, but having it foisted on him had consequences. He was finding it harder to adjust to his mental state and struggled to keep going since he had finally had a taste of what it would be like to be better. He was slumped against the wall, the fire slowly blocking off all exits while he thought about whether or not there was any point trying to get out. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to.

To his eyes Anthony is beside him, begging Tony to get up. Jon's words blur with Anthony's so he doesn't even realise there's someone else out there. Instead he lowers his head, his breath rattling as his body struggles for oxygen.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon inhales before blowing out cool air. The flames die down a little, making it easier for Jon to approach Tony, his small hands reaching for his shirt, trying to tug him to his feet. ]

Mister? I've got you. It's gonna be okay.

[inebriety]

[Tony blinks slowly and looks up. He doesn't seem to register the tugging so while he isn't resisting, but he's also not helping. Eventually Jon manages to pull him up to his knees, but the height difference makes it harder to go any further. Later Tony might wonder how exactly this ten year old managed to do that, but at the moment that's the furthest thing from his mind.]

You should get out of here, kid.

[supersweet]

[ Jon shakes his head. His father wouldn't leave someone behind and neither will Jon. He has to make up for that loss and help out others. His grip is more insistent as he tugs Tony towards the window. ]

I'm not leaving you. Just come with me. It'll be all right.

[ He has no idea if it will be all right or not. Jon doesn't know if what he's saying is helping or not. Jon only knows that he can't leave Tony behind. ]

[inebriety]

[Every time he's heard someone in Riverview say that to him, he's essentially taken it as 'Okay... that sounds fake, but okay' and now Jon gets to have the dubious honour of being the first child to elicit that sort of thinking from Tony. He wants to believe it, he's always had a soft spot for kids and he enjoyed letting them see the best in the world to counteract his own pessimism.]

I'm fine where I am, but you probably have better things to do.

[supersweet]

[ Jon blinks, glancing at the fire and destruction that surrounds them and proceeds to give Tony a dirty look. ]

Sure, but you could be, y'know, better somewhere else? Just saying.

And the better thing is you. Don't you know how this works?

[inebriety]

[If this was an adult Tony would openly admit that dying isn't such a bad prospect. He's apathetic to his own survival, but cares enough to not want to burden a kid with something like that.]

Smoke inhalation is probably getting to me. You should get someone bigger to help me down. I'll wait right here.

[No he won't.]

[supersweet]

[ Jon sighs. Then he picks Tony up, hoisting him onto his back, holding his legs up with ease. ]

We can talk about this later, mister. It's time to go.

[ With that, Jon cheerfully jogs to the window, easily jumping out and flying downwards at a reasonable speed. ]