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

[wingedman]

[Sam's about to help the kid out, but then claws pop out of her hands - actual goddamn metal claws - and she's slicing through the doorknob. He rests the back of his hand against the door, testing the wood first, then kicks the door down when there's no sign of fire.

Thankfully, there's no sign of an inhabitant of the room, either, so he turns to the girl.]

You need help getting out?

[Why are all the children here so goddamn competent and superpowered? It's weird. Sam's used to kids who act like kids, not miniature adults.]

[shoplifter]

[She steps back, claws still out, blood dripping down one of them from her split knuckle.

Soot-dusted, hair a mess, she glances around.]

Which way is out?

[So maybe that's a yes.]

[wingedman]

Right now? Out one of the windows. I just need you to trust me and not get stabby, okay? I'm not wild about puncture wounds.

[All in all, he seems pretty blase about a child with claws. This is what his life has become.]

[shoplifter]

[She rolls her eyes before walking toward him -- and then holds up her arms while her claws sink back into her flesh. Ready to be picked up, bub. Apparently, she figures he is planning some sort of daredevil maneuver and is cool with it; she's more like her father than some would admit, considering his penchant for being thrown.

... Please don't throw me.

The area begins to really fill up with smoke in the meanwhile, and she coughs at its arrival.]

[wingedman]

...throw you?

[Sam looks a little bewildered as he scoops her up, but at least she's not about to stab him. He finds the nearest window - one he came in through, so it's already conveniently lacking in the glass department - and gets a running start, leaping through it with Laura held against his chest. Once he's clear of the windowframe, a pair of scarlet wings that appear to be made of light unfurl from his back.

From there, it's a matter of seconds till they arrive on the ground, well clear of the immediate vicinity of the building, and Sam sets her down.]

You okay, or do I need to get someone over here to check you out?

[shoplifter]

[Oh. Cool.

So he's not a mutant or anything like that, but he can fly with machinery; she likes it, likes being able to just fly away from the danger at hand. How easy it would've been, if someone she knew could have flown her to Eden. Maybe more people would have lived.

She easily drops to stand as they land, looking at ease despite the rather horrible situation.]

... I will live.

Why do you have those? Are you a rescue worker?

[wingedman]

-you know what, that's a closer explanation than a lot I've heard. I used to be one, anyway, when I was in the Air Force. Old habits die hard.

[Pararescue, rescue worker, they're close enough. Closer than pilot.]

I'm Sam. You got anyone taking care of you? Besides a social worker.

[shoplifter]

[She has no idea what Air Force is, but she imagines it's a lot like it sounds - a force in the air. Wings paint a pretty clear picture. At the question, she shakes her sooty head, and despite the ripped and rumpled clothing and sweat-wet hair, she looks at ease. She doesn't think about Logan, because she refuses to think about any of that day. Not again, not right now. She can't face it.]

... I take care of myself.