riverviewlogs | everything's on fire

Entry tags:

everything's on fire

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!]

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[ Oh no. He's so sorry Aoba! He hadn't meant to scare anyone, at least not this version of himself. He does nod sheepishly however at that. ]

That's right. I can't speak, I haven't been able to since I was 10. I think...something happened to me when I was younger and ever since then I lost the ability to do so.

Seriously?

[ Aoba blinks up at him in surprise. Since he was a child... and he looks like he's older than him, too. His attire and mannerisms add years by way of maturity. Suddenly aware that he's never asked his age, Aoba feels bad for him - it's got to be at least ten years of being unable to speak, obviously more. ]

And you don't remember it at all?

[ He's drawn back to a memory of a distorted figure of a blonde man chained by neglect and a lack of connection to the world due to not having a sense of touch. If he can't feel something, it's just not real. He was caged and treated like a monster, so he thinks of himself as something to be hated and hidden away. Aoba flinches outwardly at the unpleasant thought, his fingers wrinkling the blanket he's folding as he twists it. ]

...It must have been [ Something really bad ] really hard for you, growing up... different.

[ Shigeru just shakes his head 'no' and shrugs his shoulders with a sheepish smile on his face. He didn't remember much of it at all, actually, almost as if his memories were completely wiped of the event. Which they were but the doctors who had put the chip inside his head never thought about that. ]

I had...friends to help me. It wasn't so bad, when I think about it. [ Alex was a huge help towards him back in the day. That's probably where his crush on the other developed from. ]

But during that time it was hard...if only because of what I am and the fact that I was now mute. Many people in my world don't have illnesses or disabilities, because they can be easily cured. So seeing someone like myself only made people make fun of me more.

[ But that was all in the past now. ]

[ The more he hears - well, reads - about Shigeru's story, the worse he feels. It does nothing to explain the weirdness of his form and personality from before, it will likely remain a mystery in favor of learning about the present Shigeru. The once small boy who seemed to have suffered in literal silence while surrounded by people who probably didn't approve of him existing at all.

This kind of thing really breaks his heart. Aoba frowns at the blanket in his hands as he tries to smooth away the wrinkles he's put in it, refolding as he speaks. ]

Just friends? Where were your parents?

Oh! They were there as well. But being the type of Phrobiests that we are...they were rather busy a lot of the time.

[ They were by no means neglectful parents though. Shigeru's parents loved him dearly and he knew the importance of their work even from a young age. But when they could help him and support him they did in full. ]

But my friend, Alex, really helped me the most out of everybody I knew.

[ Finally, a moment where Aoba is wrong and he's gladdened at the news. He had thought the very worst, another tale like Noiz', another childhood snatched away from someone. Not everyone had parents, but they at least deserved someone who played the part, even if alone... like Granny. ]

Alex was your best friend, I imagine?

[ He instantly thinks of Koujaku and his little red sparrow Allmate and his heart hurts. He probably won't see him again, in this world or back in his own reality. Just a few messages now and again over his Coil, a few pictures. ]

Was he kind of like a big brother to you?

[ Shigeru nods, there's a fondness in his expression as he types something. ]

I never thought of him like that. But I imagine he sees me as a little brother.

[ His face kinda reddens a little as he types that up. Shigeru was in love with Alex, but since arriving here he's met other people that have honestly stolen his heart too. ]

I like him. But I don't think he'd ever see me that way. I never really told him my feelings either.

[ He fiddles with his phone as he huffs a little. ]

And then I was brought here and I met people that I think I'm starting to love too. [ Basically Shigeru is a mess. ]

[ Aoba recognizes that look. It draws his chin up to observe it, then makes him tuck it down against his chest as he experiences second-hand embarrassment. Oh.

Hashtag relatable, Shigeru. ]

Is that so... [ That's really getting him down in the dumps. Aoba makes a mental note as he lifts his eyes up the towering apartment building to intrude on Noiz' work in his office tonight and give him the tightest hug he'll never feel. He glances down again to read the rest on the device and then smirks back at him. ]

Heeh? Now you have to spill. You've said this much already, so who is he?

[ ugh oh no. He shouldn't have mentioned it! Now he looks all flustered and his face is totally red. Even in the dim lighting of the tent it's pretty easy to tell. ]

His name is...Genji Shimada. [ Oh god, please tell him you don't know him. Even though he's already done something super awkward with the other man already. ]

I did something embarrassing when I forgot I had my phobia. It's a little awkward now between us, but he said he didn't mind that I kissed him on the cheek! ( ；´Д｀) I'm just...not good with this sort of thing, I've never been on a date before Genji and Dodger asked me to go out with both of them.

[ Augh he doesn't know what to even do. He's so bad at this. ]

And I don't know who to talk to about it either. [ Because it's embarrassing that a man his age hasn't dated before. But given the extent of his phobia...it makes sense. ]

Woah, Genji sounds like something out of a video game!

[ That sounds really cool and retro! Just what kind of tall drink of water is this guy named Genji? ]

You kissed him? Really?

Amazing! You're so much bolder than you appear, Shigeru-san!

[ STARS IN HIS FUCKING EYES. Look at how mature and mellow this man is, and he's just killing it in the romance department? He looks so straight-laced too! Aoba is just going to... live a little vicariously through him for a moment. If only because it's such a surprise, Shigeru really seems to have a certain something... he can't help but admire that in some way. ]

Haha, it's like you're starring in your very own harem anime.

[ Oh my god, Aoba, no. He is like the complete opposite of what you're saying?! He is...truly a shy individual. So he shakes his head at that and holds up his hands before typing something. ]

No I'm not really! I just forgot about my phobia and it just...let me act a bit more bold than I would normally!

[ He'd never do that now, well, maybe?! He's really not too sure anymore. Everything in his life has been so crazy lately. What is his life, truly. He doesn't mind touching Genji though, that much he's figured out thus far. ]

What's a harem anime? [ Why must you make him descend into this hell? ]

You really don't know?

Mm. I'll let you look it up at the library. Just make sure you pick one with a lot of cute guys, okay?

[ What do you mean the library doesn't also have offerings of the graphic and/or visual novel variety? What kind of backwards retro-futuristic world is this? They must have it, surely.

Anyway, Aoba scoots a little closer. It's completely unnecessary given the fact he is the only one who needs to keep his voice down but still. ]

Um, so this phobia of yours?

[ He glances around, then leans in to whisper something because it's just them boys and it's... also a little embarrassing: ]

...Are you afraid of... how 'that' tastes?

[ You know. That. ]

[ Oh. My. God!? This is not the direction he wanted this convo to take at all?! Aoba please! Shigeru's face is just bright red as he pulls away from the other and shakes his head vehemently. ]

That's!! That's not how it is at all! [ He's internally screaming right now... ]

I have mysophobia! A fear of germs! Doing something like that with someone...it's just really hard for me to think about!

[ So he kinda is afraid of the taste...among other things. Taste was the absolute least of his worries however. ]

[ Aoba was trying to help, I mean it's not that weird of a fear to have... he kind of assumed he was using 'phobia' in the exaggerated sense that most people do about icky things. Like bugs, or people who chew with their mouth open. Aoba blinks into the screen when it's offered and then tenses all over.

OH GOD. ]

Myso-whaaa?

[ Oh my god this is so embarrassing he could just die right now ]

I'm sorry! I just - I had no idea... [ Aoba pushes the comm device back into Shigeru's hands in a fluster. ]

Wait, you're really out here helping people even when you have a troublesome phobia like that?

[ Aoba please?! Your flustered reaction is just making Shigeru flustered?! So now it's twice the fluster in one conversation! Shigeru will shake his head 'no'. ]

It's really okay! I don't...really talk about it much. So of course you wouldn't know. [ That's just a product of being around normal people back home and them not really...getting it. ]

I'm a doctor so...yes. I will do whatever needs to be done to keep people safe and healthy.

It's just that you were so different... that one time...

Seeing you like this now --

[ Aoba blushes, tucking his chin against his chest as he tries to fold more blankets, even going so far as to refold them just to keep himself busy. It's embarrassing to admit it, but all that stuff about Shigeru having that phobia that should run contrary to the very vocation of his choosing... the fact he'd kissed some heroic sounding guy in spite of it?

Aoba kinda feels like a wimp. ]

It's kinda inspiring... [ He catches himself and stammers out a recovery. ] a-aah, I mean, let's do our best!

[ Oh my god?! Aoba you're cute but your blushing is making Shigeru blush. He's definitely never heard anyone call him inspiring before. Shigeru looks flustered and just shakes his head. ]

I'm just doing what I want to do. I'm not going to let my phobia stop me from helping my friends and people who need it! My powers are...really good for that sort of thing, so I have a duty to help people with them. And my parents are both doctors as well...so it's only natural for the only son to take up similar work.

[ Prepare for this to be a thing, Aoba is easily flustered and his pale skin far too easily stained shades of red for any reason at all. Which means this is bound to be a very, uh, interesting relationship, considering how easily the two of them get fired up over small things or even infect each other with their embarrassment.

Aoba leans over to read the words on his screen and nods quietly. ]

My parents were free spirits. I think they're still out there somewhere, but I had Granny. [ He pauses, folding blankets in thoughtful silence. ] I wish I could call her.

[ Aoba brightens again, pushing that thought away. ]

You must've known them pretty well to walk in their footsteps!

[ They're both too pure and flustered too easily. Shigeru will look up at him with something akin to surprise and slight worry. ]

You mean...you never met them? Or do they ever stop by to see you?

[ Aoba that's so sad!? Where are your parents! ]

I guess. I was always...watching them from afar when my powers first manifested...when my phobia was at its very worse. But I gradually got better and talked to them more. We're pretty close, but we don't really get to see each other that much with our jobs getting in the way.

Aa... I don't really remember them. But I'm sure I met them when I was little?

[ He doesn't seem too bothered by this. Before the accident, his memories are very... distant, blurry. He doesn't remember much. ]

Your powers manifested when your phobia was at it's worst? Did something happen?

[ Shigeru looks...kind of sad to hear that. Aoba is such a nice young man and to learn that he wasn't around his parents as much is a bit saddening to hear. ]

I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure...that they miss you.

[ But even so...to never even stop by and get together as a family is a bit... ]

Well my powers manifested alongside my phobia. I...don't really remember my life prior to becoming a mysophobe. I guess...it just sort of happened together? One day I just...couldn't stay to touch anything or even be around anyone because I thought everything was dirty. It was really...upsetting to me and when phrobiests get upset or too stressed out our powers tend to go haywire.

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