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

[anotheroldsoldier]

[That answer is predictable, in a way. Every teenager says the same thing. I'm not a kid, take me seriously. It isn't that he doesn't take her seriously, he recognizes the gleam of pain behind her eyes. But she's only, what? Nineteen? Maybe he's just getting old but she still seems incredibly young to him.

He breathes out slowly.] Yeah, I guess you're not. I wasn't either at your age. [And then a weak attempt at a joke,] I'm old, though. Bear with me, huh?

[krasnaya_vdova]

[It's not even so much about the idea that she think he doesn't respect her. take me seriously urge that makes it so easy to brush her off. She sighs a little, a twitch of her lips.]

I know you are. [She teases a little, a tilt of her head.] And I don't hold it against you. But I've never been a kid. I was born to be part of a Russian weapons project. And even if there was any shred of it, I either can't remember, or it got ruined when I had decades of Natasha's memories stuffed into my head.

[She talks around the hurt and the loss, because it's easier.] I know I look young.

[anotheroldsoldier]

[She's right and he knows it. The Red Room doesn't leave any space in a life for a childhood of any sort besides horrific. The girls he trained were older, but some had still been part of the program since their early years. It's still hard to think about, how he was involved in ruining lives. He helped to build the foundation that later took so much from Ava, whether he chose it or not.

He exhales, sobered.] I know. There's a part of me that wishes I could give some of that back to you, but I can't. [A shake of his head.] But that's my shit to deal with. I don't need to put it on you. I know you're not a kid.

[That urge to protect is still there, though, curling in his chest.] Well. Make yourself at home while you're here, I'll get you some bedding for the couch.

[krasnaya_vdova]

Hey, James--

[She pauses, looking up at him, a soft touch of a smile on her lips, trying to balance her feelings here. Because she doesn't want to push him away either, make him think that she doesn't appreciate the ways that he cares for her. She's never had that before, not like this.]

It doesn't mean you can't still make me pancakes.

[Trying to lighten things a little, even if she can still feel the fire on her skin, still see the people she hurt, and hear his guilt. It's a heavy night, but she's trying to find space to breathe, at least. Even if it feels selfish.]

Just because you can't give me back my childhood doesn't mean it doesn't matter. You care. I think that's even better.

[She shrugs a little, looking over at him. Just because she's not a child, doesn't mean she wants to push him away.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[His posture softens a little at her words, the slight hint of humor. He can recognize the attempt, and he's happy to meet her in the middle. An emotional compromise, of sorts; care but don't treat her like a child. Bucky manages a small smile, subtle but genuine.]

You're right. It doesn't mean I can't still make you pancakes. [He agrees, voice quiet in the still apartment, his shoulders relaxing incrementally as the late hour ticks on. The guilt will always be there, but it's his own shit to carry; same as all the rest of his guilt that can never be assuaged. Maybe Sam would say it isn't healthy for him to keep blaming himself for everything, but lately, it's the only way he knows to live.

He gathers some extra pillows and a nice blanket from the linen closet and brings them to the couch. At least he knows from experience that the large sofa is comfortable enough to sleep on.] Here. Try to get at least a few hours sleep tonight? I'll make breakfast before we head out in the morning.

[krasnaya_vdova]

[His acceptance makes her smile a little. Because the last thing she wants is to mess this up. She's not great at putting it into words, but it means a lot to her, having him here. He cares and that's something she'd been chasing for the lion's share of her life.

She wants to offer something in return, that he can talk to her too. But the night's just a little hard already and she can't quite figure out what she wants to say, so it's easier to put it off until the morning. Her guilt might not be as consuming as his, but she understands. Instead she arranges the pillows and blankets on the couch. Ava is small so the couch is more than large enough to fit her.] I'll do my best. You should get some rest, too. I'm sure things'll be busy in the morning.

[Thankfully she was already in her pajamas, so with her bag tucked neatly at the end of the couch she just settles in, curling up under the blanket.]

And-- Thank you. Really. [Her words stumbling into Russian as she stifles a yawn.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Bucky has no doubt he'll nearly fuck things up again, or maybe Ava will, or maybe they both will. Neither of them have the best social skills or ability to relate to others in normal ways, unburdened by the trials of the Red Room. But it's okay. He's still not going anywhere. And whatever else there is, they can deal with it later. Right now she needs to sleep, and Bucky needs to sleep, though he won't.]

Yeah, I will. [A little white lie. He makes sure she gets settled okay, smiling slightly, and when the Russian words come, he returns them.]

Any time. Sleep well. [As she falls asleep, he silently steals his way to the roof to spend the rest of the night thinking.]