double-feature: phone call / network post

[aeturnus]

Phone call.
[ This message comes first. Hurried, and there's the sound of rapid typing while Roman speaks. ]

If anyone is still stuck out there and hears this, sound off. Many of us are holing up in the hospital for the time being and the more people we get here, the better defended we can make it to cover those who can't fight. Anyone listening to this who can get around, please try to go grab anyone else who's trapped or stuck.

Network UN: HOSPITAL LOBBY CPU 4.
Gather at the hospital if at all possible. Please post a location if you're stuck or in need of assistance. Those of us who can fight and move around will do our best to reach you.

If you know anyone else who can't reach communication but needs help, mention them too.
-Roman Fletcher

Comments

via phone. (open to anyone!)

[dislikeable]

❰ the phone is fumbled slightly, and in the background you can hear what sounds like cracking branches and a nearby frustrated screech-bark.

then: ❱

I didn't know they climb trees.

❰ each word is enunciated tensely through an audibly clenched jaw, barely concealing the fear seeping into her core. ❱

[paragon]

Where are you?

[ The second time he's asked that today, voice clipped with the awareness of being between fights, the next one right around the corner. Seeing her name already has him decided on the next fight, but which corner is another question. A tree doesn't give him a whole lot to go on, Katniss. ]

Do you have any way to signal?

[dislikeable]

❰ the answer comes without hesitation. ❱ North-northwest, ❰ she says, and there's a fumbled pause as she climbs up another branch. ❱ Close to the river.

❰ signal? how could she possibly signal? ❱ I can whistle. ❰ the loud two-fingered kind that trades melody for sheer volume. ❱

[paragon]

[ He's already moving. ]

That'll bring more of 'em down on you. [ Which isn't him saying she shouldn't. ] Give me— [ He's almost completely across town. ] two minutes, hang on for two minutes and then whistle.

[ It might take him seconds longer than that, but he'll be close enough to hear her. Steve doesn't wait for her response before hanging up, because even two minutes is a damn long time when you're fighting for your life. There's none of it to waste. ]

[blaiiines]

Hey. [his voice is a bit... off. Not the usual confident tone] I'm okay, I just figured I should check in. In case you were worried.

[aeturnus]

[ Um. That tone definitely sets of a ton of parental instinct alarms considering how Blaine usually sounds. ]

Good. Glad to hear it. Blaine, where are you?

[blaiiines]

The butcher shop. I wanted to check that the inventory was okay. [best priorities]

[aeturnus]

[ There's a brief sigh, frustrated but that's his life right now. ]

All right, I'll see if anyone can make it down there to get you over here.

[blaiiines]

I wasn't calling to ask for an escort, Roman. [his voice is stronger now] I'm okay.

[aeturnus]

[ There's a pause, then he sounds a little calmer himself. ]

I know. Can't blame a guy for worrying. [ You're sonlike, so that means you get the same worry as if it were Gladio or Iris out there, all right? ] It's safe there?

[blaiiines]

[he smiles. His memories tell him that Roman has always worried about him, ever since they first met and Roman saw Blaine had a rough life. But the feeling is strange at the same time, like he's not as used to it as he should be]

As safe as anywhere else.

[aeturnus]

[ That's basically what Roman is operating on. Whatever these memories are, smashed up against others in his head where only one set can actually be there, the emotions are ones he chooses to believe in for now. That much can still be real in the here and now. ]

I'd say the hospital is a step above the rest, but I'm probably biased.

[blaiiines]

Probably.

[Blaine is silent for a moment, debating on if he should talk about this feeling he can't shake: that he's been through this before, or something similar. Eventually his trust in Roman wins out]

This is going to sound weird, but I'm having a freaky sense of déjà vu.

[aeturnus]

[ There's a lot going on right now. He's in the middle of some pretty important things and making sure a lot of people are kept safe and things are organized appropriately.

Roman can set that aside for a few minutes long when Blaine says that, puts that important statement in his hands. The police are probably too busy to monitor right now, anyway. ]

How so? You think this has happened before? Or... before?

[blaiiines]

I don't know. I was at Peter's party-- Peter Quill, you know, he used to work with me-- and it... it was all so familiar. The party, the water, the booze, those things coming out of nowhere... I swear it happened before. I feel like I was there.

[aeturnus]

Yeah, I was there too. [ There's a soft exhale. ] That how you kept safe?

[blaiiines]

[he's not explaining this properly, but it's hard to get his words straight when his memories are still in a jumble]

No, I mean another party. Before this.

[aeturnus]

Yeah, I meant using that memory to help with all... this bullshit.

[ It would probably be funny that someone like Roman, who hardly curses at all, sounds ragged enough to go for it, but it's not really for funny reasons. ]

Do you remember anything else about it?

[blaiiines]

It's not really clear. But I think I remember fire and things grabbing people. The things were... hungry. [that is the most tactful way he can phrase "they were trying to eat people"] I don't know if these are the same creatures I saw. I can't get a clear picture in my mind.

[aeturnus]

That's okay. It'll come. Hopefully not on the heels of getting a closer look at these things. [ The way he says it, it's not about needing the information (although they do), but more about helping Blaine get some peace of mind. ] Fire?

[blaiiines]

There was definitely a fire. [that doesn't feel like an overly important detail. Just one of those things that happen when shit hits the fan] I'll keep thinking about it. If I remember anything that might help, I'll let you know.

[aeturnus]

All right. Take care of yourself, Blaine.

[ Not that he doesn't think Blaine isn't. It's just... he does not want to see any of his own killed. Especially not like this, by these animals. ]

[blaiiines]

You know me. I try to keep a low profile.

[no you don't, Blaine]

[aeturnus]

[ There's laughter there, surprised at itself. ]

Put in a little extra effort just for me, okay?

[blaiiines]

Fine. For you.

[aeturnus]

I'll pay you back.

[ Don't die, please. ]

phone;

[allfornothing]

Do you need any supplies?

[ She can bring people over. Better in her mind than being a sitting duck while people might be in danger, even while she knows that protecting those who can be protected is also important. ]