Event | Satellite | Spectres!

[ironwood]

Characters: Any and all!
Date: May 23 - 26, 2013
Location: Keeliai, turtleside, ARSHEPHELIOS cluster remains
Situation: Repairs and salvage operations operating innocently have triggered an invasion of spectres that possess and wreak havoc upon all they see.
Warnings/Rating: Please put CW in your subject lines

Satellite Crash Event

Crash Landing | Salvage Party | Shocking Spectres


Questions | Keeliai | ARSHEPHELIOS


Salvage is sweet, but not all is well on board the ARSHEPHELIOS cluster. The seamless cylinders salvaged from debris and the cluster, now being frequently traded, turn out to be pods the first time one is penetrated or cracked open. Each breached pod releases a flood of energy-based apparitions hellbent on world domination -- or, more accurately, person domination (and it's not the fun kind).

These apparitions -- spectres, if you will -- are driven by a need to protect the technology of the satellite cluster that their pods are associated with. They will stop at nothing to see this through. Each is immune to physical attacks, but seem to be injured or dissipated entirely by things like electrical shock or other energy-based projections. If people touch them, there is also a brief window of vulnerability, but it acts also like a door that swings both way. Through contact, these spectres can and will invade one's psyche, take over their body and cause them to attack friend or foe alike! Should the possessed body be subjected to sufficient electrical shock, the possession should fade. Strong natural will can also drive the spectres out, but it is no walk in the park to do so. Possession is not the only tool in the arsenal, for these spectres use electricity as their main offensive weapon. They'll leave deep-tissue burns on anyone they fight, and show no degree of fatigue after constant use of it.

Ten thousand of these creatures will be freed from pods, resulting in a veritable flood of Keeliai, the turtleside, and the satellite cluster. With such a driven enemy, it comes down to killing or being killed.

Meanwhile, those taking shelter indoors may notice that the spectres will get into the biomechanical functions of Keeliai. Consoles will be malfunctioning during this time, with lines of mysterious code and strange, ghostly images. One might hear people screaming for help or hours of patchy radio static.

Comments

[constants]

It is statistically unlikely that everyone else will have the same aesthetic styles, but I suspect most people will agree that you have found a more pleasing use for this debris.

[ No, that's not what she stopped here for. Get to the point. ]

I believe we are neighbors. I apologize for not introducing myself before. I am the Archive.

[ Because this is clearly the best time for neighbor introductions. ]

[afirewithfashion]

Oh.

[He looks surprised at that -- now really isn't the time -- but there's no reason to be rude. He gives her a small smile.]

I'm Cinna. It's nice to meet you.

[He doesn't even comment on what a weird name she has, because his mama totally raised him better than that.]

[constants]

[ She thanks you for not mentioning the name. She's had to explain that way too many times recently, and it's a pain. ]

It's nice to meet you too, Cinna.

[ She gestures to a seat. ]

May I join you?

[afirewithfashion]

Yes, of course. [He may be a little taken aback by her apearance and manner, but he's not rude. He offers her the chair -- er -- stump.]

Would you like a drink? I have tea and coffee. And water, of course.

[constants]

[ She sits on it, her posture perfect even in these circumstances. In fact, she looks more like she's been at a picnic than been wandering around a city under attack from specters. Her dress doesn't have a single smudge of dirt, and even her hair is in place. The Archive likes to keep up appearances, and she can dispose of the specters easily enough that they don't ruffle her. ]

Thank you. And tea, please.

[ She pauses and looks around for a moment. ]

What made you decide to do this?

[ She waves a hand to indicate the shelter he's constructed. It's genuine curiosity, she doesn't understand why he wouldn't be at his apartment if he wanted shelter. ]

[afirewithfashion]

[Even Cinna is beginning to show wear, so forgive him if he's a little -- well, envious of her neat appearance. Still, that won't stop him from preparing the tea, and handing her a cup carefully.]

I'm not a very good fighter. [And not ashamed to admit it. He leaves that to others.] But this seemed like a way I could help.

[constants]

[ She accepts the cup with a quiet thanks. ]

It's very considerate. Not many people would have thought of something like this.

[ There's a note of appreciation in her voice. Just because she can wipe the floor with specters doesn't mean she thinks it's the only important thing. She recognizes the unconventional value in his idea. ]

[afirewithfashion]

I don't think that's true. You can't blame them, with things as awful as they are.

You seem to have come through it rather well.

[Completely unscathed.]

[constants]

[ Wow he's... a nice person. She's pretty sure she'll never understand how some people have can have such charitable thoughts, though her lack of understanding comes with a lot of appreciation. ]

Yes, the specters are causing a lot of panic. The chaos is widespread, though they seem to be not entering closed homes. Which means that the buildings damaged by the satellite pieces are vulnerable.

[ She's silently thankful that their building wasn't damaged. ]

As for myself, I have access to magic and can combat the specters.

[ By combat she means absolutely wreck them from fifty yards away. ]

[afirewithfashion]

[It's sad that truly nice people are so rare, isn't it?]

I see. That's useful, I'd imagine.

[Cinna doesn't doubt her for a moment, even though the idea of "magic" is entirely outside his knowledge and experience. After all, he's seen what some of the people here are capable of.]

[constants]

Yes. I can protect myself sufficiently.

[ Though that's really the extent of its use. She'd rarely even consider using it for any other purpose, besides the fact that she doesn't particularly care one way or another about it. ]

Though I prefer mathematics.

[ She especially likes doing calculus in crayon or marker. ]

[afirewithfashion]

[Ouch. Those words are a harsh rminder that most people have looked at her, looked at her age, and probably rushed to protect her.

She's only a few years younger than Katniss. Prim's age. And it never occurred to him.

He looks down for a few minutes, quiet, trying to square himself with the realiy. The rush of anxiety. He was made as he is by the world he came from; there's no changing it. It's too late for him.

When he gets himself under control and fights away the panic, he smiles, and asks:]

What kind of mathematics?

[constants]

[ To the contrary, few people protect her. The mercenary she has hired is more of a chauffeur than a bodyguard since she is far more than capable of protecting herself. In fact, only in extremely rare cases is anyone actually bold enough to try and take on the might of the Archive. The fallen angels that kidnapped her had to pull a favor from Lucifer himself to even try to bring her down. ]

Calculus is my favorite, though I also enjoy higher degrees of math. What do you enjoy?

[ The last sentence feels strange coming out of her mouth. It's been a long time since she's inquired about someone in such a personal manner. ]

[afirewithfashion]

[He hopes she'll find it different here. No matte how powerful she is, now Cinna sees a child. Children should be protected.

They aren't. But they should be.

He laughs a little.]

I like drawing. Fashion, mostly. I like designing clothing that's not like anything else.

[constants]

[ If she ever found that out she'd think it was a little cute. ]

I am sure your clothes are pieces of art.

[ She can tell by the makeshift furniture that he has artistic talent. It's something she can appreciate since she doesn't have any. ]

[afirewithfashion]

[That nets her a wider smile.]

Thank you. They are.

[Cinna might not ever disparage himself, but he's not much for false modesty, either. Still, as with everything he's said, it's presented factually and with gentle humor, taking any possible sting out of it.]

[constants]

[ She appreciates realism. There's nothing wrong with saying the value of your work, power, whatever it may be. Modesty is not something she has ever practiced, though on the flip side she never boasts. There's nothing but factual statements from her. ]

Might I see them someday?

[afirewithfashion]

Of course. You're right next door... come over when all of this clears up.

[He gives her a warm smile. He agrees entirely, of course. There's nothing wrong with taking pride in what you do well As long as you're not boastful or unpleasant.]

[constants]

[ She nods and stands. ]

I will do so.

[ Small talk, or really talk of any kind, is not her strong suit and she's reached her limit of conversation topics. Unless he has something else to talk about she'll be on her way. ]

[afirewithfashion]

[He gives a slight smile, standing to walk her out.]

Please be safe, out there.

[Powers or not, he'd hate to think she's vulnerable.]

[constants]

I will be. You as well.

[ And with that she departs. ]