Twenty-third Theory [Action/Voice/Accidental Video]

[i_speak_softly]

((Backdated to this morning, of course.))

[An earthquake in Luceti? Don doesn't know how likely that is, except that apparently it's possible.]

[Somewhere in the back of his brain, he knows that you're supposed to stand in a doorway when an earthquake hits. But as the first tremors rumble through C6, knocking Don's journal off a shelf so that it falls open on the floor, all he can think is protect Raph.]

[He throws himself over his still-bedridden brother, holding him to the mattress and trusting the springs to cushion both of them from the worst of the shaking.]

[As soon as things are quiet, he'll dash to the other room and grab his bo, in case this earthquake was caused not by movement of fault lines but by big-jawed robots chomping their way through the building.]

[Noticing the open journal, he'll shout into it.] Did anyone else feel that?

Comments

[Voice]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

[You can probably hear the last of the juice glasses hitting the floor in house 55 when Derek answers, Don.]

It was a quake. You guys all right?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Are you sure, Derek? [He won't be all right until he knows.]

[Voice]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

...I'm originally from California. I know what a quake is.

[Derek's voice is more gently amused than anything.]

Sounds like other folks aren't doing so hot. How's C6? [There's the sound of Derek getting himself ready to go outside, see who he can help.]

You didn't tell me if you guys were all right yet.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

I don't mean to doubt you, Derek. It's just that last time I thought I was in an earthquake, it turned out to be robots coming to eat my father.

[The sound of a window opening.] Building looks sound. I think we're okay.

[Voice]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

I understand.

The house is fine; some stuff fell, and we'll have to get some new drinking glasses, and wait for the windows to repair, but everything else looks all right.

...Electricity is a little shaky right now, though. I'm going to go see if I can help out. If c6 starts making settling sounds, get out. Some structures can look pretty solid right up until the stressed out support gives out. And I don't think Luceti was built with earthquakes in mind.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[If Don hadn't practically thrown himself over him, Raph probably would've slept like a rock through the entire thing. But sensing his brother's panic, he surfaces back to the realm of consciousness, blinking sleepily up at Don while the room shakes around him. The lamp on the nightstand smashes to the floor, the windows shudder in their frames, and the entire building is roaring and creaking on its foundation.

But earthquake or no, Raph's a-okay. He's not even sure if it's a dream. Even if it isn't, who cares? Whatever shit they're drugging him with makes everything just peachy.]

Wussat? What-?

[Not that he really cares. He just wants Don to get out of his personal space.]

What're you doin'?

[i_speak_softly]

Don't move, Raph. Keep your head down.

[Getting his bo now. As soon as he has it, he'll be back.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Oh, don't worry, he's not going anywhere. His head feels like it weighs about two tons. He'll just lie there and watch stuff fall off the shelves.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Turns out not hanging shelves over the beds was a good design choice. When Don returns, he'll stand over Raph with his bo drawn, avoiding falling objects and looking in all directions.]

How do you feel, Raph?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Oh, hey Don, you're back. He just keeps on staring blankly at the the shelves. Nothing's falling now, but that doesn't seem to keep him any less entertained.] Kinda woozy.

[ voice ] Like a boss.

[ny-vigilante.livejournal.com]

Don!

[ THANK GOD YOU'RE ALIVE 8D ]

[ voice ] You have infected me with this phrase

[i_speak_softly]

Casey! Please, come downstairs.

[ voice ] My bad :|b

[ny-vigilante.livejournal.com]

Uh... yeah, about that. [ This is the sound of a hockey stick fruitlessly slamming into rubble and the strained voice of a claustrophobic being stuck. ] Sorta went out this mornin'.

[ More importantly: ] Why? You guys okay?

[ voice ]

[i_speak_softly]

[... Casey. You didn't.]

We're okay for now. But I'm worried about structural damage and earthquakes. I can't get Raph out... and I can't leave him. Is someone else coming for you?

[ action ]

[folklorist]

[ Sup Casey you might after a few moments hear something outside. Something akin to a roar but not to worry Helios is just trying to dig you out of the rubble with that Griffin he summoned. ]

Mr. Jones! Can you hear me? [ He'll be yelling that over the protesting, annoyed, squawks of the beast as it uses those giant talons to rip through the rubble. ]

[ action ]

[ny-vigilante.livejournal.com]

[ Oh hell, that doesn't sound good from the other side. What, there are animals attacking now-

huh. What's to do but yell back? ]

Hello?

[ action ]

[folklorist]

[ He hears that reply! Which makes him a tad bit happier, at least he got there in time. ]

You're there, wonderful! I'll have you out in a few minutes.

[ And a few moments later you might be seeing the rumble around you shake and shift Casey. ]

[voice]

[folklorist]

An earthquake...

Is everything all right by you?

[voice]

[i_speak_softly]

The town is in chaos, the building might collapse, and my brother can't get out of bed. I think the answer is no.

[voice]

[folklorist]

[ Duh Helios. He sounds calm, or at least he's trying to remain calm. Panicing in this situation won't do anyone much good. He swallows thickly this whole disaster had happened so fast leaving no one much time to prepare for anything. ]

Your brother? Oh dear. I-I don't know how much I can be of assistance but perhaps if...if I could get there in time, I could give you some time to get out? Ah-a barrier could work. Or...or! I could summon something to come fetch you. [ He's mumbling to himself, thinking. ]

[voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[That frankly sounds awful.] Thanks, Helios, but someone else is already on the way.

[Pause.] Helios, can you help a friend of mine? His name is Casey Jones and he's trapped somewhere.

[voice]

[waypastcool.livejournal.com]

'Course I felt it! That quake was huge.

[voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[It wasn't that bad. ... A thought occurs.] Did we - did C6 miss the worst of it?

[voice]

[waypastcool.livejournal.com]

Sure sounds like it. Half the buildings in the village are piles of junk now.

[voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Silence. Then laughter. And then it sounds like he might be crying a little.]