cuddlecity | EVENT: SHAKE THINGS UP.

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EVENT: SHAKE THINGS UP.

It starts with a roll of thunder.

At least, that’s what you think it is—a low growl through the atmosphere that seems to echo deep and low in your chest—as you turn over in bed, or perhaps as you’re finishing your last drink at a local pub with some new acquaintances, or even as you’re walking home on otherwise safe streets, lamps and moonlight guiding your path. All’s well that ends well: the city is your haven, it’s been sold to you as such, and a little stormy weather never did much harm.

You close your eyes. You take a drink. You turn the corner.

But the sound continues, the vibration grows more oppressive, and you may think to yourself:

Thunder shouldn’t shake my nightstand.
Thunder doesn’t send a pulse through the tequila in a shot glass.
Thunder wouldn’t compel the asphalt to rumble and churn beneath my boots.

It all happens very quickly after that; things fall apart.

The cheers of late-night partygoers tumble into a minor chord, sliding into screams—a party of five has just lost sight of two of its members as Main Street splits itself in zigzags rippling out from the city’s center. One side surges into the air as the other half plummets several feet down, small ravines forming along the thoroughfare. The damage replicates itself like dominoes, and citizens new and old alike cry for help into the empty night.

Someone is hanging onto the edge of one jagged, yellow-striped mound of asphalt, fingers slipping, grip temporary.

Do you know them?
Do you help?

Within minutes, buildings begin to buckle under the stress of the earth shifting. Metal and concrete siding, roof tiles, window panes—what first sounds like cannon fire clearly presents itself as establishments crumbling while panicked citizens race to covered positions or out into the chaos of the openly shaking streets for any semblance of safety.

“Earthquake!” You hear. “Cover your head!”

The tallest buildings suffer the most damage (the bigger they are, the harder they fall). At the city’s heart, the clock tower sinks almost gently down as if feeling faint, seeking solace in the skirts of its foundation. People blink in shock as the dust rolls over them moments later.

Victims covered in soot and debris, looking for all intents and purposes as if they’d been disturbed from their graves, disperse across the city, trying to reach the authorities, to find their loved ones. It’s clear that amidst the rubble, both formed and newly falling, some of these loved ones are trapped. You hear desperate, muffled calls, buried beneath layers of shattered stone and cement. Voices struggling to be heard through the ongoing shriek and groan of the earth… still… shaking. One of these voices may even be your own.

Are you near? Can you lead someone to safety?
Can you pull victims from the rubble? Are you, yourself, in trouble?

The city bank’s vault is loose, no doubt. The shops are in trouble, security gates destroyed.

Do you take advantage while you can?

Whatever you decide, watch for the emergency vehicles and fire trucks barreling their way toward the center of destruction, rescue crews ready to spot those in need. Perhaps you can help them. Perhaps they can help you, instead. (Perhaps they can apprehend you, too, if you misbehave and don’t cover your tracks.)

The rumble continues, curls its way like a fist further out towards the city limits, losing ferocity as it does, but it takes the temporary housing district for its final victim. The city’s newest arrivals won’t get much sleep tonight. Rifts in concrete walls crawl their way from the ground floors, up, all vine and sinew and spider web. Some are more severe than others. While the first floor rooms may find more damage to their walls, bedroom windows bursting as foundations tilt, the upper floors will see things end up just a hair off in balance—askew. Put a glass of water on the table, and it may not stay in one place for long.

Surely the building isn’t safe enough to sleep in, not now.

Can you make it safe? Can you reach out to your neighbors? How do you manage?

Three hours after the initial disturbance, long after earlier news programs had urgently advised all city dwellers to take due cover during the apparent earthquake, a crackling message filters through across television screens, electronic billboards, and on your city-issued devices. Mayor Drake sits in full view in front of the Energem, the symbol of the city, its life force. It is in one piece, from the looks of it, and so is she (if understandably haggard and dark around the eyes).

“Citizens of Cadelle, as you know, we’ve suffered quite the seismic anomaly this evening. Tectonic plate shifting is not abnormal in a city so near the coast, but we had yet to experience an earthquake of this magnitude in all our recorded history. Although most of the damage was focused towards the city’s center, that center was hit hard.”

The side of her mouth twitches minutely, as though she is biting back further words, and instead, she plasters on a smile of pure grit.

“Our top tier seismology center is already on the case, and the administration will keep you informed of any significant findings. In the meantime, we wish to thank all our rescue workers and volunteer citizens who helped our loved ones find shelter and safety. Please be advised we will begin reconstruction of our Community Housing Facility immediately. Volunteers to assist with this project, and with the restoration of privately owned establishments along Main Street, are welcomed, even encouraged. After a more in-depth assessment, we may be able to create paying job opportunities for the duration of this project. Please stay tuned.”

A constructive spin on this tale couldn’t hurt, could it?

“For now, we wish for you to stay safe. Food and shelter accommodations at the public gymnasium are being made ready for those of you currently left without rooms. We apologize for the communal nature of these accommodations, but it is the best we can provide on emergency notice. We appreciate your patience, and your help.”

And with that closing remark, the feed cuts.

Mayor Drake’s shoulders slide out of their poised position, and she bows her head, hand over her brow.

Behind her, unbeknownst to anyone, the Energem flickers—just once.

On the far side, beneath the cover of the protective wall, a small fissure has formed in the crystal surface.

A kinetic rift.

For more in-depth information about this event and how it affects your character, to ask event-specific questions, and to plot with your fellow players, please visit the event's OOC PLOTTING POST.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( she's in the process of saying her goodbyes — more like see you laters — when he comes up from behind her, loops a hand around her arm and pulls her into the alleyway around the corner where it's quiet and, thankfully, a little cooler. all done, robbie
explains, grinning wide like the cat that just got the canary, and she can't help but laugh, peeking over her shoulder to see if anyone's followed them out of curiosity.

the coast looks clear, though, so kimberly lets the worry go by for now, choosing instead to reach out and let her fingers curl around his hip, tugging him in a little closer. it's a practical thing, obviously, just so she doesn't have to shout and potentially attract attention. nothing to do with how the cotton of his shirt sticks to his skin, outlines his abdominal muscles and the dip along his chest. nope. definitely not. )

If I wasn't, I am now.

[robbie doesn't look the least bit surprised as his personal space bubble shrinks with one swift motion. he could close that hair's breadth of space between them, drag their mouths together in the middle of this alley and robbie has a feeling kimberly might not mind too much. he could.

instead, he leans in, hovering temptingly out of reach. if kimberly huffs frustratedly, well, that'll just make the payoff that much better.]

Afraid my bed's not really an option for your little energy emergency.

( does she huff a little? of course she does, but it's good-natured, no bite to the hot exhale between her lips as she grins up at him, drums her fingertips along the waistband of his jeans. his bed's probably worse for wear than her own, being on the ground floor; kimberly's third floor apartment had seen a little bit of damage, small items tossed around, but it was mostly the uneven floor that had her room out of commission. she had no plans to abandon that once the repairs were done.

but for now, neither room was really an option, and she'd yet to hear anything about private accommodations being offered in the community center. which left... well, exactly where kimberly wanted to be. )

How do you feel about taking a drive?

Depends on who's driving.

[he replies, a lopsided smirk suggesting that he may or may not be talking about who' will be behind the wheel.

robbie closes the gap between them before the can get in a no doubt smart reply, fingers hooking into the belt loops of her tiny denim shorts as his mouth moves over hers, hinting at more to come before he draws back.]

Edited 2017-08-17 03:25 (UTC)

( it's a kiss that ends as soon as it begins, just a brief press of warmth against her lips before he's leaning back, tugging her a step away from the wall by the loops of her shorts. kimberly only rolls her eyes, lets her hand drop to his and squeezes, a green light if there ever was one. )

Are you offering to let me drive?

( would she? maybe. she's capable of driving a stick shift, the benefit of growing up under an overbearing father figure in a small town. but she has a feeling that's not exactly what he had in mind... or that the drive itself is really the main attraction here. )

[he licks his lips as he pulls back, shaking his head once she's asked to drive.]

Not my car, no. [he's definitely less concerned about the destination than he is about what they'll do once they're there. he worries his lip between his teeth as he mulls over telling her where the cogs in his brain are headed.] But I wouldn't mind you telling me what you need me to do. It's hot.

Bummer.

( a slight pout, mostly for show, as she tangles their fingers together, nudges him backwards with a push of her shoulder against his, until they're walking out of the alley towards the makeshift parking lot, where his car sits a few spaces apart from the others. it's somehow managed to remain clean amidst all the mess and rubble in the air, which earns a bemused grin as they approach. )

Did I not do enough of that for you last time?

[a peal of laughter follows as she fake pouts and nudges them out of the alley. they reach his car, which looks just as he's left it: pristine. robbie feels a little bit of guilt over that fact when most other cars look covered in dust and have little dings and dents. but inexplicably self-healing cars will do that.]

That was then. It's not like you hit my buttons for one night and then I'm set for good. [cue the smirk aimed right at her as he walks her backward. it's only a few short steps before her back hits the side of his car. robbie leans right on in,] Or are you saying you don't like the idea of shoving my head down between your legs right now?

I don't know... ( a contemplative hum slips through her lips, trails off into something much more appreciative as her back presses flush against the driver side door, as his body leans into hers, hands finding purchase on either side of her waist. ) Seems like that's something you want right now.

( what does she want? not to quite let their little game of back-and-forth end right here in a parking lot, for one thing. )

Let me sit in your lap and drive.

[he offers a shrug of his shoulders, rocking his hips against her. it's a hint, a promise, an IOU.] You're not wrong. At least I'm honest about what I want.

[he brings a hand up to his mouth, taps his index finger against his lips, pretending to have to think about it.]

Mmm. Right here where anyone can see?

( there's no question what he's thinking about, especially not with the eager way his hips press against hers, that quick close of any space between them. but it may not be what she's thinking of... )

Of course right here. ( a grin, and her hand slides down, fingers curving around the handle and tugging until the door clicks open behind her. )

Unless you don't think I can handle it...

[her suggestion is a bold one. surprising enough, one thing he hasn't done before. robbie slips past her into the driver seat, hooks his fingers into the waistband of her shorts and pulls her in on top of him.]

I think I've already proved I know just how to handle you. But if you'd like a reminder, babe, I definitely up for the task.

[and with that announcement, robbie crashes their mouths together, dragging his tongue along the seam between her lips until she parts them so that he can deepen the kiss.]

( no, he's definitely not on the same wavelength. kimberly's not complaining, though. settling with her knees straddling his lap, she's more than happy to lean in, to let him coax her mouth open and kiss her until she's breathless and a little light headed, hands draped along the warm black leather of the headrest. at least at first.

eventually though, kimberly's more interested in getting what she had in mind than lingering here in the parking lot; her hands slide down along the seatback, down to his waist where they dip into his pockets, fishing out a plain steel ring with a dozen or so silver keys hanging from it. the set makes a soft jingle as she spins the ring around her finger, a sound that earns a satisfied smile against his mouth as she offers a slow, teasing kiss. maybe it's ranger reflexes, maybe it's just how distracting the sweep of her tongue along his lower lip serves to be, but somehow, she manages to pull herself around, nestling in his lap and sliding the right key into the ignition, a flick of practiced fingers bringing the engine to life. )

Come on, babe, ( murmured as her head tilts back, pressing another kiss just under the lobe of his ear, ) I told you I wanted to drive your car, but I think this is a little more fun.

Don't you?

[what's that book? men are from mars women are from venus? they definitely aren't speaking the same language, if the fact that she's pumping the brakes on what he'd hoped would be the start of a very healthy makeout session to make his car roar to life.

kim practically purrs her desire, breath hot in his ear. robbie wants to shake his head no, but kim's all determination in a sweet little package. ]

You're making it real hard to say no to you. [a beat passes and robbie releases the parking brake. worse case he'll just steer them out of harms way.]

That, ( chimed out with a pointed grin as she shifts, hands curving over the wheel with ill-disguised excitement, ) Was kind of the whole point.

( to be fair, she doesn't exactly plan to do all the driving. the gas and brake, the shift — she leaves the technical parts to robbie's experienced hands as his arms rest on either side of her, content to simply enjoy the loud roar of the engine as it rumbles through the driver's seat, and focuses her attention on the rush of steering the car through pintight curves and along wide stretches of practically abandoned roadways, until they've cleared the busier stretches of the city center and found the quieter sections of road near the mountains. )

Are you complaining?

No, but this isn't exactly anything like the last time I went for a joyride.

[he's hardly opened up thus far, has been keeping things relatively easygoing in case she wasn't able to handle the steering. now that they're out of the busier parts of cadelle, he floors the gas pedal, watches as the needle on the speedometer moves further and further right.

he grins from behind her, nips playfully at her ear.]

How about I show you what this thing's really capable of?

( a wriggle of anticipation, fingers drumming against the spokes of the wheel, and kimberly nods giddily. ) Yes, please, ( whispered as her eyes dart from the road only for a moment, long enough to press her mouth to his cheek with fleeting warmth. )

I don't think you have to worry about speeding tickets out here, either.

( or anybody else on the road, for that matter. )

Never gotten a speeding ticket before. [he says with a laugh as they near a corner.]

Just trust me for a second. [he murmurs, taking the wheel from her for a moment as they approach and he carefully drifts around the curve. once they clear that bend in the road, there's nothing but a straightaway for miles.]

Not bad, eh?

( just trust me, he tells her, and she almost parrots the words back to him. i do, she almost says, i do trust you. they don't come out, though; they get stuck in her throat, heavy and meaningful and too much for an afternoon joyride that's intended to blow off steam, a quick refresh of her cuddle quota before the administration notices her dip into the negatives.

no, this is just two people coming together for convenience's sake. it's not anything that involves anything quite so damning as trust or feelings, and she's honestly a little annoyed at herself for even thinking it. what, does she want to be some high school sweetheart with a crush? no thanks. she's kimberly hart. she's a freakin' power ranger. she doesn't need any of it.

instead, she lets her gaze linger on the road as it fans out before them, the horizon hazy in the distance over the stretch of pavement, and her body settle against his as she lets go of the wheel, content to linger without the pretense of driving now. ) No, it's great, ( she finally admits, that part at least refreshingly straightforward. honest. )

Not quite ready for Fast and the Furious, but still pretty great.

( what, did he think a little genuine appreciation wouldn't come with extra teasing? )

[if he has any idea of her current mental debate about whatever feelings that she doesn't have, he certainly isn't making them known. or even fessing up to any potential feelings on his end of the equation.

as far as robbie is concerned, there's no need to worry about if he does or doesn't harbor any desire for things to be more than what they are: two people who are particularly compatible who enjoy each others company. ]

You know those films are super exaggerated, right?

[he says it with smile which threatens to split his face in two, like he's actually tried the things that have happened in the films before or something.

just up ahead he spies an overlook along the side of the road. he pulls them off to the side and parks the car, yanking up on the emergency brake and shutting the engine off. ] View's pretty nice here if you wanna get out and stretch your legs.

( kimberly only laughs, shaking her head at his protests even as the car swings into a makeshift parking space along the side of the road, parallel to the rocky overlook offering admittedly gorgeous views. sure, exaggerated, as if driving a muscle car and pushing it to top speed around corners isn't exaggerated on its own. )

Yeah, yeah, ( but there's no bite to her words, really, just a teasing smile, and then he's offering to let her out, roar of the engine quieting as the car comes to a stop. ) I could get out...

( at the very least, she'll let her body shift as the driver's side door swings open, hips turning so that her legs fall out the now open doorway, her side pressed snug against his chest. it'd be equally easy to fall backwards onto the bench seat or to tip forward out of the car; with his hands on either side of her waist, it would just take the slightest of pushes to determine exactly which direction she'll go. )

Up to you, though. I'm not in any rush.

[it's true, of course. she could get out of the car, but not too long ago he'd been prepared to let her take him for a ride where literally anyone who was leaving their volunteer work could see them pressed against one another.

they're no less exposed along the side of the road, but robbie hasn't seen a single car pass since they've been parked, nor does he think that he will. he shakes his head, mind made up, and tips her backward against the leather bench seat. robbie follows suit, slotting himself between her legs.]

Or you could get off... [his gaze flicks to her lips, slightly parted, and then back up to her eyes.] Get yourself out of the red with the city and give me another reason to get you naked.

( her back hits the seat, hair splaying out around her head, and he's quick to follow, turning his body in order to climb over her; this time, there's no hesitation as her hands pull him in, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt and tugging up. without the barrier of that jacket — though the black leather isn't without its charms, don't get her wrong — it's much easier to expose the familiar lines of his abdomen, that expanse of tanned skin so warm to the touch.

a soft groan of appreciation, his murmured offer sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine, and kimberly doesn't hesitate to lick her lips as she nods. ) You definitely don't need a reason, babe. ( as evidenced by her own unhesitating removal of his clothing, at least what little she could reach from her sprawl on the bench seat.

it's also evidenced by her hands, now free of the ribbed cotton of his shirt, sliding down between them to hook under the hem of her own tank top, pulling it up and over her head in one smooth motion. all that's left underneath is a (what else) strappy pink sports bra, blessedly free of hooks, clasps, or anything complicated.

robbie should thank her. it's a gift. )

[her hands drag his tank top up and off, nails leaving pleasurable scratches across his abdomen on their way back down. robbie practically vibrates as he hums in pleasure as her tank follows his to the floorboard.]

Mmm damn. You ought to wear this more often. [he licks his lips at all that tanned skin exposed, at the vision of her in nothing but a bright pink bra and those criminally short shorts. though he doesn't thank the man upstairs often, he sends a very emphatic one out along with a prayer that he'll get to see her again sooner rather than later. robbie takes a deep breath and his hands trail down her abdomen to rest at her hips.]

Don't tempt me with an offer like that, or you're gonna see a hell of a lot more of me, babe. [unlike the last time they were together, he's feeling particularly wound up, having forced them both to wait until their work was done for the day and then waiting still as she asked to go on a ride just made him acutely aware of how much he wanted her. so, without any hesitation on his part, her shorts are unbuttoned and unzipped. robbie lifts her hips to drag them off. next to follow are his jeans which he only manages to get past his knees before he's pressing their bodies back together, and finding her mouth. finally is the only thought that crosses his mind as their lips meet.]

Edited 2017-08-25 15:35 (UTC)

I — ( and she starts to say more, but the words are cut off by the eager, demanding press of his mouth against hers, and any rational thought is lost for the time being as she nearly melts into the touch. his hands are hot, always practically burning as they press into her skin, and today is no exception; she can feel the trails of heat along her stomach, down her hips, dragged out over her thighs from where his fingers made contact with her legs in the process of removing her shorts.

as she shifts underneath him, trying to find some sturdy placement on the warm leather of the seat, her leg slips between his knees; the arch of her foot presses down, kicks at the stiff denim of his jeans still forming a barrier until they're lost somewhere between the seat, the door, and the floor. irrelevant, really. the specific location of where any of their clothes winds up is completely irrelevant until well afterwards, a point of time that kimberly's in no rush to reach right now.

they part for air, as nature would demand, and in between shallow breaths exhaled against his jaw, kimberly all but purrs, ) I would love to see more of you, I thought that was pretty obvious...

( like this? bodies hot and tangled up? how good he makes her feel? yeah, she would have zero reason to complain about seeing him again. and again. and again. )

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