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.

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[Hux scrunches up his nose slightly looking over the car as they are driving, but refrains from putting anything in his tone that would be disdainful. He needs to behave.]

For your world, perhaps. Where I come from, our transports rarely have wheels--they hover. That is what I meant by antiquated. [It wasn't to insult his car in particular. Just that he is not used to technology here, in general.]

Away is fine. I suspect the housing developments aren't safe ground currently.

[A beat, then--]

I...appreciate the ride.

My name is Hux.

Can't say I've seen anything that just hovers used for going to the grocery store. I could maybe some sort of pet project by someone with a lot of time on their hands.

[robbie's intrigued by the concept of vehicles that sound nothing like those from home. wonders what it might take to get his hands on one to take apart.

but he doesn't dwell on his thoughts for long, as hux is finally introducing himself. the least he can do is follow suit.]

You're welcome, Hux. I'm Reyes. Robbie Reyes.

I doubt the technology here is advanced to even do it; however, I know the schematics to create a simple engine for it. If you wanted to attempt, I would be willing.

[He misses his hoverbike, in truth. And talking about this is a lot more pleasant than thinking about what just happened, and the shaking ground.]

Which name do you prefer to be called?

[People here tend to be so casual, but Hux always asks.]

The science is probably over my head, but an engine's an engine. Can't hurt to try.

[It's definitely better than thinking about how they're going to fix this mess, or if it's even fixable. Focusing on building something from scratch gives him something to look forward to once they're in the clear.]

Robbie works.

...well at least you are honest.

[He lets out a small breath through his nose, but truly, Hux would rather Robbie be honest about his capabilities than pretend he could do something he couldn't; Hux has never been fond of liars, to say the least.]

So I assume this your car--what is it you do, in your world?

[This car wouldn't be used for transport, and with the technology, he isn't a pilot--but he certainly drives like one.]

No reason not to be.

[while robbie might be a bag filled with secrets, he's not a liar or particularly fond of them either, so in that regard, hux is in good company.]

It is. Back home I'm a mechanic. I do a little custom building here and there. Stuff like this car for the most part. [he slows as they reach a winding section of road] I used to race for fun. Pretty run of the mill stuff.

[Hux is doing his best not to tense in the car, just unsettled by the entire situation, in general. He's not surprised that the man raced for fun; as much as the man claimed to be safe, 'racing' was not something he'd consider run of the mill.]

I'm sure it's a good skill to have--the mechanic, I mean. Our mechanics are vital to keeping our ships functional, and therefore keeping our cause alive.

[A beat.]

So racing is common where you come from?

There's people who race professionally. Cars, motorcycles, running, and so on. It's supposed to be entertainment.

And there's illegal racing. Sometimes they race for cash. Other times papers.

[robbie turns his head to regard hux with a puzzled look.]

Is racing not something that happens where you're from?

What do you mean papers? I assume forged ones?

[He waves a hand slightly, wishing he had more alcohol.]

We have races, yes, but it is more regional--planetary. There were some inter-system races in the past, but many of those went away once the Galaxy slipped into war. But illegal racing among smugglers and other outfits is still common, I'm sure.

No. Well, some might be forged, but I mean titles. Papers that prove ownership.

[language is a funny thing, isn't it? hux is speaking the same language that he is and yet they're definitely not on the same page.]

Space. Sounds like the future's an interesting place.

Ah--so they race to win another transport.

[Which is something he's heard of happening. That makes more sense; though racing for forged papers among smugglers is something that happens where he comes from, as well.]

It could be the future, or not that entirely. I've never heard of Earth--it isn't part of the known Galaxy.

Yeah.

[isn't part of the known... he shoots hux a look of utter confusion.]

Wait what? Seriously? Mars, Saturn, The Milky Way. These really aren't ringing a bell are they?

[Hux shakes his head.]

No. And for you, Endor, Yavin, Arkanis, Corsucant?

[... anyone worth their salt whose watched a star wars film knows the names of those places. but hux clearly must be kidding. that must be the explanation robbie decides, shaking his head in reply.]

Sound like places from out of a film.

[Hux quirks an eyebrow, turning his head to look at the other man fully.]

I assume you mean a fictional film, and not a historical document. But I assure you, they are very much real places.

[seems their little city's a rather unusual little place. he nods, surprised to hear that these places are real to hux.]

I do. But hey, if you've got anything from your homeworld, I won't say no to seeing it. Probably later when we're not... [he pauses, clearing his throat.] trying to get you somewhere safe.

[up ahead he can see a line of people and vehicles of all kinds at the community center. robbie slows his car down, carefully searching until he finds a safe place to park.]

[Hux gives a nod.]

As long as they weren't destroyed by the earthquake, I wouldn't mind showing you. I have enough diagrams of ships and the like that I'm sure you'd find something intriguing.

[Hux sees all the people, wrinkling up his nose a bit. Well, there isn't anything for it, is there?]

I truly need to see if there are other accommodations away from people, here.

[That isn't the point, Hux. But as someone who has been surrounded by people his entire life, always, with always small bits of privacy, the idea of getting a house is welcoming.]

[robbie certainly hopes that when everything goes back to normal (or at the very least whatever passes for normal here in cadelle) that hux will actually be able to show him whatever he happens to have ferreted away in his apartment.]

I'd appreciate it and hope that your place isn't too worse for wear.

[he hasn't thought too much on it either, but it would be nice to have his own place. not that the city provided housing is awful, per se, but he had his own house back in los angeles. so it's definitely a change that's taken some getting used to.]
I can't say I blame you. It's a little close quarters for me. I'm not used to my neighbors being so... friendly.

[Hux gives an undignified snort, something that isn't typical for him, but one that certainly says he agrees with Robbie.]

I agree; I don't often have a great deal of space of my own, but my people on my ship know how to respect my privacy and my space. Here, everyone is just wanting to help.

[He sighs.]

I know it is the point of being here--but it is not something that I get used to immediately.

[when hux had first stepped foot into his car he'd honestly wondered if there was anything that they could agree to. the other man had seemed particularly prickly in a way that even he wasn't.

so color him pleasantly surprised that they'd managed to find some common ground. too bad it happened to be an agreement about personal space.

but he supposes he shouldn't be too picky about it. he nods along sympathetically.]

It's definitely jarring. I want to help too, but I want to be reasonable. [he spares another glance at hux and then surveys the chaos around them.] Speaking of... do you think you'll be okay from here? I want to make sure that there's not other people still out there.

Reasonable indeed--[There is a tiny smile on his face. Perhaps this man isn't so bad after all. He seems to have some brains about him.] Glad to see someone else is sensible, here.

[Looking around, Hux nods, letting out a sigh as he stretches himself.]

As good as any close to here, I think. I appreciate the ride. [He does have manners. Opening the door to leave, he reaches out his free hand for a shake.]

Perhaps we will speak again.

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EVENT: SHAKE THINGS UP.

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