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.
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cuddlecity2017-08-12 12:00 pm
no subject
When Kara sets her down on the bench, Waverly opens her eyes, and then closes them again. She repeats the action a few times before he view settles in on Kara/Supergirl]
Are you an angel?
[She's not sure how she could have gotten from where she was to hear, she certainly doesn't remember it. She tries to sit up to get a better view of her beautiful savior but quickly realizes that's a bad idea. Quick movements or moving at all is not something she should be doing right now.]
no subject
I'm Supergirl. ( her hands dart out to cushion waverly's head as she sits up only to drop back down, worry etching over her face, brows knitting together. ) You've got to be careful, okay?
Can you tell me if anything hurts? I don't think you have any broken bones, but better to be safe than sorry, right?
no subject
Waverly.
[ It's only fair since Supergirl introduced herself. ]
Um, my head is kinda killing me right now and I'm really tired. But I think that's it.
[ Nothing else feels weird to Waverly. She doesn't know if this is over though, and many people may need help. ]
Was this like a normal...earthquake or you know...a different one? [ A demonic one perhaps. ]
no subject
I'm not sure, to be honest. I haven't seen very many earthquakes before, but the city representative I talked to said they've happened before. ( not anywhere near this badly, but that wasn't something she wanted to scare waverly with right away. )
We're right by the hospital, ( kara gestures behind them, where the bright white walls of the hospital gleam in the sun just past the lake. ) So if you feel like you're getting worse, they're right there. But you can rest here, until you feel a little better. You don't want to overdo it.
no subject
[ Of course right now, that was probably not the best idea she has. But she doesn't feel like she needs to be checked out or anything. And there could be more people hurt that Supergirl should be helping. ]
I mean, I think I'm okay. I feel a bit dizzy if I move too fast, and I'm sure to have a real big egg there tomorrow. But people must be freaking out, they might be trapped...
Can I help?
no subject
( if she's honest, things that don't involve potentially getting hit with rebar again are probably for the best right now. )
There are a lot of people out there right now trying to make sure everyone's safe. We'll take care of that. You just need to rest up.
no subject
Can you take me to the community center? I'll be careful, but I want to be useful too.
[ She wants to see if she can find her sister, as well as help people who might be freaking out. Yes, her head is hurting pretty badly but she's had worse. Her sister fights demons. She's a hero, like the one before her now. ]
I have some experience with...things like this.
no subject
( bridal carry works great for unconscious or drowsy passengers, but when they're alert and asking for a lift, kara's never quite sure what the best options are. luckily, they don't have to go too far, so she figures something a little less involved will do this time.
steady hands help the other girl get to her feet, and when she's ready to, waverly can take those hands in hers and hold on tight. )
But if I take you to the community center, no sneaking out to go try and rescue people, okay?
no subject
[ She's a little shaky at first, but quickly steadies herself. Her head hurts and she's definitely gonna need an ice pack or something but she's standing so it's progress. She takes Kara's hands and smiles. She's so beautiful. It makes Waverly miss Nicole even more. ]
I promise.
[ With her luck, she'll just end up hurt again anyway. ]