hadriel | [audio]

Entry tags:

[audio]

[Nick's voice sounds pretty weary -- and also a bit distorted on certain syllables, as though something might not be entirely right with his vocal modulator. Or maybe he's just got a cold. Who knows with these robot types.]

Anyone still out there who needs a place to wait this out safely, come to the Guard headquarters or the Clinic. Doesn't matter which one -- they're right next to each other. And if you don't think you can make it here on your own, let me know. We'll find a way to get you here, even if it means an escort.

[Though given his voice, he might not be in the best condition to do any escorting himself, but like that has ever stopped him.]

Guard, do what you need to do to restrain those looking to cause trouble, even if they're one of us. Try not to add to the body count.

[With that, he cuts the transmission, since as one of the few who doesn't seem to be affected, he has work to do. Click.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm still pretty new here, but if you guys need any extra help with escorting, I've got some experience.

[ and "try not to add to the body count" are basically his favourite words ever. ]

Edited 2019-03-17 10:15 (UTC)

I might take you up on that.

[He normally wouldn't, given the distinction between those hunting down people and those thinking clearly isn't as obvious in some as it is in others, but what the hell. If it comes down to it, he'll ask for help and go with this guy himself, just to be sure.]

You got a name?

[ how to answer that? ordinarily, it’d be a no-brainer: spider-man, but it’s all but been confirmed that the two names — peter parker and spider-man are linked, here, publicly. an “it’s complicated” isn’t exactly going to engender trust, so it’s a decision between the suit and not.

at length: ] —Pete. [ a beat. ] I know you’ve only got my word and I know how it sounds, but trust me, if I wanted to do anything else, I wouldn’t be responding to you now.

Beggars can't be choosers. You wouldn't be the first person we've picked up in an emergency.

[He's not even the first Spider-Man they've had offer his help during an emergency.]

Look, if you can make your way toward the Clinic, we could use the extra help here. With all the skills people have in this place, it's helpful to have someone keeping an eye on the streets nearby.

I'll be there as soon as I can.

[ but anyway. ] Are you okay?

As okay as one gets in times like this.

[Though if the garbled quality of his voice on hard consonants is any indication, a. he's a machine, and b. no, no he is not okay.]

Thanks for asking, but you don't need to worry about me.

[ there's a huff of breath that could almost be a laugh on peter's end, before: ] That's the universal answer for 'I'm not okay, but I'm not interested in dealing with it right now.' [ peter should know. ] You know that, right?

How are we supposed to be sure this isn't a trap?

I'd prove it if I knew how. Chances are half the people here wouldn't believe me anyway.

Can you blame them? people are trying to kill us.

I'd say people trying to kill one another here isn't anything new, but what's going on is definitely not normal.

[And he has no doubt that's the point. He knew Rage wouldn't take what happened to Delight well, but he can't say he expected her to blow up Fear's temple and set folks on one another. He doesn't have evidence of that, but it's an educated guess that's proving truer by the minute.]

Nothing ever is.

[Jo will eventually head for the clinic but after a while.

And she'll probably avoid most people for it.]

I wouldn't be so quick to suggest that people gather together in one place. [Ignis is quick to say. He's on the bad end of all of this, himself, but he isn't too concerned about being murdered just yet. Let a man put his faith in his abilities to stay alive against insurmountable odds... especially after he recently cut his way through an entire army. Fear's 'blessing' is just another thing to add to his current arsenal.]

That's just inviting a mass slaughter.

[And it would take a fool to not notice the strain in Nick's voice.]

You don't sound too good, Nick.

So far, leaving people on their own isn't doing them any favors. At least in one place, those who haven't lost their damn minds can keep a look out. It's not like it's a big secret that people head to the Clinic when trouble's brewing in the city.

[Or at least that's what they've done in the past. And just like he's done in the past, he's overworking himself, if certain parts in need of repairs are any indication. Other signs he probably needs to take a break: the fact he doesn't even bother to assert that he's fine.]

In one place, we become a target. We don't know how deceptive the others can be. It could be like letting a fox into a chicken coop. [Look, he's a little paranoid right now, but he thinks it's warranted when people are actually trying to kill him.]

Does anybody have eyes on that blasted demon?

[He'll pick up on your avoidance in a moment, Nick.]

Not at the moment, though we're looking out for her, just in case.

[There is an aggravated sigh on his end.]

Look, I get it. Folks aren't safe where we can keep an eye on them, and they aren't safe hiding on their own. There are people here who could raze the whole damn city in the blink of an eye if they wanted, so frankly, no one is safe anywhere.

[He's not mad at you, Ignis; he's just frustrated with everything right now. At least he knows said person who could raze the city is outside the city at the moment. One less person he has to worry about.]

Don't mistake what I say for a personal attack.

[He's quite sure Nick isn't, so he keeps his tone as level as it always is. This kind of thing is trying for all of them, and most of all for those people who want the most to keep everyone else safe. Nick is one of those people, and Ignis knows that very well.]

And you didn't answer my question. Are you alright?

Your intent may be a good one, but I don't think many of us are in any position to place our trust in what you're saying.

[Red Wine is not having a good time, but he's also not dead yet. That's a plus, so far.]

I've no wish to kill anyone, but one person has already tried to force my hand.

Believe me, I didn't expect most of the city to listen to me anyway. Between the gods and people claiming we're the police, it's par for the course.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Sorry, Nick, but Red Wine doesn't really care about your personal Guard problems right now. He doesn't even know about them.]

But what you're asking could place people in more danger than they are in already. I'm no member of your 'guard', but I will do as you say... short of herding anyone to you.

[It's okay, Red Wine. It's less a "personal Guard problem" and more a "prevalent, running theme any time someone brings up the Guard." Nick swallows down his frustration.]

That's good enough for me.

[he sounds awful]

Don't send them to the clinic. Not unless they're injured. We have our hands full here, there's no room...

[That makes two of them.]

It's where most folks head anyway in an emergency anyway, and we already have people keeping watch there and next door. The uninjured ones can hole up in the HQ.

...yeah, I know. Fair warning though that we're busy and we can't protect anyone when we're elbow-deep in blood and bandages.

I'm not expecting the medical staff to keep an eye on people. You deal with the injured, and I'll make sure the rest are covered.

[a sigh of relief. This anxiety over not being able to fix things is really messing him up]

Right. Good, thanks. That's enough.

If you need attention, Knock Out-ya is here.

I'll keep that in mind, Law. Don't work yourself to death, all right?

Yeah. I'm not letting something like this kill me. That would be lame.

[Lance's hair is a mess and he looks a little tired, but neither of those things is all too abnormal.]

Is there anything set up for people who might need help out in the middle of things? There's an SOS app, right?

[Not too abnormal, but still enough that Nick's voice is colored by concern.]

There is, but I'll be frank in that using it probably isn't the best idea right now, not unless they know the person on the other end isn't out for blood themselves.

How secure are the headquarters, sir?

Secure enough at the moment. We're keeping an eye on each other and the Clinic, just in case someone in either building suddenly decides they want a fight.

Is... is having that many people in one place such a great idea?

I can cast a shield around both if I can get there, though I won't be able to maintain it for very long.

I'll take you up on that in an emergency, though having you here in case the need arises wouldn't be a bad idea. Could you cover the Clinic for longer if the headquarters wasn't in it? Does a smaller shield take less batteries?

Oh, it's not, um.

[ What is a battery!! ]

A smaller shield might be easier to sustain, yes.

Good. The headquarters will be okay, but the Clinic can use all the help it can get.

Can you get here on your own? Or do you need someone to watch your back?

I'll be fine.

[ She won't. She's gonna die before she ever gets there, but that's what you get for trying to do everything on your own without asking for help. ]

I'll head there right now.

Good. We'll see you soon.

[And today in "Things Nick Will Regret Saying:" that.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[audio]

audio.

[audio]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

text

[text]

[text]

no subject

no subject

audio;

[audio]

no subject

no subject

no subject

voice;

[audio]

no subject

no subject

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[Video]

[audio]

audio

[audio]

no subject

audio

[audio]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject