[Sunday, October 26th. 2:55 PM] [Having defeated LA GIGANTE!!!!!!, our heroes victory is punctuated when Eternal Warrior appears on the scene, slamming into the teetering giantess with tremendous force that pushes her growth powers beyond the ability of her lower leg bones to cope. Compound fractures ensued.] [She's out cold from the pain. And isn't going anywhere regardless. The more pressing concern right now is the ten-story apartment building she pummelled. It's fairly heavily damaged, with several floors of one corner of the building virtually sheared off.] [It's also starting to lean rather precariously; not that it's going to tip over and fall right this moment, but it's certainly heading in that direction. And from a glance at the various windows on the street-facing side of the building, it seems like there are still an awful lot of people in there.] [Immediately, Eternal Warrior and Horus spring into action. The former runs to the crumbling base of the building and grabs a couple of massive support beams as they start to crumble, holding them up across his shoulders.] [Horus, meanwhile, lifts back up into the air starts glowing even brighter than normal, the light extending out before her across the top of the building and holding the building in its slightly leaning state. She doesn't have enough force to push it back into place, but it's not getting any worse for the moment.] * Horus grunts as she keeps half of the building in place. "Can't... keep this up forever, guys," she calls down. It's hard to see with all of the OMG LIGHT, but she's trembling a little under the strain. [EW strains to hold up the building. "There is no time to spare! We must act quickly and save those inside this building!"] [Session Start] [EW calls out over the comms, though you can hear his voice regardless. "Christian! Check all of the apartments and help people get out of there!"] * Christian is still somewhat disoriented, rubbing his head, muttering, "God fuckin' dammit, never gonna hear that one down." He looks up at EW. "Yeah. Tell me somethin' I don't know." He sets his sights on the building and then sets his feet a-runnin'. ["Redcoat! Check those collapsed apartments along this face of the building for any who might be trapped!"] * TheRedcoat sash-swoops along and does so. She guesses. Like, whatever man. ["Hyde! Do you remember that summer in '79 when you repeatedly ambushed me, attached anti-gravity devices to me, and left me floating in the jetstream for days on end?"] The time that passing plane voided itself on you was the happiest moment of the month. ["Even the combined divine might of Horus and myself cannot hold this building long! Can you make something similar that would lighten the load briefly, so that Horus could return the building to its normal standing?"] Of course I can, but you're a moron. * Jacqueline retrieves a miniature toolset and wanders towards the building. "I will let the obvious question slide." ["Abby... I need you to convince the building not to fall yet."] * Abby had already exhaled, the air kami dismising, and then looks over at EW. Her eyes narrow a moment, then she says loudly, "We'll see if it's got anything left to give!" * Abby puts her staff against her body a moment so she can wipe her bloody hand off on her outfit, then grips the staff tightly. She says to herself, "No, just you. Yes, me too." ["This city is not like Rome, or Constantinople. It will not fall. It refuses to fall. Just remind it of that."] * Abby snaps at him, "It's not that--!" she then cuts herself off and mutters, "Damn him." ["Horus... hold fast. The power of the gods flows through you. It will sustain."] * Horus keeps at it. "Yeah, same to you." * Abby gestures down at the ground, since she's still outside and visible, and then sweeps her hand up and shakes her staff at the building. Her eyes squint a long moment, then she hisses out painfully through gritted teeth. "She's dying. No surprise." * Jacqueline reports via communicator, "I would /suggest/ keeping your well-sculpted and notably less brilliant selves to the task," as she uses her gun to scribe bits and pieces of calculations on a slab of concrete. "This building /will/ fall, eventually, but you'll be able to delay it until I make everything better." * Abby 's voice changes as she whispers, "Come, spirit, be strong... Be the shield to these people until the last...." * Abby then finsihes with an, "Nngh," as she shifts her feet on the ground, almost rooting herself. * Horus glances down at the other woman as she keeps working on holding the building fast. "Y'got it, Mizuki?" * Abby , already bloodied, is almost rigid, with her staff held up... but her body is shaking, from pain or exertion. * Horus takes the lack of response as a yes and keeps her attention on her own task. She also ignores Jackie. Did she speak or something? Eh. * Abby 's face takes on a sad look along with the pain, eyes starting to leak tears as she remains standing there. * Horus just holds the building in place. It looks like the strain's starting to get to her, as her trembling's more pronounced and she blinks behind her mask to try to keep sweat out of her eyes. [In the back of the building, you hear a small *boom* that sounds very Christiany. A few moments later, you see an old man pushes a piano out of the alley on the side of the building.] * Horus notices but she doesn't really notice. Busy holding the building up. You have two minutes, two and a half at the most; I will spare you the media suicide of failing as best as I can, but this will be reliant on /your/ ability to followthrough, my favourite nubian naysayer. * Jacqueline twirls a pair of screwdrivers into hand from her minute kit and begins working, with that; rebar, concrete, a lipstick tube, broken wiring, ure, why not? * Horus snaps over the comms, clearly in pain, "Just *do* it, Hyde!" Now, now. Brilliance takes /time/. * Horus bites off a curse. It sounds like she'd like to do more, but she's fucking tired and concentrating. * Abby exhales and blinks her eyes before breathing out through her teeth, "The building's with us, mostly." [Horus, hovering fairly close to the building and a little below the roof, hears some things scrape across the roof. She looks up in time to see several paintcans (or the like) roll into a large, tarp-covered pile of bricks near the edge of the building, sending the cans and a scattering of bricks flying over the edge!] * Horus hisses through her teeth as wind is added to the divine light she's putting forth, forcing the bricks and cans to more or less freeze in the air. * Horus loses her grip on the building oh so slightly, and there's a dangerous creak and another, more dangerous twitch in the structure, but then she's holding it fast again. Along with the cans and bricks. Oh, man. [Christian comms. "Mizuki. Horus. Either of you gonna be free? I might need ya if I can't work fast enough."] * Horus comms back, "Kinda... busy here." * TheRedcoat comms in as well. "Damn, and I was going to ask if you were going to be free soon, Christian." * Jacqueline runs what's essentially a series of carefully braided wires from a large, flat disc set just outside of the swaying building to several lamp posts nearby. More braiding is done, some sparks leap up, and the end result is a soft, discordant hum from the device. * Christian comms again. "Fuckin' stairs collapsed. I'm gonna lead 'em to the top an' try ta get 'em out that way, but if the buildin' starts swayin', gonna need someone ta make sure they stay on." [The device starts humming louder and louder, and a beam shoots out towards the building. Suddently, the load on Horus (and EW) lightens significantly.] * Jacqueline murmurs, "You might experience a few moments of deja vu, of seconds stretching out for too long--I am softening the field of quantum possibility around your end of the building." She slides her hands into her pockets and mutters, "We have moved so far beyond simple anti-gravity devices in the last thirty years." * Horus gasps as a great deal of strain is suddenly removed from her, but at least she avoids overcompensating by shoving the building over in the other direction. Instead, she bites her lip, as she tries to make the top half slowly right itself. * Horus manages to push it into place. "Hyde," she comms as she makes an offhand gesture, sending the bricks and paint floating harmlessly to the ground, "how stable's what you got over there?" * Jacqueline peers at the time readout on the inside of her goggles. "You have ten seconds at the least, fifteen at the most." * Abby slowly uses her arm to wipe her face, not that it works well, before returning to her awkward spiritual position. * Horus looks at the top of the building. Christian and co. on the roof yet? * Jacqueline murmurs, without actually looking towards Eternal Warrior, "You there, mule: the building will remain upright for several more minutes, as long as you continue supporting it. That is how long everyone /else/ has to rescue the remaining survivors from inside." [The light from the device fades, and you hear a loud grunt of exerction from EW as the whole weight of the building is now, quite literally, resting on his shoulders. "I shall hold."] * Horus comms as she wilts slightly in the air from exhaustion and relief, "I'm free. How close are you to up top, Shockwave?" * Christian comms back. "8th floor. People should be comin' up 'bout now." [People start streaming out onto the roof, looking understandably scared and confused.] * Abby whispers softly, "The spark..." * Horus flies over to the roof, hovering barely above it. It's impossible to miss her, as she's still way too bright for anyone's good. "Gather round! Come on, people!" [The people look pretty dubious, but as Horus' light washes over them, their fears fade. A bit. A few approach the edge tentatively.] * Abby adds, raising her voice, "Gas leak. The spark's coming." [A man in the crowd of evacuees calls out. "The basement! There's an emergency cutoff valve in the basement!"] * Christian comms back. "Fuck. Where is it?" * Horus 's eyes widen, and she screams over the comms, "Shockwave, basement now! Valve!" And with that, she swoops into the crowd, grabbing them with her flight before darting for the ground. * Christian calls back. "On it. Gotta get people out still. 8th to 10th floors. * Abby adds, "We see it. Red wheel. Next to a boiler." * TheRedcoat , having finished where she was, swings on up--then back down as she hears that. "I'll get that, I'm closer!" * TheRedcoat dashes down! * Horus yells as she starts diving with the first load of people while the second comes up top, "Don't fucking care, GO." Meanwhile, everyone who's with her sees the pavement rushing up to them at what might be faster than freefall. It's like the roller coaster from hell. [Yup, that gets people screaming! Not as much fear as normally. Some of the kids appear to be enjoying the hell out of it. A few of the old ladies, too. Meanwhile, people keep streaming onto the roof in small groups.] * Horus stops just short of the ground, just out of distance from where the building can fall on her, and sets people down. She doesn't say anything to them as she jets off for the roof again, actually creating a sonic boom from flying too fast. Once she gets there, she repeats the process. [Once on the ground, a woman starts screaming as she looks around. "My babies! They were playing in the abandoned room on the ninth floor! Where are my babies?!"] * Horus comms as she works to grab the second group of people, "Shockwave, babies ninth floor!" * Christian comms back. It's soft, but it's definitely a "God fuckin' dammit." "Alright! On it! Someone else better be gettin' the basement though!" [EW calls out over the comms. "Hyde, a moment?"] Yes, well, /what/? * Horus flies the next group down to the ground. Same roller coaster ride, same roller coaster channel! ["I find myself needing to not think about the building currently resting upon my head, and I have found that your usual manner of speaking to me has the effect of making my mind go blank. If you would not mind..."] * Horus mutters, not over comms, "Fuckin' glad I'm willing to take one for the team, swear to God," as she flies off for yet another batch of people. [Meanwhile, Horus continues to ferry people off of the roof. The last few groups of people are making their way onto the roof now.] * Horus gets them and flies them off in as quick a manner as possible! * TheRedcoat comms. "It's dark here. I am having trouble finding the wheel. Directions?" * Christian comms back. Quietly. "Horus? You fuckin' owe me for this..." * Horus comms as she flies more people. "Sup?" * Jacqueline , as people hurry to ferry people to safe places, to prevent buildings from collapsing, to rescue poorly motehred children, is standing and taking care of her nails with her gun, as her not having brought her skates prevents her from achieving any great degree of mobility. "I had the strangest dream the other night: we were married, there were children--two girls and a boy, I believe." One of the girls was a majorette. [EW speaks over the intercom after a moment. "... like that, yes."] ...And debris. I am doing my best. Actually, it's strange: I've mentioned it to Mizuki, Abby, whichever, but I believe this extended fascination with your demise is as much rooted in fetishism as your being a terribly boorish and careless creature, but alas. [A couple of EMTs, hovering over the man and three girls Redcoat rescued, try to get Abby's attention.] * Abby exhales out through her teeth, "What... is it?" * Jacqueline blows a few motes of powder from her nails and murmurs, "My therapist would be thrilled at the self-examination, I'm sure." * Christian busts out the roof, quickly as can be. Carrying, not two babies, but two young black bear cubs over his shoulders. He looks fairly irritated as he does so. He's also yelling at people to keep moving to the roof. [The EMTs call out. "You're the one with the healing powers, right? This man's not going to last until we make it to the hospital!"] * Christian calls up to Horus. "These better be it cause I ain't found no one else. But I can check again." * Horus lands another group by the gathering crowd and looks over at Christian. "... You gotta be fuckin' kidding me." [The man Christian deputized earlier confirms that this is the last of the people in the building.] THAT'S not fucking illegal. * Christian gives Horus a "Do I look like I'm fuckin' kidding?" look. * Abby drags her feet across the ground as she walks, each 'step' ending with her re-rooting herself, and then she lowers her staff to touch the man, saying softly, "The building sheltered you as we shelter you now. Go forth." * Horus reaches out and a burst of light literally shoots from her hand, knocking the bear cubs out. She's not dealing with them getting excited and possibly hurting people. [The man's bleeding slows, and some color returns to his skin. The EMTs thank Abby as they rush him to an ambulance.] [Horus KOs the adorable bear cubs. Meanie.] * Christian nods to the man. "I'm gonna do a quick check but that should be everybody. Yell at me if the building's 'bout to fall." * Christian sets down the cubs and heads back into the building at super quick speed. * TheRedcoat comes running out of the basement, like anyone cares about the person who was trying to make the building not explode, y'know. "Mission *cough cough* accomplished. Used emergency *cough cough cough* cutoff val*cough*ve." * Christian jets back up to the top and looks for any other people who need help down, talking them through it, then grabbing hold to jump/run 'em down the side of the building. * Horus smiles upon seeing Redcoat. Now she's letting herself look tired. Because fuck, is she tired. [The woman runs over to the bear cubs, cradling them and carrying them to safety, blubbering over them, and simultaenously inquiring as to however Horus got them to sleep in the middle of the day.] * Abby replies to Redcoat with, "We feel it closed too." * Horus looks over at the woman and shakes her head. Get clear. * TheRedcoat dies of gas inhalation, or maybe she doesn't. Instead she helps people get clear like Abby says! * Horus turns to the others and starts yelling for them to get clear, putting words to action as she moves herself. [EW comms. "Is everyone out?"] * Christian gets people and himself well clear. * Horus glances at Shockwave. Is everyone out? * Christian huffs a bit. Seems he *did* push himself a little farther than he let on. He looks at EW and gives him a quick nod. "Gave a double check, yeah." ["Good. Get clear, then."] * Horus keeps going until it seems very safe, and even so, she turns and stands a few feet in front of everyone, raising her arms. Her gem flares and she suddenly regains wings, despite standing on the ground, as a windy barrier forms before them. You know, juuuust in case. [Once everyone is clear, and Horus' shield is up, you hear a whisper over the comm. "Lord Odin, protect me..." And then the building comes down in a shower of brick and steel and plaster and dust.] * Horus winces, even though she knows Eternal Warrior's probably been through worse. That's a lot of building. * Jacqueline , at this point, would be rather put out if Eternal Warrior's actually dead via something as simple as a collapsing building, so she's hoping for the best, here. * Christian winces too. Then looks over everybody to make sure no one's hurt. * Abby untenses slowly, arms falling to her sides as she lets out a last breath and murmurs, "Yeah, she was." [After a minute, the winds from Horus shield part the dust. The bulding mostly collapsed straight down, thankfully, though a not insignificant portion fell out onto the street, covering it almost to the opposite sidewalk.] [Except for a small circle, in the middle of which stands a dusty, slightly confused looking Eternal Warrior. Without a scratch on him.] * Abby half-smiles and wipes her face again before she says, more loudly, "Thank the building, Warrior." [He blinks, then nods, turning back towards the building, bowing his head, and whispering in some Nordic-sounding language.] [Meanwhile, the bear cubs, having woken up, run over to Christian and plop down at his feet.] * Abby asks, quietly, "Anyone else need my help?" * Jacqueline mutters with a sidelong glance towards EG!!!, "Don't worry--if /magic/ can't fix your short-sightedness, I'm sure I can figure something out before she's sent off to prison. * Christian picks up the bear and looks over for the lady looking for them. "Who's the owner of these guys anyway?" [Some other EMTs wave Abby over to help with the wounded. Abd one of the bears nibbles on the cuff of Christian's jeans.] * Horus doesn't really notice, as she decides now is a good time to collapse. So she does so, sitting heavily on the ground and holding her head in her hands. * Abby nods a little and drifts that way, feet just brushing the ground as she manages to hover that way. "On the job." * TheRedcoat sniffs at her coat and growls a little, then pulls out a toothpick and starts chewing on it. * Christian shakes the bear away without actually kicking it, and rushing over to catch Horus. "You look like fuckin' hell." * Horus is caught, then. She turns her head, with what looks like a lot of effort, to look at Christian. "Tired." [Session End]