this is NOT a test of the emergency broadcast system

[hard_talker]

[Mark was slowly crawling up out of the Steve-shaped hole in his life. yesterday, he and Nora had dealt with the news in different ways: she by going and getting drunk, and he by holing up in his room reading the letter he'd been left, alternating repeated readings with skimming the journal for signs of something, anything good.

"Care about these people," Steve had written. "Be their voice, understand their feelings. Give them the very best of yourself as often as possible. Never lose hope when things get ugly". and now that he's read those words so often that they're printed on his eyelids when he closes his eyes, Mark's going through his older broadcasts, looking at who else followed the same principles. true, the men and women who helped him grow are gone, but the friends who stand beside him aren't. and maybe it's time they showed the lost that they're not forgotten: that their work wasn't for nothing. that there are still people who --]

What the --

[and then there's a rumble, and the piles of CDs and cassettes on his desk start shaking. a few of the canvases Nora's hung on the wall shake loose. by the time Mark figures out what's going on, it's over. he doesn't even think. he scrambles through the mess on his desk to find his journal]

NORA! NORA, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?

[and soon enough, once he makes sure his girlfriend is still breathing, he pulls it together and dictates:] Everyone okay out there? Was anyone hurt? Do we need to put together some teams to go and find people who might need help?

Anyone who can hear me and needs help, let me know. We'll ... we'll get someone to you.

((OOC: This is meant to be an IC planning post for individuals to call for help, or for teams to form up and assist people in the main reaction post to the earthquake! Plan your moves here, but make them in the main post... and link to your threads here, if you'd like!))

Comments

[courageous_wit]

Mark? Mark, I can hear you! I'm all right... Listen, I can Apparate. If anyone needs help, I can get to them quickly.

[hard_talker]

Okay, great. I'm fine, too - was that seriously just a fucking earthquake?!

[courageous_wit]

Yes, I think it was. That's never happened in Paradisa before, as far as I know.

[samson]

[What a day to be hungover.

Figures Mark would be on top of this, though. Brock's tone is a little brusque -- businesslike for spies.]

I'm in the woods south of the castle, heading toward town. If anybody's in the area, let me know and I'll be there in a sec.

[hard_talker]

Arright, can do. Thanks, Brock. ... How's your house, still in one piece?

[eat_me_beat_me]

[It takes her a minute to respond... and to realize that her journal is all the way across the fucking room. Her voice is a little strained as she tries to get out from under the... ceiling...]

Mark! I'm in the Gallery...

[hard_talker]

Jesus Christ. [that comes out mostly as a sigh of relief in words] Are you okay? Did you feel that shit? What the hell...?!

[kungfuwitch]

[Her voice is abrupt, all business as she throws open her door and starts a sweep of the hall]

Mark. If any kids respond let me know. I'll put something out there for Code Blair but you might hear something we miss.

If any of them don't know where they are just let me know. I'll... I'll figure something out.

[hard_talker]

Hermione said she can Apparate, and she offered to help ... if kids are hurt, she might be the best way to get them back to the clinic.

[cyan_maid]

[A bit breathless,] I'm okay! I'm in the lobby. I think the castle is okay, but then again I haven't heard any towers toppling.

Have you heard anything from anywhere else? I'll go out straightaway if someone needs help!

[hard_talker]

I haven't yet, so far everyone calling in is okay and offering to help. Most of them are in the city, so staying here and trying to find people who need help might be your best bet.

I'm waiting to hear from the Doctor, see if he can set up his TARDIS as a safehouse like he used to ... but until then, we should know what kinda shape the clinic's in.

[mal_addict]

I'm fine. I'm in the city royale, looking for anyone who needs help. If they do, tell them to let me know. I can lift just about any of this rubble, so they don't need to worry about that.

[hard_talker]

Okay, good. Brock's on his way there, too. I'll let you know if I hear from anyone who needs help - I've got the journal open and I'm bringing Cohen down to the lobby. Like fuck I'm staying anywhere but the ground floor right now.

[encryptedlock]

Not seeing any structural damage in the castle, but I can see at least a few roofs fallen in town. I'll be heading out there ASAP unless someone needs me here.

[hard_talker]

Sounds like a plan. I know Brock and Maladict are heading that way, too. I'm keeping an eye on the journal, I'll let'cha know if anyone needs a hand. Jane and I are gonna try and make sure everyone here is okay.

[wilder]

I'm in the city. I don't know how it is in the castle, but the townspeople could use a lot of help if you can get any.

[hard_talker]

York just said he doesn't see any major structural damage to the castle, so he's headed your way. Brock and Maladict, too. Jane and I are here, and Phoebe's trying to get a headcount of all the kids.

[schrodingersghost]

I'm in the city. I can phase people out of the rubble, so if anyone needs help just let me know.

[hard_talker]

[that's a no brainer, and there's barely a second's pause before he responds:] Nora. I need you to go to the Gallery and find Nora.

[forsometimenow]

I'm in the city. Any medics in the vicinity who are able to should report to me at the town clinic. I'm trying to get groups together to look for and treat survivors as they're rescued.

[hard_talker]

Okay, great. If any others check in with me, I'll send 'em your way. We've got a lotta people moving down into town to look for survivors, too, I'll tell them to send anyone that can't make it back up to the castle.

Where in town is the clinic? Is it - I mean, is it wrecked?

[delincuente]

Mark!

[Alex heard his broadcast earlier, but after the panic of the first few minutes, she only thinks to reply when she's already shoving off of her windowsill on her flying carpet, headed for the City Royale. She sounds panicked and out of breath.]

I'm gonna go try to pick up Nora, bring her back here if I can.

[She takes a short pause.]

Anyone else I can get, just say. I've got a carpet.

[hard_talker]

Okay, great - Danny's on his way to get her, too - whoever gets to her first, just ... don't bring her here. She's hurt. Bring her to the clinic in town, where Jennifer is.

[toobravehearted]

[Journals really are wonderful things, aren't they? He has his in one hand while looking to help anyone that might be hurt in the lobby]

Mark?! I can hear you. Are you all right? Where are you?

[hard_talker]

DOC! Oh, shit, thank God, I was waiting to hear from you. On my way to the lobby, but Jane and I are gonna try and gather everyone together in the gardens, outside. Just in case anything starts to cave. We haven't heard of anyone bein' trapped inside yet, but if we do ...

[he doesn't feel he needs to finish the request]