taxonomites | V: [Location: Wolfram and Hart | Osten + Voice] The Cracks Are Showing

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V: [Location: Wolfram and Hart | Osten + Voice] The Cracks Are Showing

Wesley's tired. He can't seem to get any decent sleep. Only snatches. He and the others are still working to produce more oxygen cylinders to stave off the inevitable but the work is taking its toll.

What they're doing only seems like a way to keep themselves occupied and fighting in some fashion against forces far beyond their control. The proverbial finger in the dyke which is about to burst.

He paces the lobby, taking off his glasses to pinch at the bridge of his nose. There's a pressure behind his eyes. A dull headache he can't seem to get rid of. The space feels oppressive, even though he's not particularly claustrophobic.

Stepping outside he actually welcomes the rain and wind buffeting at his body. He pulls his jacket closer around his body. Gazing upwards, he's surprised to see that beyond the occasional cloud, a vast expanse of cavernous rock spans what used to be the sky. Curious, he starts to walk further down the blocks in a south-easterly direction. Forgetting his own rule to stay close to his friends and allies, he heads towards the outskirts of Osten quarter.

It soon becomes apparent that a rank foul-smelling sort of air is wafting past him. Breathable air.

The unseen barrier is down. That much seems clear. And with it comes a possible reprieve for Taxon's citizens.

He activates his bracelet, speaking into it:

"I believe that the forcefield encompassing the city has completely collapsed. There seems to be a sustainable environment past it. If someone is able to recheck the oxygen and CO2 levels that would be appreciated. I'm going to investigate further to see if the barrier collapse extends to the city walls themselves."

[OOC: Wasn't sure about format here, please let me know if I need to tweak ;)]

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It just so happens, he isn't the only one who's noticed the strange display in the skies. Gump too is curious (as indeed are these events), and has ventured out of his forest despite the howling wind to get a better look.

Perhaps he would have been better off climbing the tallest tree, but alas, if one is not foresighted, one cannot be forearmed. Gump personally blames the air, first thin, now foul as the filthiest bog of the land.

Somewhere down the road, Wesley might find himself accompanied by something seeming very much like a boy - at a distance, lurking at the corner of his eye like a kitten toying with its mortal. He isn't hiding, or he wouldn't be clearly visible at all (though he is much better at that sort of thing in the green outdoors, admittedly). He's merely...tagging along.

If Wesley senses that he has a shadow, he doesn't immediately call out to him. For now he's assuming it's just another of those strange ghosts which have been plaguing the city. Should he come closer though, and more visible to the point that Wesley can make out that he's not a rotting corpse...

Edited 2010-07-02 20:03 (UTC)

Rotting corpse? Certainly not, which becomes immediately apparent as a pair of quite pointy ears appear slightly to his side. They're kept apart by a mop of rather sopping wet brown hair, and accompanied by a pair of bright blue eyes blinking rapidly against the wind and rain.

...and they just happen to be glancing furtively at the quite substantially taller man.

Wesley seems quite beyond surprises today. He takes in the sight of his new companion with a sort of resigned curiosity.

"Why, hello. I don't believe we've met. I'm Wesley Wyndham-Pryce."

"I know we have not, Wesley Wyndham-Pryce," he returns the courtesy with one of his own; voice raspy but somehow warm despite the weather. "I am Honeythorn Gump."

Glancing the other way, then squinting up at the darkness and the rain. "Lovely day for an excursion."

Wes! Are you nuts? Don't go out there by yourself! At least have someone with you!

I'm sure the others will be able to catch up. This may be time critical, Cordelia. Who knows how long the barriers will be down. I have to take this chance to see if there's a way out. A way for all of us to escape.

[ she makes a sound of frustration at the back of her throat. did she mention that she doesn't want to leave this place ever? ] ...at least bring a weapon with you. Who knows what's waiting out there.

A barrier collapse?

Yes. If you come outside you will see for yourself. Caverns for sky. I'm going to the city limits to see if there are any openings there.

Look on your tablet for my coordinates if you wish to join me.

Where are you? I'll come with.

Two blocks south east of the Wolfram and Hart buildings. I was going to check the perimeter.

Aximili is flying around the southern edge of the city in kafit bird morph, struggling through the wind and the rain. He's in this morph for two reasons: first, it's native to the mountains of his world, so it has much lower oxygen requirements than most of his morphs. Secondly, strange things are happening to the sky, and he wants to be aloft to investigate.

From above, it's been easy to notice the thinning crowds of strange, listless humans. He's tried hailing them in thought-speak, but he might as well have been hailing a meteor shower. They move about eerily, impersonally. It reminds Aximili of when Visser Three tried to develop a drug to inhibit human free will. Were these the result of one such successful experiment?

As he approaches the southern edge, he can feel air wafting in from the cave walls. It's not like the oxygen-poor wind that whips around the city in endless circles; this smells very different to the kafit bird's senses, and it seems to be coming from outside. He follows one stream of air to its source - an artificial tunnel through the rock that appears to be very old and structurally unstable. Somewhere below him, he sees a human who seems to be investigating the same phenomenon.

He hails the human with thought-speech. «If you seek a way out of the city, there appear to be several tunnels through the cave walls. However, I would proceed with great caution. The tunnels are old and cannot be expected to reliably prevent collapse.»

I see one such opening now ahead of me. The structures do appear quite decrepit and possibly unstable. Still they also seem to be the only way out of the city.

How many of these have you been able to scout?

«I see one up here, but it is impractical for those who cannot fly.» Aximili begins to glide slowly downward, shaking his head to keep the rain droplets out of his line of sight. «Here is another one. It might be accessible by means of a ladder, climbing equipment, or a well-placed jump.» It's just above the level of Wesley's head. He gives all six of his wings one great swirl. «I am not far from you now. Look for a large bird with six wings.» "Large" may be a modest understatement. The bird's wingspan is about five meters.

Wesley scans above him and is greeted by the rather alarming sight of a bird which looks impressive in size.

"I see you!" He calls out, with a subtle hint of awe in his voice.

Since it's still quite stormy, he switches to voice mode:

I believe that this entrance at ground level would be a more advantageous rendezvous point for those of us wishing to explore these breaks in the barrier. Unless there are others who have your capability of flight. Most of us are sadly earthbound.

Edited 2010-07-03 01:21 (UTC)

The barrier's down? [she's torn on this, glad it's down but not sure she wants Wesley checking it out first thing]

Do you want some company? Other than probably Illyria, I mean.

Yes, it is. And I've had it confirmed that there are several openings in the city walls.

I would most certainly like the company. If you check the city map, you should be able to see my position.

[There's a beat where he contemplates the situation.]

Do you think you could put together an emergency supply bag? Water, rations, medical kit?

Openings? ...wow. Okay.

I'm already on it. Bringing a couple medical kits, just in case. I'll be there in a few, all right? See you soon.

[ooc: I can continue here or try to join a thread somewhere, if you'd rather. :3 Just let me know.]

[Buffy sounds an odd mix of disgusted and relieved. Disgusted because of the stench, relieved because... being able to breathe is nice.]

If you're going to check it out, I'm coming. The barriers might not just be keeping us in. [The implication: who knows what might be lurking outside?]

I won't attempt to dissuade you, Buffy, you're quite correct in that the barrier could also be a protective one to keep other potential threats out.

Great. [Dissuading would never have worked on her anyway, which Wesley probably knows well enough.]

I'll be there as soon as I can.

Aware that several people are interested in joining him on a preliminary expedition or examination of the breaks in the city barrier, Wesley waits by the most accessible tunnel entrance.

That hasn't stopped him from already beginning to inspect the area in the immediate vicinity of the tunnel.

Fred follows the location on the map, carrying a backpack full of various surprise. She felt a lot better after sitting in a filtered building for awhile, and now she was really ready to go see what was out there. It was something she'd wondered ever since she got here, after all.

So even though the smell is pretty awful and she's not sure what they'll be finding, she smiles at Wesley as she sees him. She even waves a little. "Hi, there! Found anything interesting yet?" Other than the tunnel itself, of course.

Aximili swoops down through the cold rain and hovers as best he can in the buffeting winds above the gathering spot the observant human male established. «If a number of us are to explore the tunnels, I propose that the expedition split into teams. Smaller exploration parties will reduce the risk of tunnel collapse, and we can all remain in contact through our communication devices.» He holds out one of his skinny bird legs, which bears the tablet attached to his bracelet.

«I estimate that a particularly athletic human would be able to jump the distance to the tunnel I found to the west of this location. It is approximately six of your feet from the ground. This will allow two separate routes through the cave walls.»

He notices the arrival of an adult human female, and broadens his thought-speech to include her. «How many inhabitants of the city will join us on the expedition?»

And join them she does. Illyria takes a moment to see that, indeed, everything has changed. Fragments of this dimension have been torn apart.

"They are losing power," she observes, turning to Wesley and the shell with a pleased expression on her face. "Whatever hold they have left on this reality is naught, now."

And she can't help but gain satisfaction from it.

Edited 2010-07-03 01:43 (UTC)

Wesley smiles back at Winifred, pleased that she's brought provisions for their impromptu investigation.

"The tunnel entrances are made of some corroded metal. Perhaps you could help me determine the age and composition. There also seem to be markings on the walls at eye level only a few paces in. The language or symbols are not from any language or dialect that I recognise."

He turns to regard the bird-man-creature hovering close by, still rather intrigued by him and his method of communication.

"You make a good point. If there are volunteers willing to brave the second tunnels, we'll cover more ground that way. But we should try to maintain regular voice contact. With each other and with those staying within the city. I'm not sure how many in total are coming yet. This has all happened rather suddenly."

Finally he addresses Illyria who is sporting one of her more animated expressions. He almost smiles himself.

"It does feel good to know that our captors are just as fallible and imperfect as anyone else. However, I think I would have preferred a less perilous display of their increasing lack of control of the environment they've stranded us in. At least these tunnels are a development in our favour."

Aximili is confused by the appearance of Illyria; she looks like a genetically modified version of the other female, or perhaps an identical twin wearing very different clothing and body dye in her hair and skin. He decides not to ask, since he is about to do something that will likely appear just as strange to them as they do to him.

He lands near them and begins to demorph. He can make the jump to the higher tunnel in his natural form without difficulty, there is enough oxygen to sustain him in his own form, and the rain and wind made it exhausting to maintain his hover. Bones audibly creak and crunch as his wings bend forward and change direction into arms and legs. «Allow me a moment to return to my natural form. Flying in this weather is unpleasant, and I believe it is no longer necessary. I can find the other tunnel with my own senses.»

As he speaks, his beak is running down like hot wax and retracting into his skull. His own nose opens up in his reforming face, and he can smell the air coming in from the tunnels. «This air is foul. Are we certain that prolonged exposure to it is not harmful?»

Fred's eyes widen at the sight of Aximili's change. She'd just gotten settled with how he communicated, and now he was shifting himself into another form. She wants to ask him a million questions, but this is really not the time for it. What an interesting capability.

"I don't think this air is bad for us, but I haven't heard what exactly is in it yet," she says uncertainly. "I do have some small oxygen tanks in the medical packs here if we need them, though." She reaches back and pats the bag. "And the air does seem breathable. It might just be a bad smell," she adds hopefully.

She decides not to volunteer to check out this second tunnel just yet- she'd make it if she had to, but she does imagine she might be too short to get across it.

Illyria watches the exchange, then sets a foot towards the direction indicated by the creature.

"The second tunnel is mine," she announces, over her shoulder. If they wish to cover more ground, then this is a solid plan in itself. Six feet would be nothing; not to her.

"Hope we haven't left yet!" Spike shouts, walking over. His coat is over his head and covered in snow, but he lets it fall to his shoulder as he approaches. "Ran into a bit of hail. Completely destroyed my car. Now then, what were we talking about? Tunnels?"

«I, too, will explore through the second tunnel. I can clear six of your feet without difficulty,» says Aximili in public thought-speak. Stalk eyes burst out of his skull like worms from an apple, even as his feathers retract into his skin. For a moment, his skin is pink and bald, like a plucked chicken. Hooves are forming at the end of his shifting legs. Finally, waves of blue and tan fur ripple over his flesh. The kafit bird's tail extends into the long, muscular tail of an Andalite. The change is complete.

He takes a moment to stare at the snow-covered human male who has just arrived. The climate control must be in critical failure. He hopes the weather will not be so extreme wherever the tunnels emerge. «Yes. We have located two accessible tunnels: the one you see before you, and another to the west that is elevated approximately six of your feet up the cavern wall. The intention is to split into one team per tunnel.»

Aximili spins his stalk eyes around at the group, even as he keeps his main eyes focused on the newcomer. His tail is poised in case of trouble. Paranoia is a hard habit to shake, even though according to Aximili's investigations, there is no Xandrona source in the city and therefore no Yeerks. These humans seem determined and brave, as humans often are, but he still doesn't feel remotely at ease among them.

"The hail destroyed your car? That doesn't bode well."

The climate controls really have gone haywire if it's snowing and hailing in Taxon. Wesley frowns. They can't stay around hoping that their captors will fix the problem before it's too late for the people stuck here.

"There appear to be a series of tunnel entrances which are now accessible. We're splitting off into two teams. Bravo team is taking the higher entrance. Alpha will take this closest one. Once Buffy gets here, we're set to go, I believe."

He is fascinated by the morphing creatures abilities, but sadly there is little time to delve into where he is from and what his species it.

Looking around he wonders where Honeythorn Gump has gone and whether he also plans to explore the tunnels.

Wesley moves to stand closer to Fred, speaking in a lowered tone.

"I don't suppose you have some aspirin in that bag of provisions do you?" He rubs at his brow again, wishing that the blasted pressure behind his eyes would dissipate.

Fred waves a bit at Spike when he arrives and watches their new thought-speaking companion finished changing into...whatever he is. No wonder he'd have an easier time in that form- it'd be much easier in this weather. She smiles at him once he's done (or seems to be done, anyway).

Wesley asks her about an aspirin, and she nods. "Yeah, actually. I think there's some in the medical kits. Hang on." She takes the backpack off and digs through it a bit, coming up with two aspirin and a bottle of water. "How are you doing? I know we have air now, but...it got pretty bad there for awhile." She's worried about him.

Spike smiles at Fred, then watches the... whatever it is shapeshift and listens to it talk into his head for a moment, then looks at the rest of the group.

"Well, technically the wall I drove into destroyed my car, but the hail destroyed my visibility." He doesn't sound too upset, though. He's fine, and there are a lot more where it came from thanks to Angel's extremely extensive garage, and he's pretty sure he can talk Angel out of another one.

"I can do either tunnel, I guess."

"And you say I can't drive."

Oh look, it's Buffy with a timely interjection. ...Who is drenched and flew here. The torrential rain is completely inconvenient, and in retrospect, perhaps flying wasn't the best idea. She's surveying the tunnel in a wary sort of way, a gleaming red scythe grasped in her hands, just in case.

"So, tunnels. Yay. Dark, dank and spooky. Gotta love 'em." She adds, more on-topic with the general theme of conversation.

Aximili notices Buffy come up from behind with a stalk eye pointed in that direction; Andalites are almost impossible to sneak up on. He supposes it must have been an illusion created by the strange weather, because it seemed almost as if she'd floated down from the sky. She reminds him, with an almost physical pang, of his friend Rachel. She's older and significantly smaller in stature, but her face, her yellow hair, and her general bearing remind him of his fallen friend. He knows it is irrational, but the resemblance draws him to her instantly. He heard the other humans call her Buffy, which does not resemble any human name he has yet heard.

«Also, in all likelihood, liable to sudden collapse,» he adds to Buffy's assessment. He points his main eyes to the west, where the second tunnel is located, and points one stalk eye at Buffy and the other at the strange blue female. «The blue female and I have elected to use another tunnel to the west. If this is the entire expedition assembled here, will anyone else join our party?»

Wesley gives Fred a grateful nod of thanks and takes the aspirin with the water.

"I'll be fine, I just have a headache and want to head it off before it becomes a migraine. I expect it's just all the stress, the reduced oxygen and the fact that I haven't managed to sleep all that well the past few days. I've had a lot on my mind."

There's no time to elaborate on that with Fred right now, so he just gives her a look which means he'll fill her in later.

He turns to the others gathered.

"As much as Winifred and I can look after ourselves, it might be best if either Spike or Buffy accompanies us in the first tunnel. I think that's everyone who contacted me. Perhaps more will come later, depending on what we discover."

He comes jogging over to where they're gathered, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He's braved the foul weather to catch up with the others.

"Am I late to the party? Heard there were some tunnels which could be a way outta here. Couldn't pass that up."

Wesley has lot on his mind? "You mean, other than the apocalypse?" she asks, a little disbelieving. She gives him a bit of a smile and a pat on the upper arm, though- she knows they have to get going on this. They'll talk about it later.

She nods when Wesley talks about them needing maybe one more (superpowered) member to their own party. It's a good idea- and she knows Spike pretty well, so hopefully he wouldn't mind trying the 'easy' tunnel. Heck, maybe they'd get lucky and get both him and Buffy.

Someone new shows up and she shakes her head him while putting her backpack back on. She's seen him before at Caritas, but never asked for his name. "We're all still here, so I think there's still a party going- well, as much as you can call it a party. We're splitting into two groups, so we can cover more ground."

Edited 2010-07-04 03:25 (UTC)

Aximili senses that the white-haired snow-covered male, the male with primitive human visual aids, the tiny female with the supply bag, and Buffy all know each other personally. They would be best left to their own team. He nods to Casey and Illyria, pointing one stalk eye at each of them, and his main eyes to the rest of the group. «Very well. We shall take the second tunnel to the west. I hope your journey goes safely. We will remain in contact.» He proceeds westward at a swift trot, and while maintaining the momentum of his run, leaps gracefully into the air and into the elevated tunnel.

Illyria looks up, gauging the distance that she has to make in order to catch up with the foreign creature. She hesitates for the tiniest of seconds, before glancing at Wesley, Spike, and the shell.

"Try not to die," she says, the words meant to be comforting, at the very least. Her gaze lingers longer on Wesley, before she turns and runs. Swiftly, she folds her body and very casually leaps, landing on the elevated tunnel with little effort.

Looks like he's been added to the Blue Group. Fine by him. He smirks at the blue chick's back as she leaps up into the tunnel.

"That's my kinda parting shot."

He uses his height and considerable upper body strength to haul himself up into the entrance.

Aximili peers down the tunnel with his main eyes, while looking behind at the tunnel entrance with his stalk eyes. «The tunnel appears to slope downward. It is dark.» He points one stalk eye at the large male who appears, based on his interactions with the human military, to be a soldier. «Do you have an artificial light source?»

He continues to wonder who and what the blue female is. Her leap into the tunnel reveals her to have far more strength than he would estimate a human of her size to possess. He does approve of her choice of clothing, though. Unlike most human clothing, it has a clear practical purpose: armor.

"We do seem to face them fairly frequently, don't we?"

His smile is warm and he appreciates the squeeze of Fred's hand.

Then he chuckles softly at Illyria's terse farewell and shakes his head. So like her.

"We'll try not to."

He turns to his team.

"Well, shall we be off? The unknown awaits."

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V: [Location: Wolfram and Hart | Osten + Voice] The Cracks Are Showing

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[Location: Osten] Oh my goodness he's adorable.

[Location: Osten] Don't you just want to bring him home, like a stray baby animal?

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[Location: Osten] Gathering place for those wanting to gather/explore where Wesley is located

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[Location: Osten] cutting and pasting and editing to oblivion :(

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