taxonomites | 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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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."

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

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]

[Location: Osten]