We shall rebuild [mingle]

[ourearth]

Date: 2/1/19
Characters: Open

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With the festive season well and truly over, and most wallets smarting from the festivities, Mossgate has, as usual, been extremely quiet through January. The last of the sales are still lingering in the stores, hoping to entice any shoppers who aren't desperately holding out for that first January pay day at the end of the month, and the seafront is empty of all but the hardiest dog walkers, wrapped up against the cold winter winds. At least the evenings are finally starting to ever so slowly get a little bit lighter, but that's small compensation for the otherwise grey and dull month.

It seems as though it will drag on this way all the way through to February, but on the afternoon of the 20th Mossgate is shaken awake. Literally. A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hits the town just after 3:15PM, with the epicentre located at the mouth of the Moss River. The shaking lasts for a couple of seconds, and sends a couple of chimney stacks flying, but there's very little real damage done around town. As earthquakes are extremely rare in the UK, most people are unsure what is happening, and most report it to the media as assuming that a bomb had gone off, or a lorry gone past, or something similar.

Almost immediately the internet lights up with the usual British response to such events, and it's headline news on the local papers and TV for the next few days. Initially they cover the event and the clean up, and then the social media response to it.

However, those who have numbers will not just be subjected to the initial scare and then the following ridicule. As the shaking fades, an unsettled feeling starts to rise; subtly at first, but increasing as the days go by. They are left feeling anxious and uneasy, but also curious and excited. In particular, they will find themselves drawn to the earthquake and the information about it, perhaps checking the news or social media about it more than they usually would, or easier to draw into conversations about it. Whatever they can find just doesn't seem to be enough, and they're drawn to discuss it and the other unusual events (such as the appearance of the poppies in November, or the strange gifts over Christmas) of late more, and to find out more about them. It can be ignored, but as any niggling annoyance it won't disappear if it is.

Comments

Jumping ahead here; and if I knew what to test, then I would

[warped_replica]

“If not locally, on the web.” Anything can be ordered off the internet if you know where to look for it.

Time limit at an end, Benjiro takes a deeper breath in and out, then gives Sadie a soft squeeze before he dutifully scoots his way back out from under the warmth. He rolls to sitting then pushes with one leg to stand, easing weight to the bandaged limb after, “Alright…be back in a minute. When I get back, maybe we can try sitting you up, Sadie.”

Then off he limps over to his bike to retrieve his phone and give Dr. Tilly a call.

[dragoonrouge]

"We could make it tie-dye," Sadie suggests brightly, "That sounds like a good idea too, although even if I'm not completely better we should move anyway. We've been here for a while and it's getting more likely that we'll be spotted."

Continuing to lie there, Sadie looks a lot better and she probably, probably wouldn't throw up if they left. Probably.

[iamnotgod]

That thought's been on Walter's mind too, so once Ben's started on his phone call Walter pushes himself up into a sitting position.

"We could start now, with you leaning on me for support?"

If Sadie thinks she's ready, of course.

[dragoonrouge]

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Don't want Ben to do all the heavy lifting."

Walter still ends up doing the majority of the manoeuvring but eventually, Sadie's sat upright with only minimal dizziness, "So far so good..."

Breaking tag order just so Ben can have more time for the conversation...

[iamnotgod]

With one stabilizing hand placed just behind Sadie's shoulder, Walter nods agreement.

"Can you curl your legs under you? That might help with the next step."

And help conserve body heat, though that's slightly redundant by now.

[dragoonrouge]

"Let's give it a go, it shouldn't be worse than getting me this far upright."

It takes a bit of shifting from side to side but getting her legs underneath her is a lot quicker and smoother than getting her upright in the first place was.

"So far so good," She smiles at Walter, "Thank you, Walter."

[iamnotgod]

"You're welcome, Sadie."

That smile is brightly returned - then Sadie's expression resonates somehow with how Caitlin had sounded at the end of that second memory, and Walter's reaction is not easily suppressed.

Still, he turns his head, checking to see if Ben is any closer to being done...

My notifs went stupid here sorry

[warped_replica]

Benjiro is...well he’s not where Walter might expect.

The heap by his bike, that had been covered by his coat partially, is gone, and Benjiro is no where in immediate view. A couple minutes after, he can be seen walking back with cellphone in hand towards his bike from an area with plant cover. He stops to deposit his phone in his backpack, pulls it on, then releases the kickstand of his bike to start pushing it over towards where Sadie and Walter are seated.

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie turns her head to follow Walter's gaze and beams at Ben as the sensation doesn't cause an onset of dizziness, "Ben! I've made it mostly upright okay, I should be alright for the bike."

[iamnotgod]

It's a relief when Ben comes back - even though, consciously, Walter knows where he would have gone, and how far he could have been at the maximum.

"This stage might be a two-person job. I can come back for my own bike once we've got Sadie settled."

Once they're all certain she'll be alright.

[warped_replica]

Face cover back in place as he walks back, his eyes are enough to show the smile of relief as Sadie cheerfully expresses her progress. Better. Better is good. “I’m glad. You look steadier too.” He still has plenty of worry about her condition, but guarded fear is no longer bolstering it.

“Maybe. If she sits facing me in front of me on the bike, we might manage. Otherwise, three is going to be an uncomfortable fit.”

Bike brought alongside the blanket and parked with support of the stand, he steps around to crouch down beside Sadie. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he is quiet for a second as he simply squeezes lightly, a wordless reassurance, before asking, “Ready to be picked up? And any preference for how we ride?”

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie looks from Ben to the bike, regarding it for a moment, "I'm ready...Maybe if I go behind you, then I can keep my eyes closed. I think if I go in front of you it might be a little less stable."

[iamnotgod]

It would probably be overkill for them to all be on the same seat!

"I'll keep an eye on things from here in the back once she's on."

Unless Sadie would be okay with being lifted by two people.

[warped_replica]

Regardless of how Walter assists from behind Sadie, Benjiro will have to come back to collect his duffle bag, the clothes, blankets, and other items once they have transported Sadie. At least he will be able to monitor her on the way back to the road.

Permission received, he slides one arm under her thighs and wraps the other around her back to slowly lift her up into his arms from the ground. He pauses there low, letting her settle, then stands up more slowly to raise her higher. A few steps bring him to the side of the bike, and careful not to turn too fast, he faces the motorcycle to lower her onto the seat. His arm stays behind her back initially after transitioning her onto the seat.

“You okay so far, Sadie?” Only after he has a response will he ask, “Do you want me to take you home or somewhere else? I can take you up to my room if you want to avoid questions.”

[dragoonrouge]

"Thanks, Walter," Sadie focuses on her breathing once more as she's moved but the sensation really isn't that bad and she's capable of sitting upright on the seat once Ben and Walter are no longer supporting her.

"I think back to yours, that's where Mum and Dad think I'm spending the day. And Mum's off of work today, she'll be zeroed in if I'm not well when I go home."

[iamnotgod]

Once Walter sees that they're all arranged - and settled, by the look on Sadie's face - he turns to do some quick arranging-

But no, he'd already said he would stay behind them.

"I can gather the rest of what we brought here, Ben, so you can focus on getting Sadie home?"

[warped_replica]

That Sadie is able to sit herself up and off his arm meant to lend support gives Benjiro a little more confidence. With a destination selected, he considers possible routes to drive to minimize turns and beyond to how to get her up to and settled in his room comfortably so he can come back to the river. “Probably safest. We’ll take it slow and stop if you need a break along the way, okay?”

Mostly arranged. Benjiro slides his backpack from his shoulders to bring it around front to wear so Sadie can be flat to his back while he drives, and as he does, he answers Walter’s kind offer, “I have to come back regardless, but if you wouldn’t mind, that would be very helpful. You can put the bag off nearby and I’ll find it.”

All set for the drive, he carefully steps over the motorcycle immediately behind the handles and settles back in the seat to skootch back until he meets with Sadie.

[dragoonrouge]

"Alright," Although Sadie is mostly stable at the moment she is certainly thankful when Ben adjusts his rucksack and then scoots back.

"Will you be alright to do that Walter, are you going to join us after or head back to your flat?"

[iamnotgod]

Walter's just about to set off to gather up the things to bag when Sadie makes her offer.

Making sure to really pause to consider it, he replies,

"I think I will join you both after, actually. Though don't put off seeing Mary Ann," he adds to Ben.

[warped_replica]

Positioned on the seat appropriately with Sadie able to hold onto him, he lifts the bike directly vertical in a small change in incline to disengage the kickstand. The question from Sadie is quite important, and he looks to Walter curiously for the answer. Answer received, he huffs softly at the additional nudge from their friend, and replies, “My appointment is in the afternoon. I won’t miss it. We’ll have plenty of time to get cleaned up and have something hot to drink.” And eat, if Sadie’s stomach permits.

Bike started up, he carefully eases into the drive back to the house in Moss Manor, and remains attentive to Sadie’s state through the tension he can feel in her arms and against his back, and the way her voice sounds when he prompts her to talk to him.

Maybe a nice bath would do her some good while he retrieves the other items.

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie waves at Walter, "We'll see you in a bit Walter."

Things swim a bit as the bikes stop off but Sadie can deal with it long enough to get to Ben's house and she responds easily to Ben's prompts, giving him a bit more detail as to how being down there had felt. Pulling up at Ben's house, Sadie is a little wobbly as Ben helps her off of the bike.

"I want to try walking in myself, though I think I may need to hold onto you at least a bit."

[warped_replica]

Taking in the detail that Sadie can offer during the course of the ride, Benjiro organizes it as well as he can mentally to set aside for analysis later. There is still too much for him to deal with in the present to lose himself in thought over the immediate past.

Benjiro drives Sadie up as close as he can on the drive to the house without veering onto the lawn, and parks it with care to keep Sadie on and balanced while helmets are removed. Dismounting first, he barely resists scooping her up when she takes the initiative to swing her leg over, and instead provides support for the transition to stand. He smiles at the caveat to her walk into the house, and steps beside her as he offers his far hand to hold in order to wrap the other arm around her back, “Lean on me as much as you want.”

He walks patiently with Sadie to enter the house, having second thoughts on suggesting the bath, and immediately familiar music can be heard from one of the back rooms. Careful to shut the front door softly, he walks Sadie to the stairs and calls to his great aunts only after they reach them, “I’m back for a minute! I need to go pick something up then I’ll be back again. Is it okay if Walter and Sadie come over for a while?”

Aunt Rosemary calls back from over the music, “Of course! They’re always welcome!”

Smiling softly at that, he looks to Sadie to ask quietly, “How are you feeling about stairs?”

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie holds onto Ben tightly, resting her head against him as they make their way into the house. Ben's brief conversation with his aunts definitely hammers home that coming here was far better than going back to her house, her mother would have swarmed them the minute they came in through the door.

Sadie's smile quirks, "Ah, maybe you should carry me up unless we want to explain to your aunts why it is I've fallen down their staircase."

[warped_replica]

“I would not let you fall,” Benjiro states plainly with confidence before he bends through his knees to scoop her off her feet in a gentle manner. Cradling her up at his chest, Benjiro climbs the stairs to the second floor and heads straight to his bedroom. Door nudged open, he steps beside his bed and sets her on the edge to sit. Kneeling there next to her and the bed, he looks up to her face and reaches a hand to her cheek.

“Do you want to wrap up and lie down?”

[dragoonrouge]

"I know you wouldn't, you're my knight in shining armour."

Sitting on the bed, Sadie lays her hand over Ben's and smiles, "Thank you, I think it's best if I take a nap, would you wake me up once Walter's here?"