Event log: Buried Alive

[hadrielmods]

Who: Everyone participating in the event!
What: The event log for the Buried Alive event!
Where: All around the city
When: January 16th-January 19th
Warnings: Claustrophobia, starvation, premature burials, all that fun stuff.

On the morning of January 16th, half of the game's characters wake up to find that they are not where they were when they fell asleep. Instead, they're surrounded by a claustrophobic darkness, cheap satin cushioning, and an intense feeling of weight directly above them. Unfortunately, all of this adds up to the fact that your character has been buried alive.

Luckily, they'll have their phones, which can function as a source of light, communication, and hopeful distraction. They'll be able to talk to the other folks who are buried around the city, as well as their would-be rescuers. Thanks to Hope's timely post on the network, the rescuers know where everyone is, even if they're not sure who is buried where.

This is where organization, planning, and a little bit of luck come in! The aboveground characters will be supplied with shovels via the armory and are encouraged to go dig up their buried friends. Dig quickly though, because the air supply is pretty thin, and by the morning on January 19th, the characters who are not yet dug up will find that oxygen deprivation is a rather unfortunate way to die.

So, grab your communicator, grab your shovel, and get to work!

► This log covers January 16th-January 19th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► Please remember to report any deaths to the Death page!

Comments

[isacrowd]

[You know, it's really not the best time, but Z can't help it. She looks at him over her shoulder, smirking.] I bet you say that to all girls.

Don't worry. I know my limits.

[She digs in silence for a few seconds. It seems like a lot longer, precisely because of the quiet, so she speaks up again. Whatever helps pass the time.] So where are you from?

[pighead]

[It isn't really a good time, but he grins in return. Then there's some silent digging, and Josh thinks about his friends, trapped somewhere down there, and it's sort of hard to grin then.]

I guess California, but the last place I was before this was in Canada. How about you?

[Better to think about other things, maybe.]

[isacrowd]

New York, more or less.

[It's an easier answer. Also, "from the future" still sounds weird. That's Sam's line, not hers.]

Were you the only one of your friends not buried?

[pighead]

I've been there a couple times. Fun place.

[He's not sure what the 'more or less' part means, but he doesn't ask. Probably something weird as hell.]

Nah, Ash is out somewhere. Probably digging too. I'll help her out later, maybe.

[isacrowd]

[Weird as hell is right. Z would explain it if he asked, but she'd rather save her energy for digging. She's made good progress on what he'd started, even though it's just the one of her.]

You're pretty lucky, to have friends from home here with you. I mean, it sucks to be here at all, but at least you're in it together, right?

[pighead]

[He stands again and picks up his shovel. He really can't leave all the work for her.]

Sure. Yeah, that's us. All in it together.

[He doesn't even try to sound sincere.]

[isacrowd]

[Well that was obvious. The urge to talk to him like she talked with child-Sam flares up in her, but she squashes it quickly. That only really works with little kids, and Josh has probably already heard people sing the praises of friendship.]

So why look for them, if that's how you feel? You don't have to tell me, and I'm always in favor of helping people out, but it seems like maybe you should think about that. We're stuck here for who knows how long, right? This stuff is gonna come up between you guys eventually.

[pighead]

[He starts digging again, wincing a little as the shovel handle rubs against his blisters. That's enough of a break.]

Long story. And yeah, it's gonna come up - it already has, and it will again. Things are weird, but that doesn't mean I want them to die.

[He never wanted that. He just wanted - needed - someone to pay.]

[isacrowd]

Sounds like it's all really rough. I hope you guys can work it out.

[She can respect him not telling her more than that. Moreover, it's not any of her business, and since he doesn't seem to want to share details, she'll leave it at that, digging alongside him for a while. Her hands are more calloused, life having treated her a lot less kindly than it has him, though only as far as material things go.

When she straightens for a deep breath and a heavy sigh, she looks at their work, gauging the depth of the hole.] We're almost at the coffin. You think you can finish up? I want to get to as many people as possible today.

[But if he needs her, Z will stay.]

[pighead]

No worries, I got this.

[Josh grins at her. He's not such great company these days, he knows. He's gotta work his shit out - one way other another - and then maybe he'll do better. Maybe.

Anyway, right now the most important thing is finding Chris and Sam.]

Thanks for the help, though. I really needed that break.

[isacrowd]

[Z nods at him, smiling back. Part of her wants to stay and just talk with him, since it's clear he's going through a lot, but she really does mean it that she wants to get to the next set of coordinates quick. Maybe later, when Fear isn't messing around with them, she'll get the chance.]

You're welcome. If you need me at all, ping me on the network, okay?

[Then, as soon as he replies, she'll lift her shovel with both hands so it's not dragging on the ground, give him another nod, and head off.]

[pighead]

Will do.

[He sets his shovel in the ground long enough to lift a hand and wave goodbye. She seems nice, and Josh doesn't seem to be doing very well at 'nice' these days, but still, it was good to have some help.]