[Voice, locked to residents] --EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--

[malnosso]

[At 2:15AM, the journals suddenly blare out an alarm, followed by this message.]

EMERGENCY. EMERGENCY. This is an emergency.

The following occupants of the Luceti enclosure must report to the teleporters in twenty minutes. You are required as reinforcements in Region 13. Bring all necessary armaments with you. You will be teleported directly into combat.

Anyone who fails to comply will be forcibly escorted to the teleporters by droids.

This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill. You have twenty minutes.

[The message repeats twice more, the alarm continuing until the twenty minutes has elapsed. No questions will be answered.]

Comments

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert frowns at the mentioning of not being on the list, but it was for the best; he would be going into the draft even more tired than the majority, otherwise. He retrieves his journal and flips through it to hopefully stop the incessant alarm. When that doesn't work, he sighs and puts it down, shutting his bedroom door to muffle the sound.]

If they are sending you out this quickly, you may not be provided with rations. Do you have anything available here to take with you?

[wise_maiden]

[ She shoves her book into the bottom of the bag for now in the attempt to keep the sound muffled as she thinks. ]

There should be rice, and enough bread for a couple of sandwiches, just as long as nothing spoils quickly. And the pantry should have dried fruits and nuts already in bags.

[chikaidestroyer]

Right. Be sure to bring something in case of rainfall, too.

[With that said, he leaves the hallway to retrieve the dried fruit and nuts. And peanut butter, because at least that wouldn't be immediately ruined depending on the climate. He doesn't want to waste too much time, so he ensures that everything is packaged tightly before bringing it back over to Raine.]

[wise_maiden]

I will. [ A heavier cloak for protection against the elements, and an extra layer in case they're drafted to a colder area. Rope, bandages, and other necessary items, with room for the rations - it's not a bag meant to be cumbersome, and she knows how to pack effectively. Though she gestures to a few canteens when he returns. ]

Thank you. I just need those filled, and then I'll be set. [ She shakes her head. ] I should get a ride over at this rate.

[chikaidestroyer]

If you can fill your canteens, I can prepare things for the ride.

[Considering he'd have to pull out the saddle and such. He strides over to his room once again.]

[wise_maiden]

Right.

[ She picks up the bag, making sure that she can lift it effectively, then takes her staff and the canteens, hurrying over to the nearest sink to fill them. Having enough water was always a necessity. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert heads for the front door cradling the saddle and pulling his gloves on. As he's passing by Raine, he calls to her.]

I'll be outside. Come out when you're ready to go.

[He'll be within earshot for a minute before the front door shuts behind him.]

[wise_maiden]

[ Raine keeps at it, putting the finished canteens into the bag one by one as they're filled. Waiting for the water to fill up is what takes the most time, but there's still eight or nine minutes to spare when she finally makes it out of the front door, after a quick mental run down to make sure that she does have the essential supplies, if nothing else. And after nearly tripping over the cat, who had gotten skittish with the alarm.

Once outside, she checks for Albert, stepping down off the porch-]

I'm ready.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert stands out on the front lawn, accompanied by a certain giant owl. Said giant owl tilts its head when Raine comes outside, shifting from foot to foot. Upon hearing Raine, Albert walks to the saddle and gives the bridle a tug, urging the owl to crouch down for easier mounting.]

Ladies first.

[wise_maiden]

[ She blinks, for just a moment, before stepping forward. ]

Understood.

[ It's not too surprising, given the time of night. It was as if Albert always had an available mount for all occasions. She gives a nod and a small smile to the owl in greeting, as she approaches it to mount. One leg up, one leg over... and then just keeping hold on the saddle as she shifts to a more comfortable position. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He waits patiently while Raine climbs up, holding on to the bridle as he makes his way up behind her.]

I realize the slight oddity, but as he was still here, I thought I would take advantage of his presence.

[Biliruben clacks his beak and sits up, leading to Albert firming his grip on the reins as their positioning changes. There's a few test flaps of the long, expansive wings, and then a little hop -- followed by the giant owl jumping onto the roof of their house and taking off.

The ride itself, from takeoff to landing, will take all of three minutes.]

[wise_maiden]

Odd, but convenient. I'm not complaining.

[ Though that quick jump to the air takes her a little off guard, and she's quick to adjust her grip so that she's holding onto Albert once they're in the air proper. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

Certainly better than droids coming into the house.

[Albert tilts his head to look down at the ground. Biliruben knew better than to land in the middle of the plaza -- but this was going to be an exception to what he had told him before. They have to first land on the school rooftop, and then ease down onto the plaza itself.]

Brace yourself.

[That's all the warning Albert manages before the sudden stop as Biliruben lands. Then there's the controlled fall -- a hop, for the giant owl -- from the rooftop to the ground.]

[wise_maiden]

Oh -

[ She keeps her hold on him. The landing is a little jarring by the suddenness, but there they are in the plaza. ]

Well that was a rush. [ Of adrenaline, which helps the situation. Though she's not letting go until the owl is ready to let them dismount. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He waits a moment, tugging on the owl's bridle so he crouches again. He dismounts first, taking a moment to dust himself off before gesturing for Raine to follow him down.]

If you need anything from the stores, you should still have a minute or two before you leave.

[wise_maiden]

[ Carefully she follows him down, mulling over his suggestion. ]

Hm... well, I know I'm set for supplies as far as I go, though others might not have a chance to make those preparations. Think we could quickly stuff an extra bag or two in the item shop? Otherwise...

[chikaidestroyer]

[He's just going to stand there next to the owl as Raine thinks.]

It's admirable that you're thinking of others, but packing an extra bag may be a bit much. You may be able to grab extra food from the grocery store before you have to head down.

[wise_maiden]

... Right. It's closer, anyway. I'd better get to it.

[ She nods in the direction of the store. ] -- Are you going to wait?

[chikaidestroyer]

...We may just serve as distractions over here while people make their way to the teleporters. It would be best if we said our farewells here.

[wise_maiden]

Heh, fair enough.[ The smile is wan, brief. ] There's not even time to talk about what we could be heading into. At least things will be quiet on your end here.

[chikaidestroyer]

Indeed. The timing is concerning, though; this draft has even less of a preparation time than when we were sent to Vaskoth.

[And they all knew how that had gone down.]

I will see you when you return.

[wise_maiden]

[ Well. No need to march into this with a solemn look; they just needed to get in and hopefully get back out without too much trouble. Most of them were battle-ready; the ones on the list who weren't... they'd sort that out when they could. She nods firmly to his words; Vaskoth's situation was not too soon forgotten. ]

... I'd better get going. Take care until then.