Elyse was alone at Anna’s place. For some reason she was not ready to go back home. But being alone with little to do kept her mind wandering. The business with her dad wasn’t really over. She owed Sage for work he had done. He had said they could discuss it after her father was dead. Elyse felt it was time to do so. 

I believe we have some business conclude. When would be a good time to discuss the price for your services.

Elyse would prefer to do this in person, but doubted Sage would want to do so.

No Casualties Reported as Structure Implodes Without Warning

Moscow – In a shocking and unexplained event yesterday afternoon, the Vaia Plus building, a towering symbol of innovation and progress in the heart of Moscow, collapsed without warning. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, thanks to a complete evacuation an hour before the incident, triggered by every fire alarm in the building going off simultaneously.

Witnesses described the scene as surreal. The 30-story structure began to shudder before seemingly collapsing inward, floor by floor, until nothing but rubble remained. However, the most bizarre accounts came from several bystanders who claimed they saw a glowing bubble of magma beneath the building moments before it rapidly cooled and solidified.

"It was like the ground itself melted," said Anya Petrov, a local shop owner who witnessed the collapse from across the street. "I swear I saw this red, molten bubble under the foundation, and then it just... froze. It looked like volcanic rock afterward."

Emergency services responded swiftly, but by the time they arrived, the spectacle was over, leaving a crater filled with hardened stone that bore a striking resemblance to volcanic basalt.

Authorities are baffled by the phenomenon. Geologists and engineers are on-site, attempting to determine what could have caused such an anomaly. "There is no volcanic activity in this region," stated Dr. Elena Sokolov, a leading geologist from Moscow State University. "This defies all known geological and structural principles."

The CEO of Vaia Plus, Dr. Issac Flynn, expressed his relief that no lives were lost and vowed to get to the bottom of the incident. "We evacuated as a precaution due to the fire alarms. Thank goodness we did," Flynn said in a public statement. "The safety of our employees is always our top priority. We will cooperate fully with investigators to understand how this happened."

Rumors have already begun circulating about the cause of the collapse, ranging from underground gas pockets to experimental technology gone awry. However, no evidence currently supports these theories. One of the more sensational rumors points to the involvement of Channelers—individuals capable of manipulating magical energies.

"People have always warned about the dangers of Channelers," said Nikolai Vetrov, a local resident. "Who’s to say one of them didn’t lose control of their powers? It would explain the fire alarms and that glowing magma. Magic is dangerous; it shouldn’t be practiced in populated areas."

While there is no official confirmation of any magical involvement, the rumors have sparked renewed debate about the regulation and safety of Channelers in urban environments.

City officials have cordoned off the area, and structural engineers are assessing nearby buildings for safety. In the meantime, Muscovites are left wondering what could have led to such an extraordinary event, and whether it could happen again.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities urge the public to avoid the site until further notice.

[written by ai]

Quote:10 → 2/10 S:7

It was very clear to Anna that something had changed. It was true that it was hard to read tone in texts, but Anna was getting very good at reading Elyse and her patterns. It was quite astonishing given how long they had been friends, but the pair had just clicked. It was a natural friendship and Anna was glad for that. It had really made her feel welcome and Moscow and had integrated her into Kallisti. 

Anna was sure Elyse was glad too. Their becoming friends had happened just before the issue with Elyse’s father had started. It had been a quick descent from the happy wolf girl to the brooding, depressed one. Then there had been the issue with Mae. Anna could tell Elyse and Mae were getting along fine, and Anna held no grudge against her friend’s ex-girlfriend, but it hadn’t helped Elyse either. Elyse had felt comfortable telling Anna of her thoughts of self-harm and Anna had done her part to quell that. The pair had daily talks - over the phone if it couldn’t be in person. Anna was sure that had helped keep her demons somewhat at bay. 

Anna’s wallet buzzed and she checked to see a message from Elyse. That was a relief. She hadn’t heard from her friend since she had sent the texts earlier that day. 

On my way to your place. I might be there awhile. I hope that isn’t inconvenient.

Anna frowned. Elyse had been in this kick for a bit - always thinking she was a burden. Anna knew where it came from though. As long as you need. My home is always open to you.”

Anna looked around. She had started cleaning when Elyse had told her she might be coming over. She hoped the organized space would help a little. She sat on her couch and wondered what had happened. She was worried about her friend.

Quote:10 → 0/10 S:1

Start of New Day (10)
(1d20+0: [16]+0 = 16) 
Success

10 → 0/10 S:2

Quote:Use OP to cradle Lily (10)
(1d20+0: [3]+0 = 3) 
Fail

10 → 1/10 S:2

Reach for the OP again (10)
(1d20+0: [19]+0 = 19) 
Success

10 → 1/10 S:3

In an effort to restore stability following weeks of unrest, the government has announced a special presidential election will be held within the next three months. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from lawmakers and the public, many of whom have called the current administration’s legitimacy into question following the assassination of President Fredrick James Dawson and Vice President Col. Track Palin.

The special election will see the incumbent, the former Speak of the House who assumed the presidency in the wake of the crisis, face off against political outsider Nolan Trace. Trace, a former military strategist turned independent statesman, has rapidly gained public support, with the latest polls indicating he holds a commanding lead over the current administration.
A figure of resilience and reform, Trace has positioned himself as the leader who can unite a fractured nation. His platform emphasizes government accountability, national security, and economic recovery in the wake of the widespread riots that erupted after the transition of power. In a recent statement, Trace addressed the public directly:

“The American people deserve leadership they can trust. The past month has been marked by fear and uncertainty, but this election is our chance to take back control and forge a new path forward. We will not let chaos define us—we will rise, together.”

His message has resonated strongly with a disillusioned populace. Recent polling data suggests that nearly 68% of voters favor Trace over the current President, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of both the crisis and the subsequent national unrest.

Despite the bleak outlook for the incumbent, the campaign is expected to be fiercely contested. The President has doubled down on efforts to stabilize the nation, implementing emergency measures to curb further violence and vowing to bring those responsible for the assassinations to justice. The administration has also framed Trace as an opportunist with no experience governing at the highest level, warning that his policies lack the structure needed to ensure long-term stability.
As election preparations move forward, security remains a top priority. Authorities are bracing for further demonstrations, with some officials fearing that another surge of unrest could follow the results, regardless of the outcome.

With tensions high and the future uncertain, all eyes are on the American people as they prepare to decide who will lead them through one of the most turbulent periods in the nation’s history. The coming months will determine whether the country can find its footing once again—or if deeper fractures will emerge.

[written by ai]

The United States has plunged into turmoil following the swearing-in of the Speaker of the House as the new President, less than 24 hours after the shocking assassination of President Fredrick James Dawson and Vice President Col. Track Palin. The transition, meant to ensure stability, has instead ignited nationwide unrest as protests erupted in major cities, quickly escalating into full-blown riots.

Crowds gathered outside the Capitol as the emergency swearing-in ceremony took place, with tensions already at a boiling point. Many citizens, still reeling from the unprecedented attack on the nation’s highest offices, have questioned the legitimacy of the new administration, fueling a wave of civil unrest.

In Washington, D.C., demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, storming government buildings and setting vehicles ablaze. Similar scenes unfolded in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, where mass protests devolved into violent confrontations. Reports of looting, arson, and widespread vandalism have been confirmed, with authorities struggling to regain control of the streets.

The National Guard has been deployed in multiple states under emergency orders, but their presence has done little to deter the outrage. Citizens from all political spectrums have taken to social media, voicing their distrust in the sudden transition of power. Conspiracy theories and accusations of foul play have only added to the chaos, with some demanding a full investigation before any new leadership takes hold.

In an address to the nation, the newly sworn-in President called for unity and calm, condemning the violence while promising swift justice for those responsible for the assassination. "This is a time for resilience, not division," the President stated. "We must stand together as a nation in the face of this tragedy."

Despite the plea, the unrest continues to spread, with several governors considering state-wide curfews in an effort to curb the violence. The full extent of the damage remains unknown, but early estimates suggest billions in destruction and a rising death toll as clashes between civilians and authorities intensify.

As night falls, the nation teeters on the edge, uncertain of what the next days will bring. The world watches closely as the United States, once a pillar of democracy and stability, faces one of the darkest chapters in its history.

[written by ai]

It had been months since he started this journey to Moscow and now back home. He'd come home with Nox to help him of course, but he was here to collect the last of his things. To clean up what Phaser had destroyed in his sickness.  While he helped Nox, it was the perfect cover to re-engage in all the things he had built here. It was perfect. And he had so much going on Nox never ever noticed he wasn't there with him the whole time. He was busy with his own problems and when he was off doing his thing Sage was doing his.

It wasn't nefarious, and it wasn't sneaky, he just wasn't there taking care of Lily completely like he promised. Thankfully she was loud and her cries of hunger and pain pierced his brain fog and he could tend to the child. Nox was asking almost too much, but then what he had asked of Nox was just as much -- blind trust. And Nox gave it freely, no questions asked.

Sure it was selfish motivation, he wanted a new arm. But he didn't know what else it all entailed what other experiments he was part of. Blind trust was dangerous and Nox gave it freely to him. Sage had earned that right, built the trust. And he wouldn't hurt Nox, Sage knew this would work. He'd never hurt Aurora's little brother. Never put him in undue danger without his consent. Not that Nox ever said no.

The former scientist who worked for his mother and father was working for someone else in Alexandria. He'd been persuaded to do the surgery and provide the prosthetic. And Sage would do the rest. That's all he needed, just this one thing and the man would be free of all the evil he did when he worked with Sage's parents. Sage would leave him be. It was a simple price for the things he'd done. And he knew it.

Nox lay in a gown on the gurney and Sage stood over him. "You sure you are cool?"

Nox just looked at him with that look that said you know the answer.  Sage smirked. "Good.  You won't regret this."  Sage took the syringe from his pocket and tapped it gently before squeezing the the plunger just a little to remove any air. "It's the same tech in my body helping to maintain my chip. It'll help me give you what you have wanted since losing your arm, and we'll study the power from with in."  Sage smirked. "And it'll give you a little healing advantage since it'll be programmed to heal the wound we are creating to give you the new arm, and it'll just keep on doing it.  Good?"

"Fine.  Just get it the fuck over with." Nox's eyes hadn't left the needle Sage held up.  Opps, forgot his fear of needles. Was an easy thing to do since Nox wasn't afraid of much, but the look in his eyes said otherwise. 

Sage injected the nanobots into the IV port and then tossed the needle into the red bin. "All done.  Now you sure?"

"Let's just get it over with Sage. I don't want to be in the hospital any longer than I need to."

"You won't be here longer than necessary and the bots will help. I promise."

Nox nodded but he didn't say anything as the nurse came in and pushed Sage out of the room -- almost physically. "I'm going, I'm going."  Now it was just a wait and see sorta thing. The surgery would go well, the man had preformed it thousands of times, it was a regular prosthetic.  But when Sage was done with it, he'd feel again.  Nox would not break a tiny China cup with the mechanical hand. He could touch his lover as he did with the other one. All the things he's terrified of now, he'd be able to do -- when it was all done. When Sage's connections were all made.

His parents had experimented on him, and now he was experimenting on his friend, but it wasn't the same he told himself. This was not an experiment -- it would work, because he'd tested it, simulated it and he even gave a bionic arm to a rat in the lab. Things that few people knew he did in the depths of his boyfriend's home. He didn't experiment on kids or people and he hadn't done this without knowing the result. Nox would touch again, and feel again.  He would be as whole as he could be.

Sage would remove the fucking horde if he could, if he even knew where to begin.  His friend deserved a calm life but he wouldn't ever seek it or ask for it. So Sage would give it to him.  One way or another.

[[Continued from The Kao Orchid]]

A private jet saw her safely into Moscow, where she was met by a chauffeur and limousine. Liyana had been correct about the hideous cold, though Jia Xin was wrapped warm against it for the short walk that saw her into the luxury of heated seats. Her people had made all the arrangements at her direction, and she felt no anxiety to be here alone, yet it was strange to be so unsurrounded. When she stepped into the hotel lobby it was with some private amusement that she observed what she considered to be ordinary life flowing all around her. Radiance was among the city’s most luxurious and expensive hotels, of course. Yet normally Jia Xin would have no need to approach the desk herself in order to check in.

She was not staying as a Kao, of course – that was the whole point of leaving all the usual fuss back at home. Not that she would be here unprotected for the duration of the business she had arranged in Moscow either, but that was for later. For now, she would acclimate to the time zone and the new and foreign city in the decadent suite reserved for her use.