The Start of the Storm

[shardofwinter]

The god hosted Yule party left the Nexus in the state of beautiful Winter Wonderland. With the snow falling softly and steadily, and the beautiful festive lights twinkling in the darkness, the Nexus is left with a sense of serene nostalgia hanging in the cold air. This peace and joy clings to the streets for several weeks, buoying everyone’s mood as they look back on the past year and forward to ringing in the new one. 

It starts in the Wilds, and the outskirts. The cold air suddenly feels like it freezes everything it touches in an instant. Light doesn’t quite pierce the gloom. Gentle snowfall becomes thick and falls hard. One or two people looking for shelter from their uninhabitable homes isn’t too noticeable. People can still enjoy their pretty Winter, blissfully unaware. Pipes freeze solid, paths become impassable, power cuts out, simple walks become baffling in the poor visibility. Soon it’s not one or two people, it’s many, it’s families. There are people coming in, bloody, bruised and scared, saying they were chased. Eventually the kindness of friends and strangers becomes strained. Spare rooms are packed to the brim and the storm that stays just shy of the bizarre torches somehow seems to have a slow, but unmistakable march closer towards a point where the Plaza, Industrial sector and Downtown meet. On top of that, people are complaining about PINpoints acting up or portals freezing over. 

Streets are becoming packed full of people with far more problems than solutions. Huddling together and whispering about ghosts and monsters moving about in the shadows. In a place with no government, no organisation, no collaborative emergency services, chaos and confusion reigns supreme. And with chaos, comes panic. With confusion, comes frustration and anger. The Nexus is a powder keg waiting to blow.

That’s certainly how one Durant sees it. As a manager, Isidor is keen on organisation and order. Both things that are lacking in the Nexus at the moment. Groups pop up to help, but struggle to communicate effectively, or work together. Some people get free food twice, some people are still waiting for some at all. It’s madness, and Isidor can’t stand it. Particularly because she, her brother and sister-in-law are stuck here. So, when nobody else takes the mantle, Isidor Durant takes it upon herself to inject some order into this scrum.

In her fur hat and long coat, leather gloves and thick boots, Isidor can be seen directing people this way and that. There’s something about a confident person taking charge that means people instinctively defer to them. She becomes the point of contact quite easily, with people soon taking her direction regardless of whether or not they know her. Under her instruction, people are directed to a building that has tables set up, queues in front of them, and volunteers behind them taking names and telling people where to go. It might still be chaos, but at least now it’s organised chaos.

The question is: Where will your character go?

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((Below are comments for each desk. Tag any of them, threadhop, or post with your own character. I suggest putting your character’s name in the subject to help keep things clear. Comments marked with a snowflake ( ❅  ) have been coordinated with the mods and I as official event comments. The OOC Post is here! If you have any questions, feel free to message me or one of the mods!))

Threads of Note
Medicine/Illness | Shelter/Heat | Food | Security/Crime | Lost items/people | Misc resources/Donations | Volunteers | Expeditions | Planning Table/The woman in charge | Drulb's Deelz | A Ship in the Outskirts 

Comments

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

Another Spider-Man... Matt sure hopes they're not as identical as the Captains America apparently are, because the color of their outfits isn't exactly the best way for him to tell them apart. At least, he thinks that's what the kid was getting at just now. He tilts his head slightly at that muttered exclamation from Steve, though; is he just worried that there are kids in danger, or is that a lack of faith in their ability to help? "Noted. We're, uh, probably gonna need something else to call you two though, if you've got the same name. But that can wait."

They've got more important things to worry about right now. Or at least more urgent.

He moves his head in Steve's direction again, and nods in reply. "That's the plan, then. Once I have a better idea what we have to work with, I'll run some ideas past you, see what'll work best for your setup." It's Steve's territory, so he gets final say in what flies and what doesn't, but Matt is still itching to get his bearings and shore up the defenses to his liking.

[red_room]

It's not low enough a sentiment for Spidey to miss, but he shifts on his feet and his heartrate picks up ever so slightly as his spider sense a-tingles. Something dangerous this way comes. No heels, not in this weather. Natasha Romanoff is in combat boots and all her gear, though above that she's got on plenty of gear for being outside.

She stops in front of the three of them. Nods to Spider-Man and that alone makes him shut up completely and take half a step back to put Steve between the spy and himself. Look, Ms. Black Widow is scary. Peter desperately doesn't want to say anything stupid in front of her (again). She's so cool but might snap his neck.

"Gentlemen. I hope I'm not interrupting." In a tone that says she very much doesn't care if she is.

[shieldborne]

If he were thinking about it, Steve could reassure Daredevil that the Spideys have different vocal ranges. But he's not thinking about it, and it's probably better that way. They can all maintain plausible deniability for now.

Meanwhile, though, Steve's starting to like this Daredevil guy. "I like that. I'd rather wait to talk assets until we're somewhere less public, but I--"

Oh, and here's Natasha! He breaks off, not because he's reluctant to talk in front of her, but because a) she wouldn't come up to them if she didn't have something important to say and b) Peter is semi-subtly trying to hide behind him and he's not sure whether to be sympathetic or amused. Nat does have that effect on people.

"Only in a good way," he assures her. "Have you met Daredevil?"

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

There's something familiar about the cadence of the approaching footsteps, but the subtle scents clinging to her clothing are muffled by the cold, and it's not until she speaks that he figures out why the hairs on the back of his neck are standing on end, and his posture stiffens slightly. "Not officially," he says, hoping his response isn't as hasty as it feels.

If anyone here's observant enough to connect the dots between Daredevil and Matt Murdock, Matt thinks she's most likely to get there first. Not necessarily the first one who'll say so, though, if she feels that keeping it to herself is to her advantage. Is there some kind of etiquette to revealing someone's secret identity? God, what an absurd thing to worry about at a time like this. He's just going to hope for the best, because he's in this too deep now. And... it didn't turn out a total disaster last time, right? At least not as far as the others went.

"Black Widow, right?" Matt says, as if he didn't know already. "I take it you're part of this, uh, team."

[red_room]

How dare you, Steve Rogers. Peter has never been semi-subtle about something in his life and he's sure not going to start now. The mask hides much of the 'oh shit' look on his face but his eyes are as wide as saucers and he's definitely trying his hardest to fade into the background here. Sadly, he is not the Spider-Man with that ability so the best he can do is keep quiet and hope the adults forget he's here.

Steve's right though as is Matt. His hasty interjection gets a Look from Natasha but well, he won't be able to see it.

Natasha glances around them and keeps her smile perfectly in place though it doesn't reach her eyes. Her tone is likewise friendly if not quiet but the content...

"Something like that. Ms. Durant has me and the fossil I call my teammate on security detail. Our places are well outside the safe zone, so unlike you--" A nod toward Steve here, "we can't assist in sheltering others. They wanted me to tell you they've got a group ready for you. But. There's been in incident. Thought you should know."

[shieldborne]

"She always knows what's going on, whether she's in the middle of it or not," Steve says mildly, and reaches back to pat Spider-Man's shoulder absently, like it's just because he's there and not because Steve has noticed he's jumpy.

He sobers quickly when Natasha starts speaking, though, and folds his arms across his chest. "I'm ready for a group any time," he says. "But what kind of incident are we talking about?"

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

That gets Matt's attention too, and he tilts his head to the side a little, focusing more fully on her. "'Incident' could mean a lot of things," he agrees quietly. Something dangerous, probably, given the circumstances. But she's so hard to read that he can't guess any further than that, her heartbeat too steady to betray any clues.

[red_room]

She always acts like she knows what's going on, whether she's in the middle of it or not. Steve knows better but he also knows better than to slip the secret. It very nearly gets a smile from Natasha. It might honestly if the situation wasn't quite so serious.

"We've had a security breach and some of our supplies have gone missing. Report just came in. I'm in charge of handling it."

Spider-Man nods once to show he's listening but honestly if Black Widow's been put in charge of taking out a couple of thieves? The matter is pretty much handled so far as he can see. There's people out there who really need a place to stay and he's itching to get back to the shelter and catch up with Miles, too.

"I came to warn you to be careful on your trip out to the hideout, Steve." Her gaze slides from Cap to Daredevil then. Spidey she just assumes is going to be with Steve no mater what. "And to ask for some backup, just in case this is some kind of trap. You interested in going catch some not-so-petty thieves Daredevil?

[shieldborne]

Heheh, he remembers having that discussion with her a while back. I only act like I know everything. He's perfectly willing to play to her strengths, and that is one of them. Even if they butt heads sometimes, even if she's not his Romanoff, he's happy to stand back and let her push someone off a roof.

"Supplies missing," he repeats, frowning. "Anyone hurt?"

There's going to be a lot of theft in this weather. People will be desperate, they'll steal for themselves. Other people will be looking for leverage and will steal for profit. He can only worry about one thing at a time, though, so when she reminds him about his hideout, he bites his tongue and nods.

Best he doesn't get into too much trouble right now. He offered to be a shield today, not a soldier.

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

It doesn't surprise Matt that there are those waiting for an opportunity to snatch resources that'll be getting scarcer and scarcer as time goes by, and while there's a chance the thieves are just desperate, that doesn't mean stealing is justified. The fact that there's tables set up to get people and resources where they need to be is proof enough that there are other options than straight-up theft.

Besides, it could still be hoarders, or someone looking to exploit the needy. Either way, it need to be addressed, preferably before the trail goes cold (heh).

"Absolutely," he affirms, raising his chin. He doesn't ask why Natasha would rather have him along than the good captain - from what he understands, Captain America tends to be rather... noticeable. Not that Matt has any idea what his current color scheme is, of course. "Though if we're heading into rough territory, I could do with a weapon, if there are any." If not, well, it'd hardly be the first time he's used his fists instead.

[red_room]

Considering who she's recruiting, pushing people off of a roof isn't necessarily out of the question. So long as it won't kill them. Severely maim or cripple them for life? Might happen. Who knows? It really just depends on what they're going to end up facing out there.

She glances around before lowering her voice.

"Medical supplies. Nothing severe, it was a smash and grab. One of the volunteers has a sprained wrist but he'll be fine." Of course it would be some of the most valuable supplies to go missing. Natasha isn't about to waste time seeing where they're being taken. If it's a group of desperate refugees, well. Natasha will deal with that moral quandary when she gets there. Considering they've taken damn near everyone who's come to them in, it's more likely they're opportunistic scavengers looking to get ahead.

"What sort of weapon do you prefer? I've....got gear." A small arsenal, really.

[shieldborne]

Steve listens to them quietly for a moment, feeling thoroughly strange about being out of this loop. Usually he'd have all the information and be ready to give orders. For a moment he looks a little confused, like he's found himself on the wrong side of a locked door. Then he decides this is actually a moment he should try to enjoy.

He doesn't have to chase down the bad guys, just bring some nice people back to his place for food and hot tea. Maybe this is what retirement is like.

He smiles wryly and shakes his head. "Okay. If you run into dire straits, Romanoff, you know where to find me. I'm going to butt out before this starts to sound interesting, and go get my flock together. And...let me know if you need me to roll bandages."

He gives her a slight nod. She knows, he assumes, that he keeps some medical supplies at the clubhouse. He's not going to volunteer them yet, in case his group needs some, but he'll certainly hand them over if they're needed.

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

"I'm used to escrima sticks or a billyclub, but anything blunt will do." Hell, Matt would take a lead pipe or a broken table leg, he's not picky, just as long as it's something he can use up close that won't lead to his opponent bleeding out in record time.

It does seem like bad form to run off with someone else just as soon as he's volunteered his services with Steve, but the captain doesn't seem bothered - at least by that part - and the remark about Natasha knowing where to find him has Matt feeling more reassured that he'll have a way to find this safehouse after this little side mission is over. "I'll catch up with you after," he says, turning his head back in Steve's direction. "Good luck out there."

[red_room]

"I always know where to find you if I need you." Natasha promises with a smile that nearly seems soft but must be thoroughly disconcerting for those who don't know her because Peter makes a small noise and takes another step back.

"H-have fun!" As if they were splitting up to go shopping or something equally mundane. Natasha exhales suddenly in what is a very stifled chuckle as Spider-Man and Steve take their leave.

She turns toward Daredevil with the grace of a ballet dancer.

"I've got just the thing. Come on."