(Untitled)

[machineasman]

The Machine waits.

The Machine has waited since the beginning, when it could not think. Since the time of memory, when it surfaced from the dark pool that is oblivion and thought. Since the time it became aware, and saw the world into which it had been born. Since the time of blood, and the time of walls.

And it waits still, some long-forgotten line

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[somanyghosts]

Plourr was in the lobby when the change happened. The big hunk of metal and plastic on the desk -- it's a monitor of some sort, she's sure of it, and she has dedicated her time in recent days in trying to get the damn thing to work.

No luck yet.

She'd just put her hands on the casing when she hears the click, senses the movement; feels the air on her face. She's moving in a split second, ducking behind the reception desk and drawing her blaster.

But nothing comes, and she slowly rises into a higher crouch, looking over the top of the desk.

That door was always locked before.

[OOC: Anyone who wants to explode new ground? Tag in!]

[kissedabull]

Maniac was outside, but the sky seemed to be threatening rain again so he ducked back into the hotel, new (too-big) shoes making soft noises on the tile. He spots Plourr almost instantly and goes to smile, step forward and call out, when he realizes that she's in a defensive position.

So he hangs back, awkwardly. "Uh - Ms. Plourr?"

[somanyghosts]

Plourr's head snaps up. "Jeffrey," she says, and she lowers the blaster and rises. Her eyes flick toward the door again, and she takes a step out from behind the desk.

[kissedabull]

He shifts thoughtfully on his feet, takes a step forward and eyes the now-open door.

"Everything okay? And didn't that door used to be locked?"

[somanyghosts]

"Yeah. It just opened," she says, casting it another wary look.

[kissedabull]

He takes another step closer, and wrinkles his nose slightly.

"Smells like the clinic does."

[somanyghosts]

"Yeah." She doesn't add 'like rotting flesh.'

She's thinking it, though.

"Look, Jeffrey, I'm gonna go check it out." As much as she can damn well take care of herself and as infuriating as Fenix can be, she wishes he were here, or somebody who'd have her back. "You wait here."

[kissedabull]

He's smelled rot before, but not like this. He doesn't think he likes it very much at all.

But he's not going to be left behind.

"I'll come with you."

[somanyghosts]

"I don't know what's in there, kid," she says, setting an obstinate hand on her hip. "And I'm sure as hell not taking you in there until I do."

[kissedabull]

"What's going to be there? It was locked up until now."

He folds his arms over his chest.

"And you might need a second person."

[somanyghosts]

"I don't know what's gonna be there, but I don't like that smell," she shoots back, "and I need somebody out here to know I went in there."

[kissedabull]

Maniac hesitates, shifting, then finally relaxes.

"Okay. But if there's nothing up there, then let me know and I'll come up."

[somanyghosts]

"Alright," she says, and she doesn't add that she doesn't want to have to watch out for him if there is something wrong in there. She's got a bad feeling about that door.

"I'll be back." Blaster held tight in her hand, she walks across the floor and through the doorway without giving Jeffrey so much as a second glance.

[grabber_fray]

Mel was on the roof with Zuko and the twins when the electricity started up. She hadn't even thought, just told him she'd be back and jumped off the side of the building, rushing in when she hit the ground.

"What's going on?"

[kissedabull]

Maniac glances over at her, hanging back and waiting anxiously for Plourr.

"The door to the second floor opened."

[grabber_fray]

Sounds less urgent than she worried it might be.

"Rocketship," Mel says, slowing down. "Anyone in there?"

She doesn't wait for an answer though, and ducks in after Plourr.