headandhand: (Default)
the head | the hand ([personal profile] headandhand) wrote in [community profile] dualislogs2019-06-17 11:40 am

ya gotta wanna be a battering ram

WHO: The entire dang city.
WHAT: Dualis Days, a week-long summer celebration.
WHERE: Central Square Park and the rest of the city.
WHEN: June 17-23.
WARNINGS: Terrorist violence, likely some blood and injuries. Please warn in individual threads!

June 17; Central Square Park.

Every year for as far back as anyone can remember, the start of summer is heralded by the week-long festival known as Dualis Days. This celebration officially kicks off at midday in the middle of Central Square Park with a commencement speech by the current mayor. This year marks Marcelina Dubanowski's third term as mayor of Dualis; she is an average-sized, middle-aged human-presenting woman with blonde hair styled in a short bob and a plastic, toothy smile that never seems to turn entirely off.

"Welcome, one and all!" she begins, with the practiced cadence of someone who is quite comfortable with public speaking. She invites all citizens, new and old, to spend the next week indulging in festivities in all districts of the city and getting to know their neighbors a little better. This is a joyous time of celebration, and the crowd responds with enthusiastic applause as the mayor finishes her speech and introduces this year's parade marshall, Peshtigo Tengfei.

Tengfei blows a whistle six times to signal the start of the parade - and this is where the celebration goes sideways.

A loud explosion tears through the air, and it's followed by panicked screams and the sharp screech of microphone feedback. A bomb has gone off at the platform where the mayor was standing, collapsing the wood and tearing it to splinters and dust. Chaos erupts in the gathered crowd, and as the people shift in all directions to get clear of any possible additional bombs, a loud siren cuts through the cacophony, calling attention to the sudden crackle of video feed present on all television screens throughout the city, including those set up in the park to broadcast the mayor's speech for those standing far from the stage. The picture is plain, a black background and bold white block letters filling the screen:

WAKE UP
WAKE UP
DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES


The final image is an anatomical graphic of a human heart, displayed for about three seconds, and then the feed goes black again.

Confused murmurs sweep through the crowd as citizens resume tending to the injured and evacuating the area until official first responders arrive.

June 17-23; aftermath around the city.

Dualis Days continues as scheduled, though Mayor Dubanowski is unable to enjoy the festival, as she is spending the week in the hospital recovering from her injuries. A team of Iterations guard her door - no visitors allowed - but the news media frequently report updates on her condition. Nothing to worry about, folks! Return to your celebrations, and don't mind the increased visible presence of the Hand as Iterations are stationed every few blocks throughout the city. It's only for your protection, after all.
cadiastands: (11)

[personal profile] cadiastands 2019-06-23 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
"'Our universes?'" Mira frowns as she echoes him. Aside from eating daemons--why would you do that--that's the only thing Nida's said that strikes her as odd.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Looking for Fucks To Give (Book))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-06-23 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
“Multitude is universes,” Nida explains with half of a shrug.

Where he gets off acting like he’s really experienced with that is a mystery. Probably all the stories he has heard from friends about multiverse travel. Life is stranger when you know someone who knows someone who can kick holes between universes.
cadiastands: (03)

[personal profile] cadiastands 2019-06-25 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
"There's one universe. That's what 'universe' means." It's kind of implied in the name, there.

They don't teach that sort of philosophical concept where she's from. Might lead to heresy.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (I'm Supposed To Buy That (Incredulous))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-06-25 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
“Misnomer. Scientists misname things all the time,” Nida counters with a brief shrug. He is as certain of the multiverse as he is of his skill with polearms. Would say as his own name, but that is complicated.

“You of course don’t have to believe me. But I have met people from different instances of one world. A mother and her sons actually.”
cadiastands: (10)

[personal profile] cadiastands 2019-06-27 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
"How do you know it's not just another planet, or some Warpspace time travel nonsense?" Mira asks. That is, in fact, a perfectly legitimate question where she's from.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Well Look At The Floor (Downcast))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-06-27 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
“Because Billy could recognize his own mother, younger than him and with different life experiences,” Nida shrugs. And his faith in Billy is deep.
cadiastands: (07)

[personal profile] cadiastands 2019-06-27 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Sorcery," Mira mutters banefully. When in doubt, blame Chaos.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Had It To Here With Dogs (Exasperated))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-06-27 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
“Only Sorcery is a Sorceress is involved. Trust me, I would know the difference. My world has them.”

And some of them were a right pain that deserve that tone of voice. Others are just women.