sirenspull | June 1st, 2012

June 1st, 2012

Friday, June 1st 2012

Weather Mostly cloudy with periods of rain. High 16°C and a low of 10°C (61deg;F/50°F)

Current Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous

Morning sirens go off at 5:15am, and evening sirens are at 9:05pm.

News & Advertisements

SERO Cure Met With Suspicion

Since SERO announced their cure for the Culpa-flu, AGI-owned media as well as several 'neutral' news outlets have been running pieces criticizing the announcement and questioning the veracity of the cure. Skeptics point out that while SERO might have the best access to resources to work on a cure, they also have the best access to synthesize illness in the first place, and many AGI loyalists still sincerely believe the Culpa-flu was developed as a bio-weapon against AGI and its sympathizers - or some kind of moralistic backlash against against AGI's entertainment and pleasure industries. The involvement of Newcomers in the development of the inoculation also makes it suspect, since others still believe the illness is a 'plague' perpetuated by the newcomers, and some sources even question the credentials of the various doctors who worked on the cure.

AGI columnists warn against trusting SERO, reminding the public that even if the company has developed a cure, that they are also in the position to limit its distribution, already showing bias to their own patients. SERO's willingness to put the cure out before it was approved by the City Board of Health is also reason to suspect it.

"Let's not forget that SERO experiments on people," says one outspoken AGI-allied blogger. "Clear details of this illness haven't been released. For all we know, they manufactured this illness and then brought out a pre-made cure the moment we really started to get scared, just to remind them how much we need them. But we don't need them. There are ways to be saved that don't involve trusting some poison they want to inject us with."

While mainstream media doesn't take quite such an extreme view, "It does seem a little convenient," says one favorite talk show host. "SERO had the most to lose over this epidemic, and now suddenly they're the heroes."

- Today's news also holds a statement from SERO regarding their newly-developed cure for the Culpa flu, announcing further plans for its release. After Hospitals have received the cure, SERO will be distributing batches as they finished to various sections of the city and asks that all residents report ONLY to the distribution in their own neighborhoods. Police and SERO security will be on hand to deal with any riots or mobs who try to get their fair share too early.

At the bottom of the statement is another announcement-- all SERO affiliates will have their hospital bills provided for by the company in full. There is a mention that Newcomers are not excluded from this offer, and by affiliating Newcomers strapped for money will have their expensive bills taken care of by the generous people at SERO.

- There is a small article near the back of the news, nearly hidden by obituaries and editorials, that claims SERO was originally going to charge a fee for each dose of the cure administered, but it's suggested that Siren's Port city officials stepped in and forced them to give it for free. The article goes on to speculate that this may mean some civic leeway given to the corporation in the future, and questions whether or not the city is now "indebted" to SERO in what might turn out to be a very unfortunate way.

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[ News Notification Thread]

mulletrock

[When the feed flickers on Dean's figuring out how to angle it right over his shoulders so it's not too close or too far from him when he starts talking. The whole video thing's still new to him, and he's not sure how to turn it off half the time when he's talking to someone on it.

For a split second you get the image of a folded up assless hospital gown, Mary's apartment and the subtle sigils on the wall, then it's on him.

His hair is still wet from a shower and he's in a black t-shirt and jeans, the amulet looks like nothing but a small flicker of gold before he's got the receiver positioned upright.]

For those of you just joinin' us death's not permanent here. [He should've figured that out when it came to his dad but he just figured that it'd take a lot more than a bullet to the brain to kill him. He had to go out swinging.

Dean just looks tired. He's in nowhere near the same amount of pain as he was in before croaking but he's still riding some out. Not as pale but irritated and not doing a very good job of hiding it. He shrugs.] Doesn't mean you should go Berserker but I thought some of you could use the intel.

[Dean's about to turn off the feed when it hits him.] Anyone know what day of the week it is?

[TFW filter. Including all friends. None of the enemies. Screw you Meg, Crowley, Ruby, Zachy, and the rest.]

Sorry I checked out.

I feel like I got hit by a freight train and then Sam got some hoodoo priest to lay some mojo on me.

[Forget that both have sort of happened. He's not gonna go into how literal that metaphor is.]

Anyway, not sure how long I've been gone but at least I'm not some creepy night monster.

[Willow Rosenberg]

How 'bout that beer?

mister_foppish

It seems I'm one of the few who hasn't gotten sick. I don't think there's any secret to it, really. I've been staying inside the entire time, largely on the advice of Mister Gant. But you know, being in a cramped space for this long is starting to really set me on edge.

[A shiver and he clutches at himself. He looks rather tired, if nothing else. There's a dark circle prominent under his eye, and he doesn't look so well despite his claim of being perfectly healthy.]

Hn. I can't sleep. Every night there's always something unnatural enough to keep me awake. Strange noises, scratchings at the walls…Howling. City sounds. I lived on an island by myself for a reason, you know.

( Cut for brevity )

Living in this…apartment…(Well, temporarily residing, I should say.) I've never stayed in such a small space before. When is this sickness, plague, or whatever it is going to end? Then I can at least find something to do rather than go completely mad. I was never cut out for the whole stress thing. Ceaseless worrying and what-have-you. That's why I had people who'd do that for me, back home. Didn't I say I was a prince..? Oh well. Guess that hardly matters now.

Could be worse…Tell me, Siren's Port: What do you do in a situation like this?…I don't even have anything to paint with. Working with my hands usually relaxes me. Pent up with no outlet, I guess the saying goes.

[Pours himself another glass of wine, sipping a little too hastily. Okay, he might be a little intoxicated…At five-ish in the morning, no less. He looks a little flush, to say the least.

Hiccups, hiding his mouth behind his hand.]

I'd sing you a song but...I don't think I'm in the mood. Anyone else…not sick?

justwillow

... Is anyone else getting tired with the people protesting outside the apartments? As if the headaches weren't bad enough without some M.O.O. group telling you how much you suck everytime you go out to get some more milk.

[She sighs. She'd been cooped up for a while now feeling the effects of the plague. It wasn't as bad as it had been though. There were some little things she had thought through in the time she'd been alone. It was enough to alleviate some of the head pounding.]
( Locked to the Scoobies and Angel Investigation crew! )

rapturescreed

[It’s been a long month, and Raul understands that. It’s all been tiring, and with everyone sick, not a lot of work has been able to get done. He’s been working around the clock, just as much as the doctors; perhaps not on the same thing, but in the end, work was work. He’s tired, but so long as everyone else is doing their part, he will do theirs.]

I almost forgot the anniversary of my arrival here. It’s been two years since I last saw my home, but in that time, I’ve come to consider Siren’s Port my true home. It’s a place that, while acknowledging its problems, does open its arms to everyone who arrives. I’m not talking about what the original citizens of the port say, nor what they do. But this city takes us in. It provides shelter even in the darkest of times. It gives us abilities, even when it doesn’t have to; in fact, this place could have taken away several abilities from Newcomers, and instead, they have enhanced them. This is a home to so many of us, and for some, it is our only true home, now.

So when something like this outbreak decimates, not only the Newcomer population, but the port’s population as well, there is a time for sadness. There is a time for grief. Everyone has faced tremendous adversity during this past month, whether it was from the disease itself, or from those who would have sooner let Newcomers die then help their fellow man. There is a cure out there, and we are not allowed to touch it until everyone else has gotten it. Even with this terrible news, I know something that the rest of the population doesn’t; I know that we can survive. I know that we as Newcomers will survive this, and find the will to live past what many hope will be our expiration date.

And that is cause for celebration. We are all alive, and we’re slowly on our way to recovery. This past month took us all into the darkest part of our souls, showing us what we fear, and what we thought we would never be able to move past. But we did. We did. And out of all this darkness, there needs to be a beacon of light. Something for people to look forward to.

[Gives the barest of smiles.]

And that’s what the Newcomer Political Party wants to give. A celebration, that we are all still here. I’m pleased to announce the first annual NPP Block Party. For those who don’t know what a block party is, I understand that feeling. I had no idea what it was until I looked it up, myself. But a block party is much like a carnival, or a fair; they close off a block or two, and set up stalls, stages, and games, for everyone to wander around at, and have fun. The simplest explanation is: We’re throwing a party. A big party. A party that everyone can come to, not just Newcomers.

This event will be taking place on June 7th, and going on till June 10th, and will be in the block that the Newcomer Community Center is at. Since we do have to be attentive of the Darkness, this party will start at 11 am, and go till two hours before sirens; that should give plenty of time for everyone to take down their stall, and put it all into storage at the community center, before the darkness comes. This is also why we’re holding it for four days; we want everyone to come and have fun, especially on days that they are free.

But, we need help. This won’t be able to take place unless we have people willing to help out. If you wish to help, know that you won’t be working every day of the block party; like I said before, we want everyone to come and have fun. But we’re looking for people willing to help set up, to run games, to provide entertainment on our stage, to give food, to help promote the block party, and to help organize it. The NPP is also offering a deal; if you or your business want, you can rent out a stall or two from us. With your stall, you can promote your business. You can hand out fliers, you can have games, you can give out items, or food, or anything you would like.

And yes. Alcohol will be served, for those who are of legal age. [Smirks.] I hope to see you all there. This is a celebration of life, and all of you deserve to have it.

[ooc: Plotting info is here!]

corks

Guilt.

[He says it with almost a finality, as if the word itself is just enough to make people start thinking about it. In a way, that's exactly what he's going for. The last couple of weeks have been incredibly hard for some, what with the Culpa flu going around and enacting suffering and God knows what else upon the people of Siren's Port. Jacob looks weary, still recovering, but his blue eyes are bright again, and he stares at the camera, as if he can somehow see into the minds of everyone who is viewing this feed.]

I remember reading a book where someone said, "guilt is the price we pay willingly for doing what we are going to do anyway." But is that true? Why do we feel guilt in the first place?

[He sighs slightly.]

Some can go without guilt their entire lives, and they do not understand the pain that comes along with it. But is it a blessing, or is it a curse? Yes, guilt is painful, indeed, but one begs to wonder what we would do without it.

What does guilt mean to you? Is it a needless ache that you can go without, or does it serve some purpose for you that you wouldn't replace for the world? I know many of you felt guilt and regret the last few weeks, and it makes me wonder...Did this flu, this sickness, change any of your thoughts on it? Has it made you hate it more than you do now?

[He smiles slightly, even though it doesn't quite reach his eyes.] I'm curious, really.

[ooc: Also,please please please fill out Jacob's permission post if you haven't done so yet! Thank you!]