In the St. John regions of SL, there is a Hurricane event every August. I usually do a fiction post about it, more info on Gabrielle Riel's Songs of the Nightingale blog.
Thank the Goddess and Powers that Be that I don't drink, not that it would affect me because of my {REDACTED BY ORDER OF MAMMA GKIKA, EUROPA WULFENBACH} nature.
But DAMN did I want to start.
First it was St. John Beach destroyed by EROSION of all things, sure the tides were high and the water warmer than usual and there was that big summer storm that I though might turn into a Hurricane but I thought the beach would survive...but it didn't. Residents fled to other realms or the rest of St. John...it was gone in almost an instant.
Then there was...The Breakup. I swear I am going to vet any prospective innamorata for Gabi from now on....Kitty will help, he's been working on a Questionaire for them. It did not end well, it involved much Demon Alcohol, though strangely no Absinthe or Whisky. Must remember to actually HAVE Absinthe and some good Single-malt Glenlivet on hand next time. I may be a teetotaler of the St John and Steamlands Temperance in Moderation League, but if one is going to drink Demon Rum one should drink the Good Stuff. And I had to have a "Talk" with the fellow, this would be much easier if I had remembered to have the "Talk" with him at the beginning...especially if I'd morphed into {REDACTED BY ORDER OF MAMMA GKIKA, EUROPA WULFENBACH. BAD GURLIE, HYU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ONDERCOVER, REMEMBER} form. That ALWAYS got attention, especially with the 54 caliber revolver.
Then came the NEWS from the Weather Bureau, which was not good.
Luckily, I did have that newfangled orangeade, which Gabi preferred as her hangover remedy. Selena, Emma and Pru had brought her home, and Kitty was resting with them after he brought me, they were sleeping while I made up tea, and the orangeade. I had been planning on bringing the news when Kitty mentioned her incapacitation.
She asked for the VERY BAD NEWS first which meant the Hurricane.
Hurricane Gabrielle!
Now when I told Gabi about it, I smirked since that was one of Gabi's nicknames. In fact when the Weather Bureau contacted me:
Weather Bureau: Ah Miss CC of St. John?
Moi: that's Ms.! I'm too old to be a Miss!
Weather Bureau: Ah yes, that's right, I'm sorry, I forgot, won't happen again, just don't come into the office again... one of our Meterologists still has nightmares about what you did when one of our people called you "Girl"
Moi: Continue
Weather Bureau: Ah yes, I hate to be the bearer of bad knews but there's a Hurricane heading your way.
Moi: Gabi hasn't mentioned any vibes, that's unusual, she's a better forecaster than YOU are about Hurricanes.
Weather Bureau: Ah yes, we do try and we are improving our technology.
Moi: My Apologies, you do your best, no offense intended.
Weather Bureau: None Taken, the name of the Hurricane this year is Gabrielle
Moi: WHAAAAT? No {REDACTED ON ORDER OF DECENCY BUREAU} way! HY KAN'T BELIEFF IT!
Weather Bureau: Yes, it is, we believed you'd have this reaction but we didn't expect you to blow out our Eardrums with profanity. Your voice is very...strong. And what kind of funny phonetic accent was that last sentence?
Moi: Hy don' hef an accent schmot guy! I mean, I don't have an accent, what do you mean by that?
Weather Bureau: What ever you say Ms. CC. Be safe and be careful
Moi: Will do, and I really do thank you deeply. I'll be sending messages out to our friends elsewhere.
I passed the info on to Gabi, surprised she didn't ask the name at first. When she did, she laughed and obviously her hangover caused her to OW
"Well isn't that just...", she said.
At that moment Amelia came in to take over care duties, so I could send out messages, which Gabi does have to authorize first. She brought Muffins, of which I grabbed one and stuck it in my bag. I don't always eat Genuine Europan {REDACTED BY ORDER OF MAMMA GKIKA, EUROPA WULFENBACH. NO MENTIONINK DE BOG EATINK!}
She made a few changes to the form and handed it back to me.
“Thank you CC,” she said. “For everything. Now let’s get that out to the Steamlands immediately.”
“Yes Your Grace,” I replied, automatically reverting to her original style of address.
I headed back home to send the messages via telegraph, wireless and telephone...while the phone lasted. I swear the St. John Telephone service needs tech upgrades! In times like these the Telegraph and wireless have actually been more reliable!
STEAMLANDS UNION TELEGRAM
CALLIDUS WEYDELICH MARIKESH MONDRAGO
DESMOND SHANG CALEDON
FUZZBALL ORTEGA STEELHEAD BAY
KLAUS WULFENBACH EUROPA WULFENBACH
MOSSEVENO TENK NEW BABBAGE
SELENA ANANSI ROSEHAVEN
HURRICANE GABRIELLE APPROACHING ST JOHN LANDFALL DUE FRIDAY AUGUST 18 STORM TO CONTINUE SATURDAY AUGUST 19 AND INTO SUNDAY AUGUST 20 REQUEST ASSISTANCE ADVISE HEAVY CAUTION
GABRIELLE RIEL
As I finished the messages, I had one thought on my mind and headed to the closest warehouse:
Sandbags, MORE SANDBAGS
That sky did not look good...at all.
There's one good thing about being a {REDACTED BY ORDER OF MAMMA GKIKA, EUROPA WULFENBACH}, I'm damn strong. Lifting these sandbags was like picking up flowers, and I could quickly throw them into place with just one hand.
Didn't even break a sweat.
Did get sand on the hands and would have to redo my manicure.
But I was satisfied at a job well done.
Though maybe I should add another row on top?
Still enough light to cast a shadow...but the clouds would be coming tonight.
Sandbagged up the other entrance as well. My Poor Calla Lilies will be ruined.
The Wireless set was fully operational and working perfectly at full transmit power.
The telegraph was also adjusted and working within parameters
Poor Gabi the KittyCat, the Hurricane Gabrielle is going to scare her tremendously. I'll have to pen her upstairs with her food and litterbox, or up in the attic.
(look over at the tags for outfit details)
