9.0 Magnitude

[Hercanic]

Tokyo, Japan
Friday, March 11th, 2011


2:30pm

I'm on a train headed for Yokohama, to meet my wife. We planned to go to CostCo today. We've had our eye on a nice leather couch they sell, and after five months we were finally going to purchase it.


2:37pm

Call from wife. I'm running late. Earlier, I discovered at the depot that my train card only had a few yen left on it, so I had to hurry back home for change.

One year we've been here, and after renewing our visas last month, another year more. To buy a couch would seal the deal, a sign of permanence.


2:48pm

The train is pulling into a stop, a small station. The cabin begins to rock. An earthquake, not uncommon. The shaking doesn't die down, though. It continues to ramp up its intensity. The train doors burst open. An announcement in Japanese blares over the loudspeaker. Outside, metal cables sway, banging into the steel rafters of the station. Old and young eyes alike look around, wide with wonder.

I feel a vibration in my pocket; it's a call from my wife. In a panicked voice, she asks: "Are you all right? Where are you? (*people screaming in background*) It's a bad one. I love yo-" Line went dead.

[Lavarinth]

Bleh, you gave me chills.

I've read, though, that overall you two ended up alright- Did you buy the couch?

[DrumsofWar]

Are you guys OK over there? I'm glad you weren't near the potential nuclear fallout but is Yokohama recovering?

[Lavarinth]

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait... You have a cellphone now?

[Thalraxal]

Damn. That's scary. I second DoW, you guys okay over there?

I've got a cousin who lives in Tokyo, thankfully he and his family were okay. Abit shook up, but no of them were hurt. My cousin did have to walk two hours to get home from work since the trains were out though.

[DrumsofWar]

They're claiming the radiation has stabilized to the point where it doesn't pose a hazard but there are also all kinds of orders to destroy food in the area. Are you and your wife OK, Herc?

[Lavarinth]

He's a mutant now, don't speak to him.

I assume things are alright, his wife's on Facebook.