Don't Panic, But...

[sockhopsolly]

Some of the coolest threads come from just putting characters in situations! This meme is a chance to do just that.

How to Play:

1. No blank top-levels. Put a "don't panic, but..." statement in your top-level. Examples:
   • "Don't panic, but my father's coming and I need you to hide me."
   • "Don't panic, but everyone's throwing up."
   • "Don't panic, but I think something just exploded around the corner."
   • "Don't panic, but there's someone following you."
   • "Don't panic, but your shoes clash with that purse really badly."
2. Respond to other people's statements. Maybe you can help them. Maybe you can make the situation worse. Maybe you can't help but panic.
3. ????
4. Profit

Comments

Randolph Waldstern | OC | OTA

[professorhex]

Don't panic, but I'm pretty sure that thing is cursed.

[meds4sale]

"...Haunted, actually."

He continues to handle the empty antique urn, inspecting every inch of it like he's appraising some new find at a flea market.

[professorhex]

"Oh, great, so long as you're already aware. None of my business."

Randolph stifles a bit of a self-conscious laugh. He'd been braced to have to defend getting bad vibes from the urn. Not having to explain leaves him a little off balance.

"Why are you considering the haunted vase?"

[meds4sale]

"It is clearly a collectors' item," he remarks offhandedly, and then adds; "also to ascertain its Truths."

A beat and then;

"...Of the thing haunting it, not the vase itself."

Something in his medicine box rattles irritably.

[professorhex]

"Didn't Keats write a whole poem about the relationship between urns and Truth?" Randolph's eyes slip past the medicine seller to the box curiously.

[meds4sale]

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," he says quietly, turning the urn over once more. It's empty save for whatever lingers in its cracks, as a part of it as the particles of delicate porcelain or the elegant display of a peony.

"A pretty sentiment."

Truth, in his experience, is often quite ugly.

"Do you believe such a thing...?"

[professorhex]

"No, but I'm also not just a pretty ornamental object."

Well. Not just. He is a magical construct, rather than a normal person, built of scraps and twigs and twine and wearing a very nice human illusion. Still, he's no urn.

[meds4sale]

"No," he agrees, "you aren't."

Whether he means Randolph is not 'pretty' or an 'ornamental object' or some measure of either/or, he does not elaborate.

"If you would kindly hold out a finger, palm facing up...?"

[professorhex]

Ah, specific directions from unusual strangers, his favorite.

...he does as instructed.

[meds4sale]

A gesture of the Medicine Seller's hand pulls the bottom-most drawer of his medicine box open. From it emerges a pair of white scales, trimmed with gold and pink. They hover in the air a moment, before drifting down to perch on the tip of Randolph's outstretched finger.

For a long moment, they seem to stare at him with a pair of red jeweled eyes before tipping forward in an unmistakable bow.

[professorhex]

Randolph stares in mingled confusion and wonder for a moment before doing the only thing that makes sense: he bows right back at them.

"Uh, hi there."

Ducky | Lavender Jack | OTA

[astraythought]

Don't panic, but I heard gunshots.

[glittereyed]

I thought those were fireworks! What a shame.

[ She looks honestly disappointed. ]

[astraythought]

You need to get somewhere safe right now, miss. Something dangerous is happening.

[Common sense, clearly it's only for the commonfolk.]

[glittereyed]

But where am I supposed to go? [ She bites her lip slightly, worrying it. ] Home's a good distance away, and my heels are so bothersome to run in.

Rhyle Shavval ☆ Forgotten Realms OC ☆ ota

[silkenweave]

Don’t panic, but I might’ve summoned something with... more legs than intended.

Ri!Kusuriuri | Mononoke (2007) | OTA

[meds4sale]

Don't panic.








...It's behind us.

[lightbeckons]

Do you think we can handle it?

[meds4sale]

...Probably.

[The stats are stacked in their favour but you never know.]

fabia julia neapolitana | original character | ota

[caeca]

Don't panic, but...

... I heard someone mentioning us by name just now.

Li Xiang (Rover) | Wuthering Waves

[outofmygourd]

Don't panic, but we're being watched.

[glittereyed]

Oh. By someone ducky?

[ She turns slightly to look around, craning her neck curiously. ]

castorice / hsr

[thanatus]

Do not panic... but you must maintain your distance from me. If I were to touch you, it would be lethal.

Libra Sforza (MBCC Chief) | Path to Nowhere

[shackledandbound]

Don't panic...

[There's a 'but' coming, regrettably.]

... but I'll need you to come with me, just for a little while.

I'm canonblind, but I'm sure we can make something happen!

[astraythought]

Am I under arrest?

[It's best to be sure what exactly her status is, before going with anyone. Ducky's voice is calm, but her dark eyes burn like coals as she rakes her gaze over Libra, trying to judge what sort of man he is, and who he might be working for.]

Tessa | Tales of Legendia OC | OTA

[merinesexual]

Don't panic, but you need to refrain from making any sudden movements.

[Is that her sword she's d--Yeah, that's a sword, and she's looking at something behind the other.]

When I say to, drop to the ground.

Okiie Shogo | Paranormasight

[lightbeckons]

Don't panic, but... I think we might be locked in.

[Despite that, Shogo is... remarkably calm, considering they're in a house that screams haunted complete with creaking floors and doors opening and closing on their own.]

[octogenesis]

[ Way calmer than Agnes, though she at least is still keeping it together. It's the screaming and the creaking floors and the doors and the - look she doesn't do well with horror movies let alone horror real life! ]

L-let's try the door first and be sure...

[ So saying she bravely padded over to the door, reaching over to turn the knob and... no go. She couldn't even budge it, it was fastened tighter than a pickle jar. ]

... there's another way out right?

viktor | arcane | ota

[hiraut]

Don't panic, but you should put your goggles on, that's probably going to explode.

[greenwithingenuity]

Oh, shit. Yeah that'd be a good idea, wouldn't it??

[let Gaila just slap those bad boys on and cover her ears for good measure.]

[hiraut]

If you don't like the smell of burned eyeballs, yes, it is a good idea.

[ handing her a face shield too, while they're at it. ] Hold this.

[ don't ask why he's not using one. he's a professional. ]

Ruby Rose | RWBY | OTA

[silver_eyes_rose]

Don't panic, but there's a Grimm at the door.

[shortmemory]

The fact that you're saying that makes me think I should be panicking.

[ Otherwise she probably would have already dealt with it herself, right? ]

Amy Rose | Sonic Boom | OTA

[heart_of_the_boom]

Don't panic, but the kitchen is a real mess.

Iris | Mega Man X | OTA

[peacefulreploid]

Don't panic, but there was a problem with a Maverick. It's taken care of.

[She's hiding a beam blade]

"Marie" | OC | OTA (F/F pref)

[onewithwater]

Don't panic, but the water is draining.

Aedre Knightly | OC | Original

[shylittleflame]

U-Um, don't panic, but.... our assignment's actually due tomorrow and not next week?

Sam Wilson | ota, m/m 25+ for ships

[krylya]

Okay, don't panic, but I can't find my pants.

sylvie gallard | lest they leave | ota

[glittereyed]

Don't panic, but! ... I think I'm too plastered to walk home.

Rowan O'Cleary | OC | OTA

[medicalling]

Don't panic, you've been in an accident and you're at the hospital.

[bedlams_bard]

Is my flute okay?

[Not actually a euphemism; the young man was busking on a street corner when the car hit him.]

[medicalling]

Couldn't say. Effects might be in the ambulance. They'll bring in whatever they found with you in a moment. Getting you in was the priority. Now, can you tell me your name?

[bedlams_bard]

Eric Banyon.

[He gives Rowan an uncertain look.]

Was the driver okay? They looked like they might be dealing with a medical event of their own.

[medicalling]

They are currently another doctor's problem, mate. You happen to be mine. If you'd like, after I make sure you're all sound and in one piece, I'll go check up on them afterward. But you, Eric Banyon, are my concern. Anything hurt?

[infernalblood]

What hit me? It feels like I've gotten rushed by a bull.

[medicalling]

That tracks, since it was in fact a bull. Apparently one escaped from some farmer's market and went on a bit of a rampage. Can't blame the lad. Cities are terrifying things.

[infernalblood]

I'm disappointed in myself. I should have slain it before it managed to land a hit on me. Just give me a health potion and then I'll end it.

[medicalling]

It was a confused bull and didn't need to be slain, lad. You'll sit your self down there until I tell you to leave.

[infernalblood]

Or what? [He counters as if the other challenged him. He could go in a rage and go after the bull, no trouble.] You think your spiny body could stop me?

[aspolyhymnia]

[she blinks at the familiar sounding voice]

Just need a nap, I’ll be right back.

[medicalling]

Ah, ah, no, love. I need you to open those pretty eyes and look at me. Can you tell me your name?

[aspolyhymnia]

[rude]

Stella. What happened?

[medicalling]

Do you know what day it is, Stella?

[He brought a penlight out to check her pupils, dragging the light across her vision.]

And from what I can tell, you were in a bit of an accident. Car went off the road into a cafe and I'm supposing you were having a drink?

[aspolyhymnia]

Thursday.

[Her vision is coming back into focus and she blinks at the light]

A macchiato outside on my lunch hour.

[medicalling]

Well, good enough that you can remember that.

[He checks the monitors overhead of her, hands skimming down along the leg that had the hose on it torn.]

Anything hurt? Feel unusual?

[aspolyhymnia]

It absolutely hurts. But I’m alright.

[getting hit by a car hurts. She may have a broken rib, but that should heal itself in a few minutes anyway, so it’s not worth bothering with]

Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter | MCU

[ricochetingbullets]

Don't panic, but I need you to help me hide a few bodies.

The Kid | Blood Meridian | OTA 21+

[nowtheman]

Don't panic, but I got a posse on my ass and they ain't lookin' to make friends...

Asura | Onmyoji | OTA

[abyssbound]

"Don't panic, it's just a goose."

Tommy Kinard | 9-1-1

[shieldedheart]

Don't panic but dinner is burnt.

[figureskated]

I think that might qualify as incinerated.

[shieldedheart]

You're the expert chief. If you say so, into the trash it goes.

[figureskated]

I'd toss the pan too...that's going to take hours to clean.

[shieldedheart]

That's going to put me back by a lot. These pans aren't cheap.

[figureskated]

You could try soaking it, but I don't know how effective that's going to be.

[shieldedheart]

It's something at least.

Eros | Greek Myth

[ascended_desire]

Don't panic but I may have snagged someone with one of my arrows... and it's causing a international crisis.

[aspolyhymnia]

Before I am conscripted to help; who is involved?

[ascended_desire]

A saudi prince and the son of a senator.

Though I don't see why it needs help "fixing." Humans are overreacting as usual.

[aspolyhymnia]

I think that sounds like a charming match to challenge the views of many people.

[ascended_desire]

As do I.

But if anyone ask, it was an accident. Not intended.

[aspolyhymnia]

Absolutely an accident. If it happens to be interesting, that’s just luck.

[ascended_desire]

The last thing I need is another judgmental talk from Hera.

[aspolyhymnia]

I wish that on very few.

[ascended_desire]

Sometimes I think she loves the sound of her voice.

[aspolyhymnia]

She does love it

[ascended_desire]

That's your expert opinion?

[aspolyhymnia]

I’m only an expert in hymns.

[ascended_desire]

As a muse, I'm sure you have met several people who are in love with their own voices.

[aspolyhymnia]

Many of them, yes. Hera is in love with herself most of all.

[ascended_desire]

Oh I'm sure there are a couple whom are worse. Like Narcissus for one.

[aspolyhymnia]

Hera just hates all of us that aren’t hers.

[ascended_desire]

I most certainly won't deny that she's very jealous. Luckily, I wasn't a result of an affair of Zeus but one between Ares and Aphrodite, so I get a little more slack.

[aspolyhymnia]

The Muses are certainly not on her favorites list.

[ascended_desire]

I'm not sure why. You mostly deal with mortals, not gods.

[aspolyhymnia]

Zeus went and had nine of us.

[ascended_desire]

Ah... forgot about that part. Well that ought to do it.

[aspolyhymnia]

There are too many of us, really.

[ascended_desire]

Too many to keep track of indeed. [And somehow Percy Jackson claims Zeus hasn't had more kids over the last 2 millennia... tsk, tsk. No chance.]

[aspolyhymnia]

[As if Zeus has even once kept it in his pants]

How are you? I feel like I never see anyone anymore.

[ascended_desire]

I'm good, thanks for asking. I think a lot of us "gods of old" has moved on. There's no worshipers anymore. We're only known from the tales and myths that has been passed down and remade.

[aspolyhymnia]

I just live on Earth, my powers still work, I still get to inspire, even if no one prays to me anymore.

[ascended_desire]

You Muses didn't go to war to gather more followers. It's different. I've mostly sat back and watched humans develop. I still keep an eye on Greece. It's still home.

[aspolyhymnia]

We didn’t need to.

Always home, I go back when I can, to be near the sea.

[ascended_desire]

No, you didn't. You piggy-backed off Ares and Zeus. [He replies with a light chuckles.] As someone who has run cults, being forgotten about feels different.

Shawn Spencer | Psych

[pineapplegifter]

Don't panic but the police may come by and ask questions. just say I was here all morning and nowhere near the warehouse that's totally shipping drugs.