[ the video flickers on--some of the camera is obscured by some books. they're classical novels and manuals for robotics, machinery, and there may be a cookbook and karate in there. someone's been making very good use of the library here.

but besides the book, part of the clock can be seen as it hangs on the opposite wall, reading a few minutes before midnight. not a creature is stirring, not even a...

... no, nevermind, something's beeping. rather loudly--rather annoyingly. it's a grating, hissing sound that would wake anyone up.

there's a creak of the door and a groan and Riku walks out, all mussed hair and tired eyes. in a tank top and bright neon blue boxers, nonetheless. he glares in front of him, then completely bypasses looking at the video camera, right to the culprit. ]

Who drinks coffee at...

[ ding!

the clock strikes twelve, chiming a few times, catching Riku's attention.

... ... ]

... it's Halloween. [ sigh--he runs a hand through his hair. ] Too bad there's no trick-or-treating he...

[ ... ... he stiffens and turns away from the clock. ]

... I'm ... seventeen?

;laldHaowt-waKTEWAOlg atKEewAl;gkj

[The key smashing goes on for a while as Taicea tries to figure out how to turn the voice or video feature on. Sure she was showed how to use the strange device but it was hard to remember what buttons to push when there were just so many. But after a bit she manages, at first simply mumbling to herself about strange devices and how they work. People of exsilium, say hello to a pale green plant lady? with what appears to be horns growing out of her bald melon.]

Why couldn't this have been something asuran made? Those are al-- Oh! The light it on, that means it's recording, right?

[She puts on a somewhat nervous smile and gives a little wave.]

Um, yes. Hello, anyone watching this! My name is Taicea and I'm new here. Although I suppose that is very obvious by my confusion at this strange device. We don't have anything quite like this back home. I mean, yes, the asura have all kinds of amazing technology but nothing quite like this. What does it run on? I do not see any kind of enchanted crystal connected to it. And quite obviously it's not steam like the charr devices. Or human...I guess the humans have been copying the charr for a while now and oh I'm rambling. Apologies!

[She clears her throat and remains quiet for a few moments.]

I suppose that was all really. I merely wanted to introduce myself.

Whoa, hey uh... Is this thing on?

[Eddie's face fills the screen for a moment before he pulls the device back, giving the viewer a clear shot of the word "SUCCORIA" on his t-shirt, as well as a badge that reads "Ironheade" in bold white letters against a black background, and above it is a sword pointing down into a pattern of rocks similar to Stonehenge. The badge itself is dangling from a lanyard, and is intertwined with a rather large fang dangling from a black cord draped around Eddie's neck.]

Right, cool. So they brought me up to speed on the kinda shit you guys have been dealing with. The good news? I'm throwing my hat in the ring with you guys. Name's Eddie, Eddie Riggs. I'm a roadie. If you're wondering what the bad news is, well, the bad news is they didn't bring the rest of the army with me, but don't you guys worry about that!

Trust me, we'll have this under control in no time, we just need some good music, scrap metal, and some willing hands to help me work on some projects once I got my shit in order over here.

So what do you say, guys? How about we give this rebellion a bit more Rock?

[While he waits for people to chime in, he's going to alternate between reading his tour book, tuning his guitar, and looking over the edges of his battle axe.]

*There's a very sour looking man with a scar from some sort of blade running down his face on the screen, looking somewhere between unimpressed and outright disappointed.*

So, this is the city the Initiative operates out of. If that's the case, then it's truly no wonder they feel the need to outsource to other worlds. That is, assuming their words are true. But I should hope that having been here longer, it isn't too much to presume at least some of you have seen evidence either supporting or refuting their claims about this so-called United Earth. If that is, indeed, the case, I want to hear what information is available from direct observation. But if you've just mindlessly accepted their words as true and have no personal experience to prove one way or the other, don't waste my time.

[As the screen flicks on the Tenth Doctor gives a mock grimace, rubbing the side of his neck as if unsure about something.] So, a big war? Really? I'm not too sure on that one. Guess that depends on the dimension? Though if they'd been around all this time I'm sure someone would have noticed... Oh right, of course- silly me. I got distracted.

[Not that the Doctor looks very sorry or concerned about it as he gives the screen a wave.]

Hullo everyone. I'm the Doctor and I guess I'm the newest guest in your little community. I have everything I need apparently, my housekey, a netbook, good things. I wouldn't mind my sonic screwdriver but that is a bone of contention I'm not going to get into for a while. At least five minutes anyway. Can't seem to find it....

I'm the Doctor. Just the Doctor before anyone asks. Aaaaaand yep. That's about it. I'm not really good at blogging. Nice little communications system this place has going though! Wouldn't mind a look at that, though that would require my sonic screwdriver.

[At that the Doctor pauses, looking at his wrist.]

Okay I lied, that was two minutes tops. Law of averages says that if I'm here, there'll be people I know here. So speak up or forever hold your peace! Or just say hello later on, that's alright too I guess..... hm. Right then. Time to have a look around this place, take a look at what's going on with my own two eyes. Alons-y!

[There's another pause as the Doctor reaches into his pocket, pulling out his sonic screwdriver and grinning at it.]

Ah there you are. No longer a bone of contention now!

Well, that was something of an adventure! Between the Russians, the newest arrivals, and our monstrous friends, why there's been quite a few things to keep track of. An awful lot of people. One of which in particular I seem to have misplaced... I don't suppose anyone has seen Bela lately? Bela Talbot?

[ A pause, as if he's actually listening for a reply. Or maybe just asking a completely rhetorical question and taking a moment to gather himself afterward. ]

Well, it was always difficult to keep her in just one place. Not like Sierra, Annalise, and Adamo, three natives caught by the UE bombs, near a month ago now. I would say they were entirely too — too stationary. That old woman in the market, too— with the jerky stand? She always claimed it was dog meat, but I really had to wonder. But she always had a kind word for anyone who stopped to chat, didn't she? I found a bit of her stand some time ago, but no sign of her. Maggie, she told me her name was...

My apologies, to anyone who knew any of those caught in disaster. At least we've managed to turn this latest one back to the status quo, mm? We have that much.

[ Another pause, and this one comes with a slow breath out. So... that's awkward. But! He can make it better. When he speaks again, he sounds just as cheerful as he had at the beginning. ]

You know, for all their flukes and faults, I would say there's one thing the Initiative is truly bad at. They can throw our lot into a room with food set out, but that's not any sort of party. So I propose we arrange one ourselves! We've the musicians for it, don't we? The cooks, surely! The tailors, seamstresses? We certainly have the headcount for it, by now!

Any opinions, mm? I'm thinking, perhaps, a masquerade. A ball! We kitrites excel at the organization of them, you know. I would be pleased to offer my services to a properly interested crowd! Have I any takers?

 [Tenjou is on a couch, looking rather tired. Even a future god can get tired out, especially when dealing with the back-to-back combat.]

Well, that was interesting. I won't be able to say I'll be bored easily now. Just one question: Are there any places here that serve decent sake? If not, I guess I can go for any kind of alcohol then. After what's been happening lately, I think I could use a drink.

...The name's Tenjou, by the way.

[ When Lucy's tablet turns on, it first with random letters being typed. ]

fkl;ie98jgkj;l

[ Then the user finds the audio mode, although the voice is unfamiliar, but decidedly female. ]

Hime - this device is curious. How do you use it?

Hm? [ This is Lucy's voice, but fainter with a slight echo. ] Ah that thing -- wait, Virgo, what are you doing here?

I was curious to your new accommodations and this new situation. Would you like me to turn down your bed sheets, Princess?

No, it's fine, you don't have to go so far. Anyway what were you asking about that communications device?

Its function.

Hn. It isn't too complicated, I think. There's text and audio and video mode, and for the text there's a part to type in entries when you don't want to talk or something, I guess.

[ And as Lucy is explaining that, the video option flicks on, and there is a young woman with pink hair, cerulean eyes, and an expressionless face is visible. She's dressed as a maid, but her fascination with the device leads her not to address it, but to carry it into a bathroom, where the splashing of water can be heard. The view swings away from the maid to ... Lucy. Who is...in the tub. Bathing. Nothing is explicitly seen, thanks to a conveniently placed arm and the water level, but if she's not careful - ]

Like this, princess?

[ Lucy looks up absently. ] Ah yeah, that's right, it's recordi-- [ And her eyes widen, and she promptly SCREAMS at the top of her lungs, ducking into the water to cover herself more. ]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING, VIRGO! CLOSE THE GATE OF THE MAIDEN! Close the Gate Close the Gate Close the Gate!!!!!

Heh.

[ Amused spirit is amused. However, that is all Virgo says, because in the next second, she vanishes as the Gate closes, and the tablet clatters to the ground, still recording- albeit now of a discarded towel. And Lucy's wail. ]

[ He is not a fan of the cold or the heavy wet rain so all that's going to be seen of him is his face under a few layers of cloth. He looks not only annoyed by something but also a little sick, as if he had a bad case of sunstroke - at least his skin looks like it had gotten a little too much sun with how red it is in places. ]

Is it always this wet? [ Yup, that's his first concern when it comes to getting dragged from his home. ] Don't you have any sunlight around here?

[ After a moment of frowning, he sighs and shakes his head. He was being an idiot. ] According to the woman in the robes, I've got room 808. Whoever's there with me, we've gotta set up a couple rules for everyone's safety, got it? I'm not gonna be held responsible otherwise.

[Vin has approximately zero idea what she's doing - and it shows. The recording starts with her eyeball pressed up against the camera, and a voice, muffled by her face pressed against the microphone, insisting that this is not how it's done. Jerking back, she stares blankly at the screen for a few seconds, moving side to side, tracking her own appearance in the playback software. She turns to the side.]

Are you sure this is right?

[She is assured that, yes, this is right, and she ought to pay attention to what she's doing instead of talking to him. Scowling slightly at Henry, Vin turns back to the screen.]

Hello. [An awkward pause where a nice, normal greeting should go. Something like "it's nice to meet you." Vin is very bad at being people.] I was wondering if-- you're sure this is working? [A huff. She turns back.]

Is anyone here familiar with metallurgy? I can pay for your time. And provide materials.

Out of curiosity, do we know what our last jaunt through time accomplished? In theory these tasks in the past are supposed to be changing the present, are they not? Yet everything seems more or less the same as far as I can tell. Still this crummy island versus the rest of the world.

I don't mind helping in this fight, but if our tasks are as pointless as they seem, I shall grow weary of them quickly.

_{( This feed should probably open with a trumpeted fanfare, but, alas, it does not. Instead, it shows two women standing side-by-side, looking down at the device that the younger one—Crystal—is holding. Her face is half-amused, half-annoyed. Beside her is a slightly taller woman who is unmistakably related to her—Medusa. She just looks regal. Also probably annoyed. After a moment, Crystal starts talking. )}

I was brought here with a friend of mine, but he seems to have wandered off. I’m not worried—he does that a lot of the time, and it’s hard to keep him in one place. But if you do see a large dog approaching you, don’t worry. Lockjaw is quite tame. He does have a way of going from one place to the next very quickly, though, so if you don’t want to be taken along you shouldn’t get too close—

_{( She motions as though to continue, but Medusa gestures for the tablet and Crystal hands it over. )}

Lockjaw is the least of our worries. _{( GOSH CRYSTAL. Medusa has a lot of hair, and it moves ominously as she speaks. )} I am Queen Medusalith of the Inhumans and the Kree - my sister is Princess Crystalia. If there exists some form of authority here I demand an audience to arrange transport home. We cannot linger here, not when there are more important matters in our own universe.

_{( THAT'S RIGHT EARTH, YOU ARE SO COMPLETELY NOT IMPORTANT NO ONE CARES. )}

Sister. _{( There’s not warning in that so much as exasperation; haven’t we talked about this, Medusa? Some of us want to help, here. But she sighs, and as she does a small gust of wind fluffs her hair around her face. This is clearly not a conversation she’s going to have in public. )}

If you do encounter Lockjaw, please let us know. We will come fetch him from you.

_{( With that, the message cuts. Orange is Crystal, Red is Medusa. If you'd like to have you character encounter a giant, teleporting bulldog, feel free! That is also an option here. )}

[This is the first time Yue's even bothered to begin messing with this thing since her arrival. Her roommates in 405 likely notice a few things - one, they have a new roommate and two, that roommate must enjoy a lot of food. Seriously, there seems to always be food leftover near the stove. It's all neatly put up and most of it involves dumplings somehow.

This is one night when she's returned from training. And when the video pops up, it's...

Well, it's a bear. A panda, to be exact, with bright green eyes and long, slightly damp hair. The rest of her fur looks like it's trying to decide if it wants to fluff out or not. There's a slight accent to her voice as she talks.]

Let's see, let's see... ah, there, working!

[That brightens her up. There's the slightest of accents to her voice as she speaks.]

Much more efficent than letters. We should really have these back home, it would save so much time. And travel! I can't count the number of people who send me here or there or over there with a letter. A letter! What are the mailboxes for then!

[Huffpuff, she still can't get over that. It's not very efficient. Not that the Wandering Isle had the best postal system ever.

Whatever. She waves it off quickly to add:]

I'm Yue Hua. If you're hungry, stop and see me sometime. I'm usually training but I can always stop for a snack.

[Or five.]