How many people celebrate Christmas here? Or Hanukkah? and on that note, is anyone doing anything on the 25th?

[Private to Peter, much later]
hey. can I ask you some questions about something? a medical something.

[Action for Jesse]

[She shows up at his apartment without sending notice. Partly because she wasn't sure she was going to go there at all. Claire feels a little awkward after the masquerade but they do have something they need to do. Although she remembers how freaked out he got when she asked if he wanted to see her ability, she thinks she's doing him a favor in helping him figure out how and if the anti-powers setting on his gun will work or not. It's also selfish, too. The idea of being able to feel normal for a little bit is massively appealing to her. Plus, there are certain people Sylar she's considering using it on if worse comes to worse.

Knocking a little timidly at the door, she hopes he's home. She also hopes this isn't going to be too weird.]

[A curious young woman appears on the video as she stares at the tablet in her hands, somewhat interested in the new and different and technology and all--when she remembers that oh right, she'd planned on talking to people. Way to make an impression of being focused and prepared...

She clears her throat.] Er, hi there. My name's Shirley, and... These people--y'know, the Initiative and all--they're really not picky when it comes to people who end up here and all, huh? So I just wanted to clarify something: not everything has to be about fighting, right? I can't say I'm good with anything like diplomacy either, but it's a better start than something like shooting someone...

Sorry if it's a simple question. I just wanted to be absolutely sure; thank you for your time in advance.

... actually, there's just one more thing. [A pause, because this is a lot more awkward of a topic to bring up. Still, she can't help but be curious given her own circumstances.] This is probably gong to seem silly, but this isn't actually some kind of weirdly militaristic afterlife, is it?

[It seems to be a theme that whenever Thor makes a post he's covered in some kind of grime. At least this time it just looks like dirt and whatever other foresty debris he's picked up after hours spent hunting in the Borderlands.

He's picked up a few more technological skills as well. There's nary a sign of a thumb in the camera, and he picture is centered and focused on Thor's thoughtful expression.]

On Earth it was once customary for people to celebrate the Yule at the midwinter Solstice. They would bring sacrifices to the Gods in the hopes we would hasten the spring and see their children safe through the long winter nights.

[He wipes a hand across his brow, and as the camera shifts it can be seen that there are a few rather large beasts stacked on the ground behind him. The spoils of a hunt well hunted, it seems.]

Few now remember this custom, let alone take part in it's rituals. But there are other festivals which have not yet been forgotten, and most are a reminder that the cold of winter will not last; that the days will grow long and warm and safe once more.

[A pause, and Thor allows a wry smile past his serious expression.] Though 'safe' may be a great deal to hope for on this world.

Whatever festivals you celebrate, whatever Gods you do or do not pray to; I invite you to share this Yule with my brothers and I. We shall provide as best a feast we can with what we have, and you may bring what you wish to contribute towards it.

Good food is made better with company, after all.

I'm already familiar with the fact that people seem to appear here more than once, disappearing and then returning as if renewed. I'll spare you the effort of convincing me of it.

[ Oh, so look at this pink-haired but serious-business-looking woman finally addressing her tablet for the first time! In a marked contrast to the unusual armor she originally showed up in (no doubt causing more than a few stares at the masquerade), today she's got on a rather unremarkable, plain grey shirt on instead- a fact that, given her posturing, even she seems to think is unsavory.

... But more importantly, despite her direct words, her tone is definitely a bit at odds with them, too; she speaks with purpose, but her voice is low and more careful than you might think... and carries a strange sense of barely-hidden weight behind it- whatever the cause of that might be. ]

If you've seen me before, if we've spoken at any point in time, I want to hear about it. More importantly... if you've ever spoken with my sister, Serah Farron [ ... ] I want to hear about that, too.

[ She knows Serah was here before, but. These things don't record everything, after all, and in a strange way, it's definitely engaging Lightning's sense of annoyance that she isn't familiar with all that has happened yet. After Valhalla, she's not so used to being in the dark about things... and even asking that question seems to spark something painful in her pale face. Regardless- ]

Thank you.

[ She doesn't allow the camera to pick up on any emotions that sneak out past her defenses for long, ending the transmission there in wait for replies. ]

[The video flicks on, though it never actually lands on Rin's... face. Instead the view flips around to focus on a brown loaf of bread with a piece clearly already sliced off the end. Rin's speaks a second later, her tone dry.]

For a place with several rebel armies recruiting, this place sure has been quiet from that end of things. Which is good. I think it's clear now that we have someone horrendous or several horrendousnesses amongst ourselves that maybe we should be worrying about first.

Not that I argue that anybody should trust the Initiative wholesale but... [A small sigh.] ... nothing... deserves your loyalty absolutely and without questions. Nothing.

[Lighter:] Anyway, I made some bread. It's pretty good if I say so myself! Does anybody want to share some bread? Don't be shy. As you can see, I already ate a piece.

There's been so much going on lately I've lost track of time. I've hit the ground running since I got here. [yeah yeah not much different from home. And nope not mentioning his birthday] I can't believe it's so close to Christmas already.

[private message to Sylar]
We never did have that talk.

[ The technology of this day and age definitely makes gathering an audience easier. She's not as charismatic as Sinbad or Hakuei, but this is something she wants to talk about. ]

My name is Kougyoku Ren... [ She gulps. Does she want to out herself as a princess? No. Does she want to bring up the last time she appeared on the network? No. ] and I have something to ask those who were brought into this world in the same manner as I. Somehow, I'm not getting any sense of urgency after being conscripted into an army fighting a battle that isn't even my own. Did this Initiative simply pluck me out of my own world to waste my time? How impudent it was of them to bring me here. I'm not even of this world! There are more pressing matters I have to attend to than aiding this rebellion! I'm certain there are people here who feel the same.

[ pause ]

But there is an eerie similarity of this world's situation to mine... There are countries in my world, too, that need to defend themselves from a strong nation much like United Earth. If I return to my homeland, I can prevent the empire from attacking these countries and a place like Exsilium from ever existing! [ "The empire?" She, and she alone? Wow, overshare. Let's backtrack a bit. ]

That is, well-- [ if she can actually TALK TO HER BROTHER THE PRINCE jeez Kougyoku ] Anyway, I have to go back, yet I just feel that - I just can't leave this place alone. [ Sinbad. Sinbad would have felt the same way. ] Even in our downtime, I want to do something! I can't stay still. So... I invite anyone watching this to have a light spar with me, if they are able. Let us polish our skills before the next battle, no matter who we have to face!

[ She looks pretty excited!! Wow, Kougyoku, you just want to fight. Wait, wait, now she's putting on a sad smile. I-it's not like she was hoping for anyone to accept or anything! ]

But... if you aren't interested... I want to know more about this United Earth, or what you think of the idea of one country ruling all - this concept of "one world." A discussion - that's what I would like.

[ This message comes in 5 minutes later: ]

Oh, yes! What does one usually give their friends for this holiday?