[ a sneeze; acough, and a creak of a door. ]

Ugh.

I knew going out in the snow was bad news.

[ a quiet, affectionate cry echoes, animalistic in origin. Stellaluna's a bit worried about her human. 8( not like him to be so lethargic for a few days.

However, Riku's been spreading a bit of cheer--some of his presents might be a tad late, but they're delivered carefully. And random transports were given pies or torts, even if he doesn't know them. ]

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Now we just--

[ achoo! Groan, wobble, worried scree. ]

... have the New Year to worry about.

[The video clicks on when the rolled up tablet hits the ground, and the screen bounces wildly before it settles on its side against a curb, revealing a stretch of street near the apartment buildings. Shelke is standing off to one side with a brown box in her arms, frowning faintly in irritation as she looks over at the tablet. Damn it.]

[She sets the box down, and inside several little robots appear to be marching around, bumping into each other and clanking occasionally. Shelke heads over towards her tablet but just before she reaches up, when the screen is mostly dominated by her shoes, she makes a soft noise and detours away.]

[A couple moments later she returns, but she's back over by the box, setting two more of the strange little robots down inside of it. It's getting rather crowded, really, she's apparently been at this for a while.]

[Finally she retrieves her tablet, holding it in one hand as she returns to the box. She looks like she's about to turn it off, but after a second she turns her glowing eyes towards it instead.]

I don't know what these little machines are. [Using her free hand she holds one up, and it kicks aimlessly at the air in protest before she sets it back down.] But if anyone else has found some and does not want them, I will take them.

I-[She turns away, and is that a faint smile on her face as she spots another little machine. For a moment she genuinely looks like a little kid, but then it's gone as she turns back towards the screen.] They seem to be everywhere. Does anyone know what they are from? [She asks even as she's standing and walking to collect another little prize.]

[It's been eating at him since he got here, and no amount of ignoring the problem had made it disappear from his mind. He'd tried to find information about it here, but he found these devices baffling and the library not much help in the matter.

He turns on the tablet and stares into it, face uncertain and anxious despite the mask of nonchalance]

Have...any of you ever heard of a group called Duratek?

I was told once, in my own world, that they sought to find a way to come there and steal our resources. They sent a man to sabotage our keep, like cowards, and killed many people within it. [One of which was nearly his father, and the memory causes more anxiety than he'd like to admit] I don't know if your United Earth would do such a thing, but their goal sounds the same to me.

They came from Earth as well, but I cannot find any mention of them. I wonder if maybe they are the same group in disguise. Maybe even hope. Because that may mean there are not one but two such threats to my land.

[A green young woman appears on the screen, smiling happily a few feet away from the tablet that seems to be floating. It looks like she's in the kitchen of one of the apartments, ingredients and bowls on the counter.]

I know it's a couple days late, but I'm baking some holiday cookies if anybody would like some. I promise they're pretty good. Well, if you enjoyed the ones at the masquerade, you'll like these, too! There's gingerbread, chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, sugar...

[She glances at the counter and laughs sheepishly.] I may have gone a little overboard, but that's okay. The more, the merrier! ... sort of.

Um, yes, if you'd like some, let me know! You can drop by Unit 107 or I can bring some to you tomorrow, whichever's easier. Or, if you know someone who you'd like to have some, I can do that, too. I promise I'll keep your name a secret.

[The talking stops as she turns from the camera to retrieve some from the oven by telekinetically opening the oven door. The cookie sheet floats out, landing on the counter nearby before she turns back.]

I'll take requests if I'm able. Please don't be shy about any of this, it's something I really enjoy doing. My name's M'gann, by the way. I hope to hear from some of you. [And with a wave, the camera's shut off.]