[A teenager frowns into the device a bit too dramatically.]

So, if this Midgardian technology tells me true, Time seems to have gotten lost. Worry not, fair citizens, for I believe I have a solution for your present predicament: What's been lost can be found, yes?

Why don't those of you still blessed with knowledge of this place go find Time and bring it back? Unless you fancy a child army. In which case how naughty of you.

[He wags a scolding finger.]

I shall, of course, stay behind to look after the children and the geriatrics until your return, no need to thank me.

[ Flashes of video input— the corner of a walls, floors, a swath of blue clothing, with a frantic, tapping accompaniment. Someone doesn't know how these things work. But the confusion settles and the video feed cuts out.]

This isn't how I was expecting my kidnapping to go. I don't think you've thought this out at all. I mean, where's the ransom note? I don't like to brag, [cough cough] but I could fetch a good sum.

If you wanted to do this right, you'd chop off my little finger and seal it in a letter to my father. "We have the Latkje heir, please send one million potch." That's how you do a proper kidnapping.

Don't worry, I promise to be very uncooperative.

[a testing sound, a little huff of an exhale, and a lapse into quiet. he's hesitant.

but:] Did they say anything about this? Everyone changing...Last time awful things were happening, they said they were working on it. Things got better.

I'm...not very good at using this. Did I miss it? It's... [slight pause. his tone gets gradually more distracted:] It's going to change, like before. And every time we get sent someplace different, something else happens...

[beat.

WAIT:] I meant the Initiatve people, I'm sorry. [a quick, wincing pause. apologies....] They're who I meant should have said something.