[ The feed snaps on, and it's Saber, lying on her side with her cheek pressed against her knuckles. It's the more blue yes, they're color coded, calmer version also flatter chested, and probably the "older" one in staying in Exsilium. She has an almost uncharacteristic smirk on her face, but she's gonna go ahead and address the tablet with: ]

Tell me of the various tales of your lands, foreigners of Exsilium.

And not just any stories - I wish to know of your heroes, of your mythologies, of your monsters and men. Perhaps walking among you are heroes and villains themselves. I would think we've all calmed down from the Initiative's most recent fallacy: surely those afflicted have learned some things of their bodies to pique certain curiosities?

I am particularly interested in myths surrounding a figure known as King Arthur and his Excalibur. [ This is where her smirk just grows a bit too much for one whose expression is mostly guarded and impassive. ]

Different realms account for different flavors, but perhaps we will discover the threads here.

[There's a youngish looking teenager  with a mop of red hair can be seen on the screen. He's new, but this isn't exactly his first day here. He's spent most of this week keeping close to the people of his own world that made it to Exsilium. He was one of the lucky bunch to have most everyone he cared about from his world follow him here, so he's fairly happy. Well, as happy as you can be in this place.]

You know, I feel kinda like an ass. I've been hanging around my own people and haven't really poked around to see what other kind of people are here. This place might kinda suck, but my family's here and I've got a chance to meet some new people.

[At the moment, he's fairly calm and just curious as to how will respond to an upbeat message on the network. Of course, he could bitch and moan about this place, and he's certain he eventually will, but for now he's fairly relaxed, considering he's new and so far, this place hasn't seemed like that bad of a deal...yet. At least, not compared to the events of his own world that were happening at the time he left.]

[The displayed name reads 'Billy Cranston', but the face isn't his. Billy's trying to act as Lady Celebrían would, he really is! He sits up straight, his long hair awkwardly twisted into a loose and messy braid. He hopes that doesn't harm her hair. And he's especially grateful that the lady isn't the makeup type---he'd messed that up for one friend already. But his arms are crossed and there's an odd expression of disappointment on his face. Still, he waves, one hand making a graceful arc in the air.]

By my calculations, we've almost reached the estimated time that the personality displacement will be reversed. And...you know, it's funny. This isn't the first time I've been through this.

I asked one of my best friends to help me test a new invention that was supposed to allow thought-sharing once, but a missing wire resulted in this same effect. We were only switched for one day, and of course we wouldn't deliberately sabotage each other, but even then we made so many mistakes and tarnished each other's reputations so severely that we ended up nearly destroying our friendship. That was painful enough! I can't believe how many would do that intentionally.

Anyway, I've been doing my best to recreate my old device as a backup should the Initiative's efforts fail. If anyone has experience with something similar, can you help? I'll be in my garage on the west side.

[The video begins with Ashe sitting on the corner of her bed. The Sword of Kings, an intricate two-handed sword, is propped against the wall on the bed. Dark circles and bags have formed under Ashe's eyes, making it clearly that she has barely slept since her arrival. She grips the Dawn Shard tightly in her hand, it reminds her of home and the warm desert breeze that she misses so. Ever since her arrival she has worried what is happening back in her homeland.]

Does anyone know what happens in our homes while we are here?

[She pauses clutching the Dawn Shard to her breast.]

If I have disappeared in Ivalice, then who knows what sort of terrible fate will befall my people. I have abandoned my people when their need is most dire. There is much I need to do at home and yet I sit here awaiting instructions.

[Sighing heavily she bites down on her lip, and then reached up brushing back a few loose strands of dark blonde hair.]

I do not mind helping, as I understand one's need for freedom, but I wish they would at least put my mind at ease. I have my own worries and plights to deal with, I fear I cannot handle being a part of another resistance while my mind is clouded with thoughts of my own. It would simply be too much for me to handle.

[The screen flicks on to looks like Miss Croft in a labcoat, running a hand down her face with quiet aggravation.]

Before anyone asks; still not Lara Croft. Still Gordon, still switched up. They're making slow progress but it nevertheless is progress.

Lara, Barney, Pid, Meliantha...? Hell, everyone. How're you holding up?

[Private, to Morrigan]

Hey, you want to go out tonight? I know we haven't for a while, and if I don't get out of this lab for a while I'm liable to shove my calculator up someone's ass sideways. I don't care where we go or what we do; I'm leaving that up to you.

[ As always, the video feed turns on - she may not use the network much, but she did when she needed to. This time, Lucy is seated at a desk with balls upon balls upon balls of crumpled up pieces of paper. She gave a dejected little sigh. No matter how hard she tried, her stories just weren't forming the way she wanted them to. She knew why at least - kinda. She needed a distraction, desperately. Finally, she let out a frustrated noise, flailing at the desk and shredding a piece of paper before running her hands through her hair. She'd been TRYING (key word) to write about the latest capers with the body swapping and everything, even though she wasn't affected by it, but... ]

Aaaa - Darnit!!

[ HUFF. ]

I'm not making any progress on this whatsoever. It's not even writer's block, it's just..

[ She stopped there, brown eyes shifting towards the feed as she stretched one arm over her head, the other reaching behind her head to grasp her elbow. MRPH. ]

I think I need some air. Anyone want to come with me? I was thinking about exploring the Outlands a little. A distraction should be just what I need to get a fresh start on this.

[There's no way she's posting anything audio or video recorded while this is going on, or while lost and freaking out.]

Hey listen here!

I will be getting to the bottom of some of the conseq.s of this disaster. Side effects or whatever I dont know what youd call them

what have you been forgetting? Information like your apartment # or peoples names or really serious things?

I dont care about the specifics so dont waste my time with that! its not important.


This has to be happening to someone else