A native sneezed in my coffee this morning. Seems like there's something nasty going around. We're so many eons into the future, they couldn't figure out a way to eradicate colds?

[sore throats and runny noses are a nightmare]

[The camera is focused on a cookie, held in Nathan's hand. People may recognize it as one of the cookies offered to newcomers as they leave the Initiative Hold. This one, however, looks a tad off--the icing looks a bit lumpy, and there appear to be several curly hairs attached to it.]

Alright. Who do you think would win in a fight with this biscuit as the prize?

[Nathan drops his hand and the cookie out of sight, leaving a clear view of a merchant outdoors in the courtyard, covered in a large raincoat selling soggy odds and ends. He looks old, weary, and is hunched in on himself, shivering a little bit.]

This guy...

[He shifts the camera view to a nearby alleyway, where a small, scrawny child sits with his knees drawn up to his chin, soaking wet. The child is wide-eyed and dressed in tattered clothes, looking gaunt and exhausted.]

...or this one?

[The camera is turned around so that now Nathan's face fills the screen.]

Ah? Anyone got any ideas? I'm willing to accept bets, if there are any takers!

[It's this nut again. She sounds dejected - really dejected, not even excited to be feeling dejected. ]

Hey, my big sister was here for a little while. But she disappeared a little while ago without saying a word. It's really typical of her! She did this before too when we were younger. I thought maybe we could have fun together while she was here. We're twins, you know. So it would have really funny to prank everyone here for a little while, to see if you could tell us apart. Ugh, but you know, she isn't a very good actor. I bet you would have all seen right through her.

[She's so disappointed. Mukuro never does anything right. And she's too bored to be gleeful about it. It's the worst feeling, wanting to despair and not even having the strength to overcome boredom to feel it. ]

But now she's gone and I'm super bored. I guess she went home, huh? Mukuro was so selfish. She didn't even leave me anything cool to defend myself with in this scary war. That's so typical of her, too. She always said she'd protect me, back home, and she's left me all alone again. I can't even find the strength to change my personality like usual!

[She sighs very dramatically. She's playing the abandonment issues up, really, but whatever gets her what she needs. ] So, you know, everyone's always sounding really hopeful when I listen in here, or they sound really tired of it all. I'm envious! So I decided I'd make my own fun without Mukuro. But Junko isn't selfish like her big sister, so when I'm done I'll share it all with you. But I have a super duper important question: there's bound to be engineers here, right? Even programmers? Can I borrow you to help?

[A beat. ] Huh. I guess that's everything. I feel a bit better already. Hope is really something.

[ The name on this post is still Bariyan e Kodhi, but its current owner is mostly certainly not Bariyan.

Cat's sitting at a desk, elbow propped against its surface, his hand in his hair. The collar of his shirt has been pulled away to show the mess that's been made of his neck -- frost-nipped skin, bruising, great big bloody scratches. He's made no effort to tend to his injuries yet. He has, however, taken time to make sure that his hair is completely perfect.

He scowls. ]

Tell me, did anyone else here get physically assaulted by their roommate the moment they opened their fucking door? Or was I the only one who got tossed in with a goddamn psychopath?

[ Cat paws at his neck and looks surprised to feel blood-- he pulls his hand away hastily, tries to wipe it off on the back of his other hand, snarling in irritation. ]

This is the exact reason why I don't... like... sharing.

[ He's barely finished spitting his last syllable before he turns the tablet off. Then he picks it up and flings it at the wall, shrieking, but thankfully that portion of his incredibly mature and reasonable fit doesn't make it onto the network. ]

[Someone might have noticed Shiki was gone for a few days. Aw, who's kidding? The recluse's absence would have been appreciated by a few people who could live without borderline crippling cynicism.

He returns on video, standing in the rain. His clothes are soaked and so is he, a bit more filled out and taller, though ultimately a bit obvious a face if anyone's used to him with his red burial cloth set over his eyes.]

I don't care who does it or how.

Send me back. Send me back right now. You don't just let me get to see her after all I've been through and take me back here.

[The screen shows(to some of you) a familiar red-head, covered in bandages though she doesn't appear to be in any pain. Her hands are clasped over her lap and the eagle-eyed will notice she's in a hospital bed.]

The Initiative does pick the most inopportune moments to draw us back here...

[There is a brief flicker of angst on her features before she smiles again.]

Some of you may remember me but for those of you who have just arrived my name is Erza Scarlet. I hope my guild mates haven't caused you any trouble.

[Natsu getting into fights, Lucy flashing people and Juvia breaking and entering; and there was a lot worse they could have done in her absence. There's small pause.]

I don't suppose anyone could tell me how long I've been gone?

[Locked to Fairy Tail.]

I would very much like to see you all as soon as possible.

[After all she can't really go them at the moment.]

voice;

[Haruto hasn't been on the network much, recently, but he can't keep silent today, of all days.]

Has anyone ever heard of National Doughnut Day? It came up in the library, but I've never heard of it. And I'm very fond of doughnuts.

Speaking of, I've been going to one bakery, near the Transport apartments. Is there anywhere else to try?

( and action for roommates, cut for length )

[oh, it's a Toph. For once her hair is brushed out of her face, but her eyes look puffy and her nose is red]

Has anyone...

[...

.....

........

...........

SNEEZE!!!!

......snoooorts snot back up her nose.]

...'scuse me.

Has anyone seen a tiny little guy around? Like, the size of your thumb? Real sassy attitude, likes to poke people with tiny little swords? He's my roommate and I haven't seen him in a while.

[sniffles.]

...I hope a cat didn't get him.