A whole week, and nobody's died and nothing's exploded too badly that I've heard of. It's almost unnerving. Probably can't count on it lasting, though. If anyone still needs help with repairs - well, I can do some basic stuff, at least. And any heavy lifting needed.

( [filtered to those who expressed interested in his squad] )

[Filtered to Remy]

Want to watch some kids run their first trial-by-Danger-Room? Buy you a beer after.

[Filtered to Barbara]

I'm running some intro training for some would-be spec ops recruits, if you're interested in watching and giving a second opinion.

[OOC: I'll put up an OOC plotting post sometime Wednesday, along with the log - it's not too time-sensitive! And for interested parties who didn't catch the OOC post earlier, there will be other opportunities for recruitment. Rosters don't stay static!]

Does anyone here do any tech stuff? Computers? Robots? Anything?

Because seriously, this network is kinda sad, and there's only so long I can entertain myself coming up with new visualizations for data traffic.

[His voice is calm as he poses this question. It's a voice that wants to encourage discussion but not necessarily a heated debate.]

What is it that the United Earth wants from the Initiative that keeps us alive? That last curbstomping we received doesn't leave much room for debate about our chances.

Is it the tech? Are we a propaganda tool? An experiment?

Throw some ideas out there.

[And then the feed ends.]


[[OOC: Threadjumping and jacking are encouraged in this post! Blaine wants allllll the ideas.]]

[The video is a little shaky when it first comes on before it's finally moved to display the user's face.]

Is it working...?

Um- hello! My name is Cheria Barnes, and I've been here for a few months now. I'd meant to do this sooner, but with everything that's happened... Well, it seems like as best a time as any now.

Back home on Ephinea I lead a relief organization to help with the aftereffects of war. We ran food drives, helped with building repairs, gave first aid-- pretty much anything people needed of us that we could help with, you know?

So... I was thinking that I could start something like that up here too. For people that can't fight but still want to help. I thought it would probably be a good way to get the people here to trust us again too... Anyway, if you'd be interested, please let me know!

Thank you.

[She bows, but it's a little lost in the view of the tablet.]

Um-- how did he say to turn it off again? [The feed is still live for a few minutes before she finally manages to turn it off.]

I don't suppose there are many hobbits here. Or any for that matter.

[ He still hates this tab… let thing; technology, what… is that? Either way, he's seated somewhere that's quaint and small and unassuming – his bedroom perhaps? - and there, he's staring down at the tiny camera, fingers fiddling at the hard backing of the device. ]

We're hardly a thing to notice, unless you're looking down, far down, but there isn't much sense in watching one's feet while going. Quite a few of you know that well, hm? [ He hasn't been bumped into as much lately, but that first day in the courtyard… – You guys know who you are.

Clears his throat now, lips pursing, then twisting, then flattening through a shuffle of expressions that border on excessive. At least he's seated and his hands are busy rapping, otherwise he'd have straightened his neck scarf, vest and jacket twice as of now. ] I meant to ask… – I believe a mistake's been made with my being brought here, for hobbits are not well-suited for… whatever business this is. We know gardening and eating and smoking the finest… – [ A pause. Right. The topic is making a wide arching turn to the left and he really ought to bring it back. So. Ahem. ] … But I've noticed there's a, ah, variety of… types here. I've never been quite as well informed when following the relations of you bigger folk, so…………… how is everyone making along? Are – ah, I suppose it would be we – … are we all amongst agreeable company?

[ aka do dwarves hate elves or elves hate men or men hate everyone here too? Because being bffs and singing kumbaya in horrid surroundings sounds so much better. ]

[The video opens to Celena's 30ft long draconic form standing at the edge of what looks to be a construction site, the area mostly cleared apart from what looks to be a pile of rubble on one side and ordered piles on the other as the tablet floats before her.]

Greetings.

I have a request to make to those who are interested and able, I am currently setting about constructing an abode suited to my needs and to practice my artifice without the need to take on my smaller forms.

To that end I would request that any who have experience with construction, or think themselves capable of heavy lifting that would like to assist in this endeavor contact me.

I would be quite willing to repay the services of those who assist me, whether with assistance with constructions of their own, repairs, or favours saved for a later date.

[With a gesture she projects the preliminary plans of the building in a semi-transparent illusion, quite clearly well planned.]

After I have finished with this, I intend to look into the possibility of constructing hardened shelters about the city for use should the catacombs ever be rendered unreachable.

Any who would wish to contribute in this matter, whether with construction, or insight on protections both mundane and magical, do not hesitate to contact me.

[With that she casts a smile to the tablet.]

In any regard if any wish to speak with me in regards to any matter may find me here or via the network.

[The feed clicks on to a very somber-looking Rita. She opens her mouth to say something, but shakes her head, remaining silent for several more seconds. Eventually, she sighs and starts:]

I'm... not that good with stuff like this. I've been avoiding people for the last few weeks because I didn't want to deal with it, and I know now's not really a good time, what with all the new people. But... there's no way around it now.

[She looks right at the camera, and if you're looking closely, it's like her eyes are... out of focus. Is something wrong?]

I can't really see anymore, after I got too close to a bomb few weeks back. Anything really close, I can work with - I can still use this thing, at least. But anything much further than that, it gets blurry real quick, and at distances it's like nothing stands still. So... I'm pretty much useless for what I'm good at, right now. I'm not really... coping with it very well, and I'm trying to figure out what the hell I'll be good for like this. Maybe research, I guess, or spellwork. But I don't think I can fight like this. Before anyone asks, I tried glasses; they almost worked for a minute or three, until I got a horrible headache I couldn't function through. So that's a thing. Uh... so, I guess I'm looking for work that doesn't require me to actually be able to function.

[A long moment passes, the girl having a look of being totally lost for a second, before Rita throws up her hands, reaching to stop the video feed.]

I don't even know why I did this. Dammit.