[action/video]

[imperfect]

[action; backdated to the 2nd and 3rd]

[There's a building some distance away from the areas of town where the Hold and housing building are that doesn't look quite as derelict as it did, say, a week ago. Passersby may notice the occasional burst of light illuminating its windows, or hear the rumble of subtly shifting stone.

The other notable change in the environs is the ponytailed young man who's been loitering around here for the better part of the day, going in and out. Sometimes he's walking around the perimeter. Most of the rest of the time, he's hauling boxes and crates around. A few of them look pretty bulky, but he doesn't appear to be struggling. Every time he exits the building or moves to go back inside, he sets aside whatever he might be holding, claps his hands together, and presses both of them to the front of the door - which, if you're paying enough attention, can be briefly heard to crackle.

Otherwise, he's mainly minding his own business, although if you happen to be standing in his way he might eye you for a moment.] Hey, you couldn't give me some space, could you?


[video]

[If the camera angle is any indicator, the tablet recording this must be lying flat on a table. All the better for Ed to loom over it. Most of the room isn't visible behind him, but the machinery that is suggests a lab or workshop of some kind.]

So I hear some smartass thinks it's well past time the Initiative got serious about this full-scale war. Whether or not you think that's the kind of judgment we get to make is your problem. [His tone of voice, initially light, hardens a little here.] But the Initiative guys aren't the only people at home, and they still won't be when that war does come knocking.

If the Initiative has too much on its plate right now to focus on them, then let's take them off its hands. We've got the knowhow, the equipment and the skills. Even if some of us are more ordinary than others, we've got more resources put together than anyone trapped in a single world could dream of. Stepping in to protect them works for now, and I'm glad we can do it, but someday they've gotta be able to stand on their own feet. We might not last here forever one way or another... [He lets that hang in the air for just a moment.] but we can at least leave them that much behind.

[He leans in a little closer, just to be sure - the whole point of filming himself is as a lightning rod for people's attention, after all. The small smile on his face doesn't quite match the uncompromising look in his eyes.]

My name's Edward Elric. That's [he points his left thumb towards his chest] Edward Elric. If you think you might be interested, get in touch. I don't care who you are - there's something you can do to help, and I want to hear what it is. [With the same hand, he reaches down to the side of the tablet.] I'll be waiting.

[The video shuts off.]

[ooc: This is the IC announcement of this weapons development research team! There's an OOC post on it here. Signups are open to freaking everyone and can be done wherever; handwaving is totally fine. (Replies to the video that aren't signups are entirely welcome, though!) In the distant, distant future, there should be a log related to this. ♥]

Comments

[Video]

[nuclear_raven]

I can do nuclear fusion and stuff. If that helps.

[imperfect]

[His expression pretty much encompasses the entirety of his response to this.]

You can "do" nuclear fusion?

[voice]

[miscreant]

[Because she still doesn't trust people to be ok with the undead thing, she sticks to voice. Not that it helps, given the unsightly reverberation in her tone that makes her sound like a ghost.]

And what did you have in mind? Weaponry? War Machines? Self-aware constructs?

[imperfect]

If you've got ideas, I'll take them. Interested?

voice

[sceyence]

Sounds like wor--

[As the gears turn in Kenjirou's head, he reasons that this may not fit under his obligations, but certainly under his best interests, given how the Initiative failing means trouble for him.]

...a fairly good idea. I've never done war resources before, though.

[imperfect]

So what have you done?

[video]

[oncearanger]

You already know about my garage. [He's been in and out as he pleases, he has to know about it.] I can go into the weapons work if you think you could use my services, it wouldn't be the first time.

[imperfect]

[Ed looks a touch uneasy, although it has nothing to do with anything Billy just said.]

Yeah, I know. I know it means you already found your own way to help these people. I'm not going to force you into anything. So... don't take it the wrong way when I say I'd appreciate it.

voice; private

[alphonse]

[It's not a bad little speech. Under slightly different circumstances Al might even be proud of him.

Different circumstances like this not being the first time he's heard any of it. Different circumstances like the underlying goal--complete with people chiming in to talk about war machines and nuclear fusion!--not being something he vehemently disagrees with on principle.

Still, his voice remains a very careful sort of calm. This isn't a matter to be discussed on the network.]

Where are you?

voice; private

[imperfect]

[Ed hesitates.]

Library. There's some things I wanted to check before heading back.

[Like Al, he knows better than to assume nobody else is listening, which is the main reason he doesn't immediately rush into an entire other speech just to explain himself. But he can explain himself, can't he? That shouldn't be anything to worry about.]

[video]

[clinical]

[It sounds interesting. Also a little more passionate and fiery than Jade is really up for, but that's fine. He is curious, however.]

To be clear, this is weapons development research, potentially to be left with the Initiative after we leave?

[On one hand, good. On the other hand, giving weapons to people he doesn't trust to potentially be used against his own world.]

[imperfect]

Potentially, yeah. If nobody else can step up. Just trying to give people a friendly reminder that this place is bigger than just them.

video

[carchars]

What is there to do?

Except go to the enemy and destroy them. If that will get me out of here, I will do that.

[He stops for a minute and stares blankly.] Problems solved.

[imperfect]

[Ed's eyes narrow slightly.] Good luck with that. It's not the problem I'm talking about. But if you actually want to help, I can find you something.

[Action]

[boundbyheart]

[Kagura likes to watch people, study them. It often helps her along, as far as having information about things that could kill you goes. So, naturally, when something somewhat strange like this comes about, Kagura's watching. She's high in the air, on a feather, visible; it doesn't seem to bother her, though. She wants to see what's in that building...but it seems there might be some sort of trap. What's he hiding?]

[imperfect]

[Presently, Ed emerges from the front door with his hands in his pockets, steps out to close it - and tenses up. Is something different about the shadows around here compared to how the place had looked when he went inside? A cursory look from side to side reveals nothing obviously suspicious. Neither does turning to look behind him. It's hardly the most reassuring sight, though.

This time, unlike every other time he's left the building today, he clasps his hands together quietly, although he doesn't have too many illusions about it making a difference. Behind him, underneath the palm he then presses to the door, there's another momentary blue glow and a small crackle. This stuff's important to him, after all. He's not leaving the place wide open.

Then he takes a few more steps out onto the street, listening carefully. Maybe if he had a clearer view...]

[video]

[mentore]

[Color Ezio curious.]

You have quite the plan for this place, amico.

[imperfect]

It's a step up from having none. You interested?

Video;

[deathofempathy]

Well, I have been looking for a job of some sort. I did a lot of paperwork back home, if you think that might help at all.

[Hisoka is not as sure about his partner, given Tsuzuki's reputation with paperwork, but. Well, maybe even that bumbling idiot could help somehow.]

[imperfect]

[It's really not what he's in this for, but Ed has to concede he won't get the information he wants if the entire project collapses in on itself. He waves a hand vaguely.] Sure, everywhere has paperwork. What did you do back there?

video;

[ultimate_coordinator]

[ This guy promised his girlfriend that he wouldn't help build weapons ... so unfortunately he can't help there. ]

Edward Elric? I believe we spoke before.

[imperfect]

Yeah, I remember. You in?

[ action ]

[reassures]

[Nill hasn't done a great deal of exploring since she got here. She's preferred to try to hone her skills and become stronger, spending a good portion of her free time in the training facilities, so most of her wandering is at night when she doesn't entirely have access to them. Even so, she's observant enough to notice that this building doesn't really look the same as it did the last time she came by here, and she can't decide if there's an actual difference, or if it really looks that much different during the day than it does the night (though that seems unlikely to her.

It's unfortunate that she probably was standing in his way while trying to figure this out, and Nill quickly steps to the side, her wings folding in towards her back with an apologetic look.]

[imperfect]

[A girl with wings. Huh. The sight of her gives him a moment's pause before he tells her to move aside. Still, all the same, he reasons, someone from the Earth he knows probably wouldn't consider that any weirder than a regular old chimera. Besides, he doesn't have all day to hang around staring.

He gives her a small smile, although it might be a little difficult to see in the shadow of the box he's balancing on his shoulder.] Sorry about that. Carrying this thing out here, it'd be a shame to drop it on someone now. [But despite his saying that and the box's obvious size, he moves past her fairly briskly, heading over to the door.] The least they could've given me is a car...

[Once there, he sets the box down at his feet and hunches over the door handle for a second. It occurs to him that if someone really had their heart set on breaking in, they could just smash a window... but hell, locking the place up makes him feel better, at least. There's a brief, quiet rushing noise, and the suggestion of bluish-white light.

After that, Ed steps back to pick his box up again, but hesitates before lifting it all the way up onto his shoulder. He calls over:] Actually, how about giving me a hand with this door? If you're not doing anything else. It closes kind of quick.

[Text]

[makingacontribution]

My, my that's quite the speech. Did you mean human resources or -actual- resources?

[Not really a team player here, but hnnnn lab equipment, chemicals, all that good stuff.]

[imperfect]

If you're interested, you tell me.

Video

[how_fascinating]

[Oh hey, she remembers that name! Let's nevermind the fact that she's not fond of you. And now you have visuals on each other.]

Despite our previous altercation, I would be willing to lend my genius to this effort. [Ain't she generous?]

[imperfect]

[Oh, is that what she looks like? He scratches his head. ...Well, appearances don't count for squat.

Smugness is a different matter, but he makes a valiant attempt to remain at least sounding businesslike.]

Oh, you would, huh? [Valiant, not completely successful.] Then I'll be interested to see what you do with it. You'll hear from me later.

voice

[hejhej]

[she's just signing up for everything, isn't she?]

I deal with anything technologically.

[imperfect]

Anything? [He sounds sceptical. There's nothing necessarily wrong with having an ego, but today he's after the details.] Anything in particular?