[Have you had enough pop culture for the day, Exsilium?  Yes?  Too bad. ]

Yes, I know.  As a general rule of thumb, it's a terrible idea to have anything to do with strange old books one finds sitting about in catacombs, but there's really a point when one has to find something else to do that doesn't involve being worried about dying via poison gas or bombs or any other manner of cave related death.  I suspect that's largely how trouble with old books start, but really.  Really, this is just.

[ She holds up the book.  Emblazoned on the cover in very tacky and flaking gold leaf is: The Twilight Saga. ]

You know I remember being fifteen and having crushes on boys, but I don't think they ever quite amounted to anything worth referring to as a saga.  My marriage to the son of an overwhelmingly evil being was less fraught with needless dramatics.  And granted, my association with werewolves and vampires is admittedly minimal, but really.  I don't understand how I'm supposed to fear a being that glitters in the sunlight.

I don't even know what I should do with this blasted thing now.

So, what with how, uh, dreary it's been around here -- assuming that it's actually any drearier than usual, I guess -- I thought we could maybe use some lightening up. And what with Halloween approaching, I think a celebration of quality cinema is in order. [ He says "Halloween" as though it is actually slightly painful to refer to the date by that name. ] I took the liberty of delving into the Initiative's archives for these classics, and they're all on a shelf in the front of the library now, if anyone is interested.

[ He turns the camera to display the shelf in question. It is full of VHS tapes, bearing such titles as Dawn of the Dead (1978), Dracula 2000, Howling V, Sometimes They Come Back... Again, and Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood. None of the films were released later than the year 2000, they all seem to feature supernatural creatures prominently, and most of them are, frankly, pretty awful. ]

I'm not... exactly familiar with all of them. [ He holds up a copy of 1992's Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Kristy Swanson. ] I mean, this looks a lot like Muffy the Werewolf Slayer? I'm not uh... sure if it's the same thing?

Anyway. You're welcome, Exsilium.

[Despite recent events Eiki seems perfectly at home, she's not stressed, or particularly worried. It was almost as if everything going on simply did not affect her.]

In light of recent tragedy, I became curious about some things. There is a lot of diversity here, with people from all over, from worlds so different it would be hard to imagine, and I assume rules and universal laws that are also different. So considering this, I would like to know about the afterlife of other worlds. I understand it is rare for those living to know the system for the dead, but even if all you know is mythology and legend I would still like to hear it. In exchange I will share everything I can of my world.

[OKAY. GONNA TRY AND BE AN ADULT HERE. You know, that thing Johnny is terrible at being? Yes. But he wants to be useful. Also, he's bored.]

Um, anyone need help with anythin'? Things are pretty wrecked, an' all things considered, I'm in okay shape after all that, so I can like... Clean stuff or lift stuff or whatever. I'm pretty strong, ya know.

[AWKWARD PAUSE GOES HERE. After looking unsure of what to say after a few moments, he pipes up again.]

So does shit like this happen often here? All-out battles an' attacks 'n' shit? Cuz if so, maybe we should start preparing for when they do find out we're still here.

Hello, everyone.

[ Today, he looks about as professionally neutral as he normally would - if maybe a little pleased for once - and he's seated at a table in his apartment, somewhat visible from the angle of the netbook screen. ]

I hope to hear that everyone's been doing well - or as well as possible.

[ Considering what happened not long ago, but there's no need to rub it in. He pauses briefly before going on and leaning towards the screen a little, some light catching on the gold resting at his collarbones. ]

There's been talk recently of the need for a more organized means to control threats and protect the people here. Naturally, I agree completely.

[ There are some papers on the table and he takes a moment to glance through them before picking up one in particular - plain, nondescript, with black typeface visible on it - and gesturing at the camera. ]

As I found out not long ago, we're not alone in thinking that. The people - the civilians - of Exsilium have already begun to organize a police force of their own. I happened to find their station because of this flier, advertising for assistance. They're more than willing to accept Transports - in fact, they're willing to allow for a separate segment to be created that would consist entirely of Transports and address dangers to us.

I can understand if anyone may be hesitant to work with natives of this world, but they seem to be completely unaffiliated with the Initiative - so much that no one I spoke to acknowledged the name - and I believe this is a good opportunity to bring some [ JUSTICE ] order to Exsilium while we're here.

All right. Let's try this again.

[Her words are strained and forced, because she honestly doesn't see why she needs to apologize. But for the betterment of things...]

I know before I was a bit... urgent about this matter. And I apologize if it came off as rude but.

We need to organize. We have to. I know some of you won't listen and some of you don't want to but please understand that this isn't just your own life at risk here.

I can't make you, I know that. So instead. Who is at least willing to organize with others into groups and actually willing to fight together? And I don't necessarily mean just for battles we are sent and forced to fight.

This isn't going to work for every issue of battle but it will at least be something more than we have now. Which, by the way, isn't much of anything.

And again if anyone is willing to help with this, I'd appreciate it. I'm not any sort of leader or commander or anything so no, I don't know what I'm doing. But at least I'm trying when the rest of you sit and wait and hope that someone might just happen to have your back in the battles to come. [Oops. A little too defensive there. She'll take in a breath to calm a tad before continuing]

If you don't want to help or be a part of this, fine. Don't. It's your choice. I won't stop you. But don't start criticizing another's efforts when you won't even try yourself. [Yep, still butt hurt.]

But for the rest of you... thanks.

Welcome to Exsilium. There is much to discuss.

[recognize those words in that voice? Simmaeri's kind of an A+ mimic. she get your attention with that one? she likes to think so. we'll find out anyway.]

Discuss is to make understand, yes? [as far as she knows. the raised eyebrows seem to imply a need for confirmation. no rhetorical questions here!] I want a discuss. You help. There is much words to discuss.

[she leans forward a little, lifting her hands from her lap.] You speak words for you. Words for...[fingers settle near her collarbone; her eyebrows knit. she takes on a pained tone.] Why. I see...[her hand lifts, tracing from her temple down to her jaw, wearing a hurt expression.] No good face. I hear no good words. Much, no good.

[the next words she says are untranslatable, but laced with the desire to be understood:]

What causes you unhappiness here?


[OH RIGHT THE VOLUNTARY ACTION:

because where is this girl broadcasting from?

one of the stairwells at the apartment building, between the first and second floor. why not? who stays in their rooms, anyway?

feel free to not like. step on her computer on your way up/down the stairs.]

You know what honestly blows the most in this place?

[ Jack's slumped down into the cushions of her unit's living room couch, an empty bag of chips resting against her stomach as she rambles. ]

The fucking cable. Has anyone else been watching Days of Our Dumbass Totalitarian Future? I don't know how many more fucking times I can watch the big reveal that Sally McBigtits is pregnant and the great betrayal of Fabio von Whatshisass fucking around behind her back before I shove my foot through the TV. I miss the extranet. I miss the bispecies porn. At least it was laugh worthy to see a Hanar and an Elcor trying to get it on.

You know what they say about idle hands... Well, I'm not really sure, but in this context it probably means arson is on the horizon, so let's work on the entertainment sector some time before I decide it's a better plan to just go around torching shit for the funsies.

[ There's a long pause in which she just stares with the most bored of eyes at the screen, face intensely unimpressed with life as a whole. ]


Shepard, I'm hungry.

The way I see it-

[Isaac is in one of the training areas- he's dressed in loose clothing, slightly sweat-damp, and with that cocky, arrogant little grin on his face. Just behind him, slightly obscured by the camera angle, is one of those hefty training dummies, and it's now in absolute tatters, worn down at the chest and head area and generally ripped to shreds.]

This 'training' is a joke. If we're going to be fighting real people out there, we need to be fighting real people in here. So.

[He tilts his chin upward, utterly confident in himself.]

Someone come spar with me.

I've heard rumor that we can't die here. Is this true? Am I not as pathetically fragile as I thought?

[Action: Johnny, despite his outward attitude, is a bit on the shy and awkward side, since he's not good at dealing with people. So instead of calling and chatting around like others, he'll be out and about the city on his own today, getting himself oriented and seeing what it has to offer. He's a little wary about spending money since he doesn't quite have the currency down yet, so he'll be doing a lot of window shopping and browsing in stores, looking a bit lost. Maybe he'll bump into you accidentally while looking up at signs, or stop and ask you for directions to any music stores.

That's the one place he'll spend a lot of time in. Little flashy cards? No. Basement full of CDs? HELL YES. Don't mind him while he pores through the entire collection, looking homesick.]

--
[Audio:]

So, uh. I guess if I've got no choice to be stuck here for God knows how long, I should get a job, huh. What kinda jobs are even out there? I never even had one before so it ain't like I got a resume to hand out or somethin'. What do you guys do?

This is not the first time I've been called to another world...or time. Is it the same for others here? [a slight pause. reflective:] There was a city. A different kind of machine. The voice was different.

[a lengthier pause.]

I sense...others like myself, in a way. My power. Am I to offer the same? [softer:] This world's timing would be...[a breath.]

This is "Earth," as well, isn't it?

[The four-eyed alien on the screen is excitedly typing away on her laptop with two hands, and waving two more in excited ways. Because yes, she has four hands and she is making wild gestures to punctuate each and every word she says. She is not going to stop for anything.]

I can’t believe this! Humans are everywhere, this is the most amazingly perfect opportunity! I have been studying humans, of course, but my sample size has been very limited up until now!

Let me review my notes so far- [She taps a few times on her laptop to bring up said notes, rapidly reading over them a few times before she starts talking again]

Humans are a fairly low-tech pre-spaceflight species, not many of them have made it into space! Which is such a shame, they’re a very attractive species, even though they tend to be a bit hairy and don’t have enough eyes. But I haven’t let things like that get in my way before! [She laughs loudly, then continues]

What else, what else- I wish I had my original notes here, I really did! Oh yes- humans are remarkably stubborn, prone to irrationality...and quite a violent species, too, aren’t they? They certainly do love their wars! Only two sexes too, correct? Isn’t that a shame.

I believe that’s where my data ends! I need more, much more to fill out a proper database file. And if any are up for an examination....well, I am a doctor! I need to know how to treat all of you, don’t I?

Oh, I'm so excited to start working! Tell me where I'm needed, please?

[ Sayaka's at the markets today, if her surroundings are any indication - a rare display of being somewhere other than her room or the training facility. She stares down at the camera for a moment or two before speaking, as if deciding whether to actually continue or not. ]

So I was wondering... some of you have been around for a while, right? What do you do for fun here? Training's okay, but I'd like to try some other stuff too. [ Possibly a lie, but she is sick of relying on others to get out and about. It's a safe way of asking without being too obvious.

She hesitates before shutting the feed off, glancing around until a nearby display grabs her attention. A tiny frown crosses her face. ]

... This place needs better music.

[ Priorities, yes. ]

[Here is a cheerfully smiling Mahdi. He's holding up an obnoxiously cute kitten planner and looking cheerful.]

Hi everyone. I've been thinking. If we're all going to be stuck here for a long time, I figured I should find out everyone's birthday and if they have a favorite meal or type of cake. If you'd please respond to this message with your name, birthday, and a little bit about you, I'd really appreciate it!

On that note, I was thinking. If people keep turning up, we should have some sort of monthly event so everyone can get to know each other, introduce ourselves and catch up and celebrate one another's birthdays. Like a potluck, maybe? There are too many people to do do this at my apartment, so I'd need to figure out a spot. What do you think?

Oh, by the way. I'm Mahdi. I like cats, singing, and cooking. My birthday is Valentine's Day!

[ Here's Wanda!  Projecting a somewhat forced calm. ]

Hello. This is... [ She pauses and huffs a laugh, her calm a little less forced. ] This isn’t how I expected my day to go in the slightest. I have been to alternate dimensions before, goodness knows, but this time around is a bit odd. It’s very organized.

I am. [ The smile disappears into a slight frown. ] My name is Wanda Maximoff and I am known as the Scarlet Witch. For a time, I was an Avenger. If there is anyone here from my world, my name may mean any number of things to you. I hope we may speak civilly regardless.

[ Though she’s not getting her hopes up, if the look on her face is any indication. ]

[VIDEO:] [A face comes across the screen that is startlingly white, with large blue eyes that lack pupils. He looks over the device, scowling slightly, before looking into the camera and speaking.]

So, what am I supposed to say here? This whole damn situation is unreal. I can barely fuckin' believe it. "Transport"? More like "canon fodder" I'm sure. This is like some bad dream. Like I fell asleep while watching a bad action movie or somethin'.

I don't got time for this shit. I bet most of you don't, either. I got somewhere to be and someone to find.

...

Is there a red-headed guy with horns here? Big scar on his mouth? Tell him Johnny's lookin' for him.

--

[ACTION for roomies:] [A tall young man enters the apartment, looking angry and a little overwhelmed. He's wearing an old hoodie and jeans that have seen better days, and there's a guitar case strapped around his back. After a few awkward moments of silence, he'll speak up.]

I'm the new guy. Which room's mine?