[The video flickers on upside-down for a moment before Spike flips it over after a little squinting. He looks pretty annoyed, slightly tired, and sort of disappointed with everything in general.]

Alright. I have a little question for you all, in case anyone knows for sure.

Does the sun in this godforsaken place ever come fully out at all? I hope it does. Because if this is really a whole new world, then I've finally found a place where the sun doesn't immediately set me on fire if I step into it. Or that's how it should work, anyway, I think. But then if it turns out that the sun barely shows up anyway... what good does that do?

[He makes a disgusted sound and waves a hand.] That would really make my day, wouldn't it. If it honestly is just all rain and gloom every day, that's another thing to strike out while I'm searching for one single redeeming quality that this bloody place has. That search is getting old very quickly, as a side-note.

Anyone have an answer?

[Virus smiles at the camera, sitting straight, both hands in front of him as he raises his brows.]

I must admit I was a little surprised to end up somewhere like this, however I think it’s interesting. Being brought to another world, given a weapon, an allowance, and a place to live in return for helping this group out sounds like something out of a game, doesn't it?

Tell me, what is the general feeling of this? I’m curious. Does everyone just go along, or is there some reluctance to listen to our hospitable employers? Because in the end isn't that all we are?

Employees to serve a purpose.

How rude of me. I am Virus; I can’t expect you to answer my questions without giving an introduction in return. I look forward to hearing your answers.

[ Eilonwy has her arms crossed. Her skin is quite red with sun, redder than her redgold hair. Thanks, mission. ]

Well, this is a curious device, isn't it! It's rather like an enchanted pool of water, or how I imagine it would be, without the water. So not very like a pool of water at all.

[ She waves. ]

I've been terribly rude, not introducing myself until now! I am called Eilonwy.

What I wonder though, is why we were all sent to spend afternoons collecting rocks. Surely if they wanted to clean up the beach, that was a silly way to go about it. It's bound to be dirty again, by now. Why, it's like making your bed right before you go to sleep in it.

If this world is in danger, and all of ours along with it, I would fight, not— not gather pebbles by the seashore turning half my skin red as a tomato. [ She really soured on the idea after she burned half her skin off. ] It doesn't seem like a clever way to go about this at all!

[ Previously on As Exsilium Turns a post had gone out about him being gone. One or two encounters with said searchers later, well, he'd better put a stop to this. ]

For those out there who are still looking, Caesar Silverberg has been found and is just fine, thanks. I wasn't even lost in the first place...

Oh, and Onyx? I left something for you in the harbor.

You may want to go get it before it sinks.

[ Or someone else finds it! ]

[For the last week, Johnny has been included in some intense training with Coby. His roommates may have noticed that he's been practically crawling back to the apartment and collapsing into bed in exhaustion. Which is saying something, coming from the guy whose genes give him what seemed like endless stamina.

Today, though, both roommates and anyone around the first floor of the apartment building might notice a very loud noise or something breaking. Specifically, it's the sound of a door getting quiickly ripped off its hinges, taking parts of the doorframe with it. Johnny just stands there, blinking, with nothing but the knob in his hand as it falls in front of him in splinters.

Seems like this training is working a lot better and a lot faster than he imagined. Sweet. If any of his roommates or neighbors come by, he gives them a tired smirk and shrugs.]

Honey, I'm home.

---

[Later he sends out a text totally unrelated to this little incident.]

So I was wondering

has anyone from our side ever try to sneak into the UE territory? you know, try to get information right from the source. see what they're up to, what they think of us. just curious.

Also i was wondering if people might be interested in helping with something. if the UE keeps bombing us or whatever they may do, we need a place to retreat to/live in/to protect people who can't fight. the catacombs are good but we need to make sure they can keep withstanding this sort of thing, plus I think we should keep a fair amount of supplies and stuff down there, etc. Thing is, i don't know a damn thing about repairs or checking to see if it's safe. i'm just a dumbass who punches shit for this army. but I think it's something we should look into, and i'd be willing to do whatever work horse stuff you needed out of me to get it done.

[Have one of the new transports, currently residing in the temporary housing. It looks like he already worse for the wear, with bandaids and patches of gauze up and down both arms. You see him scrutinizing a bottle labeled "Rifampin". Guess who got his follow up from the Initiative's clinic?]

Side effects may include reddening or purple colored secretions? What the hell is this stuff? Do I really have to take all of it?

Geez. [He tosses the bottle onto his cot.]

The doctors here really know how to give a guy the once over.

Anyway, it seems like a whole lot of people from a whole lot places get dragged here so I've got a question for anyone listening to this.

Do the words "Grand Line" "Red Line" or "East Blue" mean anything to any one of you? I'm looking to see if any of my Nakama are here.

And if you can't answer that one, I've got another question. Where does a guy go to get supplies around here. But not too expensive. I've gotta watch it in case our navigator's here.

[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 feed turns on to see Joshua, casually leaning up against a wall, looking like he was deep in thought. He had a lot of information to read and process, after all. But still, he was still curious about some things that he couldn't simply read up on.]

Show of hands, Exsilium. I’m taking a little poll -- how long have you been here? [A beat, as he thinks.] And these disappearances from this world...how often--

[ breaking bothered voice interrupting the feed, and supposedly from some quickly rescinding distance given the steady increase in Offended™ volume - ] The hell-- What are you doing here?!

Neku? [ another voice, less bothered and more confused, chimes up behind him suddenly, wondering what he’s suddenly angry about. not that he ever needs a reason-- ] Who is--

[There was just a little bit of surprise on Joshua’s face as he looks up at Neku, but it’s only momentary, because he’s smirking in the next second.] The same reason that you two are here, I suppose. And why wouldn’t they want my help? You of all people know how useful I could be.

[Casually...not mentioning that he was talking to the network. Sorry Neku, he’s still an ass.]

Not that! I mean why are you helping them!? I have no freaking clue how this turned into our problem, but if it turns out it's 'cause you wanted to be here--

[ HE'S NOT.. as abhorrent about helping a whole town of people as he seems to be, but he's also under the impression he's only being cranky toward the asshole he thinks is at fault rn. ]

Neku, hold on!

[ now shiki’s jumping in again, because she knows this could go on for a while if she doesn’t. it’s not even that she thinks neku is right or wrong -- it’s just that this is kind of embarrassing.

not that she can blame him for being angry at joshua, but... ] The tablet... he was recording.

Oh, so I was. [Though Joshua doesn’t look too sorry about it, tbh. And there’s that trademark giggle of his that everyone pretty much hates.] In all the excitement, I must’ve forgotten.

[ ?! ] Wha-- Seriously!? Rrgh, shut it down!! [ fml 3kwhatever

the feed probably shifts to the lovely ghetto ceiling or whatever that blur is with a lot of thumping noises in the audio before abruptly cutting out. ]

((ooc: gray for Joshua, blue for Neku, and pink for Shiki!))

[Here's Sonya again, with big speeches again, and with a big smile again. This time, however, she seems a bit less...peppy. A lot less peppy, really, and a lot more drawly and annoyed.]

Hi. Sonya Karimov. Most of us have met. The ones I don't know can do their homework as to who I am. Don't like repeating myself. Anyway. Pleasure.

So I'm about to use some salty language. Normally I'd say cover your children's ears, but I figure they could use some of this too, so here we go.

Apparently some people are being dicks to us. Cool. I want to say, before anyone gets any stupid fucking ideas: let it the fuck go. Always. Without exception. Don't retaliate. Honestly, I don't think you should even fight back, really. Not with any force. Some of you are soldiers and some of you are assholes, so you're probably thinking, No, I'm not letting that go, to which I say thanks for bringing it down on the rest of us. No. Don't punch or kick or stab; just get the fuck out of any confrontations, whether they're someone smacking you in the face or spitting on you or whatever.

Okay, part two. When in doubt, lawyers form committees, so I'm forming a committee. My tentative name for it is "The Committee to Keep Us the Fuck Alive," though I'm open to names that would look better on letterhead. Basically, we're a whole lot of talent who aren't the least bit organized, so I'm thinking we need some organization. Basically, if you have ideas for emergency response, as well as smoothing over things with the people around us, I want to talk to you. Chime in here.

[And, dryly:]

Third, and this goes out to everyone: chin the fuck up. We're alive, we're not puking all over ourselves anymore, we've got a future ahead of us. So no whining about wanting to go home. It's a waste of time and breath. Be useful. That's all.

[ The video feed opens to the outside, a downfall of raining hitting the tablet screen and blurring out the details of buildings and shop signs nearby. Not too long after the feed begins its run that a hand – evidently a woman’s – passes over the screen, wiping the excess water off. ]

They did say it was water proof. I hope they were right. [ Comes her voice. Eventually the tablet focuses on her – in a glistening, green bodysuit, with a golden crown-like ornament resting atop her head. She’s drenched in the cold rain yet appears unfazed by it. Her bright eyes gaze intently into the feed instead. ] My name is Mera, and... well, I was on a different Earth until today. Our greeter did not carry out her duties properly, I suspect. I’m hoping someone out there can answer my questions as she did not.

I’ve been in other dimensions before. I’ve heard them claim no one has been able to leave of their own volition until this Transporter allows it. [ She pauses, her eyebrows knitting closely together in vague irritation. ] Does this Initiative truly have no control over their machine?

I have also heard in passing about a recent battle in another dimension. [ Mera’s expression is grim, but genuinely concerned then. Resolutely: ] I’ve seen and fought in many myself, but it seems we aren’t often given much choice in the matter. I would like to hear about this battle from those who were there and what happened in this other world. What became of it? [ She strongly suspects nothing but bad news and braces herself as much she can for it. She has many more questions to ask. ]

[The feed cuts on and a voice starts up almost immediately.]

Soooo... [He pauses.]

I was gone for a week, like the Initiative said I would be, but I get back and it's been more like- [Hums a little, as if he's calculating it] -six weeks give or take, according to the network date here. It looks like everything caught on fire while I was gone, too. Go figure.

Not only that, but there's a flood of newbies, too, as well as people I missed from the last one. Anyone willing to give me an update? Or link me to where another thread that explains it would be fine, too.

Anyway, I'm Blaine. Good to meet the new people, and for the old crowd, I'm back.

[Feed cuts off]

[[Action available for Roommates or people who would seek him out to speak in person. All responses will be in Audio unless it's text.]]

[ See Vriska Serket. See Vriska Serket furious. ]

What the hell was that?! Aren't we supposed to be the heroes here? Heroes don't just retreat when shit hits the whirling device! We could have taken those guys! Who cares if you died a couple times? That's what semi-immortality is for! They didn't create a way to bring us back because they were eight-hundred percent sure we would never die!

[ She'd had her own fair share of deaths thanks to her weapon being on the fritz, but you don't get any stronger from winning a fight with a weak foe. It still hurt her pride, sure, but she's positive she gained a lot more from her losses than she, well, lost. ]

Total bullshit. Buuuuuuuullshit. I bet they planned this all along to make us think that we're all weak! Too bad, because it didn't work on me! I know we had those other assholes backed into a corner! We could have taken them, easy.

If you ran right on back here with your tail between your legs at the first call of retreat, I hope the Initiative kicks you out for being a sorry excuse for a hero! We could have won, definitely. Nobody's ever won a war in a night! They threw in the towel way too early. What a pathetic excuse for a fight!

[The video cuts in on a redheaded girl with one shock of green hair grinning at the camera]

So is it just me or does that [air quotes] "orientation" thing need a little spicing up? Seriously. I didn't know whether I was going to the grand inquisitor's office or if I was back in the... uh... [She cringes, realizing what she almost just said. Grinning suddenly she waves it off] in bed having some weird-ass dream or something.

I do feel kinda gypped, though. [She mocks the woman's voice] "your housing companions will assist you in becoming ready." Yeah well I don't have any "housing companions" so I guess I'm on my own. [beat] Again.

[Yeah this is so familiar. Left alone in an unfamiliar place. Groovy. Yeah. She's done it before and she can do it again. She shrugs, shooting the camera a lopsided grin]

So I guess what I'm really saying is: Is there any place a girl can get a burger around here? I'm starving.

A space-ship crash? I would think there would be plenty of better ways to greet new Transports. Even things like unsightly roommates or dingy floors rank secondary in overall effect now.

[ And he'd just started getting acquainted with the place, too. He could have never imagined the biggest source of disruption would be a radical destruction of his entire complex.

A hazing experience to rival all others, he supposed. ]

Well, I'm impressed by the hospitality here. Do events of this magnitude happen regularly?

( ( encrypted to shinji ikari, asuka langley soryu, rei ayanami; 70% ) )

[ Edgeworth would have preferred to make this broadcast voice only, or, indeed, not at all, but there are a couple of obligations that he must uphold. One is to reaffirm his identity, in case there are people out there who still believe him to be gone from this place. Another is to let everyone know where he stands on ... certain issues so that no-one can accuse him of shirking his responsibilities.

Of course, he's chosen to wait until half the Transports are on a mission to make his announcement, but he's hoping that people won't read too much into that. Or will they? It doesn't matter. Or so he hopes.

He clears his throat somewhat awkwardly, looking at the camera. ]

Good evening. I believe some of you may be familiar with me from the last time I was here. Before you all start asking me at once, yes, I do remember Exsilium, and I really did leave, only to return. That leads me to my next point: at this present time, I will not be resuming my work with the law here in this city. If you've any inquiries regarding this matter, please instead direct them to the lawyers working at the police station.

[ A pause for breath during which he breaks his gaze to briefly glance at something off-screen. ]

That being said, if anyone has any suggestions for keeping one's dog content and satisfied when she is required to live in an apartment, they ... would be taken under consideration.

This is...the longest I've ever really been away from home.

[He sounds depressed about it, but then he hurriedly adds; ] And I'll be fine, I just -

[Lapsing back.]

I just...miss home.

[A pause, like maybe he shouldn't even say what he was planning to.]

...so...is there anything that - anyone can suggest I do...or...something?

This is Comm-- [There's an awkward pause before Lee clears his throat and starts again.] My name is Lee Adama and I'm looking to get my hands on some basic supplies.

Where's the best place or places to get any of the following? Thanks in advance.

[There's a text list attached to his video transmission. It reads as follows:

- first aid kit including sterile bandages, pressure bandages, alcohol, blood stopping agents, scissors, sutures, splints, etc
- multi-tool
- flashlight (rechargeable preferred)
- MREs
- flares
- hunting knife
- compass
- matches
- magnesium (fire starter)
- anti-radiation meds
- paracord
- small mirror

Yes, he's assembling a survival/tactical kit, for anyone who might notice the theme of his request.]

[There's a new face on the video feed here, and that is the face of a somewhat troubled young man. He's not looking at the camera at the moment, instead looking around his surroundings with a thoughtful expression.]

This world has been through a lot, too...

[Without a single word of explanation on what he's meant, Yuusei turns to the camera to address any possible viewers directly.]

If there's a conflict, I'd like to help resolve it, even if it's in a world other than my own. These methods, however...

[He makes a pause, frowning and looking down a bit. "War" or "changing the past"... Even for him, it's hard to tell which of those he dislikes more; it's probably a little bit of both that makes him feel this anxious.

The duelist lifts his head, speaking up once again.]

... If possible, I'd like to speak with people who have been in this place for a while already. I have a few questions I'd appreciate answers to.

Thank you in advance.

i have some questions

1. how many people out there are musicians

2. would anyone be interested in playing in a band

3. is there even enough good instruments in this hellhole for us to form a real rock band

All i got is my acoustic guitar. I'd sell a kidney for a good working electric guitar and amp, but i can live with this. i can sing too, depending on the music. i don't write it b/c i'm shitty with lyrics and stuff but i know enough other songs it'll make your head spin. i'm the king of cover songs. but if the instruments are out there and you're interested get back to me. my name's johnny. idk it might be a stupid idea but i'm bored here a lot and didn't really know any other musicians back home so it might be cool to chill with some here. collaborate. stuff like that. we might even be able to get some gigs around town. i play at Nora Cafe and a few other places if you're interested in hearing what i can do, first.

but yeah get back to me i guess

---

[This is a thing he's strangely insecure asking about. Don't mind him. But, if you do want to come hear him play, and talk in person rather than text him back? Stop by the NORA cafe or one of the bars in town some night when he's playing. He's actually pretty good! He's a fiercely fast player, and his voice is best suited to the hard rock and punk covers he sings - low and gravelly. Once he's done his set, he stops to grab a drink. Care to join?]

[He speaks with a mildly British accent, mixed with twinges of French in every other consonant. His first instinct would have been to use his native language - the latter - but it's become clear that he'll have more luck being understood going with his father's.]

I... wish I could think of something wrong I'd done. Something that would explain why I'm here and why I have to - fight. [He's having a hard time expressing himself. Peter doesn't... really know what he wants to say, other than that he would very much like to be placed back where he came from.] Then I'd feel there was some kind of justification I could understand.

Anyway, uhm - if there's someone I know out there, is... is there any way I can find them? Contact them? I'd really appreciate any help. I - I have a friend - his name is Frederick, he's a doctor, English, taller than me... [He gestures with a flat hand, above his head. Then he reaches into his pocket to bring a small photograph closer to the camera,] This is the only picture I have of him. I don't have pictures of anyone else.

[With a soft sigh, Peter's shoulders drop. He then mutters to himself, a presence of annoyance in his tone,] Je ne sais pas sur quel pied danser...

Hey, how many of you have considered celebrating your birthday if it comes around while you're stuck here?

[A brief pause before she begins speaking again.]

See, I was thinking about how when we leave here, we return to the point in time we were taken from in our world. [And also her own birthday, considering certain things involving her situation back home are directly tied to her age.] I guess I was just wondering what other people think about it. Do you think it's worth it, to keep stuff like that in mind, if when all of this is said and done you're just going to be sent back to how you were?

[Another pause, followed by a very soft "heh."]

I guess that sounds pessimistic of me, huh? Don't worry, it's just something I'm curious about!

[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.]

Hey, chick who's in my body? You listenin'? I swear to Christ that if you do anything to my body, I'll do it back to yours twice over. Same goes for my stuff. If my guitar is as so much breathed on the wrong way, you'll regret it for a long time to come. I am not kidding. [Naturally he had brought it with along with him to the mission. Not a good choice.] As a matter of fact, just give it back to me and maybe there won't be any problems, got it?

And how do you even deal with these things? ["He" looks down at his host body's incredibly generous chest area.] I get tired just standin' around with these things. They gotta be the biggest cans I seen outside of a porno flick. Jesus. [JOHNNY D'AMICO: PARAGON OF ETIQUETTE]

The A.I. program thing said this was going to take a coupla' more days to fix this shit. It also confirmed for me that the Initiative wouldn't know its ass from a hole in the ground. Not that it's surprising, but it's good to know even mathematically figure out how much they suck at this. I don't even wanna know what's gonna happen to us next time.

Yo, Edgeworth. How you holding up there, buddy?

[He's sneering when he says that, sarcastic as hell, but he's honestly wondering. His body will be deep into the worst days of withdrawal right now. Not that he's really sorry about it. The ugly part of him is pleased that Edgeworth's getting a taste of what addiction's like, after the judgment and the lectures he had to endure from the guy.]

I was gonna keep this a surprise but, uh, I figure - hell, why not show it off now?

[He shrugs his hoodie off and re-positions the camera. This isn't one of those get naked broadcasts, no. He's just getting a nice clear shot of Edgeworth's right forearm. Which now sports this NSFW tattoo.]

Pretty awesome, right? You don't gotta pay me back. It's a present.

[He wiggles his arm a little, making the tattoo dance.]

Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhh!

Biggest country in world I know but Initiative don't seem to bother to bring anyone else but me. Too many goddamned Americans and Japanese. [ Says the heavy Russian accent. ] And aliens. And fucking elves. [ For all the emphasis he puts on that word, he doesn't sound angry. More of a 'fuck, what the hell, man?'

... Sorry, elves. He's targeting one elf in particular and he doesn't much care if there's more of them.

Sharp snort. Sound of a lighter snapping on, and the crackling of cigarettes. Then the camera switches on.

Have a pair of heavily tattooed hands, one of them curled around a white stick. Then he tips the tablet upwards until it shows his face, and Nikolai pulls off the sunglasses. ]

You lot ever get tired of talking on this thing? Bunch of stupid questions lately. [ He takes a drag of the cigarette, and blows it at the screen. ] You've all forgotten how to fuck, or something?


[ ooc; for any character with knowledge of Russian criminals, Nikolai's hands carry tattoos that basically says he's one of the worst ones out there. Yeah.

Also, content warnings for sexual assault for the thread with Steph (controlledvariable). ]

[The post is public and easy to read for everyone, but if you're a paranoid type hoping to crack the anonymity he's made it as ridiculously hard as possible to hack for the most part, except for several completely exposed paths you can find with just a bit of searching and know-how that will help you crack the anonymity on this post with ease...but if you manage to hack your way through everything, it unfortunately leads to an unregistered device with no ID. Better luck next time you nosy sons a' bitches.

And yes, it's a dutifully crafted lure designed just to fuck with you people in the first place.]

So I was just wondering...what's the stay/go ratio around here like?

If you're interested, just tell me whether or not you'd rather stay here once the war ends, or go back home a.s.a.p.

Reasons optional, but preferred. [The more depressing the better, he could use a laugh.]

[ Oh hey look, it's Drift. And it appears he's finally given up the gun on the whole trying to pretend he's not a giant awkward robot. He sucks at this whole secret thing. So have a giant robot. ]

So hi there. Uhm. Right. So I'm Drift. And I've got just a few questions.

First is that uh. I'm becoming abundantly aware that I'll probably need to find a better way to fit in here for obvious reasons. I do have something called a "Holoform" which allows me to project a solid holomatter representation of a human. But I'm really. Not a human. So there's that.

I guess what I'm asking is for some help in how humans or organics are really supposed to act.

Second, I'm looking for work. It doesn't actually have to be paid work, but anything I can do to help. My skills lie in.

Uh. Lifting heavy objects, chopping things and... well I'm pretty decent in a fight. So you know. Sparring or training self defense? Anything anyone can think of that they need help with. Please don't hesitate to ask.

[ He's a little desperate to make himself useful. ]