[Mahdi is wearing his hair down, a rarity for him. He's dressed in a loose-fitting shirt, nothing too impressive, sitting in his room and smiling.]

I've learned a lot since I arrived here a year ago. Most of all, I learned that people are more than just a sum of their good and bad deeds, People are much more complicated than I ever understood at first. So I want to thank everyone for being patient with me - or uh, not, as the case may be - because it's been a chance for me to learn. Thanks.

Have you learned anything really surprising while you've been here? I'd like to know.

...On the note of anniversaries, um, I'd like to go out dancing? Somewhere with really upbeat electronic music, that's my favorite. Sort of as a personal celebration for making it this far. Maybe I'll have a dinner or something too, if I can think of something nice to make. Would anyone like to come with me? Dancing, not to dinner. Dinner's still in planning stages. I'll need a buddy, or um, a bodyguard, because I'm so small. It's not good for me to go crowded places on my own. I'd feel more comfortable if I had someone big and tough by my side! Or just tough. Pretty much anyone's tougher than me.

[As if to prove him right, a small black kitten crawls up his arm and begins chewing on his hair.]

Truffle! How many times have I told you, I'm not your mama! You don't need to groom me!

[there's the sound of scuffling, and a perfectly fine view of the ceiling before Artie's tablet gets knocked off the pile of books it had been sitting on as he rummages around. he likely turned it on by accident in his search ... think of it like pocket dialing. he's talking to himself as he does so]

No, no, I know it's in here, it's got to be in here - unless it's in the wash, I hope it isn't in the wash, then it's ruined and where am I going to find a clockmaker to fix it in this place? At least one that will actually want to do business with me...

[he paces past the table, though the view is sideways and lopsided. he's patting down his pockets, frantically]

-- Of course I haven't completely lost it, why would you say that? I would never - no! No, not even now. ... I don't hate him that much, he - it wasn't his - well maybe it was but I don't ... he was my ...

[he shakes his head, looking almost desperate, then scowls suddenly] NO. That is NOT my fault and don't you even TRY to tell me that it was, he made his OWN decisions, and -- and -- DON'T YOU EVEN SAY HER NAME, DON'T YOU DARE.

[he picks up an empty glass from the table and hurls it into a shadowy corner with extreme prejudice]

I can take you wheedling me about my father. About my family. About Moscow and the NSA and about Carol and Jimmy, I've been doing that myself for years, but YOU DO. NOT. MENTION --

[and then he looks over and sees that the tablet is on. cue deer in headlights.]

((OOC: Have one more Transport seein' runeblade demons! Enjoy your peek at the skeletons in Artie's closet, and please feel free to poke the badger.))

[Mahdi is once again in the kitchen, wearing his red apron and looking particularly flour-dusted and frazzled. He seems slightly wobbly - probably hasn't slept.]

Hey everyone! I made a bunch cookies and I'm just about to drop them to the clinic.

[He sweeps the tablet over to look at each plate of cookies as he describes them:]

Lemon shortbread will give you calm, safe feelings.

Chocolate espresso shortbread will make you feel more cheerful and energized - plus there's coffee in it! [tiny cheer:] Yay coffee!

Um, these are semi-magical cookies, I guess you could say. The effects will vary by person but I'd say... hmmm, the effects last a few hours, half a day at most.

If anyone else is feeling bad or weird, this should help. I've made several dozen, so if you're near the clinic please stop by and take some. Also, um, be careful with your soul. It's actually pretty important. If someone tries to talk you into giving it up, don't listen to them. Just sayin'.

[Mahdi turns the tablet back around to record himself, and smiles brightly.]

That's all!

[But the look fades into something more troubled and he seems to be looking at something in the distance. He absently fiddles with a wisp of his hair, pushing it into his mouth briefly as he thinks.] Forgetting something... oh!

Ashraf, I need to talk to you when you have a sec. If you're at the clinic I'll just stop in.

[Someone still doesn't know how privacy filters work.]


[OOC: Mahdi is responding to the shadow demons. His cookies could be a potential way to avoid the feelings of negativity they bring.]

[Okay, so things have been much better so far in July than last month. But Rise still looks a bit depressed as she sets up her tablet's camera and sits on the edge of her bed.

... She just sits there for a few seconds before letting out a long sigh.]

I'm worried about my roommate. She was sent on a mission a few days ago, and... with everything that's happened lately...

[She trails off and glances to the side, at a small pink plush fox on her bed. She got Nanami one, too... not the same kind, but another plush animal. A yellow one, even. She thought it might cheer her up a little bit.

Really, it's not just that she's worried. She's also kind of lonely without her in the apartment. But Nanami seemed so upset about the mission... it's hard for Rise not to be afraid something terrible might happen to her.]

Does anyone out there know Nanami Kiryuu? Did she mention how long she's supposed to be gone?

... I just hope she's okay...

[ Sharpe has his tablet set on the table facing him, and his foot is on the chair, knee near his ear. His rifle is propped up against his other shoulder, and his fingers and moving down it, fingering the barrel. ]

I ain't one fer long speeches, so I'll keep this short. [ His eyes flicker finally towards the screen, and he stares straight into it. ]

I know I ain't the only one that's being given dirty looks by the Exiles - that's the proper name fer the poor bastards who're here 'fore all of us, fer those of you who don't know. And I'm telling you right out: if I see anyone fighting or using weapons against them, no matter what they're doing, I'll hunt you down and shoot you in the face. [ Said the most casually ever. But he is leaning forward. ]

That's a promise.

[ A second passes, and Sharpe seems satisfied with what he just said, so he drops back to his seat. ]

Listen. I've seen people like 'em before. People who just want peaceful lives but are dumped in the midst of war. [ Snorts. ] You all know the sickness and bombs last month [ pause ] - if you don't know, read back on the buggering network 'cause I ain't explaining shite you can read yerself - [ back to the topic ] and that's more than enough ta make anyone resentful. They hate us 'cause they think we brought the war ta 'em. We all know we didn't, but resentment's never been particularly logical. Grit yer teeth and bear it. Be decent.

If you try ta hurt 'em, it'll make things worse, and I'd rather not have ta make me own tea because the man in the shop I like starts hating me for the stupid shite any of you are doing. [ His eyes flicker up again. ] I don't ever miss, aye?

[ Pause. As if he's just thought of it. ] Me name's Major Richard Sharpe of the Prince of Wales's Own in Duke Wellington's army. [ A crooked smile, a salute. ] If that means anything ta any of you.

[ ooc; for more info, check out the outline about native hostility. I'm the slowest ever. ]

[The feed turns on just in time to catch a sneeze. When Claudia sits back up to look at the feed she's as white as a sheet, her skin slightly damp with sweat. Okay... maybe video was a bad idea in retrospect... but there's no turning back now, is there? She sniffs once before starting, spinning her chair a little as she speaks]

Alright. We get it. A crapload of people are getting sick and everyone else is scrabbling around trying to figure out why and how to stop it. We get that. What we don't have is a lot of show and tell between everyone doing the searching. At least, not that I've seen. People are finding stuff but not everyone's sharing with the class. I mean, I've been playing a little hide and seek, myself, and I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours if you know what I'm sayin'

[She laughs, which quickly turns into a coughing fit. When she finally stops she pulls in a breath that sounds a little painful before continuing]

See? You're killin' me, here! [She chuckles wryly] Come on. Let's all play nice and share what we know. You guys show me and I'll put it all in one place so everyone trying to fix this thing can see what we've got. Deal? Deal.

[Artie's mental voice comes across as a quiet, gruff mumbling - the same sort of tone he'd use if he were honestly talking to himself aloud...]

-- waste of half an afternoon. One of these days I'm just going to have to ask people if there's some kind of shop directory, I can't just wander all over creation looking for things, I'm going to turn into a prune if I do. Not to mention my back is killing me. Once I get my shoes off I'm just going to see if Tomoe's made any tea, sit on the couch, and -- her shoes aren't here.

[he calls her name - when he speaks the broadcast has a bit more resonance to it, as though things said aloud as they're thought have extra emphasis]

She's not answering. Usually she answers right away if she's here. Is there a note? Maybe she left a note in the kitchen, let's see here -- no note. That's odd. Lemme just go knock on her door, see if she's--

[his mental voice gets louder, more agitated, and not a little fearful]

Her door's open and - oh god, there's nothing there, nothing of hers, it's just empty, where did she go? Did they take her? Was it something about the Hold or - wait. No. No no no no what if the UE's got her oh God this is not good, not good at all, I've got to ask someone who'd know, maybe Saul or Elmer or Celebrian, get in touch with the network, yes, that's it. I've just got to breathe. Come on. She's fine, right? She's got to be.

[and then, a sudden burst of anger that those who've spoken to him might not think him capable of:] She'd BETTER BE...

[The driest of dry dry tones.]

I'm in a poetic mood, I guess, which has me thinking of all these apt comparisons that could be made with the rain, and the deluge of newcomers, right on schedule. Welcome in all you lot. May I kindly wish you the best in not doing anything ridiculous here. Calm down, it could be much worse, you're going to be all right enough most likely, welcome to the war.

That's it for poetry.

I also have a question. Who's up for sharing with me? It's just a number. I'm curious how many people you know you have from your home around here. If you've been through other worlds on the way, how many people are here with you from those between-worlds?

Just curious.

The new batch of Transports should be arriving any day now I think. I know we try our best to welcome them and make them feel comfortable, but how long should we wait before letting them know what they're really in for here? Hearing it from the guide is very different than seeing the reality first hand. There's only so much that people can take right off the bat.

[She exhales slowly.]

It's just something to consider. We don't know when things might move forward again, either. Having them thrown into this mess the day after they're pulled here would be a disaster if they're not fully informed.

What would you have preferred if given the choice for your arrival?

[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.

Ah, there we go.

[There’s the sound of something tapping. Someone familiar with the habit may recognize a person tapping down a pack of cigarettes.]

This place is unique, to say the least. Interesting, I suppose you might say. A good cause, etcetera, when they're not trying to drop a building on us. I trust that part doesn't happen too often.

However I seem to have misplaced a few companions on the way here, which I’m sure is entirely their fault. They answer to the names Kenren, Konzen, and Goku. If you happen to run into any of them, and they’re still alive when you do, send them my way, won’t you? I’m sure they’re lost without me.

[The same tapping sound again.]

And cigarettes. This place does have them, doesn’t it? I wasn’t exactly packed for a long trip before I got here. Sake would also be acceptable, especially if this rain never lets up.

[Finally the sound of a lighter clicking open and the feed cuts out.]


( Action for anyone looking for the source of the smoke or the other #910 residents. )

[She looks mostly amused at the whole ordeal, what people are making out of this.]

An' you lot couldn't understand why I choose not t'live in that metal buildin' o' yours. Well now you've some ship they say flies in the sky. I'll keep my camp, I think.

( ( private to thorin ) )

( ( private to remy ) )

[anyone standing outside the Temporary Housing this afternoon might see a portly, bearded fellow in a black raincoat and broad-brimmed fedora, standing near the edge of the road with a black doctor's bag in one hand and his room assignment ticket in the other. the rain rolls off the brim of his hat and down the back of his coat as he squints through his glasses at the site]

I think their idea of "fourteenth floor" is a little different than mine.

[he clears his throat and starts to move closer to the dwellings]

Hello?!