[Shelke doesn't look any different at all when she appears on the screen, at least, not physically, so she still looks nine, and she's dressed in a pair of jeans and a too-big shirt and a large, fluffy jacket someone had given her. But immediately something is different, because she doesn't look bored. If anything, her eyes (which are plain old brown right now) are a bit wide and excited as she is peering around at the building she is currently poking through (which has seen better days but that doesn't seem to be slowing her down.)]

[She glances from where she's going to the little camera and back every few seconds, and nearly drops it twice.]

Uhm. Hi. [She steadies herself long enough to give an almost nervous wave.] Kate said we're allowed to use this for important things, so I was just hoping...has anyone seen my sister?

[That empty, emotionless voice is gone, replaced by an almost normal sounding child's voice, happy, worried, excited, a little bit scared, all mixed up in trying to sound a lot more in-control than she really is.]

Her name is Shalua Rui, and she's about...seven inches taller than me, and she's fourteen years old. Everybody says we look alike, she has the same hair color as me but it's much, much longer and she wears glasses, and she likes to wear red clothes, and she's going to be so mad at me when I find her.

[Because that's a serious worry when you're nine.]

I...she was with me. Before I woke up here I mean, and if this really is another world she should be here too right? Because we were toget-woah!

[The bit of broken building she was standing on wobbles and sends her tumbling down a little pile of rubble to the ground, the camera whirling away, spinning end-over-end until it comes to a stop pressed against some broken stone, showing Shelke sitting where she'd fallen, looking dazzed. But she's apparently fine, as she rubs at her head before scrambling over to pick up the phone again.]

I'm okay! ...So has anyone seen her?

Is it working now? Let's see... Okay!

[The video begins with a rather peculiar sight. What's so distinctive about her? Could be the cross-shaped scar on her face. Looks like something had to be forcibly removed. A mask, maybe? Let's also take notice of the red eyes and the darkened veins.

Her appearance aside, this schoolgirl seems to have kept herself in high spirits, if remaining a bit confused.]

Hi, everyone! My name is Painwheel! It's nice to meet you all.

[...what.]

Can someone tell me what's going on? I'm not really sure how I got here.

Where am I? Could one of you can tell me how to get in contact with the Labs so they can come pick me up? I'm already going to be late enough as it is, and I was really looking forward to my first day of school!

[she had prepared her introduction and everything!]

Hello?

[It takes some determination on Murphy's part but he finally gets his tablet to work. Once he is sure he is broadcasting he clears his throat.]

Hello. Murphy here. I'm new around here. Um... I'm just trying to get some things sorted in my head about this place - like when do we get to return to our home worlds? And - is this real? I keep figuring this has to be a dream or a nightmare.

Also, I'm roomed in UNIT 1 2 0 3. I think I have some roommates around... somewhere.

So the Masquerade is supposed to be happening soon. Right?

How many of you are going?

[she's just curious about that. she sure as heck doesn't want to actually go!!

maybe.

probably.]

So here's the thing, right. I mean, yeah, the Initiative kinda kidnapped us. But they say they didn't do it on purpose. And I believe them, 'cause nobody in their right mind would wanna recruit me into their army on purpose. Some junkie loser. Ask anybody who saw me my first few weeks here, okay, all shitting in my pants scared and useless with the shakes. I couldn't hold a gun steady if my life depended on it.

So they didn't exactly bring us here on purpose. But what do they do when we end up here?

[He raises his hand to the camera, counting off on his fingers:]

They patch us up, bring us back to life. Hey, that's a big deal for some of us, ain't it?

They give us some swanky ass apartments. Yeah, we got roommates, but do you see what the rest of everybody's living in? We got some damn nice cribs in comparison, yo.

They give us money. Just like that. Like, "here you go, go buy a sandwich."

They give us weapons. You ain't never been a prisoner if you think that's something they'd do if they meant to keep us prisoner. Okay, nobody arms a prisoner. They'd be taking away our weapons if they were trying to hurt us all on purpose. And look at this shit -

[He holds up his own gun for the camera, popping the magazine out so the poison darts inside are visible.]

- All high tech. They ain't just giving us sticks to go out and defend ourselves with. This is some quality craftsmanship.

[He sets the gun aside.]

And you hear how I said "defend ourselves"? Yeah. Those U.E. sons of bitches are coming after us. They bombed the shit outta this place we're living in like my first week here. I mean, look around. You can see what they done to this place. To the people in this world. And they got the technology to do that to our worlds, too, unless we do like the Initiative says and go on missions and fix this shit.

And you know what else? You got a problem with the Initiative, you can just talk to 'em. Yeah. They ain't gonna hurt you. I was having some problems when I got here, so I went and talked to them, and guess what? They gave me everything I asked for! That's all it took. So yeah, maybe they can't send you home right now. But they'll help you out best they can.

Look, we're pretty much their only hope here. They wanna do right by us. So just... stop talking about dumbass rebellions and start - I don't know - communicating.

[it's a minute or so of a melody hummed, something thoughtful, simple. it persists even when she finds what she wants – that there video function, the telltale thing she knows for sure is her window to everyone else floating around with these things.

far too quiet for her, and quiet only a moment longer before she speaks up:]

I want to understand what it is your name means. Tell me?

Light! [ Sure hope you wanted one (1) two meter tall guy shouting over the network today, Exsilium, because you're going to get it. Snow shakes his tablet a few times for emphasis, yelling into his surroundings as much as the screen itself. ] Vanille! Fang! Hope! Sazh! C'mon, someone answer...

[ Well, scratch that. He rubs the back of his head for a moment, before setting the tablet down and turning away. ]

I'm gonna need some help here... Ladies! Mind lendin' me a hand?

[ The feed catches the summoning of said ladies, though the pair are onscreen only a moment before transforming into a motorbike which Snow gleefully leaps aboard. He gives a heroic thumbs-up pose to the tablet before snatching it back up, tossing the (still transmitting) thing into a coat pocket. ]

Haha, alright! Let's get this show on the road!

[It's not long before something else is heard in the distance, a sound akin to a low rumble, or perhaps a growl.

It's all but confirmed when that growl becomes a roar, and a little later, a voice that might be familiar to some speaks up:]

I'll take the sky! We'll cover more ground that way. [Fang adds, in a mutter:] They've gotta be around here somewhere. No way we all could've been separated that quickly...there's something else going on.

[ ooc; TL;DR IF YOU EVER WANTED TO BE ACCOSTED BY A GIANT MAN ON A LESBIAN MOTORCYCLE OR AN ATTRACTIVE LADY ON A DRAGON today is your lucky day because they will be hitting up everyone they come across in addition to answering the network. Tags will come from both in separate threads! ]

[ the video flickers on--some of the camera is obscured by some books. they're classical novels and manuals for robotics, machinery, and there may be a cookbook and karate in there. someone's been making very good use of the library here.

but besides the book, part of the clock can be seen as it hangs on the opposite wall, reading a few minutes before midnight. not a creature is stirring, not even a...

... no, nevermind, something's beeping. rather loudly--rather annoyingly. it's a grating, hissing sound that would wake anyone up.

there's a creak of the door and a groan and Riku walks out, all mussed hair and tired eyes. in a tank top and bright neon blue boxers, nonetheless. he glares in front of him, then completely bypasses looking at the video camera, right to the culprit. ]

Who drinks coffee at...

[ ding!

the clock strikes twelve, chiming a few times, catching Riku's attention.

... ... ]

... it's Halloween. [ sigh--he runs a hand through his hair. ] Too bad there's no trick-or-treating he...

[ ... ... he stiffens and turns away from the clock. ]

... I'm ... seventeen?

[ Oh hey, it's that confused looking barely-dressed lady that had been wandering around the courtyard in a haze of bemusement earlier! She's looking a little worse for the wear tonight. Her white fuzzy bathroom is blood spattered and torn at one shoulder, and there's strange tears at her cheek and nose. And possibly more attention-grabbing, there's a whole lot of blood coming out from under the hand cupped over one of her eyes.

Needless to say, she doesn't look pleased. ]

Finally. [ UGH THIS WHOLE TECHNOLOGY THING REALLY SUCKS. ]

Tell me someone can fix this.

[When the video turns on it shows a young woman with green hair and blue eyes, she instantly sighs as if it had taken her several moments to get the netbook to work.]

While I appreciate the explanation that was given to me upon arrival, and the gentle manner in which an introduction was given, it still did not alleviate me of any unease. I still have many questions and a lot of confusion. Perhaps other "transports" here can help fill me in on what exactly is going on? I apologize in asking, since it really should have been the duty of those here in charge to give me a proper understanding, but this seems like a more efficient way of doing it. Anything anyone can tell me will be enough, even if you may not be sure yourself.

[She pauses a moment, it's unclear if she's going to turn off the transmission or not. But not before long she begins to speak again and offers a kind smile.]

And since it would be rude of me to expect those I have just met to offer information without any in return, my name is Shiki Eiki Yamaxanadu, Supreme Judge of Hell. I would say it is a pleasure to be acquainted with everyone, but I'm not sure if I should make such a bold statement yet. Either way I do hope to be able to get to know everyone and that we may work well together in this environment.

[Derek doesn’t have any trouble figuring out how the netbook works. He’s never been particularly tech savvy, but its features where simple enough to figure out after a few minutes playing with it. He sets it to voice and begins speaking with a false calm tone, anger and irritation clearly at war despite his efforts to disguise it.]

I’ve gotten the whole welcoming spiel. I know what we’ve been brought here to do. What hasn’t been explained to me is why I should care. I have my own problems to deal with back home. I’m not looking to fight someone else’s battle.

[With that said, he sets the netbook down on the desk in front of him expectantly. He's only mildly curious to know how people will respond, but this is the best and fastest way to get the answers he seeks.]

[The feed turns on to a blue-haired woman looking critically into the netbook. Her head tilts in a thoughtful gesture. She's working it correctly, right?
A second later and she's clearing her throat with a small noise, staring at the screen squarely, eyebrows knit, jaw set, back straight.

She really looks like she could use some coffee.]

So we've all been roped into a war. I haven't heard anything on how far into battle the rest of you have gotten, but I would really appreciate any information you can spare.

[A big sigh here, and her hand massages her temples for a moment. MAN but does she look pissed all of the sudden.] I can't believe these people would stoop to kidnapping children and civilians, nevermind the entire scheme is disgusting to begin with.

Look. My name is Aileen Kimbler, I'm a doctor. I'm not a solider, and regardless of what this Initiative wants I’ll have no hand in the death of anyone here unless it’s in the interest of preventing it. I don't believe in war, but I'm good at my job for a reason.
If there's a hospital or infirmary of some sort, I'll do everything I can to help out there.

[Looks like she managed to calm down a bit halfway through all that, and her expression shifts to something gentle and worried.]

Please, don't hesitate to contact me if you're hurt.

[She reaches for the off button, but stops. Frowning and glancing left and right before pulling the netbook a little closer. The corner of her mouth perks up as she fights a smile, her nose crinkles and she casually brushes a piece of hair into view, drawing attention to it.] And um, just curious, but... How many of you believe in magic?

If so, I'm happy to say: You're not alone.

[ Here's Martin, looking prim and proper with a new set of robes, sitting at a desk stacked with books. His tone is no non-sense, lacking its usual congeniality, utterly sanitized. ] Forgive me for not personally welcoming you, new arrivals. My name is Martin Septim and I, together with John Watson, run the transport clinic in this Hold.

If you're a healer, either through magical or mundane means, we're always in need of help. Speak with John or I to set up an interview.

And for those of who you were unsettled [ An understatement, but Martin keeps his composure, although there's a tinge of regret in his words. ] by my actions and words last time I spoke through this network, please don't worry about me. It is under control.

Thank you for your time.

[ The recording opens to a close-up of a young woman's face, light pink hair tied into a ponytail that drapes across her shoulder. As she notices it's actually recording, she smiles. ]

… Hi? Can you hear me? My name’s Serah. Serah Farron. I just got here not very long ago and… to be honest, I’m still a little confused. [ There's a beat, and she furrows her brow slightly. ]

But… first things first. There’s a few people I’m looking for.

[A moment later, another woman shows up, looking at the communicator over Serah's shoulder. She's taller than Serah and solidly built, brown-skinned with bright green eyes. She appears to consider something (perhaps to let Serah handle things, but no that is silly) and then pipes up:]

Hey, Vanille. Are you here? Can you see this?

[Oh, that is a very...imaginary Australian-sounding voice there. She taps the screen, and adds, as an afterthought:]

I found Serah. [They actually showed up at the same time, but details. Fang is not one for details.] Got no idea what this place is about, but we're both fine.

[ Serah nods in agreement to that. ]

Yeah, we are. But we're also looking for Noel, Hope, Sazh... [ she hesitates momentarily, then: ] ... and Snow and Lightning, too. If anyone's heard of them, just knowing if they're here would be great. Thank you.

[ She smiles again, then shuts the recording off. ]