Video;

[Harvey is leaned toward the camera and is giving it a sarcastic smile.]

You know, Initiative, you really should have asked me to dinner before you took me back to your place.

If Donna Paulsen or Mike Ross are here, get your asses to 305. If anyone else from Pearson Hardman is here, or if anyone recognizes the name Harvey Specter from home, let me know.

Listen, I’m not staying here because I’m happy or because I agree with you. But I’m staying. For a while. And if I don’t get a meeting with someone high up in the Initiative soon, I’m going to be angry. And you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.

[He drums his fingers on the coffee table in front of him before leaning back against the couch. It’s easier to see what he’s wearing- jeans and a t-shirt -now that he’s sitting back. He’s obviously made himself home in his unit, and looks at ease.]

Now that that’s out of the way, I’ll introduce myself. Harvey Specter. Lawyer and Senior Partner at Pearson Hardman. [Of course he’s throwing out those titles.] I’m going to need help finding the best places in Exsilium. Anyone interested in a drink or grabbing a bite to eat?

Action UNIT 305;

[And if any roomies are around, Harvey is spread out on the couch in the living room, fiddling with his tablet. He’s mostly avoided everyone up till now, but he spends a good part of the day on the couch.]

[Koltira's at his lake, sitting cross-legged in its center, on a platform of pure, glittering frost. Byfrost, his runeblade, is stuck in the ice beside him, glowing darkly--a black miasma crawls and leaps around the sword throughout this transmission, though it doesn't seem to bother Koltira much. Rather, his attention is fully fixed on the tablet, which he holds up with one gloved hand. He's wearing a black, high-collared shirt with long sleeves; no armor at all is visible. A collection of glass bottles, most of them empty, surrounds him.

It's been about a month since his blood frenzy, and several weeks since he and a few of the others handled Arthas. Aside from his night out with Bariyan for New Year's Eve, Koltira has tried to seclude himself from the population of the island, and definitely tried not to talk about all the terrible things that happened during his frenzy.

He is a creature of guilt and despair even at the best of times, but this most recent go-round on the misery carousel has left him deeper in darkness than ever before. He's decided that he needs to offer some apologies. Some explanations.]

Before I speak to you of the true matter at hand, I wish to thank those of you who assisted in dealing with Arthas and rescuing the Lady Proudmoore. Though he escaped, it will likely be some time before he is strong enough to trouble us again.

[He pauses. His expression, which had been entirely stoic, turns downcast.]

Important as that is, however, it's not why I'm talking to you. I mean to apologize for my actions of some weeks ago, especially to those unfortunate enough to encounter me in the forest. I am so terribly sorry for the harm I caused. I was not in full control of my faculties--that is why I tried to issue a warning.

[He shifts in position slightly, so as to pick up one of the fuller bottles and take a fortifying drink. All right. Pressing on.]

As some of you know, I am a death knight, of a world called Azeroth. I was killed, and then my raising into undeath was ordered by Arthas himself. My body is the product of the worst kind of necromancy, and the curses that bind me together extend beyond the flesh. All of my kind are subject to constant pain; barely tolerable to living senses even at its lowest levels. We were designed, quite literally, to be killing machines in the service of the Lich King--a name that Arthas has taken now, and that he will indeed eventually become.

[Another pause, another drink. This part of the explanation is his least favorite, but he knows he must tell it, in the interest of honor and transparency.]

Our essential curse is this: the longer we--the longer I--go without inflicting suffering on another living creature, the more we suffer in turn. If enough time passes, we fall into madness. We think of nothing but blood. Seeking it. Spilling it. Our pain becomes excruciating. Unbearable, wracking spasms.

I fight against this every day, as do all my brothers and sisters in death. But it is not easy, and I occasionally fail.

[He winces even as he talks. Almost through it.]

Again ... I am sorry for the pain I've caused. In the interests of the city, both yourselves and the general population, I've left the apartments. I shall remain here, and I shall limit my time among you, save as I must come and go in service of your protection against other threats.

It is all I can do.

[He's quiet for a moment, staring down at the ice. That's all, right? That's all he can say, he thinks. He ends the transmission.]

[ Formerly seen handing out new arrival guides rather aggressively, Feferi stops to take a moment and make her network post. Her hair is still damp from being outside, tied back now, but the video shows the inside of her room. ]

So now that the Earth holiday is over, and I have had some time to think about it, I was wondering something! Does anyone here actually come from a place where they have met a Santa or an Easter Bunny or some other fakey fake holiday person? I read some books in the library to find out if they were real or not and then I wondered if they could be real in some places, and not in others. If there are people who talk to gods here, other fictional people could be a thing!

Greetings, everyone.

[The voice is one of a young man, and one who seems rather calm about his situation, or at least, is attempting to remain calm. He seems to have a careful sort of control over his emotions at the moment at the least. The boy is quiet at first, as if trying to remember just what he wanted to say, or perhaps just how to say it correctly.]

I pray that someone who hears this can assist me. I've been properly debriefed, as it was, but the personal insight of others would be far more desirable for this situation. If I am to remain here and help, then that seems to be the place to start. It was perhaps not the most ...convenient of times, but if assistance is needed and I can provide it, then I will.

[He drops into silence with a quiet sigh, letting it build for a short while, as if waiting. When he does speak again his voice is warm once more, the calm returning.]

Introductions are in order, I believe. Hello, my name is Anduin. Anduin Wrynn...

[He debated offering his title for a moment and for those potentially native to Azeroth it shows in how he trailed off. Something lingered in the final words but went unsaid. After a moment he picks up that slack with a moderately cheerful and patient voice.]

It would be my pleasure to meet you all as well.

[A green young woman appears on the screen, smiling happily a few feet away from the tablet that seems to be floating. It looks like she's in the kitchen of one of the apartments, ingredients and bowls on the counter.]

I know it's a couple days late, but I'm baking some holiday cookies if anybody would like some. I promise they're pretty good. Well, if you enjoyed the ones at the masquerade, you'll like these, too! There's gingerbread, chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, sugar...

[She glances at the counter and laughs sheepishly.] I may have gone a little overboard, but that's okay. The more, the merrier! ... sort of.

Um, yes, if you'd like some, let me know! You can drop by Unit 107 or I can bring some to you tomorrow, whichever's easier. Or, if you know someone who you'd like to have some, I can do that, too. I promise I'll keep your name a secret.

[The talking stops as she turns from the camera to retrieve some from the oven by telekinetically opening the oven door. The cookie sheet floats out, landing on the counter nearby before she turns back.]

I'll take requests if I'm able. Please don't be shy about any of this, it's something I really enjoy doing. My name's M'gann, by the way. I hope to hear from some of you. [And with a wave, the camera's shut off.]

[It seems to be a theme that whenever Thor makes a post he's covered in some kind of grime. At least this time it just looks like dirt and whatever other foresty debris he's picked up after hours spent hunting in the Borderlands.

He's picked up a few more technological skills as well. There's nary a sign of a thumb in the camera, and he picture is centered and focused on Thor's thoughtful expression.]

On Earth it was once customary for people to celebrate the Yule at the midwinter Solstice. They would bring sacrifices to the Gods in the hopes we would hasten the spring and see their children safe through the long winter nights.

[He wipes a hand across his brow, and as the camera shifts it can be seen that there are a few rather large beasts stacked on the ground behind him. The spoils of a hunt well hunted, it seems.]

Few now remember this custom, let alone take part in it's rituals. But there are other festivals which have not yet been forgotten, and most are a reminder that the cold of winter will not last; that the days will grow long and warm and safe once more.

[A pause, and Thor allows a wry smile past his serious expression.] Though 'safe' may be a great deal to hope for on this world.

Whatever festivals you celebrate, whatever Gods you do or do not pray to; I invite you to share this Yule with my brothers and I. We shall provide as best a feast we can with what we have, and you may bring what you wish to contribute towards it.

Good food is made better with company, after all.

[He really has no desire to make this post. If he were acting entirely of his own accord, he would simply follow the trail of dead, as it were, until they brought him to Arthas. But despite the guilt weighing on him for everything that's happened recently, and despite how very little he wants to discuss it, he had promised not to face Arthas alone again. To several people.

Koltira is, at the very least, a man of his word.]

I have noticed some of you wondering about the cause behind the recent infestation of malevolent undead. Only a few beings here have the ability to spread the plague of undeath [such as Koltira himself.], and only one of them is interested in doing so with abandon.

Arthas Menethil is responsible for these attacks. He is a man--a monster--of great power and evil, and he eventually becomes known as the Lich King back in our home, Azeroth. He has razed cities; destroyed civilizations. He would like nothing more than to turn this island into a necropolis.

I don't intend to let him.

[This next part is difficult. He might grind his teeth a little.]

If you feel the need to accompany me, you may, though I advise against it. I saw many of you take Arthas for a posturing fool back when he introduced himself. I assure you that he is not. Especially not here. This war-torn island is the perfect place for any necromancer to work, and few necromancers are as skilled as a death knight. Going after him will mean going after whatever else he has dredged up from these corpse-ridden fields.

[He pauses, and then adds.]

I have also not seen much of the Lady Jaina Proudmoore recently. As she is not the type to sit idly by during a Scourge incursion, I must conclude that Arthas has done something to her. Rescuing her, if I can, is my other objective.

[But, he has to be real. It's mostly about Arthas.]

If you wish to assist me, meet me outside the Hold, five hours from now.

[ asa usually avoids the video function on the network, if only because he's.. well, extremely shy. it doesn't seem quite polite to do so when addressing the network as a whole, though, especially in this case, when he's planning to offer something that includes a small demonstration.

dressed as modestly as always, his long red hair has been pinned up in a messy bun, small black antlers decorated with green ribbons and tiny silver charms that chime when he bows his head politely. he looks just about as nervous as he always does, though at least he manages a small, tentative smile. ]

Ah-- Hello. [ a slight fidget, a blush rising in his face, golden eyes sliding away from the video slightly. he always feels silly doing this. ]

It was.. suggested to me some time ago that.. that people might.. appreciate my skills, so I thought-- I mean, if it can be useful-- [ he clears his throat, then lifts his palms, cupping them and tilting them toward the camera to show that they're empty. a few moments later, a tiny vine twists out from between his fingers, growing in mere seconds and blooming with a big blue flower of some unknown type. he strokes the petals gently with his fingertips, lowering his hands and glancing up again. by now, he looks like he's seriously two seconds from bolting from the frame. ]

I-- I can do that with any.. any plants. Flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables-- I can.. maintain large gardens and.. adapt the plants to.. to new conditions. [ his shoulders hunch, ears flattening back, voice growing a little smaller, more hesitant. ] I don't.. know if it can be useful to.. to anyone, but if it can, please don't-- don't hesitate to ask.

[ he reaches out, then, and hastily ends the feed. ]

Beloved friends, dear acquaintances, and soon to be beloved friends and dear acquaintances! Last I spoke up hereabouts, I believe it was with mention of a party, no? Well, the lot of us are in luck! I've spoken with the Initiative, and not only is such a thing possible, but we've a date and a place.

Clear your calendars, my friends, as this coming Friday, anyone with any sense of the sociable ought to be joining us for a masquerade ball in 1772, France, the Palace of Versailles. Quite a lovely place, I'm given to understand!

Those of you who have volunteered to assist me in the preparations, I do believe that now is your time to shine. And to the rest of you, find something you won't be ashamed to be seen in—and a mask, of course!—and prepare for a terrifically lovely evening, won't you?

( [Private to Samus, Cairistiona, Eddie Riggs and Jaina] )

[[ooc; one last plotting post for this shindig is up here, for new characters that didn't get a chance to hash stuff out last time, and here is a log for setting up!]]

Hello, Exsilium! I must thank you for the amount of information available for us. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface yet but I am looking forward to reading everything about this place so that I can be of more use.

I've noticed that things seem a little hostile & tense lately... Really, I'd like to get to know all of you better so I have a question for the other Transports here, & I hope that it is not too much trouble!

What is it that makes you happy? What makes you smile, or makes you feel at peace the most?

In my case, it is doing my job by helping others & reading books. You never know what adventures or knowledge a book can bring you until you open the cover!

So tell me what makes you happy!

[ when the video begins, at first, the only thing visible is the backdrop of a room and the tines of what appear to be a small set of little black antlers. the feed shakes a little, as if the one holding the tablet is moving it, before it finally settles, revealing a rather nervous looking face. the figure is a redhead, hair tangled around his (or maybe her, it's sort of hard to tell) antlers, eyes wide and a little animal-like and gold. there's a smattering of white dappling almost like freckles at his hairline, disappearing into the curve of his jaw and presumably down his throat, and he looks like he's two seconds from bolting.

he takes a deep, shaky breath when he realizes he has everything working properly, starts to say something-- and freezes. .. okay, asa, try again. this isn't any more intimidating than anything he's done in the last few weeks, after all, right? the only difference is that.. well, he's so totally alone here.. ]

--Ah-- [ well, that's a start. ] Hello. I-- [ he ducks his gaze, fidgeting a little, ears flicking back. ] My name is Asa. I don't.. suppose anyone knows if a.. I mean, how easy is it to.. tell if someone arrived with you? Also--

[ a glance off to the side, brows drawing together. ] --We really do.. fight here? I'm more of a-- a gardener..

Good day, I am Balder Odinson, brother to Thor and Loki and former King of Asgard.

I have been here but a short time but already I have met those who are not warriors. It seems dangerous to walk these streets unable to defend oneself, so I would be happy to teach any comers the basics. I am a swordsman and can teach hand-to-hand and other forms and weaponry as well as defensive strategies.

For those who can already fight, I invite you to spar with me. I have been fighting the same enemy for too long, and that tends to dull one's abilities.

Well, that was something of an adventure! Between the Russians, the newest arrivals, and our monstrous friends, why there's been quite a few things to keep track of. An awful lot of people. One of which in particular I seem to have misplaced... I don't suppose anyone has seen Bela lately? Bela Talbot?

[ A pause, as if he's actually listening for a reply. Or maybe just asking a completely rhetorical question and taking a moment to gather himself afterward. ]

Well, it was always difficult to keep her in just one place. Not like Sierra, Annalise, and Adamo, three natives caught by the UE bombs, near a month ago now. I would say they were entirely too — too stationary. That old woman in the market, too— with the jerky stand? She always claimed it was dog meat, but I really had to wonder. But she always had a kind word for anyone who stopped to chat, didn't she? I found a bit of her stand some time ago, but no sign of her. Maggie, she told me her name was...

My apologies, to anyone who knew any of those caught in disaster. At least we've managed to turn this latest one back to the status quo, mm? We have that much.

[ Another pause, and this one comes with a slow breath out. So... that's awkward. But! He can make it better. When he speaks again, he sounds just as cheerful as he had at the beginning. ]

You know, for all their flukes and faults, I would say there's one thing the Initiative is truly bad at. They can throw our lot into a room with food set out, but that's not any sort of party. So I propose we arrange one ourselves! We've the musicians for it, don't we? The cooks, surely! The tailors, seamstresses? We certainly have the headcount for it, by now!

Any opinions, mm? I'm thinking, perhaps, a masquerade. A ball! We kitrites excel at the organization of them, you know. I would be pleased to offer my services to a properly interested crowd! Have I any takers?

Now that there's some peace and quiet--

[ 'sup, guys? Someone's figured out the contraption she's holding and yes, she does have that weird headgear on while talking to you right now. ]

I can't help but say that I was expecting something a little more...unhelpful, given our sudden departures, but maybe we are lucky after all that our hosts want us to be as prepared as possible. As for myself, my name is Blazenova for those who did not meet me at the party. I expect nothing but results when working on these missions, so try to not waste my time.

[ She seems thoughtful at what she's about to say next, but decides it's for the best in the end. After all, it's better to be prepared than wait for certain disaster to come. ]

[...]

That said, how many of you are priests, paladins, monks - or, if you are not familiar with those terms, how many of you can heal injuries, cure poisons, and the like? I ask because while I can serve as a field medic, I rather like to be there to help take down opponents that much faster. However, if anyone has any kind of cloth they can give me, I can start preparing a stockpile of goods for us to use should we run out of medical supplies.

If there is nothing else, then I bid you farewell for now. Al diel shala!

[ A smiling yet slightly blood-smudged face is already filling the frame when Feferi turns on the feed. There's a cut on her cheek running with a bit of her pink-hued blood but it doesn't bother her to warrant more than to wipe it away with the back of her hand. ]

Hello! Hi! I would like to welcome all the new faces, if I didn't already get around to you! I'm glad you could join us, we really need all the help we can get. I'm attaching our totally awesome Newbie's Guide in case you haven't seen it yet, but if you need a printed copy, there's a whole bunch in the bin outside Room 202! Or just come find me.

[ Link Attached: A Newbie's Guide to Exsilium ]

Anyway, just to let everyone know, even if the monsters look like they're weakened and in need of help, uh... some of them are still pretty mean! Guess I should have seen that one coming, right? I would not recommend trying to relocate any of them. Not alone, anyway.

[ She pauses to lean back a little, her trident coming into view, being what she is supporting herself with. ]

Does anyone want to help me?