[When the feed clicks on, it's pretty obvious that Mystique has been mulling over things for a little while. The first thing she says follows her chewing on her lip for a moment or two.]

For those of you who might care, Loki's gone.

[She doubts many people care, but it's a useful thing to know for those people -- keeping lists.]

I've been thinking of getting a job here to pass the time, and I heard there might be someone looking to start up a bakery. Is that -- true?

[Because seriously, she's getting bored -- and she'd be able to gather a lot of information from the chit-chat that happened at the counter, right? It's a win-win situation.]

( When Charles appears on the video screen, he looks happier than ever. Well, happier than... is standard practise, for this place, and especially given his recent interpersonal shenanigans. Still, he's smiling. )

Hello, everyone. I've rather a large request—I will understand if the need does not suit you—but I do hope that you'll hear me out.

I would like to establish a school, here in Exsilium. It would be for everyone, of all ages. I've received permission, and salary funding, from the Initiative, to gather both teachers and students to... ah, well. ( Charles' expression shifts to an apologetic one. ) To help me refurbish this building and make it a proper educational institution.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will let you all know that I've acquired an old building. It's not in the best of shape, and will need to be fixed up—that is where you come in. Soon, I will need teachers; students, too. But for now—for now, all I need is some volunteers to turn this place into a functional establishment.

( Charles presses a button on his netbook, and this picture appears. )

Your help would be incredibly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[The sounds of outside filter through the network, distant with little to be heard beyond the faint rustle of the wind, but there nonetheless. A distinctive clink-fwoosh of a lighter disrupts anything further, followed by the slow crackle of burning paper and tobacco and a satisfied inhale and steady exhale. When he finally speaks, it's with a tone that lacks interest.]

Well, isn't this quaint. Doubt I would have believed it were I not seeing it with my own eyes. At least the woman greeting me was persuasive enough. [You can practically hear the dirty little smirk.]

Even so, I'm not quite sure how I feel out of my home and sent on my merry way towards college kid dorm rooms. Or rather, I'm perfectly aware of how I feel about it, just the words I'm looking for aren't for public ears.

Still. Judging by the archives on this thing, there's plenty of you about who know this world, so come on, share your wisdom with an outsider, would you? One can never know too much.

[A pause as he inhales another lungful of smoke, eventually adding with a thoughtful exhale:] Oh, and don't patronise me with the basics. I'm curious, not stupid.

[The screen turns on and we see a older man in a traditional almost what one could call MIB suit. He looks, well, he looks a big bugged by the whole situation.]

Stark, this is all your fault. I don’t know how you did it, or what you did. But I blame you.

Hawkeye? Widow? Report.

[ He's sort of holding up a toaster oven but he sets it down pretty quickly. ]

I've got one appliance that takes a little too much glee in burning shit, and what looks like a maudlin blender. Who wants in on this?

[ He's also set up some programs to just sort of trawl the network constantly for various things. One is the word 'pie'. Another is encrypted messages not encrypted enough to be completely hidden from him. Casual re-pimp of permissions. So, yes. Both of these wouldn't be immediately noticed without someone else doing some sort of tracking of their own.

aka: Tony is bored. watch out ]

[Emma does not even have time for your nonsense, Initiative. However, she has neither woken up, nor has her team appeared to rescue her, so apparently she has to cope. Emma hates coping. But what she hates rarely has any bearing on what she actually has to do, and so she shoves her rising irritation back where only a hint of it can leak through to her voice and expression, and records herself a video post.

Look, Exsilium, it's a sharply beautiful blond woman who's got the camera pointed such that it doesn't look like she's wearing anything besides a choker. It's accidental, but she's too annoyed to care and fix the angle, so there you go.]

I should, I suppose, introduce myself to my fellow conscripts. My name is Emma Frost, and I'm simply delighted to make your acquaintance. [The observant might note that she is not, in point of fact, currently delighted about anything whatsoever.] One hopes no one else from my timeline has ended up here, but we've never been that lucky. Be a dear and check in, hmm?

[She's from a comic book. Of course she assumes she's going to know anyone else from her world who got stuck here. That's how things work.]

It has come to my attention that there are strangers here—no, strangers and familiars—that know a great deal about me from some vast and mysterious future that I myself do not know.

You can imagine that this information is unsettling. You will relinquish this information to me, be it now or in the future—whether or not you do so is not your choice to make.

[ Loki makes a sound in the very back of his throat like a 'tsk' as he says this, and his gaze is unamused, even angry, before he begins on another subject entirely; though with the same derision. ]

There is a human here with my face. It is not done by magic. It is my statement to be made now that I, here, am my own person; disregard him, for he speaks nothing of what I do.

Additionally, he's a rather horrid attitude. [ pot calling the kettle black ]

[ Click. ]

[Oh hello there, Exsilium, have the face of a bright-eyed girl that looks way too excited to be here. It seems after much technology abuse and generally failing at turning it on, she finally gets the video working! Success for a failure]

Don't worry, fellow kidnapped people of Exhelium! [That's 'Exsilium', Maya] You don't have to explain everything, I've got it aaaaaall figured out. In fact, I'm an Ace Explainer myself, so just sit back and let me break it down for you, Maya-style!

We're in future England! [This is probably the only fact she's gotten right, but-] Brought here by the United Earth people because they're being oppressed by the Initiative! [And then there's a pause for some very Deep and Philosophical Thoughts. ...Not.] ... I bet it's the tea. England's known for its tea, you know? Anyone would be jealous of that selection!

... But anyway, we've been brought here because we've got to go into the future to change the past! It's just like that movie with Mikey K. Box, except with tea on the line as well as time! [WHAT WAS IT CALLED AGAIN..... Oh, well]

But more importantly than all of that.... I have a question. [SUDDENLY SERIOUS? Look, she's even leaning into the camera all dramatically] A question that will change the fate of the entire world! [Whatever's left of it] Well, mostly me right now, but for everyone's sake, I need an answer!

[There's a long, long pause as she stares intently into the camera. And then:]

Where's the nearest burger joint? I'm starved! And if we're really in the future they must have invented a way for burgers to be even more delicious! Right?

[... And then there's a brief flash of embarrassment, and when she continues she's a little more low-key] ... Um, and how do I get to the housing place? Unit... 406, I think?

So my gun, it's supposed to just…get stronger right? [ Hello network, here's a face you haven't seen in a while. Dean's been trying to learn what this place is all about, but today finds him in the training hall with his beloved .45 caliber Colt. He's shaking the damn thing like its offended him somehow. ] Maybe mine is broken…

[ Hm. Tucking it away, he has another thing to ask. ]

Also, a year on freakin' paradise beach land has left me feelin' all sorts of rusty. Anyone up for a little rough-n-tumble? [ Meaning sparring. But take it as you want, especially since the look he's giving the device speaks of entirely different sort of fun. ] Y'know, of the physical sort.

[ The image is shaky and unfocused, at first, until the ruffling sounds cease and the picture stills after picking up on a blur of red, white and blue. A blond man, bruised and battered, and appearing a little worse for wear comes into view.

He's still fairly new to technology, and this seems to be that much more advanced than even some of the gadgets he came across in the future - he pauses to think that Stark - Tony - would love to get his hands on something like this. But he manages to figure it out pretty quickly, albeit awkwardly, and he audibly takes in a deep breath. ]

Guess I gotta introduce myself on this thing, don't I? Manners cost nothing, after all. [ He winces, whether at his own weariness or an actual injury is difficult to tell, and he rubs at the back of his neck, a somewhat nervous habit from years long since gone, smearing the dirt there further. ] M'Steve Rogers, and, uh, it's kinda been a long day.

[ But not long enough for him to have missed the details. This place is clean, organised, but there doesn't appear to be any immediate threat. He's already ruled out HYDRA, but he's pretty certain he left them back in the 1940s. And there's no aliens as far as he can tell, which is a relief. A civilised kidnapping? He remains on guard. ]

So, uh, anyone out there gonna fill me in on what I'm missing or am I really gonna have to do some investigating? [ He heaves a sigh, the camera pulling away from his face to focus on the uniform he's still wearing, and he mumbles to himself as he fumbles to figure out how to end the feed. ] ...'Cause I could sleep for a week.

[Turns it on, spends a few more seconds than most woud checking that the screen is on, admiring that it actually works.]

Am I broadcasting? If I am great, if not, I'll just be talking to myself. Which, would not be a far from normal occurrence let me tell you.

[He clears his throat, and continues.]

Let me tell you a story, of a tired guy, just trying to get come sleep in his uncomfortable cot in the middle of a war zone. Then suddenly the guy is transported to some strange place where a weird lady tells him he's supposed to help save mankind. Or some such drivel.

Well, my friends, that guy would be me. Unfortunately.

Then to add insult to injury, she hands me a gun. When I tell her I don't do guns, she hands me a sword.

[His eyes boggle, in that way that only Hawkeye can pull off.]

Anyone want to explain why I have ladies, not  those of the lake variety, handing me swords and telling me I'm in the future? Because, right now?  I'm thinking Korea has finally driven me round the bend.

[ The feed opens to show a young woman who's just barely holding back her anger. She squeezes her eyes shut briefly and huffs. ]

When I said that I was ready to go wherever I was needed, I never expected that someone would be foolish enough to take it as a consent to be abducted to what seems to be a science fiction fan's dream. Nevertheless, I am here and I have once again been made to realize that I should never underesimate the foolishness of fools.

I suppose I should introduce myelf to the group. I am Franziska von Karma, prodigy in the field of prosecution. For your sake and mine, I hope you're not nearly as foolish as the ones who brought us here. [ She bows. Her attempt at a friendly smile falls short and comes off as condescending. ]

Now, if anyone could direct me to where I could find some more information on this place, starting with its history and its laws, it would be much appreciated.

Sif.

[ The God of Thunder here is pretty awesome at a lot of things, but technology is not one of them. As such, this conversation that was meant to be addressed only to Sif is broadcast to the entirety of Initiative hold. ]

I mean to forewarn you, I intend to conduct an experiment. I know not the outcome, yet I plan to refuse to fight for our captors. I gave my word to a young girl I would do so.

Should anything untoward come of it, do not worry for me, I will have it handled. If I be forced by magical means, we shall have our answer for how just their cause is.

[ He pauses for a moment, about to cut the feed there before he adds on one last part - ]

Should my brother go to the fight, keep your eye on him, if you would. [ For multiple reasons, all of which he trusts Sif to know ] The Lady Jane and Darcy as well - if they can be kept from it, that would be preferred.

So this has to be some crazy attempt at super-speed Stockholm, right? I mean. 'Hey, we kinda kidnapped you and can't- or won't tell you when you get to see home, sandy burny, home again. But look! Credit cards and talking weapons, cool, right? Okay thanks bye, have fun now.' Who does that? As though I'm gonna forget the whole first part because I get shiny things which- Okay. Sure. This gig officially pays more than most of the jobs I had since college start combined and they actually encourage liberal taser usage...but come on. Dorm rooms? And wars...

You know. I miss when, like, two weeks ago I would have assumed I was just having some kinda psychotic break here. You meet one alien god and suddenly it's no holds barred...Alright. Okay.

So. The point here. The nice Stockholm lady said to call. I'm calling. Survival tips people. I'm in serious need here. Starting with where the heck my dorm is.

[Jane is looking at her netbook's camera in a mix of dismay, disbelief, and a definite aura of trying to play along with the cosmic joke.]

Seriously? A question, if I may. If I am to fight, why would they choose a physicist? I mean, seriously, come on. This has got to be a giant joke, and I don't have time for it. I mean, yeah weapons, and all that, and an allowance, but that's easy enough to fake. Either that, or I've gone insane from running around with gods and giant suits of armor belching fire. Would anyone care to confirm this or do I wait for someone to jump out and yell 'Suprise!'?