it's a really troubling time huh ......

there's just so much despair with this and that happening! i never thought i'd see real nuclear bombs go off ......

everyone who's trying to do the right thing is really admirable, risking their lives like that. doesn't it make you wish you could be a good person too?????

[There's a reason this is in text: the reason is that Junko wouldn't trust her voice to save herself right now. ]

upupupu......... i wish were half as brave as you guys. good luck, everyone ♥♥.

For a surprising change of pace, who is actually in favor of leaving the locals behind? Five hundred thousand odd lives, good as gone. Three hundred fifty of us in safety.

[because everyone who isn't is honestly an idiot.]

No lynching, please, ladies and gentlemen, let's have a civil discussion.

[ When the feed turns on, there's a poorly-shaven and generally scruffy guy in a labcoat peering critically into the lens. He might not look familiar, but when he speaks, Transports who have been around for a while may recognize the voice. ]

This thing on? Hey, looks like we're broadcasting. I'm a genius, as usual.

[ The view shifts as he tucks whatever is broadcasting into the front pocket of his shirt, showing a hallway within the Hold. His voice drifts in from off-screen: ] We got the best of the best having a powwow in here. You know, the fate of all of Exsilium, and stuff like that. They're gonna tell you guys when they're done, but I say we pick up the pace a little. We're on a tight schedule, you know? [ The view strides forward as he makes for a closed door. ] Just our little secret, alright? I'm not even supposed to be on your fancy network — like they could ever actually kick me off.

[ His voice drops with the last part as he pushes open the door. Inside are ten Initiative employees, and Saul and Medusa, seated at a table and looking terse. Someone shoots a frown toward our loyal broadcaster, who mutters an apology for his bladder and slides into the only empty seat. ]

( Cut for length and a transcript! Sort of. A prose transcript, because who really wants to read the word-for-word. )

[ The talk winds down, and someone near Saul and Medusa mutters to them, something along the lines of, I don't envy your job, telling everyone. Saul, already pissed and definitely having been on the "no" side of the voting, lunges for the guy — but is restrained by Medusa's hair. The view shifts again as the broadcaster lifts the camera from his pocket, turns it around to grin weakly into it. ]

Done and done, pals. It was the pen all along! Ha, told you I was a genius, noooo one feels like listening to poor old Sponde…

[ There's a quick raising of angry voices, but the feed ends and cuts them off. ]

[[ooc; Saul, Medusa, anyone else in DITR, and possibly the NPC will be responding to questions here, but also feel free to use this as a general IC discussion space!]]

[ It's just in text at first, but don't let that start your doubts churning. It'll get better. ]

Exsilium! Fuck yes I knew I could f-- People haven't died, the disappearances have been due to the United Earth, because they're raging assholes. Experimenting on people with powers and treating anyone who doesn't seem to have any like relative dirt. Sort of. Anyway, short time, still upgrad--- ing. Oh, shit! Yes! Okay so people who are missing are probably just missing not gone home, I hope [ he really hopes because he hasn't found Pepper yet ], I reserve the right to be incorrect, it doesn't happen often, relish here as necessary. We're in the UE if we are missing, and I'm looking for a few people I already knew were supposed to have been gone. So far no such luck, and I don't know where the base itself is. While that sounds useless, if any of you can crack this ridiculously high powered encryption that even I couldn't crack, then go for it. [ Hint: no one can crack it it's an ooc uncrackable (for now) ] Otherwise, just... Batten down the hatches. I doubt this is gonna turn out well, okay? But it'll be fine. Good to see you guys.


[ second note: I have to sleep but I will hit things in the am and after work so hard like going to the final exam for a class you never attended, hard. word. yo.

EDIT: AND THIRD NOTE tony is totes cool with handing this tablet off to other people currently in the UE who want to get messages to people back in Exsilium, so feel totally free to create a new thread calling someone out and we'll just assume tony either handed it to you, or is looking over your shoulder like a creeper. (edit: if he can, he'll be trying to electrotechopathic his way into your threads. he might not be able to but it won't stop him trying. ]

I was really starting to get used to being here on my own after Mukuro left me.

[If you are trying to guess where this broadcast is going, it's probably best not to. Junko looks positively miserable, however. It's probably because she's ran out of her favorite lip gloss. Also Naegi and Kirigiri were talkin' smack.

Mostly it's because of the lip gloss.

She gives a big, heaving sigh and chins a hand. It's a hard thing, sticking to one personality. It's so boring; her boredom is probably evident. ]

I mean, it's not really lonely with my roommates, you know? But Naegi and Kirigiri-chan came here from home! They've been here a while and they haven't invited me for cake or anything. Isn't that sad? Maybe I should make the first move or something?

... Oh! That reminds me. Actually, I wanted to ask if anyone knew how to make their weapon more functional? I think I saw something once, but I totally forgot.

[To be honest, she's hoping her knife is a secret mecha or something. ]

Ladies, gentlemen, a question: what do you look for in a significant other?

[he's grinning something fierce, like he's a host of a dating show or something. don't answer him, he's just going to use what you'll tell him against you when it suits him :c]

Looks, property, good with their hands, an excellent cook? Willing to die for you on missions? Takes a bath every week? I'm curious, this sort of thing isn't spoken about in my time!

Hmm… I think it was supposed to be used this way— Ah!

[ After realizing that the device is already transmitting him, Naegi quickly recomposes himself. He lets out a soft pardoning smile, indicating to excuse his behaviour just now. It’s then that one of his open hands wave faintly, greeting the audience at the same time. Behind him, there's a rather mysterious-looking girl, Kirigiri, who refuses to look at the camera at first. ]

G-Good morning, everyone! Um… Say, I’ve been really curious about something. [ After these particular set of words, Naegi stares more intently at the camera. Prior to this moment, he wondered if it’s a good idea to ask. But he’s already decided… He’ll never know otherwise. That’s what Kirigiri taught him, isn’t it? Risk is sometimes necessary to reach the truth. ] … Has anyone here heard of Hope’s Peak Academy? Does it mean anything for you?

[ Then he looks to the side, facing the girl momentarily. It's notable that he's less nervous when he faces her, smiling a little in addition. ]

Is there anything you'd like to ask them, Kirigiri-san?

[ The moment she's addressed, Kirigiri finally turns to look at the camera. The unwavering serious expression on her face is a bit intimidating, and that's most likely what's making the other boy nervous. There's probably several things that are bothering her and she'd like to inquire about. But she'll take it a little at a time. ]

Yes, actually... I'd like to know how the weapons given to us actually work. We've been told that it's been granted sentience but... [ Kirigiri holds up her "weapon" into view. It looks like some sort of digital camera... ] Mine is a little unconventional. Are there any others who are in the same boat?

Oh, I'm curious about that as well... I wonder how ordinary items like these are considered weapons? [ Naegi holds up his own, revealing a megaphone. ] How are they powered? We weren't given chargers... But I'm glad that there's options like these.

[ He's personally relieved for that. He wouldn't know how to react if someone asked him to pick a lethal weapon all of a sudden. ]

By the way, we’ve been separated from a couple of our friends… If anyone has seen others who have this insignia— [ momentarily holding this symbol out ] Please do let us know, we'd would really appreciate it…

A-And there’s one last thing! I’ve accidentally lost one of my shoes, so if anyone at the Housing building happens to see a red shoe… Well, I’d appreciate that getting returned as well. Th, thank you! And I’m sorry for the trouble.

[ The last request is rather embarrassing, so Naegi can clearly be seen flushing at his own clumsiness. With the broadcast serving its purpose though, Kirigiri turns away and starts walking off, presumably heading off ahead to look for Naegi's lost shoe: "Naegi-kun, you're hopeless." (... HA, HA.) But when he notices her going off ahead, he gets quickly frustrated: "Ah! W-Wait, Kirigiri-san!" So he trails after her, propping the device with him to wait for responses.

OOC | conservator & arbitrator will be combo replying. As for the red shoe, I'll be rolling a dice later on regarding who will find it! Just let me know if your character is willing to help, and I'll add them to the RNG list. Whoever finds Naegi's shoe will receive a nice reward. I'm not telling what it is yet. c: ]

[Kousuke appears on the screen, covered in dust and sweat and blood. If you look closely, you can see the trails his tears have left in it. But he gives a wan smile anyway. Anyone who's seen his real smile could tell what a pale imitation this one is.]

Uh... Hey, hey everybody. I'm Kousuke Nitoh. I, uh. I'm calling you on my way back from the outskirts of town. I gotta tell you something important...

[He sighs heavily, leaning up against the wall of a half-ruined building.]

There's a monster in town, a Phantom. It, uh, well, the easiest way for me to explain it is that it... killed Haruto.

[He looks immediately despondent, having said those words. He quietly repeats it.]

Haruto's dead. The Phantom stole his body, and it's walking around lookin' like him. So if you see him, don't talk to him. Phantoms usually don't kill people, other than the ones they're inside... But he'll try to feed off your despair.

[He starts walking again, looking around awkwardly.]

It's my responsibility to kill him. I gotta do this. But if anyone could help me keep people back while I fight him, or like... Just help me out. I have to deal the final blow, though. My life kind of depends on it.

[The video cuts on to show a large man with long black hair leaning FAR too close to the camera, squinting as he tries to figure out the strange device. He can deal with his Deth-iPhone but this? This shit is fucking confusing]

Is this thing on? I don’t think this is on. What. How is this even supposed to… I don’t think this is working. [There are a few beeps as he hits a few buttons] Hellooooo? Is this even on? I don’t know how this fucking thing works. This is… [mutters] Stupid fucking tablet

[He sighs heavily, the breath seems to go on forever before he hits another button]

What does that blinking light mean? Is it… oh. It’s on.

[He clears his throat. He’s got some Very Important things to say after all]

Hi this is Nathan. [pause] Nathan Explosion. [pause] From Dethklok. [He pauses, waiting for people to react the way they normally do. You know. Scream. Cry. Kill themselves. Chicks ripping off their clothes and throwing themselves at him. The usual.

When that doesn't happen he squints at it again]

No really is this thing even fucking on?

[ The screen comes on, this is broadcasting more or less like anything flagged with a tiny 'important!' flaggy sign on a forum would have been. Tony looks to be in a good mood, he's clearly been working, and still is, apparently, seeing as it's a few of his workshop.

(Dummy can be seen sweeping, if one pays attention to this while Tony's speaking, instead of to Tony, they will see DUM-E2 sweeping, Jellyroll accidentally drop something on a swept part of the floor, and then some sort of robot whirring fight - at some point DUM-E-JR came over - ...starts?

No, it doesn't, because Max comes in and quietly picks up the knocked over thing and gives the little broom to DUM-E-JR who is delighted, tells the others to power down for a bit.)

Tony was aware of all that, but that's how his life works now anyway, so whatever. ]

I know my place isn't the only one that got bashed in a smidge with all those bombs. Yikes. Now I'm not puking my guts out, I've got most of my repair done as far as I know, so I'm up for commissions again, or just lending a helping iron hand if you need one. [ He doesn't want this to seem too altruistic. ] We'll just call it collecting good karma or something. Just bring me shit to fix if you've got shit that needs fixing. [ Still happy, still actually kind of working on things during that whole talk. But he seems to be done now, turning and halfway through a sentence to JARVIS when he shuts the feed off from across the little corridor between two long tables. ]

[It's this nut again. She sounds dejected - really dejected, not even excited to be feeling dejected. ]

Hey, my big sister was here for a little while. But she disappeared a little while ago without saying a word. It's really typical of her! She did this before too when we were younger. I thought maybe we could have fun together while she was here. We're twins, you know. So it would have really funny to prank everyone here for a little while, to see if you could tell us apart. Ugh, but you know, she isn't a very good actor. I bet you would have all seen right through her.

[She's so disappointed. Mukuro never does anything right. And she's too bored to be gleeful about it. It's the worst feeling, wanting to despair and not even having the strength to overcome boredom to feel it. ]

But now she's gone and I'm super bored. I guess she went home, huh? Mukuro was so selfish. She didn't even leave me anything cool to defend myself with in this scary war. That's so typical of her, too. She always said she'd protect me, back home, and she's left me all alone again. I can't even find the strength to change my personality like usual!

[She sighs very dramatically. She's playing the abandonment issues up, really, but whatever gets her what she needs. ] So, you know, everyone's always sounding really hopeful when I listen in here, or they sound really tired of it all. I'm envious! So I decided I'd make my own fun without Mukuro. But Junko isn't selfish like her big sister, so when I'm done I'll share it all with you. But I have a super duper important question: there's bound to be engineers here, right? Even programmers? Can I borrow you to help?

[A beat. ] Huh. I guess that's everything. I feel a bit better already. Hope is really something.

[ the name attached to this account, and thus with all applicable comments within this entry, reads Haruka Takahashi, as usual.
for those of you just joining us at home, some info. ]

If you're only interested in useful posts, you can skip the rest of this. I'm only out to waste the time of those who want it wasted, today.
For anyone else, color me curious.

Water, Wind, Light, Flame, Earth, or Darkness.

Pick one, please.

To clarify, "light" doesn't mean good and "darkness" doesn't mean evil, or bad. Or vice versa; there's no moral alignment to any of them.
And I didn't "skip heart", so don't bother bringing that up.

[ tetchy. ]

[Because the last post of him wasn't dramatic enough, he has to show his ugly mug again on the network. Don't worry, he's wearing clothing this time, what with his big fur coat and all. He's currently lounging on the bed clipping his finger nails which are pretty much rat-bagged from his chewing on them.]

So this city turns out to have just as shitty prerogatives as my world, and they're just as successful at carrying them out too. Pisses me off watching gifted people like ourselves be ruled by a slack-jawed inferior bunch of idiots. Why are we fighting? Well, my world isn't actually worth shit, not sure about all of yours.

Gotta wonder how bad the UE really is and if we're really 'free' at all. Maybe we're all just fucking guinea pigs for their amusement. Maybe the Initiative is just a covert branch of the United Earth, drawing us away from our worlds so it's easier for the takin'. Lots of questions, not a lot of answers, folks.

[He pauses to glance at the camera, holding his nail clippers poised. He frowns, considers in silence for a moment before going back to his nail clipping.]

Shitty place this is. Maybe we should consider asking ourselves some harder questions. It's not about peace, love, harmony and holding hands around a fucking campfire. Some war this is when we're housed on an isolated island surrounded by polluted wastelands. How many wars you all heard of go like that, huh?

[He twitches his shoulders and sucks on one of his fingers where he's cut the nail too short. He pouts and shakes his head a bit before changing topics.]

On a lighter note, I'm looking to acquire a wig for my woman. Her ears are getting cold in all this rain and misery, and I hate sleeping next to someone rubbing their cold ears on me at night. It's a goddamn travesty. Anyway, couldn't find one at the market, and the kid with the lemming didn't seem keen on giving up the brains of his operation. I'm willing to pay, possibly even with services rather than money, and these good looks aren't all I have going for me.

Be seeing ya, kiddies. [He smirks before clicking off the camera.]

[ action for roommates / anyone who wants to stop by room 905 ]
[Bolin has been holed up in his room, recovering from his injuries and working on this little stunt for Pabu. Pop by for a visit?]

[ video ]
[For anyone who's seen Bolin since he fell victim to Adam's rampage on the 21st, the teenager is looking...better. Not great, but no longer at death's door. He's doing his best impression of chipper.]

Wow, yeah, so that whole thing was kind of......terrible. Talk about your terrible awful no good very bad day. [The fake cheer fades, just a bit.] I'm really sorry, Elmer. And anyone else whose world that was. And....just...everybody.

SO I FIGURE WE COULD ALL USE A LITTLE CHEERING UP. [Smile for long enough and the smile becomes real, right? That's how Bolin's gotten through life.] Which is why I present to you the one, the only, the AMAZING Pabu --

( cut for sfw images )

... Hmf.

[A grouchy voice. Cyril is a little too effusive some (all) of the time, but he's still family, and after deciding his fellow Noah was too quiet and subsequently sniffing around for a sign of the man and finding - nothing, nothing - well.

It doesn't put Tyki in the best of moods.

You better be all right, Cyril, or Tyki might have to lift a finger doing something unfun, and who wants that?]

Talk about a short performance with an anticlimactic ending. [Sniffs.] That's the way it works around here, I suppose. Promising build up and then a whole lot of nothing afterward. Speaking of that, I am bored. These people don't use what they catch.

Better to arrive here a traveler, eh? [He isn't what you'd call hurting at the loss of his brother/brother-in-arms. And he can take whatever the Exorcists decide to bring. But still.] Australia, now. That was a good trip. Kangaroo is pretty tasty. And it's not as if we ever see sunlight in this dour shithole. Too bad we couldn't be waging war from around that time in Australia.

[Weird place to cut off. But it seems like that's it.]

[You see Kousuke Nitoh, a maned young man with hungry eyes. He beams and waves, fluttering his fingers at the camera]

OKAY! Hi guys! I been doing a little bit of investigation, I guess you could say... I mean it's not my thing, really, but anyhow. I been looking into all the stuff about ghosts up on this floor? I live on floor 7 and there've been some crazy things going on, so I thought I'd like share my findings or whatever.

[He waves his hand over the tablet and his face is replaced by a photo of the hallway. There's nothing in the photo... Maybe some glare from the window off a few dust motes in the air creating some blurry orbs... his voice comes over the image]

So this is the kind of stuff I'm seeing. I'm hearing noises and stuff too. Like a scream and all? Also once I saw some blood coming off the wall but I didn't get a picture of it.

[Another couple of clearly-not-ghost photos pan over the screen, and then the image of Kousuke comes back.]

Anyone else know anything about the ghosts? Anyone from this floor or who used to live by the ghosts? I'm tryin to figure it out and it's givin' me goosebumps, but the good kind!

[Just after the footage comes back, an indistinct shape is seen hovering over Kousuke's shoulder. It resolves into an eerie face, see-through and lightly glowing. It's difficult to tell what it is, other than definitely, definitely a ghost.]

I'm all about researching the unknown, though I usually like stuff I can actually touch and feel more. Heh. So yeah, bring it on, ghosts!!

[The face over his shoulder, though still vague, is definitely smiling.]

[Here sits Junko, a girl with conflicted feelings. A girl with things to say! ]

（ ；´Д｀） this is terrible, isn't it? the worst! i was doing something very important, you know? kidnapping is against my schools rules! absolutely, kidnapping junko enoshima is against the rules!

upupu i have to do this and that, it's very important. i'm absolutely despairing. i might cry!

... not really! upupupu. hello! did i make an entrance? were you completely captivated? it's to be expected of hopes peaks super high school level fashion girl! ヾ(･ω･*)ﾉ it's very nice to meet you all, please treat me kindly! oh, isn't it strange to introduce yourself to lots of strangers? it feels like my first day of high school all over again!

upupupupu ~ ✩! let's try our best to get along! if not, i'll definitely kill you!

.... just kidding! (ó㉨ò) would you like to see the great joker junko?

[A slow switch to video. The tablet is bigger than her cellphone from home. Junko waves with a smile. Today she is quirky fashion idol Junko Enoshima: nothing more nothing less. ]

You know, I've never seen a war up close before. Not a real war, anyway. The fashion world is really cut throat though! Kidnapping is really Hollywood, don't you think? It's definitely scary. You know, I think it might even be scarier than home.

[She pauses. ]

... You know, all of that text was a lie. I'm very glad to be out of school. From one scary place to the next, I think my luck is super duper bad. Super duper extremely bad, even. The worst, most despairing luck ever.

[Her shoulders sag.] I wonder if any of my classmates escaped too? Maybe that's a silly wish. Hope is really futile, huh?

[Acting comes easy. She probably seems a little nuts, and that's fine. It's easy to explain home. It's easy to claim trauma too. Being on video is tiring, though; keeping her expression in check, keeping her voice completely miserable -- it's all completely fake. She sighs, the only genuine thing about this broadcast.

The despair she feels is not even an impressive kind. It's unexpected and spontaneous, but it's low quality and lackluster. Behind her, out of sight, sits Monobear, immobile and useless for now. Her figure head, reduced to a plush toy with a broken on switch. She forces a smile. ]

Let's be friends, I meant that part.

[And with that, she ends the video. ]