I hope that everyone will make the best of their new housing arrangements. The meeting of two personalities is like the mixing of chemicals: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.

[soft piano music begins.]

Of course, "home" is not a place, but people. Seeing the face of a loved one brings you home. Likewise, the presence of an enemy brings you back to the conflict you have with him, regardless of your physical location.

[he pauses, letting the piano fill in the empty, unstated spaces around his words.]

...No matter who else may come, I'm fortunate to have that good part of my home here with me.

[ Kuroh’s been here for a couple months now. He’s kept careful tabs on the network and made a few new friends, learned a few new things. Chief among them: People often ask their fellow Transports a really personal or philosophical question over the tablets for no other reason than to pass the time.

So. To demonstrate his totally admirable social skills--and also due to a recent pang of homesickness--he’s going to prove that he can fit in here. ]

Good afternoon. This is Kuroh Yatogami. [ Well everyone already knows that since this isn’t anonymous, but for the sake of politeness. ] I wonder, how many of you here also had teachers back home who were very important to you? I mean the sort who were just as much your family as your instructors. [ Oh no, he’s starting to look nostalgic. ] Those who taught you everything you know and loved you unconditionally.

For me, that was Ichigen Miwa. [ And with that, his normally quiet voice becomes a lot more emotional and excited. And...he reaches into his jacket pocket. Suddenly in his hand is a peculiar voice recorder. ] The late Colorless King, the wisest and most fair master anyone could ask for, whose inspired words of wisdom guide me to this very day! [ With a small click, Kuroh presses a button, and... ]

Walk casually
Along the path you have chosen
The path to your dreams.
[ Exsilium, you’ve been treated to the soothing, poetic voice of a dead man. Sorry, was Kuroh expressing interest in other people’s teachers earlier? No more. His cheeks are a bit flushed and one can practically see the sparkles in the atmosphere. ] And there you have it! Not a day goes by when I don’t--

[ Oops, and then he bumps the tablet with his free hand, and the feed is cut off. And thank god because he was showing no signs of stopping. ]

[ ooc note: this is before he learns of Certain Castmates’ arrival. Shiro, the fanboy's probably in the apartment. ]

I read about Valentine's Day. [ Because who cares about Separation anyway Valentine's Day is more important. She has her priorities. ]

It is a day... for lovers. Am I correct? Or can it be celebrated with friends? What about those in between? Oh, I don't know what I'm saying. Keep yourself together, Kougyoku! A-anyway. Who is this Saint Valentine? What sort of gifts does one give on this day? Has anyone had any... pleasant experiences with it? That is, I mean - I'm just wondering how proper celebration of Valentine's Day is done! Th-that's all.

And, if, anyone is interested in watching the fireworks with me... Ahah, nevermind. [ She's too shy to offer. ]

Judal is not allowed to reply to this.

[ as usual, Riku's been helping Transports that're coming in. it's the courteous thing to do, he figures. but even he needs a break, and remembering what he was told as a kid during the event, he's ... made something of a makeshift soccer field in one of the gymnasiums. with two goalposts and lines in tape, it looks like a proper field.

without the grass, of course. he'd love to play in the rain, but with all the new Transports and with dirt turning to mud and good god, the chill... well, not much of a game if everyone's slipping and sliding and freezing, anyway. he bounces the ball on his head like the proper showoff he is. ]

Who's up for a game?

There's got to be soccer--uh, or football [ he glances to the Initiative staff member who coughed when he said 'soccer' with a raised brow ] on other worlds, too.

There's a lot of new people around, now, like there always is around this time of month. So if you just arrived and need to kick something--

[ there's a flash of yellow and purple suddenly, and the ball he'd been bouncing is suddenly gone. he has to turn to look off-camera, and he levels his gaze. ]

C'mon, Stellaluna. You can't...

[ ...!

he rolls his eyes and moves off-screen, himself. ]

That's not for eating. Spit it out.

[ off-screen wrestling; the ball shoots out, hitting the chair his device is sitting upon. it tumbles over and reveals Riku taking the ball from a flapping bat's grip.

once the ball's let go, the bat perches atop his head, and he gives her a pet before looking back at the device. ]

... oh, right. [ he starts to get up. ] If you helped me as a kid, I'd like to talk to you. Privately.

[ he moves over, and clicks off the feed. ]

[ If by any chance you've been wondering where that bizarre golem has been for the past month, we are here to inform you that she has been on a very important mission. ...Important to her, anyway.

When the feed cuts on, the video shows Shale's upper half, and for all appearances it looks as though she just emerged from... well, the ocean. Water is dripping and draining from her various cracks and crevasses, and an assortment of seaweed and other plastic ocean debris seem to be clinging to her. Still, her ridiculous appearance doesn't seem to be dampening her otherwise serious expression, as she has very pressing matters to address: ]

Some time ago, I overheard a discussion that mentioned [ shudder ] flying fish, and when I went in to investigate I found... nothing! Nothing at all! It was completely devoid of life! ...Aside from me, that is.

I have little experience with bodies of water, so correct me if I am wrong, but are there not supposed to be fish in them?

I don't care either way for the creatures, but I admit I am curious to know what could have caused it. With any luck, perhaps the birds will meet the same end. Oh, I can picture them now, falling from the sky, splatting on the ground, bursting into flame perhaps! The possibilities are endless!

[ Today you may find two teenage boys huddled around the camera. Kuroh, the boy with black hair, has set up the video function on his tablet, at the suggestion of several other people he met earlier, in a last-ditch effort to find out if their lost friend made it to Exsilium with them. And since they're still very new at this, they might as well give it a shot!

The boy with white hair, Yashiro, has drawn a moustache on himself with marker and has taped two rectangular pieces of paper to his eyebrows in a sad attempt at a disguise. Well, when you’ve got people after you and don’t know if they’re here or not, you have to be extra careful! He kicks the video off with a bright smile and a wave. ]

Hello everyone, fellow Transports! ...That’s what we’re called, right? Anyway, we’ve just arrived and, well, we’re looking for someone. We figured you might be able to help.

[ Kuroh nods in agreement and addresses the camera. ] Her name is Neko. She has long light pink hair, one green eye, and one blue.

That’s right! Hmm, I’m not sure how old she is, but she’s pretty young. [ Yashiro looks up, tapping his chin in thought. ] Younger than me, so that would put her... 16? Or 15, maybe?

We should probably also note that she can change her appearance at will. Specifically, as she has the power to manipulate senses, she often chooses to appear as a small cat.

She’s a pretty cute kitten, right Kuro? [ Turning to him and grinning! ...When there’s no response, he just turns back to the tablet. ] She’s affectionate, likes to eat a lot, and really hates clothes-- oh.

[ Oh yeah, they should....probably talk about this. Um. Kuroh looks over at Shiro, but there’s no sign of backup, so he gulps and continues. ] ...That’s correct. She may also be naked. [ Wow this is very awkward. ]

[ Yashiro glances at Kuroh. ] ...That sounds pretty weird, doesn’t it.

…Of course, she may also be invisible. [ Probably should have mentioned that earlier, huh? These guys are totally helpful. ]

She can do that!?

Theoretically. She could manipulate her surroundings so others wouldn’t see her at all.

[ Wow. Well, good thing she’s on their side then, huh? Good to know. In closing, he gives a big smile and another wave to the camera. ] Well, I hope this was helpful! [ HA. ] If you’ve got any information or have seen her or, [ he leans in, peering at the lens ] Neko? If you’re here?

Please contact us right away.

[ Yashiro makes a huge sweeping gesture towards the other. ] Leave a message for him, Kuro! Thank you for your time!

[ FEED CUT. Roommates in 802 are of course welcome to walk in on their shenanigans, if they are so inclined.

ooc: Gray is Yashiro (fadedaway) and Black is Kuroh (nikubaka)! Responses will come from both individually (for your convenience, as the muns are currently on opposite sides of the planet.) ]