So, I've just gotta ask. How many people's parents here went to Woodstock? Because I've been hearing some pretty groovy names being tossed about.

[A pause, and Sam's voice sounds a little more amused as he continues.]

Or what about people named after their grandmothers? I know at least one.

[Totally not talking about you, Deanna-er, Dean.]

Anyway, for those of you who are new, welcome aboard. I guess.

[VIDEO:] [A face comes across the screen that is startlingly white, with large blue eyes that lack pupils. He looks over the device, scowling slightly, before looking into the camera and speaking.]

So, what am I supposed to say here? This whole damn situation is unreal. I can barely fuckin' believe it. "Transport"? More like "canon fodder" I'm sure. This is like some bad dream. Like I fell asleep while watching a bad action movie or somethin'.

I don't got time for this shit. I bet most of you don't, either. I got somewhere to be and someone to find.

...

Is there a red-headed guy with horns here? Big scar on his mouth? Tell him Johnny's lookin' for him.

--

[ACTION for roomies:] [A tall young man enters the apartment, looking angry and a little overwhelmed. He's wearing an old hoodie and jeans that have seen better days, and there's a guitar case strapped around his back. After a few awkward moments of silence, he'll speak up.]

I'm the new guy. Which room's mine?

[Lea fusses with his netbook for several seconds, half his face looming over the video pickup, before he sits back and beams at it.]

Okay, so, I think I finally got this one. Check this out!

[He reaches down and picks up a slightly battered guitar, re-checking the tuning with a strum and smiling a little more brightly to hide the brief attack of stage fright. Wow, it's a lot easier playing in front of real people than when he's making a video --

But it's still just playing in front of people, he assures himself, and launches into a wobbly but decent rendition of Born on the Bayou.

It had been way cooler with the band, but the way he's grinning when he finally finishes the song suggests he thinks it was--]

-- Pretty cool, huh? Hey, does anybody else around here play guitar? We should jam!

And, uh, if you can show me a couple tricks or something, that'd be great.

[He waves at the camera and shuts the recording down.]

[audio --> video]

Attention, [intones the deep, rough, and rich voice of a newcomer.] I was told that I could contact other-- [the barest pause] -- transports with this device. This is a test signal. If you are able to hear me, please respond.

Or perhaps there is another way—?

[Without any warning, the video feed switches on, showing a green blur at first. At last it evens out, centering on a wrinkled green face possessing two startlingly blue eyes... strangely gentle, despite his otherwise beastly appearance. His hair is black and braided in front, and some of it leaks out of his beige hood. His expression is grave, concerned with recent events and things yet to come.]

I appreciate any information you can give me regarding the nature of missions and the history of this center. If I am to fight for my freedom, so be it, but I will not fight blindly.

[Another pause.] Thank you for your help. [He fiddles with the netbook for a second, then the transmission ends.]

[Oh, look! On your screens! It's a... it's... it's a floofy-haired fellow in Victorian-looking clothing. D'awh, he's cute. His eyes are a bit sad, though, no matter how much he smiles.]

Hullo, I'm the Doctor. Just the Doctor. Lovely to meet you.... [he sounds a bit distracted and he even looks about. You can see a random street and buildings behind him.] I don't mean to trouble you, but has anyone seen a tall wooden box, deep blue, has the words 'Police Public Call Box' on? Emits a bit of a hum? It's mine, you see, and it only causes trouble when it's gone wandering off.... [Yanno. Like they do.]

I'd be ever so grateful if someone could point me in the right direction...?

((OOC: Hint: It's most likely in the same place every PC vehicle is stored, but he doesn't know that....))

[The audio feed turns on. After a few moments of silence, the voice that comes through is soft and hesitant but clear.]

...I think I'm supposed to use this. But I...

[one hefty pause later]

I don't know why I'm here. Is that strange?

[one much shorter pause later]

And... what are "marques"?

[ the video recording is obviously accidental.

Riku's back is to the camera, though his hand is on the keyboard. it more or less looks like he's getting a good survey of the room; you can hear a subtle exhale before he turns his attention back. he notes the blinking light atop the netbook with a quiet noise, and then proceeds to speak clearly, simply: ]

Sora's gone.

[ he chuckles softly, wryly. he can't help it. ] Guess he decided to go slack off back at home.

[ his smile quickly fades, though nothing but the lower half of his face (nose and mouth) can be seen. and seconds after, the video turns off. ]

( [ private text to John Watson ] )

Hi everyone, I have an important announcement, so please listen! I am look for someone and I think they went home but I want to be sure!

[ Feferi, who looks a little too excited for the context, holds up a crayon drawing so that it takes up the whole image. ]

( image cut )

This is Nik and he's really cute and he's also little. So that's why I want to make sure no one's seen him. When it comes to wigglers, you can never be too certain. Anyway, that's all. Thank you for your time!

[... or at least it should be video. There's something blocking the lens that shifts slightly as he starts speaking, letting brief ridges of light seep through.]

Hello? Is this thing on? Am I just talking to myself? I’m finally going crazy, that’s it, right?

Either I’m crazy or I’m unconscious or I’m on drugs, because I can’t actually be here. This is like, Tron and Back to the Future at the same time. I can barely follow those plots when they’re separate! This is a dream, this is a… oh hey, this is a video.

[The finger blocking the lens moves, revealing a dark-haired teenager wearing an almost humorously anxious expression. It’s clear he hasn’t convinced himself that this is all in his imagination, and is growing increasingly worried.]

I guess I’ll just... wait here for a while until I wake up.

[He manages to sit still and wait maybe ten seconds, glancing absently around the room. Once his eyes return to the device, it's abruptly flipped and given a nice view of one wall as he inspects it.]

Seriously though, this thing is broadcasting, right?

  Oh, bugger me.

[Hello, network. That little statement is followed by a serious case of shaky cam as the comm is literally shaken a bit at various angles. You know. Just in case this is a defective portkey in disguise or something.]

Heard rumors about a hidden swimming pool in the dungeons- bunch of bunk that was- but I’d have sworn on Merlin’s double-cursed split-ends we’d found every hidden nook in the school. Now- now I find a...what? A time door? A space portal? The bleeding future? And not even proper magic to it. No way. Stumbling in on strange, impossible places is more the terrific trio’s area.

[The camera goes blurry again as George tosses the camera in the air and catches it with a disbelieving exhale of breath. The door to his new room is momentarily visible in the blur. Looks like he's at least managed to make it that far.

When he talks again his voice is softer.]

Blimey. S’no fun exploring alone. 

[[ooc: George is about to head into the door to his room while he chats. If either of his roommates or anyone else outside the living area want to jump in with action, that is super cool with me]]

[She looks nervous, black hair and blue eyes, dressed in a black coat.]

Those people, they helped me to figure this thing out. I told them that I just wanted to go back through the portal, but they said I couldn't. I don't really understand. If I can make my own portal, why can't I just go back? I didn't want to make one in front of other people, and everyone was getting shuffled around, so I just left...

They called this place Exsilium. Or was it Initiative? They said welcome to both, so I wasn’t sure. I didn't think that I would go to a new world, though. I didn't think I could go to anymore worlds at all. But...oh! They gave me a key. It's just a regular old key, though. Nothing special, I think.

They said that if I needed any help with the apartment place or anything, that I should let them know, but I. If I'm here, that means I failed. But I remember not failing, so how come I'm here? I’m worried that my friends won’t know I’m here. That I still exist.

I do exist now, right?

Right. Let's try this again.

A colleague of mine has attempted to help her fellow conscripts by forming some ... working groups, let's call it. Battle parties. People who can rely on one another in combat, if we've trained together long enough, if we find we're compatible and balanced.

This isn't exactly a radical idea. We could just go into battle a completely incoherent mess, as we did in Assyria. Those of you who fought that battle for our captors will remember. War is never pretty, no, but it can be waged with some semblance of planning. You know, because some of us would like to keep on living.

Now, if you're among those who have been conscripted into this Initiative's war from a world they seem especially to enjoy ransacking for soldiers, and you've got a ready-made unit, cheers. We don't need to talk further. Not at this point, anyhow. You might want to have your leader talk to spokespersons from other groups, at some point. Just to be neighborly, yes? So we've got some idea what we're going into, together.

What I'd like to see now is some framework for sorting the lone warriors in. And the lone mages, and the lone rogues, and the specializations I've never even seen up to now. And the pairs who've come from a world the Initiative hasn't quite tapped into, yet, and know they want to stay together, but also know it can't be just the two of them against the enemy hordes.

If that describes you, drop me a line.

[Additional messages go out to:

Tatsumi Kanji
Roslyn Small
Bariyan what's your last name BARIYAN E KODHI
Dean Winchester
Orihime Inoue
Danny Williams
Yuki Terumi]

( additional messages so I don't need to blow up Alex's inbox I mean spam Fiona's post )

So it works like... Oh-!

[The video feed starts with a closeup of the young woman's face, and bright blue eyes. She immediately pulls it away so she can smile a little awkwardly, brushing some of her hair out of her eyes.]

That wasn't so hard to figure out, I guess. I've never seen something like this before.

[As she holds the device a little better, more suited to speaking, it's obvious that she's outside. The young woman looking at the screen has a steely determination in her eyes even if her voice and features are gentle. She doesn't seem entirely pleased, but who is when they first arrive?]

I'm looking for someone and it's...very important that I find him. [Was she too late to save him now?] His name is Terra. He's very tall, has brown hair and blue eyes... [Not any longer, though. She doesn't mention that; she doesn't want to think about what's happened to him.]

He has a charm like mine. [And this is when she holds up a blue star charm for the device to see.] His is gold, though. If you find him...can you tell him that Aqua is looking for him?

And if anyone can tell me more about this world and what it's like, it'd be greatly appreciated. [If she has to live here for some time, she'd like to know all she can. She needs to get home as quickly as possible.]

You have to be kidding me. You have to be kidding me!

[Hello, Exsilium. Look at who isn't happy to be here.]

I wasn't even home for more than two full days, and I wind up back here?! That's screwed up! I-- I just--! Jeb... Damnit!

[But she forces herself to smile.]

Maybe I should see this as a good thing, in a way~ I might be able to get answers to my question about elemental powers this time around! [La...ugh...] So, how has everything been in the Initiative? What did I miss?

[ right after the announcement is made, this post goes up ]

Anyone under the age of eighteen. I need you to report in, now. Please.

[ private to: artika, chloe saunders, feferi, jericho, lea, and martin darkov ]

This most certainly includes you.




[ ooc: the plotting thread is over here!

if your character is uncooperative, bariyan (or someone else? other concerned adults, c'mere!) will likely go HUNT THEM DOWN and try to take them to a safehouse built in one of the abandoned subway stations underground (courtesy of robin, anders, and nathaniel). bariyan's got magic powers that let him put people to sleep and he's NOT AFRAID TO USE 'EM so watch out for that too.

note that regardless of anything that happens, chances are that your character(s) will get dragged on missions/out to defend exsilium anyway.


any concerned adults: feel free to report in/threadjack/comment wherever and whenever appropriate! because bariyan obvs can't hold all of these babbus by himself B) ]

[ For a second, theres just crackling over the line and then Peter nervously clears his throat, the device held close to his chest. ]

Probably don't even need to ask if anybody's found a way home yet, otherwise none of us would even be here in the first place. I get it, we're all stuck here together and nobody even asked for this.

But I was just-- [ There's a long pause where he gathers himself up, a waver to his voice. ] I was just in the hospital and now i'm here, and I was just wondering if anyone had seen my brother. Nathan Petrelli? If this is the future and I'm here somehow, then maybe he is too.

Kind of a long shot, I know, but I had to ask. I just need to know if he's okay.

[ After another second, Peter exhales. ] Only have one more question -- do we really have to fight?

[ When the feed clicks on, you're met with the confused but guarded face of Dean Winchester. He's seen these kinds of tricks before, but the setting has changed. ]

Okay, what the hell is going on? If this is some shitty trick then I ain't laughing. [ He's used to all sorts of crap but this is pushing it. ] Honestly, this bullshit about being in the future and fighting some battle? I know you're the creative type but come on.

So, answers. Give 'em to me before things turn ugly. I ain't sittin' around quiet and pretty this time.

[ Cue arms crossed. He's waiting. ]

[The video clicks on to show sky, and then a flash of red hair before Lea manages to adjust the angle of the screen and beams at the camera. He's sitting on a wall, in the spot where the rusty barbed wire isn't anymore, a riot of summer greenery fighting for sun and space in the broken concrete of the yard behind him and a dandelion in one hand. He waves the flower at the screen.]

-- You know, there are some really cool places out here! You know, if you walk far enough. I found some flowers if you still need any, Sollux. There's a ton of these yellow things!

[He pauses and, a little too casual to make it sound like a throwaway comment, adds:] I guess I've been lucky this week or something, I don't know -

Hey, does anybody know why it's just some of us who've got that. You know. Thing, with the going invisible?

[He worries absently at the flower, stem smearing green over his fingers, and makes a face.]

... I hope they figure that out quick.

It's kind of freaky.

[like basically everything here but. But. Everything's cool. After a moment, he tosses the dandelion off the side of the wall and grins again.] And hey, does anybody recognize this spot? 'Cause I'd really appreciate directions back home! I'll owe you one.

Thanks!

[Computers aren't out of the ordinary in Shibuya, but whatever this is, it's like some weird sci-fi movie device, and not anything Neku is used to. He has a computer at home that he barely uses, and it's a big, clunky thing. This thing is tiny and delicate-looking, and honestly, he feels like he might break it if he sneezes at it or something.

Typing on this... might be slow.]

so i guess no one here is from shibuya huh

[He doesn't type anything else for a few seconds, because... really, what is he supposed to say? He doesn't exactly use computers for social things.]

im neku

[--and then the video comes on, rather abruptly as his finger slips after pressing enter. There's a face visible, bleached-orange hair sticking down in front of a pair of wide blue eyes that are quickly narrowing.]

Rrgh... Where'd the text box go? Who even makes a keyboard this tiny...

[Hopefully no one gets ill from motion sickness easily, because the video suddenly skews all over the place, clearly being moved. It's over before long, though, with the video finally settling to show the front of a blue and black shirt. And just as quickly as the video feed started, it ends with the closing of the netbook.]

[ Ready for some fail Japanese? No? Well, someone is chatting away in his native tongue now. ]

Watashi no iPhone wa dokodesu ka? Korehananina no? Ā. Soreha-jō ni aru...

[ He huffs a sigh, and there is a moment or two of silence and then a string of words that sounds a little huffy and angry. Why yes, he is cursing in his native tongue. He falls silent again and then when he speaks up in English, he sounds a little embarrassed. ]

I dreamed that I was home again, before matters had brought me here. The times that had led up to an unpleasant episode are dear to my heart, but I had not thought they would become so immediate that I would forget where I am. I must apologize for my lack of manners. It was unseemly.

Tell me, what do you dream of?


[ooc; bad translations get: Where's my iPhone? What is this thing? Aa, it's on... ]

[Osprey sits in front of the camera, the shot zoomed in to only show his head and shoulders.]

This is an open inquiry to the Initiative, and to any transports who may have relevant information. I, and at least one other transport, have begun manifesting symptoms that are... problematic. We seem to be losing visibility in the extremities.

[He holds up a hand in front of the camera, and the fading is obvious - his fingers are almost impossible to see.]

I'd hoped to avoid having to cause issues again, but if there is no response from the Initiative within a fairly short timeframe, I will take action again. I won't be shooting anybody, but let me be clear - I'm a better digital counter-security expert than I am a physical one, and we both remember how your physical security handled me.

[He pauses for a moment.]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean that to sound threatening. But I am not in a comfortable state of mind here. A prompt response would be greatly appreciated.

[now here's someone you haven't heard from in awhile. remember when she was trying to get a meeting organized?

well yeah that fell through as soon as somebody started poisoning the waterhole. while her physical appearance is tidied up and her expression is set and strong, there's a tired look in her eyes. she's somewhere in her flat.]

My apologies for having not been on top of recent events as of late. It seems as though I had...suffered the brunt of these induced hallucinations and nightmares.

[she rubs the back of her neck absentmindedly. she's forgotten that the chip's still there.]

Had I not been incapacitated, perhaps my suggested meeting could have been organized and brought light to the issues at hand. However it seems that everything, for the most part, is sorted out for the time being. I still hold the belief that gathering together to talk and plan, whether it be in relation to missions or current events, is still in our best interest. I will put that on hold, however, for it seems there are some amongst us who feel it is best to flee.

I find that running from ones problems does not solve much of anything, but so be it. I have my hopes that you return...[ALMOST ADDED AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT] safe, of course.

Now then, if there is anything you feel as though I have missed while I was...[she's searching for a word to use, brows narrowed thoughtfully] out of commission please feel free to relay me the information. I would greatly appreciate it.

[The feed starts, the camera trained on a young girl of about fourteen. Her face is impassive, almost disinterested. If she has been anything less than the very picture of calm since she found herself in this strange place, it is impossible to tell now.

When she speaks, her voice is equally dispassionate, almost entirely devoid of inflection.] My name is Homura Akemi. It is very important that I find Madoka Kaname. If anyone has seen her, please let me know.

[She bows, just low enough to be polite, and straightens again, flicking her long, black hair over her shoulder as she does.] Any information about this place would also be helpful. [She pauses, as if on the edge of saying more, but she does not, and merely ends with a flat:] Thank you.

Hey, this thing is cool! How did they get it so sma--

[He pauses and squints more closely at the screen, orange hair briefly obscuring the camera before he leans back.] Wait, is it on? Haha, whoops, hi there! So they gave me the short introduction but I've still got a bunch of questions, and I ought to meet all you guys if I'm going to be stuck here for a while, too. Uh, I'm in room... 208? Anybody want to show me where that is?

So. Nice to meet you all! I'm Lea.

– oh yeah, and, has anybody seen a guy about this tall, blue hair, grumpy, answers to Isa? He was right next to me a second ago, I swear. I guess we got separated on the way here. Tell him Lea's looking for him and if he takes any longer getting here I'm making him treat me to lunch, okay?

[Another pause. He counts off something on his fingers, lips moving silently, and then grins at the notebook.]

I guess that's it! – Except for: are there any good places to eat around here? And what about ice cream?

[He waves goodbye at the screen, and sits back. Oh yeah, huh, maybe he ought to check and see what other people are saying on this message thing, too....]

[Sometime later.]

[text]

hey guys

what's going on here

seriously

[That other video -- with the man being shot, and his head exploding, and he'd looked actually dead, and.

And Lea doesn't know what he thinks anymore. Maybe it was a fake?

Or -- yeah. Yeah. He'll wait. If it wasn't, he definitely doesn't want to talk to that guy right now. But somebody's got to be around to explain things. And -- and he can handle the text thing, or maybe audio, until he's totally sure his expression looks normal again.

Sounds like a plan to him.]