I miss home. I know that's normal, I know - I know there's nothing that can be done about it. I try to keep that in mind so it won't get to me so much. Everyone is so nice and helpful, even with everything going on. I'm very thankful, and - I would like to think I have made some friends.

[There's a pause, and he sighs softly. He suddenly isn't sure why he decided to start this feed.]

It's weird... one of the things I miss the most is hearing my language. [a little exhale, followed by a contradictory smile.] I wasn't used to speaking English for so long until I came here.

... Are all of you from English-speaking countries?

So, has anyone ever thought about changing their weapon before? If anyone has, or if anyone has actually gone through with it, how did that work out for you? Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.

[A small pause before she continues.]

Also, does anyone have any pointers on how to not physically stick out in a crowd? I really don't want to get harassed again...

[It's unusual for Halibel to be addressing the network at large, considering she's only done so during her arrival all those months ago. On the plus side, she seems to be in pretty good health despite everything that's going on. More important than that, however, she's not alone.

She's carrying a body, draped over one of her shoulders. Whoever it is, they're unconscious, and male.]

I found this man, and he was carrying this.

[She places him on the floor so that she can reach for another item. Halibel then holds up a case of... something that probably should not be opened right now, as it's definitely not empty.]

He also knew a number of names. Their meaning is unknown to me.

[Rise's been here for nearly three months now, and has yet to post anything on the network. It's just... so hard to keep herself perky and happy like she's used to being in public appearances.

But today, that doesn't seem to matter. Sure, she has some friends here, but she feels so alone sometimes... and tomorrow is...

... Well, whatever. Rise looks into the camera and manages a smile.]

Hey, everyone!

[Wow, this is awkward after everything that's happened.]

... Sorry I never introduced myself. I've been here since March, but... it's just been so crazy.

[Her smile drops completely as she speaks. How can she keep smiling when she's thinking about that disaster with that Elmer person's world...?]

... I guess I just... wanted to let everyone know I was here. All the "transports", I mean. All we really have is each other in this place, y'know?

[This was a bad idea. Horrible timing. But she goes with it anyway, forcing a friendly smile again.]

I guess I just wanna say I'm here if anyone needs a friend.

[She tries not to think about all the friends she's already lost here. So many people just going back home, and yet she's still here...

... But she also has new friends that are still around. And her job at the café. It's not all terrible. It just might feel that way for a while, after everything...

Suddenly, she gives a quiet chuckle.]

Sorry. I'm not really my usual self today.

Come see me at NORA Café sometime! I'll be much better company there!

[The video ends with a much more genuine smile. Sad as this place can be, Rise's strong. She can bounce back, even if it does take a while.]

[The picture starts on a stack of quiet a few thin books. Closer inspection would reveal that they are apparently collections of piano music. Some music lover seems to have lucked out and found these for dirt cheap somewhere since they're next to useless in this place.

Right as people may begin questioning who is doing this, a kitten that's appeared on screen before walks up and starts curiously poking at the books with her nose. A hand reaches in to grab her as the tablet is seemingly placed against the books due to the odd angle it holds for a few moments.]

Hey, be careful with those!

[The voice, if recognizable, is oddly soft and gentle despite the chastising. Like he was hoping no one would hear that. Oops.

Finally the video sharply turns to show a very serious looking Elliot as Arietta squirms from his grasp onto his shoulder.]

Does anyone know who these people are?! Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky... [He probably mispronounced a few of those.] There are dozens of these guys and I've never heard of any of them! Do all of them live in this place?!

[Elliot seems to think that finding out this information is incredibly important from the tone in his voice.]

[Video]

[To have been awakened without any electricity must have caught most -- or not everyone -- off guard, that was the first thought that quickly crossed Nanami's mind this morning. Finally! There was something she could do to help everyone out, and that was by literally lighting the way for everyone around the building. This is when she got the idea to begin her video broadcast as an excited, even bragging-like, smile will appear on her lips.]

Seems like my room wasn't the only one that lost power by everyone's reaction over at the network. And it looks like no one knows how long we'll be in the dark for, so.... [She will show everyone on the network a dark space -- most likely it was a hallway -- that had a shining, bright yellow trail on the floor. It began from the corner and ended to where Nanami was currently standing as her legs are revealed with the yellow trail underneath her.] ta-da! I present to you "Nanami-sama's Purifying Light Run"! Wherever I run to, I will be able to leave a light trial on the ground that will last for as long as it is needed. Not only does it brighten the floor, but purifies it too. Everyone can use it, it's a free of charge type of service. [Yes, everyone. This human land god is being quite serious about this.]

If anyone needs a light trail to travel on, anywhere in the building, then let me know. [She will begin to run ahead while holding the tablet pointing towards her] I promise to light the way for yo-- [There will be a loud "CRASH" sound as she literally ran into a wall. The video will lose its image for a moment as Nanami had slammed into. Once she fell to the ground, it will fall onto the floor. Even when the screen is black, there will be some groan-like noises heard at the background. "...that wasn't very smart", was all everyone will hear before a surprise "oh" will be added. The broadcast will end for a minute before it is turned back on to reveal Nanami giving everyone an embarrassed laugh.] Ah, maybe I should have been watching where I was going, but...even so if you need someone to light the way, then let me know. I promise to safely guide wherever you wish to go... [Then a final laugh will be offered before she turns the feed off.]

( for those whom might prefer action over video )

Okay, wait, no-- no, I can do it!

( Possibly there are sounds of other voices, but Ellie is being stubborn because she's Ellie. The complaint is undermined by the laughter running rich through her voice; a new sound, maybe, for a fair few on the network. )

Come on, it can't be difficult. ( But her voice drops, as she grumbles. ) iPod, what the hell happened to walkmans-- ( Oh! Wait, gentle listener: ) It's working! Steph, I made it work!

( And what is playing? Why, the finest compilation of eighties classics, of course, with the dulcet tones of a few teenage girls and glasses in the background. Sorry, Bones - the unit has been invaded. )

Sami, this is the one you need to hear. ( Because, as we all know, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. )

Seems like a lot of people want to know about time travel - which, given the objectives here, isn't all that surprising. I'm not a mathematician or a physicist - if you want the grounding in temporal mechanics, you're better off asking someone else. I am a time-traveller, though, long before I ever came here. I've timeslid enough to have lost count of the number of times. So while I can't tell you the science, I can tell you the practicalities.

People who don't deal with this sort of thing generally have one of two concepts of how time works. One is that time is perfectly linear and immutable. If you go back and time and change something, you will have always gone back in time in changed it, and therefore nothing has actually changed. It will have always already happened. The other view is that every choice splits the universe, into an infinite multitude of realities in which every choice has happened at least once.

The reality, from what I've learned of the mechanics, and what I've experienced, is somewhere inbetween. What the Initiative seeks to do - it's entirely possible, given the right skills. There are nexus points in time, moments that are important whether or not they seem so at the time. History hinges on those moments, and so does the timestream. If a moment is uncertain enough, two different futures will exist for the same timeline simultaneously - call it timeline 1, futures a and b. 1a and 1b will exist in phase until the nexus point snaps into certainty, at which point one will become the future of timeline 1, and the other will become a different reality, timeline 2. Or something else happens entirely, if things are uncertain enough, and both futures break off into timelines 2 and 3, and something else becomes the future of timeline 1.

I don't know anyone who's actually tried to carry out the grandfather paradox, though I assume if you did, you'd strand yourself in a timeline that was no longer your 'native' one - your reality would continue on without you while you're stuck in the other one.

And, I suppose, the one piece of advice I can give - if all of this seems overwhelming, it's simplest to think of things in terms of your own personal timeline, the chronology you've experienced. Which may be out of order with what people around you experience, but it's easier to keep straight that way. And even if you experienced things in a timeline that later - from your point of view - was broken off and orphaned, that doesn't make those experiences any less real.

[Aaaand now you are free to ask questions, even if he forgot to actually invite them. He's not really a teacher, okay]

This is...the longest I've ever really been away from home.

[He sounds depressed about it, but then he hurriedly adds; ] And I'll be fine, I just -

[Lapsing back.]

I just...miss home.

[A pause, like maybe he shouldn't even say what he was planning to.]

...so...is there anything that - anyone can suggest I do...or...something?

video;

[There will a smiling face appearing on the screen as the tablet turns on. For some, of the supernatural category, will notice the small, golden light shinning above her forehead. That is...if those from the supernatural category do not believe she possesses any supernatural abilities, then the light will not be present. It was clear from her smile that she felt rather triumphant over having learned to turn her new device on without any issue. Usually, she wasn't very good with technology, but it was pretty easy once she read the tutorials and other given information. There's some relief on her smile, as well, after she was informed over the situation. Yet, it was clear from her facial expression that something was still amiss. Either way, she kept the tablet pointing directly on her face, almost as though she was embarrassed over something.]

Hello. My name is Nanami Momozono. It's nice to meet whoever is on the network at this time. [Then her expression grows somewhat nervous.] Umm, I'm not very good with this type of technology, so please bear with me.

[She will offer a one hand plea before continuing her current broadcast. The information was still very new to her and needs some time to let it sink it.]

Okay! I'm guessing we all came the same exact way -- popping into a strange room, speaking to the kind woman over the situation, then reading the tutorials, right? If that's the case, then...we must really be here to help save this world. [Slight pause. Maybe she shouldn't have said those exact words, but she didn't know any other way to expression herself. Nervous smile will look nervous.] A-At least, that's what I'm guessing at the moment. [A nervous laugh will follow.]

Anyway! If there is anything else I should know about, then I would really like to hear about it. What kind of advice would the veterans here offer to a newbie like myself? I would like to know as much as I can about this new place if we're here to help and all. I'll be waiting...

[Although it feels as though she was done speaking, she isn't turning off the feed as a nervous, even anxious expression finally appears. Should she or shouldn't she? Maybe....hmm....]

A-Ah...ummm, excuse me, but I have one last favor to ask -- Where is the nearest clothing store? I-I sorta...need a new pair of clothes, so if anyone could help, then I would really, really appreciate it. [Nervous smile looked nervous before quickly bowing her head.] Thanks for your time!

[The feed comes to an end.]

( for those whom might prefer action over video )

((OOC Note: For those who don't know how Nanami's deity seal works, you can find the information over at her permission post. If your character is a supernatural being, then they will be able to notice the golden light over Nanami's forehead [unless they don't believe in deities or humans having some sort of power, then they will be unable to see it]. Humans will be unable to see the seal on her forehead. If there are exceptions to your human character, then let me know, so I can alter her permission page. Thanks for your time!))