[ the video comes on a little shakily with a lot of screeching noises; people who've been introduced to riku's stellaluna would probably recognize her. the feed's too dark to see anything though, like something's covering it. ]

No - stop, just stop. I got it, okay? We're gonna find him, all right? Now would you quit trying to bite my face off?

[ someone's hand lifts from the camera and Virgil's face comes into view, with stellaluna perched on his shoulder. he looks pretty annoyed and kind of distressed for the most part. ]

Riku's missing. I don't know where he is, but I've looked all over this stupid place and I can't find him anywhere. His stuff's still here and she's [ thumb jab in stellaluna's direction ] still here, so this wasn't something he'd planned in advance.

[ his mouth twists into a vague snarl, feral and angry. ]

I don't want to hear any stupid excuses like "oh, he's probably just on a mission" or whatever dumb reasons you can think of. Something's not right. This isn't like him at all.

[ because he would've told him too, if he was leaving. he rakes a hand through his hair with a sigh and stellaluna promptly takes it upon herself to try and hug his face, which effectively makes him lose his balance and drop his tablet, ending the video. ]

Bullshit is showing up here with everything on me but my comic books. All those Savage Starlight issues, gone. Just like that. Fuck you too, Initiative.

[A pause. Ellie's never really addressed a group of people. Technology is crazy. Okay, there was a point to this whole thing.]

... anyway, guess I just wanted to say thanks to the people that helped me out when I got here. I found who I was looking for, so. Didn't wanna leave anyone with a cliffhanger.

[In 304, a nun in an ash stained provincial dress and a half elf from the Times of Yore are crowded around a tablet propped up at the table. By the expressions ranging from serious to annoyed, some sort of argument has just taken place between the two of them.

Rosette is the one to address the network, as if proving a point in the simple asking.]

So! Hypothetically, if someone were going on a mission and needed to blend into the turn of the millennium, average working class crowd... what would you wear?

[ the feed starts abruptly with the corner of what appears to be a book covering a small portion of the camera. it shows a slightly awkward angle of Riku and the Replica tucked in a corner of the library, deep in conversation: ]

These books are stupid. These names are stupid. [ the Replica sighs, throwing another book on the desk while Riku continues to flip through his book. ]

What d'you want me to break out, kid's books? There's got to be a name you like somewhere in here.

Probably wouldn't make a difference. I don't want to be called Chris, or Mark, or Lucifer? What do they even mean?

Uh, let's steer clear of Lucifer. I don't know. I know 'Riku' means land. 'Sora' means sky... I think. 'Kairi' has something to do with the ocean. There's got to be something that says what they mean somewhere in here.

[ there's a moment of brief silence before the Replica snickers. ]

... Land?

Land, or earth, I thi--... what?

Nothing. It kind of works... you're stubborn enough, I guess.

Wouldn't that mean the same for you?

I never said I wasn't.

Maybe we should name you 'Volcano'. You're always ready to explode.

[ no sooner had Riku said it before the Replica grabbed a book and threw it across the table at him, aiming for his head. Riku barely even glances up and merely leans his head to the right as the book goes sailing over his shoulder. the Replica scowls at him. ]

Once a jerk, always a jerk.

I don't hear you rejecting it.

It's dumb enough that it shouldn't even be suggested, let alone be rejected.

At least I'm suggesting things. What about 'Virgil'?

[ silence again. this time the Replica seems to be considering it, head lowered a little in thought. Riku looks up from his page and quietly waits for his opinion. after a moment: ]

.... Does it mean anything?

[ there's a wry smile from Riku ] Strong.

Okay.

[ as the Replica (now Virgil) stands to gather up the books, he finally notices the tablet and quickly turns off the feed with a resigned sigh and a quiet groan.

OOC: responses will come from either or both limitstorm and replicates! ]

[ the captured voice is brisk and to the point. ]

Anyone here know anything about sewing? I have a—suit. It needs altering. It's got a bunch of metal parts too. Don't know if that'll affect anything. [ and a lot of uncovered parts. hence the need for altering. ] We can negotiate a price.

[ a little pause where she seems to debate leaving it there. it's a long shot, but... ]

Is there a record kept of transports? Or a way of knowing who has ever been here?

[ another pause. ]

Thanks.

[Hi guys, look who it is after a month of being mia! That's right, it's Mitsuru and still appearing slightly green from her adventures in food poisoning land!]

I had never truly grasped how talented those specializing in the cooking industry were. To think incorrectly preparing food could result in such severe repercussions as to incapacitate me for several days...

[SIGH. All that wasted time...]

Having this occur so shortly after an illness greatly hindered my own productiveness during the prior month. I intend to make up for lost time by inquiring if anyone would be willing to instruct me in the fundamentals of cooking. Books, while helpful, prove far more effective when coupled with a physical teacher. I currently lack any means of repayment, however I can offer my own teaching services in a variety of fields in return.

[She then says something in a far softer voice, as though more to herself than anything.]

I never dreamed I would lack monetary funds.

[A teeny smile accompanied by a chuckle comes right before the feed ends.]

[The image first shows an open book lying on a table. It seems to be open at the very back, though looking at the page on the left would show that it's full of text so it obviously was supposed to continue where the cover now is. Closer observation would show that several pages after that one were apparently ripped out.

It stays on this image for several moments, or at least what the person showing it thinks is long enough for said observations to be made. Finally, the screen does a very quick 180 to show a livid Elliot.]

WHO IS THE CRIMINAL RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?!

Library books are the property of EVERYONE WHO USES THAT LIBRARY! YOU CAN'T JUST TEAR OUT PAGES WHEREVER YOU SEE FIT! IT'S COMMON COURTESY!

ESPECIALLY NOT IN THE FINAL BOOK OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SERIES EVER WRITTEN!!!

[The feed turns on to see Joshua, casually leaning up against a wall, looking like he was deep in thought. He had a lot of information to read and process, after all. But still, he was still curious about some things that he couldn't simply read up on.]

Show of hands, Exsilium. I’m taking a little poll -- how long have you been here? [A beat, as he thinks.] And these disappearances from this world...how often--

[ breaking bothered voice interrupting the feed, and supposedly from some quickly rescinding distance given the steady increase in Offended™ volume - ] The hell-- What are you doing here?!

Neku? [ another voice, less bothered and more confused, chimes up behind him suddenly, wondering what he’s suddenly angry about. not that he ever needs a reason-- ] Who is--

[There was just a little bit of surprise on Joshua’s face as he looks up at Neku, but it’s only momentary, because he’s smirking in the next second.] The same reason that you two are here, I suppose. And why wouldn’t they want my help? You of all people know how useful I could be.

[Casually...not mentioning that he was talking to the network. Sorry Neku, he’s still an ass.]

Not that! I mean why are you helping them!? I have no freaking clue how this turned into our problem, but if it turns out it's 'cause you wanted to be here--

[ HE'S NOT.. as abhorrent about helping a whole town of people as he seems to be, but he's also under the impression he's only being cranky toward the asshole he thinks is at fault rn. ]

Neku, hold on!

[ now shiki’s jumping in again, because she knows this could go on for a while if she doesn’t. it’s not even that she thinks neku is right or wrong -- it’s just that this is kind of embarrassing.

not that she can blame him for being angry at joshua, but... ] The tablet... he was recording.

Oh, so I was. [Though Joshua doesn’t look too sorry about it, tbh. And there’s that trademark giggle of his that everyone pretty much hates.] In all the excitement, I must’ve forgotten.

[ ?! ] Wha-- Seriously!? Rrgh, shut it down!! [ fml 3kwhatever

the feed probably shifts to the lovely ghetto ceiling or whatever that blur is with a lot of thumping noises in the audio before abruptly cutting out. ]

((ooc: gray for Joshua, blue for Neku, and pink for Shiki!))

[Unlike the norm, Shiki appears on screen wearing his glasses. Holding his comm with one hand and fixing his glasses with the other by shifting his index finger against the bridge, Shiki opens his mouth to speak and is cut off by rushing air. Moving aside, he narrowly steps aside as a segment of the darkened street he's standing nearby is obliterated by a scythe made of wind. The clean slash in the ground is exposed only after the dust clears, a bit easier to notice despite the drizzle of the unending storm above.]

Jeez, what bad timing. [This is Shiki's only comment as he drops his communicator, the wind picking up as windows begin to shatter and parts of the brick walls around them come undone in the air. Out comes Shiki's knife and in one curt gesture, he slashes the air and the wind dies down instantly.

Unabated, Kagura, riding her summoned feather hangs in the air in plain sight of the camera, swiping her fan nonchalantly without a single word. Bladed winds come down from the sky and they disappear with swipes of Shiki's knife, before he turns over the blade and it shifts, turning into a full length katana.

The two exchange a little silence as if trying to reach each other and the feed cuts off in the next instant as Kagura's next attack destroys Shiki's comm.]

(OOC: Shiki's communicator was destroyed in this post and he'll be getting a new one sometime in the evening. His replies will be dated later in the day! Otherwise, feel free to action in! The fighting will be done with both parties in quite a bit of pain.)