[ It is too blasted cold on this barren, cold wasteland of a country. Not that Aurican will say that; even in the face of death he will refuse carry a lack of respect and dignity befitting of his draconic nature.  (Besides, there is more room to be on planetside than on the moon base, even though Aurican will miss the view of the stars there terribly.)

But that is neither here or there because he is having a blast with one particular gift given to him. Someone (Kang) has given Aurican a Spanish guitar.

Being totally unfamiliar with this type of musical instrument, he makes a go at it. Considering his thousands of years of experience of learning and experimenting with the musical arts, it's a not bad of an attempt, if not a little over enthusiastic. ]

I never celebrated the Christmas holiday before, as my home world never had it, so I completely forgotten about it until someone has given me this Christmas gift.

(Thank you, Kang, I will treasure it always.)

Sadly, this makes me woefully unprepared in gift giving and the day has already gone. But I hear the new year will be approaching soon. Is it normal to celebrate a new year here? My kind usually doesn't, but I know some races back home will celebrate the upcoming year ahead. I suggest a small concert for a new year celebration, and a belated Christmas gift from my behalf.

[ He plucks at the strings, listening hard to their sounds, still out of tune. He is still learning the way of the guitar.  He fiddles with the various nuts at the top of the guitar, taking obvious delight in the variations of twang of each string.]

Although a few music lessons won't go amiss. I certainly need one, at any case. 

[ Just to prove his point, one of the strings became far too loose, becoming near useless. Aurican looks down at his instrument, aghast. ]

Oh.

[ after a week of constantly bumping into shit and having to get people to lead him around from place to place, karkat vantas has to resort to desperate measures. it's a struggle even getting the tablet to work for him, and at first, he doesn't seem to notice it's recording, continuing to frown and fiddle with it for a little while, before he begins to speak. ]

So. [ one might notice that his pupils are unusually dilated, only the faintest ring of grey iris visible around the edges. ] I'm going to make this brief, if just because I'm only half convinced this thing is actually recording and I'm not just yodeling into the void, but thanks to the astonishingly warm welcome one of your residents gave me, I'm blind. And as I'm not the resident No Eyes Mcgee among my social circle, and I've walked into enough door frames over the past week that I'll be very surprised if I haven't sustained permanent brain injury, I'm requesting that one of you make yourself some vague parody of useful and fix it.

[ there is a pause, before, reluctantly; ]

It was a dragon, if that makes any difference.

[ Sadly, Aurican didn't quite understand what is going with the tablets and the kittens part despite his earlier discussion at Susan Storm's post.

To those more technologically-inclinded there was a brief moment of him mentioning missions, along with the words "U.E", "nuclear warfare" and "understanding the science", which is enough for a certain program to swap his transmission for a picture everyone is familiar with. ]

( Cut for you know what )

[ There is what appears to be an old but handsome fellow, with ears pointed in a rather elf-like fashion. But with his hair long, it's easy to miss that feature. The yellow eyes, however, are impossible to miss.

He looks down at the camera, thoughtful and humming a small tune to himself before speaking. ]

It has been . . . a very long time, I see. I leave Exsilium for what feels like yesterday, but only to arrive here. Imagine my confusion! I thought I had recently left the pale moon of my world and found myself back on another pale white moon.

[ The joviality of the old elf's face is soon gone, somber now. ]

I have heard of Exsilium's fate, and I am saddened to hear it. I wish I was there to help those in need. I do hate to be tardy.

[ There might've been a cool hint of bitterness in his voice, but it is gone like vapor. ]

I suppose there's an occupation I could put myself in, hmm? I doubt I would be much use as a mail carrier as I used to be when I was very young, but I think there something I can do here.

_{( Remy’s hanging out in what passes for one of the classier taverns, leaning back in a wooden chair as his hair falls over his eyes. He’s eyeing the communicator a little devilishly, and, as ever, he’s shuffling a deck of cards. And though the process is constant, he eventually pulls out exactly the card he meant to: the Ace of Diamonds. )}

Diamonds are called Coins, sometimes. If it was gonna be an element, it’d be Earth. Has ta do with the physical, your body an’ your wealth. People who do work like that, too—merchants, traders.

Sometimes it jus’ means you’re an achiever. Y’like gettin’ things done.

_{( He nods, solemnly, before replacing the card in the deck and continuing with his shuffling. He pulls out the Ace of Clubs, next. )}

Clubs’re different. Called Wands, in the old days. They’re Fire, willpower. People who do hard work, wit’ their hands. If you’re someone who likes destruction, that’s your suit. But that’s no so bad. The world needs breakin’ down an’ buldin’ up.

_{( Another nod, another tilt of his head. The next card is the Ace of Hearts. )}

Hearts’re special, some people think. Used ta be called Cups. They gotta do with Water, with emotion. People who do things spir’tually.

Hearts’re socializers. They like other people, more than things.

_{( He kisses the card lightly before shuffling it back in, pulling out the last. The Ace of Spades. )}

Now, Spades. Also called Swords, sometimes. They’re Air, freedom. But wit’ that comes unpredictability. If you’re a Spade, y’like havin’ authority. But that comes wit’ responsibility, an’ consequences.

Spades’re explorers. They like the unknown, seekin’ out what they might be ‘fraid of o’ what might bring ‘em joy.

_{( That card goes back into the deck, too. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. Remy smiles at the communicator once more. )}

So, here’s a question. Which’re you?

I have gotten bored with my old job. I have learned all of the streets and the short-cuts of the city, which was entertaining to do, but now I want a change of pace.

Are there any other jobs a dragon can provide his uses?

edited for bad grammar

W̷̴̨̜̥̗̟͚͇͕̹̗̻̝̯̠̺̰̼̏̽̋̆̃͆ͮͨͪͫ̋̊͋͒͂ͦͯ̓͟͡e͒ͩ̒ͤ̓̽̀ͭ̽̂͌́ͫ̓͋͑͏̸̵̝̹͖͓͈͔̥̬͙͍̟̜͓͎͢͜ ́̐́̐ͯͥ̓̿ͩ̽̏̽̒͏̵̱͚̥͈̱̣̼͇̟͘͜n̸ͣ̓ͨ̐͌̎ͥ̑͆͂ͥͪ̉̊͆̌ͤ͏̖̣̯͖͖͟͞o̸͉̮̲̩̗̺͕͕͓̠͎̤̤͓̭͙͚̺͖̒̇̄ͮ̏̀͠w̧͑͆̓̈́͂ͩ͑̈̂̍̀̎̿̓ͧͯͭ͒͏͇̘̱͇͉̩̘̝̳͔͎̦̠͎̱̫̝͈ ̫͕͚̱̥͕̰̟̏ͬͣ̊͢͡͝͞i̶̿ͫ̌̍̆̊̈́͑̉ͧ̒̑͏҉̩͉̯̣͓͉ͅn̶̴̝̬̩̥͔̹ͯ͊͛̏̂̑̒ͬ͊ͭ̈̊ͧͫͮͣ̊̀́͟͜ţ̷̟̺͔̠̫̭̦͉͈̱͑ͩ͗ͪ̈ͨͨͮ̏͐͗̒͆͌͊͐́̀͠ȩ̵͉̟̖̰͉̲̖̼̝̲̪̩͕̫͎̲͂ͬͪ́͒̽̌̎̿̚͢͢ṟ̭͙͖͍̰̼̻̬̱͍͈͉̞̋͌̈́̑̑̈́̓̈̽̀̀̈́́̿̾ͯ͘̕ͅr̵̨̞̭͔͇̖͖̳͎̝̮̲̎ͬ̃̑ͩ̕͡͡ṳ̴̙͚̯͚̮̉̽̔̅̎̒͡p̴̦̻̤̝̘͉̟͖̈́ͩ̏̆̊̇ͫͮͫͧͧͮͭ̐͒͜͟͢ͅt̉̎̈́ͪͥ̀̆ͪ̅͗͒̇̐͏̸͙̦̻̖̱̺̯̘̦̹̗̦̯̹̗͡͞ ̶͎̹̣̳̦̪͕̬̞̼̣̼̰͍̗͇̋ͤ̔̓̎̀́͡ͅt̸̨̛͈͎̗̙͈̄͒͌͌̄ͮͫ̎̔ͪ͒̎̓̂͒̎͝͞h̨͔̬͇̮̱̰̰̹͖̱̟̻͎̰̯̫̎̑̓ͨͬ̍̈͂͑͝͡ͅi̷ͧ̇̌͒̌͆̈̋̆ͯͬ̓ͮ͆̂͛̓̚͢͝҉̤̩̬̦̙̠̤̼̞̝̟͉̠͕͚̬̜͈s̷̴̶̶͋̍̍͒͏̫̥̤̮̙̺͙̼͖͉̖̱͉̰ͅ ̸̵̜͉̼̫̳̖͍͚̞̜̙̯̘ͨ̅̉̎̔̂̅̀̕b͓͓͖̬͍͈̲̥̒ͫ̍͛̕͜ͅŗ̛̖̼̆ͨ͛̑͌̈͐ͧ̔͌ͨͅo̠̘̦͍͈̩̺̩̞̘̼̩̮͍̰ͬ̓ͬͪ͑̄̆̏̇̓̍̈ͭ̏̔́̀̚a̵̢͙̲̦̤̻͙̠̜͖͎̤̰͓̩͈̹̮̔̽ͭ̃̄ͦ̏ͦ͐̀̒ͬ̂͛́͗ͪ͑̐ͅdͤ̀̓ͭͪ̍̾͂ͩ̃̔̌̄̂̏ͣ̚͏҉̯̩͍̙̠͖̫̟͓̘̬͎̞̣̰̲ç̟̳̳̥̽̓ͧͯͬ̆̈́̏̍̈͜͞a̸̴̢͙̙͖̠̠̯͕̞̭̤̣̳̤͖̪̻̮̋ͬ̾̇̾̏͌ͦ̓̾̐̒̽̍̒̉̀́s̷̵̙̤̫̹͑ͩͧ̓͒ͦ̍ͨ̓̚̚ţ̶̹̱̯̪̜̥̼̽ͭ͐͊ͭͬ͊ͤ̈̃̈ͦͬ͗ͨͣ͜͡ ̷̵̟̜̮̤͓͙̥ͬ̔̍̓ͥ̐̈̇͌̏t̵̷̲̳̜̺̖̲͙̠̙̳̔ͩ̆ͬͯͧ͘͘ǫ̢̗̳̪͕̥̮̣͌͌͒̈̐̅̔͒̅̾ͨ̉͝ ̴̸̺͍̣͔̩͉̗̻̖̭͙̦̟̪̣̂̍͆͋̾̈́̌ͮ͐̎̎̀̌͂ͪ̀ͪ̚b̡̫̠͔͉̝̣͓̞͙̝͍̣̖̜̦̈ͯ̆̂͒̃͗ͧ̉̿̆̚͢ŗ̥̗̥̻̬̝̞͕͖̖̼̬͙̬̼̫͈ͭ̏͌̋ͮ̒̇͋͌̿ͩ͟ͅi̮̰͙̖̰͉̰̠̜̯̖͙̺͙̱͔̦͛̆͊͑̆ͯͦ͢͜ͅn̶̴̶̜̞͔̲̹̣͈̱̬̈ͦ̏ͯ͜ģ̯̣͇͇̳̜̤̘͆̈́̇͂̆͒͗͜͞ ̨̹̲̘̤͙̼̫͚̞̪͎͕͆͛͑̄ͥ͑̐ͮͫ̓̀͢͞yͩͫͥͪͣ͐ͣ͛ͦ҉̵̳̭̯͇͍̻̭͕̭̼̹͇̘͞͝o̴͈͓̠͉ͤ̋̓̉̒̊̍͌̚͜u̸̶̬͕̤̞͚̦̘̞̪̯͕̜͍̝̘͔̱̞̣̾̍̉ͬͨͩ̅͆̿͊̒ͫ̆̋̾͆́̎͘͡ ̷̴̣͚͎̣̰͕̹̳̥̹̯̦̠ͫ̃̓̂̌̿̾͆͆ͣ̍̆ͥͦ͆̃̋͠ͅa̴̵̳̗̞͓̻̰̜͙͛̎̈̂̄ͧ̃͠ ̢̢̰̫̞̱ͫ͊̌͒̽͊̄̌̐̊ͩ̐̚͘͘f̴͇͈̭̥͈̯͓̤͔̯̔̿ͦ́̉ͤ̆ͧͦͧ̎͒ͦ͆͐̾͂͑̀̀͝r̡̭̳̯͈̘̗͖̹͙̺̭̭̗̠͆ͥͭ̓̓͂ͤ̐̒ͭ̎͌͊͐̊̽͒̚͘͞͞ȋ̴͍͇̼͍̖̻͓̺̗̙̯̺̦ͧ͒ͣ͋̈̾ͬ́̓ͪͧ͐̈́̚͞e̸̔̓̈̈̓ͪ̏ͮ̔ͬͬ̏̏͘͜҉̘͕͈͚̤̟̰ṅ̸̨̛̲͉̯̝̪̪̩̫̭̾̏͊̂͑́̍̀̊̐͊̈͌ͤ̂̚͟ͅd̛͑͂ͫ̽ͮ̎͗ͥ͆̃̄̍ͬ͒̋̇̓̉͏̨͓̬̭̣͍͈͟͟ľ̵̡̠̦͉̤̠͚̻̝̞̱͛̆͒̔̌̍̄̐̈́ͧ̾ͬ͂́́͝ͅy͑ͣ̋̍́ͮ̿̅ͭ̓ͭ͋̓͊ͩ̇̈̚҉̵̵̦̳͉͍̠͖̱̙͈̲͙͓̫͍͓̝͟͟ ̸̧̢̞̟͕͔̥͇̺͑̔ͫ̔̍ͦ̋̑͜m̷̉̿̆͛̏̈͆̈ͤ̊ͣ̍ͪ͐̽҉̴̮͔̠̟̥͚͉̥͝è̡͎̪͎̻ͧ͑̍ͧ̃͋ͤ̉̈̉̒̂ͪͤ̿͌̃̀͢͞s̵͎͇͓̼͙͙̰̭̲͖̯̯̳̠̦̮͇̗̐͌̌͂̽͆̃̊̇ͫ̈̓͊̋͘͠͝s̱̣̼̱͓̲̒̔ͪͯ͛̀͢ͅā̡̧͇͚̖̙ͫ̉̚g̛ͤ̊͒͐ͤ̊̈̉͘͏̷̨̟͚̪̖̪͙̲͖̪̜e̽̾̂͛̆̔̋̊ͨͧ̌̈́̈́̚҉҉̞̝̟͉̫̤̜͓̱̦̥̮ͅ ̡̧̖͔͔͙̖͍̪͖̥̣̯͉̖̿ͯ̅͋ͦ̈́ͫ̑̅ͅo̸̷͍͙͔̘̗̬̘̖̥̲̬̫͖͍̱̝̺̓̿́̿ͥͅͅf̞̩̬̙̼̙͔̞̯̭̘͒̿ͪ̋̀͘͢͝ ̶̢̗͕̳̰̬͑̏́̓́̉ͮ͗ͯͬ̑̃ͧ͂̈̊͋̂̚͝͞y̷̬̣̟̤̣̱̞̦̟ͪ͑ͬ̾̆̾́ͫͦͪ͌̽ͪ́͟ͅͅo̵͈̤̘̥̻̝͍̪̰̼ͯ͛̽ͨ̕͟͠ư̶̬̦͈̬̤̻̖̩̮̌͊͐̆ͣ̓̆̉̿ͦ̒̐ͩ͢ͅr͎̗̲͉͔͈͙̫̭͇͙͖̲ͣͦ̉̌̀͟ ͗̈̉ͤͣͬ̃ͪ̉͊̇ͥͩͮ̚͏̴̛̜̘͕̥̩͇͢͡t͌̈̇́ͧ̆ͥ̄̀ͤ̍̌ͬ̀ͬ̏͑ͦ̚͜͏̴͕͎͙̳͙͍͍̮̝͕͓̮ͅî̧̙̪͎͍̠̖̹̳̱͇̪͕̤̳̼͈͚̌̉ͦ̌̏̓͐̽̋̕͞m̶̅̅̊̾̍̊ͥ͗̓̊͏̺͖͎̯̞͠e̛̹̤̜̱̣̖͕̪̳̙̜͑ͧͤ͆͋̔͜͞ĺ̨̞̖͈͉ͦ̉̈̾ͨ͊ͩ̀̚͜y̵̶̻̺̣̟̭͙͉͍̻̱͓̟̾̇ͤ̆̋͌̾͜͠ ̷̡̺͕̙̝̜͉̳͓̃͋̑ͧ͘͘͘d̸̸̢͈͓̲̮̳̦̞̹̼͓͖͙̮͓̫͚ͪ̋͑̉́ͮ͒̒́ͭͭ̾͂̉̀̆̕ǫ̜̟͇̳̦̬͍̺̘̹̎̐͂̿ͧ͒̈́͟͢ͅo̩̠͎͉̙̮͈̫̺̞͖̺̝̦͉ͪͤ̽̅͆́͜͟m̸̴̵͔̦̝̳͉̳̥̪͔̗̖͈̮̤̔͆ͧ̄͛̏̍̍

Warning. Warning. As of 2100 hours, the island of Exsilium has been placed under complete and total quarantine. Any and all individuals caught attempting to leave the quarantine zone will be immediately executed. We repeat, any and all individuals caught attempting to leave the quarantine zone will be immediately executed.

O̵̓ͤ̀̾̌ͭ͒ͭ̔͑̑̔ͮ̈҉̸̙͖̩͚̻̪͔̤̙̙͙̥̻p̷̷̡̗͔̬̠͚͇̼̩̥̘͎̳̟̙͔̥̜̒́̐͛͞ͅȩ̴ͭ̅͑͋́͏̙̜̭͈̦̹͇̠̦̣̤͈̝̲͙͓̲̲ͅṛ̢̛͚̖̖̬̱͍͎̱͓̼̖ͧ̋ͧ̄ͯͣ̈́ͫ̆ͥ̒́̚ã̷̴̡͓̰͓̪̭̩̬̙̜ͧͦ̄̈́̋̚͞tͪ̈́͑ͫͤ̿ͫ͋ͭ͂̍̌̀̈̚͜͠͏͙̭̖̫̬͉͙̼͎̣̱͍̱i̴̝̟͍̣̥͉̙̦̖̩̼̭̞̩̜̥̥̓̒ͭͦ̒́̽̌͐ͨ̌ͨ͞͞͡ǫ̴̡̟͚̩̺̖͇̩̣̞̯͖̪̓̾͑͂ͭͭ̌̕͢n̡̼̟̺̉̌̎̍̊͊ͧ̆̀́ͅ ̷̛̮͉̦̞̜͒̒͑͆͑̑ͯͫ̕R̵̷̥͕̳̹̫̬̟̤͍̱̜͓̹̙̺͍̼͊̔̈ͮ̋ͫ͌̄̑̈́̀͢a̛͈̦̱͎̦̮͈͎̳̪͚̬͖̫͔ͪ̇͂̅ͦ̌ͥ̔ͨ̇͗͂͛̏͟t͑͗͋̓̀͋ͩ̇̒́̀ͩ̔̅̈́͂ͯ̿͌͝͠͏̷͍̣̪͍̩͈̣ͅs̢̛̲͓̣̝͓̱̖̩̖̻͎̠̮ͦ̄͑̔̊ͧ͛ͨ̄͗̎ͨ̚͘͞͠ ̢̞̤̥͓̺͍͔̩̻̦̪̙͔̺͓̦̭͎͈̊͆ͣͫ̓͂́͆̊̈́̇̀͘N̤̙̗̟̺̻̪͖̰̈́͗̏̿͌̾̄̈́̂́̀͘èͧ̉̉ͫ͂͏̴̠̤͈̞̙̪̲͡s̵̵̙͖̹̝̲͔̬̰ͩ̃́͗̊̅͘͢͠t̐̄͗͋͏҉̡̖̘̜͓̤̠̠̟́́ ̱̝͍̤̳͈̪̹̖̞̪̑͂ͤ̈́ͣ͐̏̾̾̋ͤ͛́̕͜į̤̼͓̬̳̗̙͖̻͇̯͍ͫͩ̋͊̈ͫ͑̐̒̐̕͘͞͝ͅn̷͕̘̜̭̙͇̤̤̰̭͓̂̾͆͛̋̽̊ͤ̃͗ͭ͗̚͟͢͞i̴̵̹͕͚̙̹̬͛́ͮ͋ͮ̉̌̍͛͘ṯ̥̦̝̮͉͉̤́͊̔̎̉̕͜i̵̢̯̳̞̮̬̳̍̅ͪ̄̈̃̓̏a̸̡̪̱͉̗̳̖͌̃̉̄̽͛ͦ̔̉̅̽ͣͅtͬ͆̽̑͗ͪͣͩ͊̿̒̋͛ͭ҉̪̻͇͚͕͓͇̮̦͓͓̀̕i̛ͬ́̒̏̈́̅̈͌͗͐ͪ̈ͣ͋̒͏͏͏̵̙̘̝̦͇͔̱̗͉̦̟̻̬n̶͎̝͚͈̝̤̻̺̘͍̫͔̭̋́͛͒̀̊̍̍̿̂ͭ͑ͦ͘g̓̓͊̆̓̽ͨ̒̒ͪͬ̋̚͢҉̷̰͙̞̣̩͖͠ ̶̢͙̥͚̩͊͌̿̋̆̓̑̓́͋͋̄͞i̸̧͋ͯ̂̾̄̎̇͛̋̑͘͟҉̥̤͔̼̖̟̜̼̘̺̟̖̳̠̖͍ṇ̴̶̢̩̩͔̟̝͎̼̜̟͉͙ͪ̆̿ͮ̓̓ͮ͝ ̸̮̺̰̥̣̯͖͍̣̰̰̯̜͙̟ͤͮ̓ͪ̓̈́̀̇́̐ͮ̈́͊ͥͬ̐͆͟7̷̡̡̋̇̆̉̓̌ͯ̒ͤ̈ͨͥͪ̿ͥ̈̌̽͏͍̼̰̩͔̯̝̪ͅ2̢̋̌͌̾ͨ̓̍̈̄ͪ̈ͫ͏̢̬͙̤̣̲̣̼̩̥̘͔̠̩̪̮͟͡ ̃̿̎̔̑̃̐̓ͪ͞͏̗̣̳͙̼̬̤̰̲͚sͮ͌̆̐̉̉͟͏͓̖̟͔̩̘̹̜́͠t̵̢̢͎̟̪̦͎̤͍̱̺̰̪͉̯̞̎ͪ͗ͪ̓͂̈́̓̇̂̈́̐͆̆ͯͭͤͥ͜͡a̵͙̞͇̮͆ͬͦ̎ͪ̅ͧ̊̐̈͝ń̵̢̧̩͖̯͖͙̺̥̱̾́̈ͭͯͭ̀̕ͅd̶̸̛̼̰̜̖̫̜̜͚̊̊̈͊̍̂̑̀ͭ͐͆̋ͩ̇ͫ͢ạ̢̪̩̟̾̊̈́͆͘͞r̴̹̺͙̻͕̙̈̆ͯ͋̅͌̄̃͐͑͗̓̒ͦ͆͊͐̓̚͘͝͞͡d̷̨̦̻̯̜̠̣͋̒̇͐͌̀́ͧ̽̓̓̈͊̔̅̉ͦ̚ ̸̲̤͍̘͎̲̖̝͙̜̦̘̥̟̝ͫ̏̑̿ͥ̐̽ͥ͋͠h͙̥͔̥̤̱̱̭̫̳̮̥͈ͯ͑͌̌̅͊͜͝ͅͅͅo̶̅ͥ̾ͫ͜҉̶̬̣̞̩̭̞̭̙͉͓̻̝͈̹͙̝͝ũ̅̓̋̋̉̉̉͋̐͌҉̵̡̬͔̞̞̯̕ͅr̵̪͔̫̞̱̟̼͐͒̂̽͋ͩͭ̆͒ͣ̾̇ͮ̽ͭ͐̎͐s̷̿̍͋͂̾̆̏͛̒͋̿̏̉̄̊ͩͦͤ̀̚͏̜͚̲̘̘͜
̴̴͈̫̝͈̟̥̜̳͉̖̘̝͕̤̠ͨͧͭͦͥ̐̿̄ͭ̊ͥ̚͡R̷̢̧̺͉̱̰̩̻̫̰̳̫͍͚͉̫̠̤̣͒ͣ̋ͨ́́̚ͅe͉͚̩̯̼̤̺̹̞̦̩͉̪͎̜̠̊͒̃ͥ̔̌ͩ̿̔͂̍̄͆́͢͢͞p̸̵͍̰͓̻̭͇̺̲̖̱̠͓̋̽͆ͩ͆ͦͩ̽ͤ͡eͦ̀̈́͌ͩ̍̒̀͢͝҉̼͈̞̣͙̣̜̟̙̣͕̻̤͔̥̗̺̼͟a̧͈͚̹̼͙̗͔̞͒͋̌͒̅͞ţ̨͑̀͑ͤͩͪͩͨͩͤͫ̑ͯ͌ͮ̎̀͏̗̳̥̲͟ͅ,̴̴̛͎͍̪̫̞̠̤͓͕͓͍̞̦͔̈̀̌͛ͨͮͭ̏̉̅̓̑́ ̢͕̖̼̠̯̠̯̪̖͇̮̠̜͙̣͉͕ͫ̒̇ͧ̔̐̊̐͛͢O̪̖̺͕̫̜̘̱͓͔̫̬̖͚̟̤̩ͨ͌͋͊̀̃̅̒͘͞͞ͅp̸̨͕̝̻̫̯͇͇͇̫̣͚̼̞͒͆͒͑ͣ͑̚͘ė̷͙͕̳̖̜ͫ͋̓ͧ̿̓̓̄̀́̎͐͊̈́͡ŗ̷̴͉̯͓̙̺̰͇͆̒̍̏͂ͪ̅̽̃̀͌̾̾̃ͩ̄ͤͤ́͠ā̶̛̄͋͂͐̃̽̈́͛͒͛ͮ͛̎͜͡͏͎̲̗̭͈͖̥̘̳͕̪͕ͅͅẗ̵̷͉̬̺̥̰̥̬͓̦̟̠̊̏͌̿ͭͬ̀͌̃̄̓ͮ̆̽͊̆͜͜͡ͅi̿̔ͯ̐͛̊ͯ͌ͬ҉̨̲̠͕̦̤̖̱̣̙͈̟̺̭̭̩̖̲̬̱o̙̜͔̣̘̐͛̓ͣ̈́͌͋͂̉͊͛̽͒̽̂ͭ̚͘͢n̠̳̥̘͚͔̥̥͖͈̦̳̺̗̮͓̅̍͌̊̊ͬ́͝ͅͅ ̨͓̺̼̭̱̹͕̟̙̺͐ͩ̿͒ͦ̇͑̉̎̿̉͐ͨ͂ͣ͒̔ͤ̆R̞̣̞̥̬͇̭͇ͥ̋̈̎̊̍̅ͯ̔̍̒͂̿̇́̚̕͡a̽ͬͮ̇ͤ͝͏̱͙̦̺̺̝̟̮͓̦̱̝tͯͫ̑҉͜͏̸͏̮̲̰̘͖̙̞͓̫͍͔̫̼̮s̸̶̄͋ͭ̊̏͏̨̳̩̭̙̥͕̝͝ ̘̩̟̤̙̖͚͇̖͈̯͔̝̯̟̮ͧ͌̈̆͛́̀̃͛ͣ̿̎͠͞N̛͓͚̘̙̭̻̭͊̄ͮ̄̄ͪ̆̓ͬ̽ͅę̵̴̦͖̞͕̬̰̟̳̫͚͓̳̱̩̺͑ͬͬ̓̿̿͊ͧ́̂ͣ͋ͨ͆̍ͣͭ̄ͅͅs̴̶̼͔̥͈̭̭̝̰̻̖͚͈͇ͣ͛̉̅͒͂̿̄̂̔ͨ̍̎̃͝͡ț̶̛͈̯͙͚̠͚̮͋̽ͪ̒͌ͮ̅ͥ͛̇̄ͧͦ͊̅ͩ̓̂̀̕͝ ̶̡̨̣͇̥̠̯̣͖̯̮̍ͬ̇͌ͤ̾̃͢͝į̴̨̥̪͕̥͈̼̙̱̬̪̝̌̾̽̊͋̽̎̀͟ͅn̓̎͗̍̈́̓̅ͪ͐̏̍̏ͧ҉̷̷̬̼͖̬͇̥̣̱͔̥͖̲̝̙̹̙̼̥͝ĩ͙̲̹̜̻ͤ̓ͧ͂ͨ̀̐ͨ̂ͨͦ͋̋͘͟͡͠t̴̴̷̹̳̘̘̥̟̲̮ͧ̇̈́̉̽̏̏̑ͬ́́̕i̶̷̴̺̠̬̳̝̟̪͙͙͚͎̣͙̥̘̫̝͓͍̋̈͒̑̾ͤͤ̿̌ͭ͒̄͛̐́̚a̧̛̺͓̭̥̞̫̩͇͔̟̻̘͓̒̐̅ͭ̽ͯ̄̐̉̆̔̓̅̈̈ͧ̇̾͆t̢̻͎̪͖̳̬̱͔͇̰̗̱ͣ͑̾̃͌͋ͧͫ̔̓̊̓ͫ͋̚͟ͅi̶̛̼̙̖̺̫̹͕̻̗͚̭̺̗̩̖̳̩̗͐̔ͪͬͩ̀̐̈́ͥ̚͠ͅň̴͔̗̭̫̠̗̫̲̤̮̹̺̭͈̬͖̰̠ͮ̎̓ͩg̔̂̍͗̑̿̑͊ͨ͌͒̌́͏̶̛̳͔̘̪͔̳̩͎̯̹̖̗̮ ̴̨̛̦͕̭̗̬̝̺̥̭͇͌̈̈̃ͥ͐̄̈́ͣ͂ͧͣ͟i̷̶̗͈̹̥̣͙͉̤̭͙̟͉̺͍̥͔̹͋̅ͩͫ͂̃ͣͫͬ͂̓ͭ̂̕͞ͅn̽̿ͮ͒̓̉͋͘͝͏̠͈͎͜ ̴̵̸̝͇̱̗͉̪̮͍̦͒̅̏̀͂̅̎̉̂͋̎͞͡ͅ7̶̢̟͇̰̱͎̳̟̋͋̒̆͛͊̔̃͐ͩ̅̄͐ͭ̓͜͜͢2̛̤̗̯̳͙̠͕̈́̊̐ͩ̈ͬ͘͘͞ ̧̨̘͉̰͚̹̣̻ͥ͊̔͆̋̄͂̈́̐͜ͅs̨͂̆ͣ̿ͮ̀͋ͦ̕͠͝҉̖̠̹̩t̡̨ͮ̈̃̐̔͛͆̅̑̏ͤ̓ͮͩ̊̽̀͢͏̧̗̤̹͙̻̖̘̱͔̯a̅̈́ͨ̏ͧͧ̃͒͆͊̽̌̈́̽̾ͥͤ̚̕͞͏̖̰͈̰͉̙̰ň̸̢̧͚̹̻̬͚͇̘̝̻ͣ̽ͪͦ͐̓̅̒̽͗́̅̉ͦͭ̏͌͠d̶̯͔̪͇̼̘̞̬̪̅͊̓̋͛̑̂̆ͨ͐͠a̷̹̤̬̲͖̠̮̹̝̝̘̣̖ͤ̈́͂ͧͮͫ̈͑̄ͦ͌̾̇̌͜͝r͖͈̻̥͙͍͉̗͍̠̖̠͕͔͓̋ͤ̔̆͌̍̇̆͢ͅd̸̷̜̣̝͚̺̤̣͎̱̻͇͉̻̗̦ͧ̾ͯ̀ͤ̓́̈̈́ͣ͑ͤ̀̌̇̾́͘͝ ̶̛̦̝͚̹͓̖̥͇ͭ̏̄̈ͯ͆̉̑ͨ͢͠͞ḧ̴̺̫͓̖̦̣͖̗̪͔͉̝̩̹͍̘̭̤̱́̑̉͛̒͐ͬ̾ͬ̀ͩ̔̍́̋̚̚͜͠ǫ̡̰̬͇͉̘̦͎̍̽̔̐ͪ̋ư̵̡̡͇̰͖̠̳̭̮̈́̓ͪͣ́ͥ̄͑̓̂͡r̵̢͕͚̦̘͙̙̤̟̪̞̤̓̿ͨ͊ͤ͌̐͆̈͂͛͗͋̈͞s̋͊ͫͩͥ̋͛̌͒̊̉̄͛҉̠͔͍̬̲̫͚͔͓̫̤̥̲̟͠ͅ

Stand-by until further notice.
̨̨̛̼̭̪̪̮̥̪̲̜̗̮̐̈̾͛̌͐ͭͤ̄͊ͭͪ̔́͗̆̆̚ͅ
̨̯͍̖̣͚͒ͪͣ̏ͮͣͥ͢͢͠͠Ĉ̶̙̮̬͉̣̰͉̱͚ͥ̄̀̌͒ͫ̓̉ͣ͗ͣ̚͡o̴̢̰̭͕̝͚̥̙̭̫͙̪̮̝̺ͤ̉ͮ̊̇́̔̓͌͒́̌̊͊͌̔͗ͤ̚͢ͅd͇̤̟͕͙̖̲̤̼̜̽ͪ͛ͤͫ̽̍̉́ͦ̾̎͘͢͞ͅę̸̱̙͈̫̰̣̭̬ͪ͒̍̎̉̒̋͋̐ͥͤͥ̒̆ͬ̀̕ ̴̟͉͚͇̠̻͓̲̯̩̆ͧ̓̑̈̈͒̚ͅ4̷̛̦͍̣̼͛͗͌̑ͭͪͫ́̌ͦͧ̔͠1̨̧̤̠͙̩͉̣ͫ̓̓̒ͥ̔̿͐ͦ͋̓ͮ̌̊̐̅6̷̠̰͓̥̟̗̪̼͎͚̪͖̫͖̘̌̄͊̔ͧ͆̊͑̌ͦ̀
̍ͮ̉ͣ̄̐̇̊ͦ͂ͬ̅ͭ͒̇͐́̚͏̴̨̛͉̞̤̥̜̜̠̫̬̣̝͡ͅR̡̛̙͉̗͖̦̳̹̼̗̘̦̺̠̱͈͇͎͔̱͐ͪͭ̍͗̃̄̎ͣ͋͛̑ͬ̒̂ͬ͆́̚ęͦͦ̽̔̏͒͢҉͇͉͍p̷͎̬͚͒͂ͧͣ͂̉̀e̡̲̣̝̩̣̒̓̽̒̕͝ͅa̵ͪͥͨ̎̓̈́̄͆͐ͯ̊̈́̚̚̚͜͠҉̱̤̯͖̬͎͕̯̟̲̙̜̰͚̯͇̳ţ̴̢̙̞̳͇̙̘̼̩̮̭̗̝̩͔͗̈́̊̽̽ͯ͢,̧͆̎ͧ͒҉̞͍͎͍ ̖͎͔̦̩̞̪̼͓ͨ̿̈̍̅͑͒̍̓̓ͤ̈͂̾̂͗͒͆́͢͟͠͞C̶̱͓̣̣̮͈̟͖͈̣͖̥͔͚͍̙͕̈́ͬ͑̅̽ͤ͗̍̓͗͢͢ͅo̷̢̪͕̞̬͈̮̼͈̹̯̟͍̭͇̙̱̦͚ͥ̍ͨ́ͨ̎ͧ̅̑̊ͫ́͘d̸̴̥̬̞̜̪͖̩̟̰̟̬͉̪͖̠̬̏ͦ̉ͥ͐̿ͦ̇ͪ͟ͅͅȩ̸̲͕̭͇̘̫͙̻̳̬̟̜̱̩̦͕͖͛̆̄̎̇ͦ̂͐ͥ̄̆ ̸̸̎̑ͨ̑̈̓ͬ̋͂ͩͬ̂̏̋̑̿҉̶̴̳͍̩͙̮̺̼̣̣̩̬̰̞̠̟͎̭̠4̪̮͓̮̜̙̩͉͖͙̓ͨ͗̓ͣ̈́ͯ̎ͣͭ̅͋̍̎ͨ̈́̏͝1̵̢ͪͯͦ͊͐̓̑͆̋̆̑ͫ͋̔̽ͭͮ͊͢͏̞̝̞̳̥̰̹̜̘͉͈͈6̠̼̬͍̻̤̫̭̩͖͕̮̹̪̟͇͌̆̉͆̽̎́͜͠
̡̛̳̱͇͕͔͖̟͖̭̯͙͑ͫ͐̈́ͪ̅
̥͈̬͈͓̹̰͙͕̤̮͇̳̥̙̇̎ͬ͆̓́̎ͪ͌ͫͫ͞ͅA̎̍͆̓̔̈̔̈́̏͒̐ͯͣ̀͗ͤ͂ͩ̚͝͏̩̤̠̹͓̤̮ļ̸ͨ̄̋̋̔́̓́͝҉̫̳̰͈̜͖̜͕͚͓̯l̛̛̰̼̥̳ͣ̐͛̏͆́̊̓̚ ̷̮̻̹̹͓̙͈̣̹̣͔̖̣̮̺ͯ́̋ͮ͐͘͟à̶̡̢͉͔̭̹̤̬͈̙̖̣̯̗͙̫͈̐̄̅͐͋̍̒̀̄̍̒̓͘t̨̂̈͒̃͘͏̮͔͇̰̟̤̗͖́ţ͒͋̐̒͐ͭ̅͋͗ͩ͏̷͓̖͍̼̝̺͚͝ͅe̸͓͚̝̻̘̞͚̙̼͈͇̰͂̋ͧ͒ͧͮ̋̌̂ͣ̋̉̋̔͛͊̔͂́̚͟͠m̵̶̵̧̳͓̦̲̮̒ͪ̇ͫ͂̍ͫ̄̄͑ͭͨ̓͒͠p̷̢̬̗̭̪̩̠̮̏̈́ͭ͂ͥͣ̔̒̑ͮ̽̂́ͪ͒ͮͯ͜͡͡t̵͇͙͔̥̬͙ͨ́̌͂͑͂͋͗͗ͮ͟s̸̨̠̟͉̹̲̾ͣ̉ͮ̉͒͑̍̌̍͗̿̀̚͝ ͣͦ̎́ͥ̏ͥ͑̎̾̇ͤ̃͂͌҉̣̣̝̗͍͈̙͈̩̩͍̙͔̕ͅţ̛̺̤̱̬̣̬͙̝̜͔̘̠̖̙͉̒͋̔̎̽̒̕͢͜o͐ͣ͊͋̊ͫ̉͜҉̸̵̬̟̖̟͓̥͇̫̻͚͞ͅ ̴̨̼̭̭̙͍͙̹̘̣̟͕̺̏̓̽͒ͮ̃͐͌ͧ̓ͣͩ̈́͒ͥ̇̀̀͟ĺ̶̙̟̥̱̣̞͚ͦ́ͬ̔̿̔̚̕͟e̷̶͙̯̜̣̩̭̦̯̭̱͓̖̝̣̪̗͍̙͚ͧ̈̿ͣͯͧͮ͂ͦͯͯͮͮ̐̾́̚͜a̸̵̧ͯ͐ͯͬ͐̿̽̉ͩ̔̀ͫͯ͏͙̜̘̺͖̯̗͉͈v̸̛̬̙͙͎̰ͤ̆̋̚͞e̴͖̹̝̤̬̲̔̎̐ͮͪ̀̕͝ͅͅ ̸̧̡̠͇̲͎̪̜̙̙̦͚̝͚̰͈̺̊̒͛̑͂̇E̛ͮ͐̍̇ͫͩͧ̌͆ͤ̚͟҉̸͕͔͖̘̰͟x̢̛̳̤̘̙̿ͯ͌ͩ̆̈̀̕͢ş͉̫̙̜̱̟̼̪͖̹̝̪̯̠̟ͨͧ̏ͧͣ͂̒͌͘i̡̛̜̲͉̠̥̣͚̰͔̖̩̘͕͖̰͗ͤͣ̃̎͒̐ͤͦ̍ͦ͆͆̒̂͌̒̔̀͠͝l̡̛̲͇̻̪̝͍̳͈͍̣̯̮̝̙̰̅̍̈̉͛ͭͤ̓̆́͐ͦ̿̄ͬ͊ͭͬ̇i̢̭͈̱͖͔͍͓̗̊ͬ̓ͦͧ̂ͥ͂ͮ͒̅ͨ͆̄̚̚̕͟ů̴̢̠̝̙͙̗̖̳̭̼̠̣̾̏͆͆̕͝͝m̧͉̟͎͓͖͔̤̮͇͈̦͈̭̻̟͈͉̻̑ͦ͆̐ͯ͌͛͆̋ͯ͌̒̄ͩ̒̉ͧ̌͝ ̶̨̦̦̬̼̠̮͔̥͚͚̩̳̖̩̯̭̩̒̔̓͒͒͒͌͝w̷̨̩̜̤̹̹̞̘̟̺̎͐́̒͑ỉ̵̸̷̢͙̱͈̰̫̯̫̪̮̼̇̎͆̎̒̐͐͠l̷̨̢͍͙̱̘̣̫͇̲̥̯̱̟̣̩̺͙̂͒̔ͥͮ́͗̔̓͑̊́͢l̴̶̛̻̼̻̮͕̟̻̠̬͉̞̤̹̻͚̞̘̣̝͗ͨͧ͒͑̄̚̕ ̡͙̥̖̩̘͓̻͓̜̠͍͕ͨ̈̅̑̎ͤ͒ͣͤ̓ͧͤ̍́b̸ͦͫ̈́ͫ̒ͪͩ̔͋͂̑̅̒ͨ̃͝҉̱̜͎̩̺̜͔͎̯̰̳̭́e̸̟̻̤̬̩̘̘̙̲͉͕ͩ͌ͬͬͬ̓ͧͫ͌ͬͮͪ̓͟͝͞ͅ ̸̶̹̭̜̙̤̲̳̹̝̹͕͒̓̎ͧ̏͗͗̇͂ͧ̑̐ͤ͂͒ͧ͘m̧̡̭͔̜̘̱̹̼̬ͨ̍͗ͩ̏̊̐́̈́͛̓ͥ͠ͅe̸̝̟͕̜̫̱͙͇̮̦͙͓̤̻͍̟̩̔͛̔ͦ̂̎̃̃t̸͑̊ͥͬ́҉̩͈͕͙̳̝̞̘̝͎̜̬̮̘͉̯̩̲ͅ ̷̢̝̲̰͇͇͓̙̹̖̻͍̥̜̭̹̗̯̜̀̉́̽͂͗͗̇͜w̵͇̠͓̗̻͎̟̬̺̠̻̲̿͆͋ͦ͗̓̈͢͝i̵̛͈̱̝̥͙̯̭̤̘̹̩͖͂̈̐͌̌ͬ͆ͤ̐̿͑͘ţ̒̌ͧ̾̊̐͏̣̤̝̭̞̣͕̮̫̠͇ḩ̵̢̤̙͖̭̩̺̰͈̫̺͍̼̬̯ͣͭ̾ͯͯ̌͂̈́ͦͮ̚͜ ͧ̎͐̊̊̊̓̉͒́ͯ҉̧͍̮͙̹̩̜͇̮̠̳̙̯̱͔͟͞͠ṣ̶̨̳͖̗̙͕͔͕͎̳͓̣̞̮̪̫͉̎ͯͬͦͭ̍̉ͤ̊̄̎̈́̅ͯͯ̓̑̂́ȅ̸̶̡̞̲̞̳͉̼͍͖̬̰̌ͮ̆ͥ̂͋͆ͮ̑̇̿̚̕͜v̡̛̤͙̪̙̫͙ͤͥ͒ͮ̃̔ͬ̇̕̕è̡̝͙̯͍̦͕̆͗͊̀ͤ̄̓ͩ̉̽̏͌̐ͩ̃̓͠ř̸̛̯̙̹͕̠̟̣̼̂̄͐͆̇̄ͅe̷̻̘͚̜͖̹̦͑ͬ̏ͮ̀ͨ͌̿̋̿ͬ͒ͭ̇̓̕ ̶̡̩̦͔̩͚͖͕̣̭̦̦ͯͥͧ͆͒̽͂͂̉̓̏ͧͭ͑̍̓̚͠p̵̞̙̜͕͉̫̤̻͖̜͈̹̜͖͔̗̥͛͌̑̓͑̈́̀́͢rͧ͗̈́͊̾̿ͦͧ̔ͧͯ̏̈́̌͐͞҉̷̴̸̘̼̝̳̲͉͖̜̼̮̯ḛ̢̥̲͔̩̤̮̱̪̻̪̟̤̌̏ͮ̑ͧ͛ͬͥ̌̆ͦ̓ͯͫ̏͢j̸̛͉͇̖͓͓̙̼̼̹̞̙̯̫͍̓̑ͭ̊͂ͬ̃ͬ̽ͣ͆̈̾̚ụ̡̰̖̻̣̰̤͉̞̩͊͌̏ͦ̇̎̍͘͟ͅd̍̈̄͗̇͢͜͏҉̤͖̘͈̦̩̭̯̤͔͎͈̳iͨ͋͌̐͊̓̒ͨ̎͗̉̏̆͑̈̚͝͏̴̛̳͇̳̟͚̻̣̫̀ć̟̠̭̲͚͍͈̹̳̜͈̝͊̐ͤ̏͆ͨ̃̉ͦ͒̓ͣ͒̂ͤ͘͜͟͟ẹ̡̛̻̖̟̲̝̼̻̄ͩͯ́̽̎͑̒̕͟

Unidentified contagions must not be allowed to spread beyond the borders of the island. Humbly submit to the greater good.

     - THE UNITED EARTH

[ Here is a video, showing Aurican his usual self. However, his usually bright gold scales have dimmed considerably and more importantly, he's panting. His tongue is not sliding out of his mouth like a dog's would, but he does show that even the largest of wolves and lions cannot best him in the amount of large canines.

He takes several deep breathes before speaking. ]

I thought the plague only affects humans.

I do not understand diseases. Can someone explain them to me?

[ Aurican doesn't look any different, even though he has undergo a thousand years of change. He is still larger now (he might have some difficulty in fitting inside doors now), his horns seem a little longer, scales still shining, but his wings have undergo the greatest growth.

His wings are now large enough for him to fly. ]

Does anyone learn how to fly? Is there anyone I can learn from?

[No video. Getting to be a habit with him these days, but really... who wants to see him looking like he does right now? Thank him later. If he sounded bad before, he sounds much worse now. The way someone would sound when they've spent a week vomiting. That's why he keeps the message relatively short and sweet.]

I tested the, um... the verstatsi. The U.E.'s drug.

In case the obvious needed stating: don't try it.

Full report coming once I can get my ass outta bed, but I can tell you it's about half-opiate, half-synthetic. The comedown's a total bitch and I ain't just talking like regular use. I mean like one shot and you're gonna need another fix in a few hours unless you like spending the next few days worshiping the porcelain god. Seriously, I'm a professional and this stuff... is bad. I don't think we got a lotta samples around here but take my word for it and don't mess around with it. I done H. This is worse than H. Way worse.

So that's your little P.S.A. and don't roll your eyes 'cause this ain't some D.A.R.E. bullshit, yo. I'm serious.

[ Oh look he's now chosen to attempt to begin mastering the technology he's been given. ]

All things considered, I suppose we were sufficiently informed upon our arrival, though I will reserve my judgement until a later date. That said, I wouldn't say I am left without many questions. I would be interested in knowing more of this history of this world I've come to from those who've been here longer than I.

[ He is as interested in the stories of the people here as he is in the stories of the place itself. ]

And as a new arrival, I feel it's a fine time as any to introduce myself, and learn the names and faces of the others here with me.

I am Elrond, the former Lord of Imladris. Regardless of the circumstances, it is a pleasure to meet you all.

[ in a rare turn of events, you get one dean winchester on the network today. for those who know him, he's looking more thoughtful than usual-- though there's still something close to a smirk on his face. ]

If there's one thing the Initiative's pretty good at, it's gettin' a bunch of people here. I mean, our numbers have quadrupled or something since I got here, and sure there've been some ups and downs in our dandy population, but it's still peaking. [ he has a point with this, bear with him… ]

So that makes me wonder, how many of you weren't yanked straight from your beds back home? Meanin', you were in an entirely different world before Exsilium decided it was its turn? I know there were some of you 'round before, but what about from the new bunch? Or anyone who's left.

Also, if you've ever taken an otherworld-ly tour and gone home after, that counts as well.

So let's hear it! All you aliens and mutants or whatever gotta have a few things to tell, right?

[ because in the movies it's you guys who get to do that kinda stuff. or something. but have a smile if that'll hopefully help you with the whole show and tell thing. ]


( filtered to sam and cas  )

[ Here is a more unusual post from Aurican, the dragon that didn't know how to read.

Until now.

Do forgive the misspellings, it's his first try. ]

Hello my name is Aurican. I am learning to write. Kang taught me.

I.t is easy to read. but hard to write. My clawss make it hard and this keyboard is small. I will be better. I learn well.

thank you for helping me.

[ The disgruntled expression on Shinji's face is basically his default expression as long as Aurican is inhabiting his body. ]

I am not sure how humans managed to survive. I always assumed human senses were almost the same as dragon senses until now. Eyesight makes the darkness at night even more forbidding, if that's even possible. I am still learning how to walk, and I am just not going to bother learning how to run.

Possibly the only advantage humans have with dragon senses is the sense of touch. Though I suppose that shouldn't be surprising, considering the lack of scales. The hands make things much easier to hold on to.

Are there any non-humans in human forms? How do you learn to adapt?

I'm assuming everyone has figured out what is going on by now, but then I realize now that when I agreed to aid the Initiative in their battle, I was making an assumption that they had enough competence to could keep the single greatest weapon they have working. This was clearly a rather unfortunate error on my part. This is Ricasthix the dragon, the red one, speaking from the body of a young lady who I am told goes by the name of Rue.

Initiative, I am not going to make any more assumptions about your competence, so I hope you are listening to this. I am a forty foot long, nine hundred pound dragon in the body of a four foot tall, ninety pound human. My skills are not geared towards this situation, but you none the less expect me to plot and execute an elaborate art heist in this state? With this and the previous incident that shuffled around everyone's ages, you are going to run out of the grudging trust and respect you have so far received from most of the rest of us. Do not use the time machine again unless you are sure it works properly, or you can expect to see resistance cells starting to pop up again. The leaders of United Earth will laugh while we tear ourselves apart fighting in the streets.

Did I leave any part of that unclear in any way?

I am out of money.

[ This is clearly distressing - how is he gonna build his hoard now? He has collected several different kinds of glass bottles already. He's been collecting rocks as well, along with sheets of paper, tattered magazines, and different kinds of toy balls and horseshoes. He needs to get more more more. ]

I was told I can get more by getting a job. Doing things and in return I get money.

How do I get one? I don't know how it all works.

[The camera clicks on to reveal a skinny kid with a mess of brown hair. He's holding the tablet in front of him, so the view's a bit shaky; it doesn't help that he's fidgeting and gesturing with his other hand as he speaks, first and foremost being a quick and awkward wave hello.]

Hey. Hello? This is on, right? You know, they should put a light on these things to show they're transmitting. Maybe they do, I didn't really - [Barely a pause as he checks himself, gets back on track.]

Sorry. Hi, my name's Peter. Peter Parker. So I got the welcome tour, and I guess my big question is - where can we get decent food around here?

[Priorities. He got most of the relevant info the other day, anyway. He almost looks like he's done, but then he abruptly remembers something and speaks up again in a rush.] And I made a thing. I mean, I didn't really make it, I just re-made it. I probably messed some of it up, but I guess nobody here's going to know any better, right?

It's for Collette, but I figured anybody could use it. Let me know if you have questions, or just type "help" and it should cover the bases. And don't forget to use your lanterns. [And Peter out - no wait, just kidding. He's half a second from ending the transmission before he stops.]

It's a game, by the way. The thing.

[He's done for real this time, pending an attachment:]

► ATTACHMENT 1: zork.exe

Oh! Hullo, everyone!

[Pippin is grinning, proud of himself for figuring out how to make a mass message, instead of just responding to one.]

I hope I'm not bothering anyone, but I was curious if anyone could tell me about the taverns here, such as which are the best, which are the worst, and so forth. You see, we Hobbits enjoy a fine ale just as much as the Big Folk, and it's been a frightfully long time since I've had one.

[He's exaggerating. It hasn't even been a month yet.]

So you see, I'd be most grateful if I could have this information, and perhaps we could even go together? Ehm, thank you for listening!

[He waves at the camera and then puts on his concentrating face as he tries to figure out how to end the message. But then suddenly he thinks of something and looks startled.]

I'm not offering to buy anybody a drink, mind you. I'm sure you're all lovely people, but I don't want to spend all my pocket money in one go. You understand, I'm sure.

[The feed turns on to a rather large eye filling the view before drawing back to reveal a reptilian and no doubt draconic snout for those who would recognise such things, covered in bronze scales. If the area that comes into view around the dragon gives a sense of just how large it is, his expression unreadable as he peers down at the communicator. His deep voice matching his size, the slightest hint of amusement can be heard in his tone, if said almost to himself.]

I trust that this is device is working correctly, a curious thing it is indeed. Far from the works of tinker gnomes, and far less likely to explode I would wager.

[ His expression and tone turning far more serious.]

I am Dragonlord Crucible, also known to many as Lord Governor Hogan Bight of the Lord City of Sanction to those from Krynn. I have spoken with a number from Krynn and would ask that any others from Krynn to make themselves known to me.

I have studied the information that has been made available in great depth, however I would appreciate any insight on the matters at hands that is not covered by the information available, whether regarding the missions or otherwise.

[ There is a video of something bright, golden, and shiny. It's moving fast and the video barely catches it before it switches off.

Then it switches back on again, this time showing a scaly, reptilian face that has the shape of a wedge and bright yellow eyes.

Then it switches off again.

And on again, showing the the underside of the golden creature's jaw. That's when it speaks with a slightly squawk. ]

Stop that and start working! How does this thing work I don't -

[ And then video shuts off again and stays that way until a few minutes later when it clicks back on again. The little wyrmling looks less than impressed, judging the narrowed eyes and the tightening of the jaws. ]

Is it working? I don't think my claws are good for this sort of thing. Can you hear me now?