[So hey, here's someone new! He's kind of punkish-looking, isn't he? If you ignore the big down coat he's wearing, he might look pretty fashion-aware as well.

Is that…a megaphone he's holding? Right… at the communicator?]

Attention, all radians and zeros of this negative-degreed tundra!

[Yeah, he went there. He just used a megaphone into the speaker of a tablet. Sorry, there was probably a LOT OF FEEDBACK in that little announcement. At least he's put the megaphone down for now.]

Let's bisect this quadrilateral, already.

Name's Minamimoto. Someone around here told me that there's some zetta strong fighters around here. And that "training" increases your sync with your weapon. Having mine below one-hundred percent isn't an option. Anyone else catching my implications? Show your work, and maybe I'll take you up on measuring your limits.

If you can keep up.

[...You probably weren't expecting a bunch of math mumbo-jumbo to come out of this guy's mouth, huh.]

[If Allen Walker's going to be honest with himself, he needs help. Pretty badly. And the truth is that he's come no closer to finding it in this place than he has in his world, and the clock is still ticking.

But what he's also come to realize is that what he has here is access to something unlike anything he has at home, which he's been stupidly neglecting. That is, a network of hundreds of people from a multitude of backgrounds and specialties and worlds, right at his fingertips. One of them might even know something that could, indeed, help him. He can't justify squandering this resource.

Especially not when he doesn't even need to come out publicly about his... problem. He has nothing to lose by trying, and perhaps a great deal to gain.

So, after making triple-sure this is going to post anonymously, he writes,]

hello,

i would like to speak with anyone here who has knowledge of demons, or similar beings from their world.

[For lack of a better descriptor.]

especially those familiar with methods of exorcism, or the containment of them.

[He considers adding more, but perhaps the vaguer, the better in this case. It'll have to do.

He resists the powerful urge to close with a 'thank you.']

Merry Belated Christmas, everyone! ♥

I don't know a lot of you and you don't know me but I have this reaaally small favor to ask of you all!

Can you please, please, please greet or send this guy--

[ He shoves a picture of Tatsumi/occlusion to the screen. ]

a Happy Birthday greeting when you see him? He's a bit grumpy and we were supposed to throw him a nice big party in our division for him with cake and all... but considering our situations...

Anyway! All your help will go towards making his day extra special!

[ He snickers here. But then grins widely. ]

Thanks again~!

setting: video

[ A good deal of you may not recognize this man: dark brown hair, blue eyes behind glasses staring soberly forward, and if you look for it, there are signs that the suit he's wearing hasn't been properly laundered for some time. He blinks before clearing his throat, then nods--at you, perhaps? ]

While we are on the subject of bringing order and usefulness here--

[ He pushes up those glasses. ]

As of today, I and my colleagues have started a freelance agency. To put it shortly, if you should need any service done--scientific research or development, bodyguard services, counseling, or cleaning, for example--any one of us will be able to assist you. For a negotiated fee, of course.

[ For the sake of a friendly appearance, he attempts a smile, though it seems a natural one. ]

I can guarantee that any task will be performed upon request for the right price.

[ The smile doesn't even fade as he again clears his throat. ]

Should anyone require our services, please contact me. My name is Seiichirou Tatsumi--Unit 141 in the East Wing, and you may contact me in any way you see fit. You may also contact Asato Tsuzuki, Yutaka Watari, or Hisoka Kurosaki--these three gentlemen and I will be happy to serve any way that we can.

[ click. ]

[Hello network, you might know this one: small framed with long, dark hair, violet eyes, perpetually clueless expression, dressed in a soft blue sweater, hair pulled back with long bangs free. Mahdi's voice is airy and nervous.]

Hey, um! It's me, Mahdi. I'm really sorry to do this when everyone else is making really good posts about important things, or going through really difficult things, but I just have some stuff I need to say and I think doing this is better than like, dropping off a dozen notes to individual people's inboxes. I kept putting it off, but there's probably never gonna be a good time.

[Mahdi pauses for a long moment, fussing with long strands of hair in nimble fingertips, frowning. The angel takes a deep, nervous breath.]

The thing is... I'm not a boy or a girl, I'm just me, sort of neither and both. I guess if I really thought about it, I'd say I'm a little bit more of a girl than a boy, but I'm still in between. Where I'm from, that's not as uncommon as it seems to be here. It's also - [Mahdi clears hir throat] like, it's not a big deal, because it's just an ordinary part of life. If someone realizes one day that they are a girl when they were a boy before, or they were a girl and now they are androgynous, or whatever, it's just a part of life. Like it's not any more interesting than someone picking a new style of dressing, or a new hobby. If that person changes their name, everyone does their best to learn it. It's all about just accepting people for who they are, whoever they are.

I know it's different for a lot of people and cultures. Even though genders other than male and female exist in many human cultures, and have throughout history, it seems some cultures are just as invested in the idea that there are only two. And that there are rules about how those two kinds of people should behave. I don't know anything about cultures other than human ones, I mean, aside from mine, though. So. Um. [A shrug, and Mahdi glances off-screen awkwardly.]

I don't mean to inconvenience anyone, or make it awkward, since I know this stuff might be confusing for a lot of people, and others will be like "why is that even worth saying anything about". But, I just wanted my friends - and future friends! [smiling] - to understand me a little better. So, in conclusion: [Ze points to hirself] not a girl. Not a boy. Just me.

If anyone has any questions, I'll try to answer them as much as I can. I'm gonna take a quick walk to the observatory and if you want to talk to me in person, we can do it there!

[A bright, if a little forced, smile.]

Thanks everyone!

[The video ends.]

[TEXT ADDENDUM]

IN terms of pronouns I prefer 'hir' instead of 'him or her' and 'ze' instead of 'he' or 'she'. If that's too hard to remember, just using my name or 'they and their' is acceptable. Please and thank you!


[OOC: just let me know if you'd like to do an action thread here or if I should open a log post!]

Hello!

[when this video post starts, the focus is somewhere... around the top of her head. Colette's eyes widen as she notices that she's holding it too high, so the view suddenly jumps down (yep, she just over corrected). Nibbling on her lip a little, she tilts it higher again... perfect! Determined not to let the view vary she tries her best not to move it]

My name is Colette Brunel. I haven't talked to everyone like this yet, so... hello! It's really nice to meet you all.

I'm sorry to bother everyone like this, but I wanted to ask something. Even though we... don't live on Earth anymore [her gaze grows a mite somber as she talks about it] it still sounds like a very important world. A lot of people here come from Earth, and we're supposed to travel throughout Earth's history! I come from another world that is very different, so I would really like to learn more about Earth if I can.

And so... if anyone knows anything about Earth and has a little time to spare, I'd love to ask some questions! O-Or, if you would rather just tell me a few facts and not be asked any questions, that's okay too. Anything would be helpful.

[although, a thought strikes her] Ah! That doesn't mean that I don't want to talk to people if they're not from Earth. I'd like to hear about everyone's homes! They all sound really beautiful in their own way, and it would be nice to hear about many worlds.

[she pauses, and smiles sheepishly! She's not one to get shy, but she feels a little bad making requests like this when everyone is probably busy]

I cant believe we had to take the morning shift. It's way too early. No one would want to attack this early, they'd be too tired.

[But what was he supposed to do? Tatsumi had told him he had the shift with Hisoka, and he didn't want to leave his partner to do the job alone. Bad things happened when he did.

Tsuzuki bounced a ball against the neightbouring wall, oblivious to the sounds it made. He just brought it along because he needed the distraction. He turned to Hisoka, en eyebrow raised.]

Hey, have you had your coffee yet? You don't look too good.

[ When the video starts, Yutaka can be seen rummaging through the small pile of random parts he'd gathered in his time here in his stay here in Exsilium. ]

Not here!

003 - [ He turns to his pet owl flapping beside him ] It was here, right? Those things... it's... not like they could walk away on their own right?

Right?

[ He stands up then and crosses his arms. Then he hums to himself, in thought. ] I did have them walk away for a while when we started cleaning... It was a good experiment, at least! Perfectly functional legs on my lovely test-tubes! They made working in a cramped space really... functional!

[ Pause. And then he shrugs. ]

Oh well! It should be fine! It's not like they were terribly dangerous or anything. A little loss here and there always happens when you move things around! Nothing serious- nothing serious! It should be fine....!

[ The owl hoots... And if one could understand owl-speak, one could suppose that she almost sounds skeptical. And then at last, he notices the communications device... ]

And speak of the devil, it's been here all this time! Oh? Switched on?

[ There's a click and the video ends... ]

[ ooc; Mod approved tiny character plot, I suppose! Some vials Watari has been experimenting with, remnants of some concoction he had when he came to Exsilium have quite literally run off. courtesy of his special powers Details here! ♥ ]

I'm sure others have also eventually found things....crowded with the provided housing. I don't suppose anyone thus has any advice on getting bigger accommodation? We currently have four of us staying together and it is getting a little cramped.

Also, I guess somewhere preferably close to the labs if possible. Or just not too far away in general, since it appears I've been getting more invitations to...outings lately for some reason.

[Which. Is seriously so strange to him, given Tsuzuki is much more the 'people person' than Hisoka is. He is not used to this 'being social' thing, okay.]

[Mahdi is wearing his hair down, a rarity for him. He's dressed in a loose-fitting shirt, nothing too impressive, sitting in his room and smiling.]

I've learned a lot since I arrived here a year ago. Most of all, I learned that people are more than just a sum of their good and bad deeds, People are much more complicated than I ever understood at first. So I want to thank everyone for being patient with me - or uh, not, as the case may be - because it's been a chance for me to learn. Thanks.

Have you learned anything really surprising while you've been here? I'd like to know.

...On the note of anniversaries, um, I'd like to go out dancing? Somewhere with really upbeat electronic music, that's my favorite. Sort of as a personal celebration for making it this far. Maybe I'll have a dinner or something too, if I can think of something nice to make. Would anyone like to come with me? Dancing, not to dinner. Dinner's still in planning stages. I'll need a buddy, or um, a bodyguard, because I'm so small. It's not good for me to go crowded places on my own. I'd feel more comfortable if I had someone big and tough by my side! Or just tough. Pretty much anyone's tougher than me.

[As if to prove him right, a small black kitten crawls up his arm and begins chewing on his hair.]

Truffle! How many times have I told you, I'm not your mama! You don't need to groom me!

[When Jaime turns the tablet on, he's standing in front of the cinema that a couple of the other Transports had constructed, visible hand propped up on a broomstick. The area is still scattered with debris and dust after the bombings, but it's clear that he's at least made the rudimentary attempts at cleaning a path to the miraculously intact structure. He gives the camera a little wave.]

Hey! So, it's come to my attention that some people around here have never seen a movie before even though we've got a theatre right here. I'm thinking we're totally past due for a movie night, and it just so happens that I found a copy of E.T. in one of the databases. This place still needs to be cleaned up a bit, but I think I can have it ready by let's sayyyy Saturday, 7 PM. Everyone's welcome to come on down.

Or at least you are as long as you bring snacks.

[He grins at the camera. He's joking, honest. Mostly. Mostly joking. A movie's not a movie without snacks.]

...And if you didn't get it, Sango, that means you. Clear your schedule! It's time to introduce you to modern cinema. Eilonwy, you should come on down too. Call it a mini-vacation you get to choose this time.

[ ooc; Tags will be slow to non-existent until tomorrow, just giving everyone some IC and OOC heads-up for a mingling log this Saturday! ]

[After the evacuation, Tsuzuki and Watari had been fortunate enough to return to Anne and Hisoka with some antidote. Not that they managed to find it by themselves - in the end they had to barter for it. Luckily, combining a good deal of charm and bribery, they got what they needed.

Still, without Miss Anne keeping a watchful eye on Hisoka, Tsuzuki knew that he might have had to pick up pieces of his partner in the wreckage, and he was truly grateful that she had been there to help them. That was also partly why he had borrowed an apron and had taken the time out of his day to buy ingredients and to make a truly spectacular dinner. He hasn't gotten to experiment with food in ages, so he adds a dash of extra ingredients here and there and thoroughly enjoys himself, although the scent begins to turn.... strange. Warningly so. And that smell is slowly spreading in their tiny apartment.]

[He hums happily, playing with his tablet.]

Dinner's almost done! Hey guys, should we send a message to miss Anne?

[Hey there, Exsilium. Asbel's finally gotten the hang of this whole technology business - about as much as he's going to, anyway - and so he holds the device out from himself. It's not quite stationary, but at least he manages to get his face and shoulders inside the camera frame. For anyone who knows him, they might notice he seems a bit more reserved than usual.]

Um, hey. I hope everyone's doing all right. I know things have been difficult lately...

[His voice trails off.]

For those of you I haven't met yet, my name is Asbel Lhant. I've been here for a little over a month now.

Anyway, I have two reasons for contacting you today. First off, I'm actually looking for some people to train with. Additional training, I mean. There's a lot we can learn from each other, and I think we should try to take full advantage of that. I fight with a sword, but I do have some basic knowledge of other weapon types. To be honest, I'm willing to give anything a shot, and I'll be more than happy to share what I know.

And the second thing is... [He glances down briefly before looking back at the camera.] Well, I was wondering if any of you have kids of your own, either here or back where you come from. I know it sounds kind of weird, but I think I could use some advice.

[ Among the imported fighters this month there is a boy who is familiar to some and unfamiliar to many, with a straw hat dangling precariously from a string around his neck. Like a few before him, he appears to be upside down, though judging by the Super Saiyan 'do he's rocking, it isn't because he's technology inept, but rather because he's totally hanging upside down.

Those around the Initiative building will see him looking like he's about to go hurtling head-first towards the ground from the rooftop, and those who aren't are treated to a video post that is being filmed way, way too close to this guy's face. ]

Hey, about this fighting thing--sorry, I don't wanna fight for you guys! I'm a pirate, not a hero. Heroes are the guys who share all their meat, and I don't wanna be that guy! I wanna keep all the meat for myself!

I mean, I don't really get it, and the in-eat-iative lady said a lotta stuff I didn't understand? I'm strong, so I'll help out if I want to help out, but don't expect to be getting any of my meat from me.

[ He nods sage-like, like he's just expelled some great knowledge upon the awaiting masses.

Then he grins, holds a piece of paper so it's rightside up to the network, depicting... uh, people? Yeah, those are probably people. ]

( Read more... )

I'm looking for these guys! It doesn't really matter if I find them because they're all strong enough to take care of themselves, but I'm getting hungry and I need some food before I starve to death! It's been almost an hour and I can feel my energy levels dropping already.

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?

[This is the breathless voice of someone in panic.]

Does anyone know how to get chewing gum out of hair?! It's kind of an emergency...!!

Please help me. I don't want to cut it!

I know this is a bit of a strange request, but... We kind of need a person to take care of our friend -- [A bright voice in the background interrupts Tsuzuki's feed, making him jump. "A babysitter!"]

Shhh Watari! He's going to be mad if he hears you. Anyway, he's sick and need someone to help look after him. Not long. Just until--

[An excited voice is heard in the background, once again. "Bon's a good kid! Just remember to let him rest and feed him three times a day. And don't feed him spicy food!"]

Yeah. He can't handle things like that. But anyway, if anyone can help us look after him for a day or two I'll try to pay you. Might take a while though.

Seeking volunteers for a trial of a prototype comm device. As many as possible - new or old, human or nonhuman. Telepaths, mind readers, whatever else along those lines, those would be a bonus, but what we're after is variety.

I won't lie: it's nothing glamorous, we don't have a fancy name or brand like some people and we can't compensate you as well as we should. But we're not talking a huge time investment - all we need for now will be spread out over two days.

I can take questions if you have them. If you don't, be at [street name where the weapons lab is located] by 0700 tomorrow. We'll fill you in.

[ooc: This is the IC announcement of the broadcast mind player mini-plot! Please note the adjusted timeframe if you caught it when it was first posted; it now wraps up on June 5th, to overlap less with modplot.

No need to explicitly sign up, new characters equally welcome, and threadjacking discussion is encouraged! o/]

[Jaime chooses to use the video function for a couple of reasons: the first is that he’s really, really hoping that someone he can trust will be able to recognize his face if not his voice and the second is that he hopes others will use it too. He doesn’t look happy in the slightest, but he also doesn’t look quite as terrified as he probably should be.] Hi. I guess I’m supposed to introduce myself here. I’m Jaime.

Uh, I already got the run-down from that spooky-weapons-lady a little earlier, but I’m guessing I didn’t get everything about this place because all this? Still makes no sense. So if there’s anything I should know... [He trails off, gaze diverted up into the sky. He tears his eyes away from whatever he's looking at to address the network again.] Aaaanyway, I'm starting to get used enough to this place that I know I'm not gonna make it home in time for dinner anytime soon, but I still want to hear how legit all this is from people who don't actually benefit from spoon feeding me this in--

[He's staring up again. There is a definite boom, and Jaime's eyes widen as he ducks his head as if that will somehow protect him from any debris] Did that spaceship just explode--

[Fade to black as Jaime unceremoniously shoves the device into his pocket, though he does announce his apparent survival a little after the hubbub is wrapped up with the voice-only addition of:] Next time I say I'm even starting to think about getting used to this place, someone should probably hit me. Are exploding spaceships just a thing here?

[ If the Initiative ever wanted proof of how well they expanded their network's range, this would be it.

Normally Caesar isn't prone to using video, but this will be one of his few exceptions. He's sitting in a large metal chair, one with all sorts of technical whatzits and doodads that he'll never ever fully understand on his own attached. For those more future-inclined, it looks an awful lot like the captain's chair of, say, a spaceship's bridge. He waits a few beats until he's sure the tablet, either held by someone else or propped up on something across from him, is broadcasting. ]

Good evening, Exsilium.

If someone would be kind enough to go wake the Initiative up for us and let them know we have something large, space-faring, and very high up above the island right now that we'd like to bargain with them for, that would be really great.

( OOC note: Feel free to threadjack! This is totally a threadjackable post. )

Does anyone know where to get plants around here? In particular cherry saplings or seeds?

Also, a lab I can borrow would be very helpful! I promise to clean to clean up after and not leave any surprises ♥

My payment for borrowing... would be my help in the form of an invention! Something to make your life easier! You have to tell me what you need, of course, and then let me borrow your lab again... to use for my invention, of course!

[ When Mithos comes onto the screen he looks a bit annoyed about something. ]

Uhm.. Hello everyone, I'd like to ask a question. What would you say is a clean room? More specifically:

[ He flips his tablet so it shows the room he's in. There were books and papers scattered all over the room. Sticky Note were in various places with some sort of fancy chicken scratch on them. Among the books and papers were also clothing and while the bed was clean it wasn't made.

He moves the tablet around and among the mess is also Kratos standing there with his arm crossed. It doesn't look like he has a clue on what his apprentice was doing right now.

Once Mithos was done he turns the tablet back around so it faces him again. ]

Are there any of you out there who would call that a clean room? And is there any way to convince someone to clean their room.

[ Because he's pretty close to just cleaning it himself. ]

Thank you.

[After Watari and Hisoka appeared in town, Tsuzuki had been trying his best to find a way home. While it's great to have some friends in town, he's worried that they'll be hurt if they're forced to stay here.]

....I don't suppose there are any cherry trees around here? I haven't found any yet.

[He looked out the window, at the grey and decaying city. The city lacked in natural beauty. Perhaps he was being too optimistic.]

Oh, there you go! Video function is a go! hoot!

[ Just then a blond young man and his fluffy owl friend appears on screen. Watari is making a V-sign! ]

Yutaka Watari and 003 reporting! ♥

Let's see: We're your new Transports! We're looking forward to working with each and every one of you! ♥ My past time is Experimenting! And my favorite color is Red!

Also, I hope your labs aren't as bad as things look outside right now...

Oh, and, I don't really plan to stay here very long but let's make our time together fun! ♥

So... anyone working at a lab here? You've got those, don't you? What about research on the time travel they're trying to use?

Details, please!

( action; backdated to the 2nd and 3rd )

[video]

[If the camera angle is any indicator, the tablet recording this must be lying flat on a table. All the better for Ed to loom over it. Most of the room isn't visible behind him, but the machinery that is suggests a lab or workshop of some kind.]

So I hear some smartass thinks it's well past time the Initiative got serious about this full-scale war. Whether or not you think that's the kind of judgment we get to make is your problem. [His tone of voice, initially light, hardens a little here.] But the Initiative guys aren't the only people at home, and they still won't be when that war does come knocking.

If the Initiative has too much on its plate right now to focus on them, then let's take them off its hands. We've got the knowhow, the equipment and the skills. Even if some of us are more ordinary than others, we've got more resources put together than anyone trapped in a single world could dream of. Stepping in to protect them works for now, and I'm glad we can do it, but someday they've gotta be able to stand on their own feet. We might not last here forever one way or another... [He lets that hang in the air for just a moment.] but we can at least leave them that much behind.

[He leans in a little closer, just to be sure - the whole point of filming himself is as a lightning rod for people's attention, after all. The small smile on his face doesn't quite match the uncompromising look in his eyes.]

My name's Edward Elric. That's [he points his left thumb towards his chest] Edward Elric. If you think you might be interested, get in touch. I don't care who you are - there's something you can do to help, and I want to hear what it is. [With the same hand, he reaches down to the side of the tablet.] I'll be waiting.

[The video shuts off.]

[ooc: This is the IC announcement of this weapons development research team! There's an OOC post on it here. Signups are open to freaking everyone and can be done wherever; handwaving is totally fine. (Replies to the video that aren't signups are entirely welcome, though!) In the distant, distant future, there should be a log related to this. ♥]

[Hisoka looks initially rather. Well, perhaps not frustrated but more sort of long-suffering for a moment. The whole body swapping mess reminds him of Watari back home and the idea of anyone swapping bodies with him....that could never end well. But he manages to school his expression to something more neutral before beginning.]

Well, I guess we can both say we're glad that we were lucky enough not to have been affected by the whole...body swapping with the last mission, at least. But, more importantly, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on jobs? I guess I could offer to write up reports or something along those lines. I did a lot of paperwork and such back home. Tsuzuki...[Well. What could be said for his partner besides his crouching moron hidden badassness, exactly? It was probably best not to give out too much about their jobs back home, after all.]

I can be a taste-tester! [Tsuzuki chimed in, apparently quite excited at the idea as Hisoka just gives him a sort of long-suffering look, just refraining from rolling his eyes at his partner's response. At any rate, Tsuzuki seems to not notice Hisoka's glare or pointedly ignores it in favor of coming up with another idea.] Or, maybe gardening?

[Hisoka shrugs, figuring it might be best to quit while they were ahead before his partner came up with any other ideas and they were on the damned tablet forever as he kept coming up with more jobs. Nothing for it but to wait and see what answers everyone came up with.]

Please tell me things like body swapping don't happen often.

[because she's not sure if she could handle magic and powers again.]

At least for now it looks like things are calming down at the moment. After being five again and then the whole mess with everyone feeling like crap.... I don't suppose that happens often around here? I haven't really been here long enough to know for sure myself yet. I heard something about a festival? So I guess it's around the time we would have Valentines back home. [Not that Hisoka ever really celebrated it himself, but still. It could be interesting to learn about different holidays and celebrations others have back home. But regardless, he doesn't seem too thrilled with the upcoming festival, mostly because he's not too big on sweets and it would likely mean large crowds, which he can never stand for too long. And he knows Tsuzuki will probably drag him along to see, given his partners sweet tooth and curiosity.]

Either way, it looks like some new arrivals have been showing up. So, welcome I guess. I'm Hisoka. [Since, introductions were expected and all. He's never been the most social, that was more Tsuzuki's thing.]

I was mostly wondering if people could tell me if I could find a normal weapon? Just, something to help teach someone how to use one, a sword to be specific. Since my...weapon I came with won't really be much use for that sort of thing. It's not exactly a weapon in the traditional sense one might expect. But I want to have something to help, and to defend myself with. [Since, he knows the missions here can be dangerous, and this is a war after all. He might not have any choice but a sword would be a help, and he could use it while he figures out what to do about his empathy if there were normal weapons around.]

....If anyone could help, that would be great. Thanks.

Alternate timelines and a mission right off the bat. And apparently it's science and not magic. [ That one she's still querying. She hasn't seen science like this ] I guess I'm glad I hadn't expected a quiet... life. Not with war mentioned. [ Stating the obvious again, Emma ]

So, I guess now that everyone's back to how they were before this? [ Would you even know if you weren't? No. Don't ask that ]

Right. [ She did have an actual question, too ] Does anyone know how to use a sword? [ Just throw it out there, that's how you do it ] I guess if I'm supposed to use it I should learn how to use it.

( Snow White )

Hey. How are you doing? [ Do you remember me, mommy? ]

[Hisoka's had a tough couple of weeks since coming to town, and Tsuzuki has been on the sidelines, worrying for his young partner. Normal emotions were difficult enough to handle for an empath, but this new turn, this twisting of emotion in the air made Tsuzuki nothing short of a tense worrywart. At least back home, his partner had a library to retreat to, where people didn't disturb him so much.]

[It's not like madness was that new to him. He had Watari as a coworker long enough to know when to expect something to blow up. But even then, it hadn't happened as frequently as it did here in Exsilium.]

Okay. So first people turn into kids and then the ...bad moods happened.

...Is this normal? I mean, does it happen a lot here?