Hi, I'm Kate Bishop, and I'm a superhero. [There's a pause before she goes on.] There's a chance that doesn't mean much to many of you. There may even be some of you questioning the legality of vigilantes, but I'm not the type that goes too far. There's a reason why we kind of prefer "superhero" over "vigilante" anyway. For those of you who do know them, I'm an Avenger. But that's meaningless here. And I'm not really here to ... brag, either.

[Her voice is warm either way. There's a reason why she's here.]

Back home, I've got a like-minded group that tends to go on missions like the ones here. I was hoping to form something like that. It won't be the same, but I've got a couple teammates and not the whole set. We'd do pretty well for ourselves, but we need a couple more helping hands. So that's why I'm here. Well, partly.

[There is a question she has about this whole alternate earth business, but she'll get to it. She really wants a cohesive unit working together, as that seems to be the best way to proceed forward.]

The other goal I'd like for our group is to mobilize and help people in need. I can do this myself, and I'm planning on it, but more hands at the deck might help out. We don't just need this in missions, and from what I've read, we don't know what's gonna come next. I know it's risky to put together a group like this with how people come and go, but I'm prepared to deal with that. Plus, I don't just back down from something. I'm kind of stubborn that way.

If you've already got something like this going and wouldn't mind a few more people, I'd love to chat with you. I'm an archer mostly, but I have other gifts. One member is a ... [a trickster? How does one even sell Loki?] ... well, I'm sure he's good at something. And the final is an alien with advanced knowledge of technology that he might share. He's also got bug DNA and is extremely flexible. [That last bit. She really had to add that last bit.] So let me know.

The other question is: in the annals of this world, have people of Earth found evidence that they existed? Back home, alternate Earths like this usually mean ... alternate versions of us, which can either be a good thing, or a very, very bad thing. I'm thinking bad, considering the state of things. I was just wondering.

[the camera shifts beneath the hands of an amateur as it's set on a flat surface. it's on a bit of an angle, but the position is acceptable. Loki skitters back eagerly, peering into the camera and then waving his hands in show. as he scoots back it's apparent some awful fashion travesty has happened, because he's wearing a terrible Christmas sweater, complete with a big bow pulled over his Asgardian robes. it goes down to his knees.]

It's been an exciting few weeks now, hasn't it? Hello again, Exsilium! I've come to give the gift of Christmas Spirit, marketing gimmicks aside, of course! [he takes a few steps backward as he faces the camera, holding a hand to his chin.] Why, what could be done to spread the cheer of the Yule holiday? With everything that's happened, it does get a bit depressing here ... right in the center of a self-defeating winter full of abominable beasts that wish for nothing more then our untimely demises. And there's still time travel to think about! And our impending existential crises! Terrible, right?

[he holds up a finger suddenly.] Yet I bring Yuletide cheer to brighten all. Surprise! Nothing so extreme as coal in socks and indefinitely kept cakes of fruit, but something more humble in its ageless practice! The ugly Christmas sweater! [he suddenly steps aside and there is a very festive looking red and green pile of awful, terrible, but very warm looking ugly Christmas sweaters. the mass has to at least be up to his shoulder, and there are all different kinds. but is where he got all these fugly knit novelties really a question that anyone wants to ask?] I'm opening requests to lend everyone some spirit! Please make them below so they can all be filled in a timely fashion, all formality, of course. No need to crowd, there's plenty for everyone. All requests can picked up promptly.

Jolly exclamations of ho ho ho and stuff!

-
UGLY YULE KNIT THREADS ADOPTION FORM
(1) Your name (or your unknowing buddy's name), of course, and the sweater you wish to adopt.
(2) Tell me of your intended sweater schemes. How will it aid you on endeavor to spread holiday cheer?
(3) Very fashion!
(4) Are you a super hero (Peter Parker)? Put your name (not Peter Parker) here!


( OOC: go ahead and pick a sweater, he has a load of them. you don't have to fill out the form or anything if you want one! just go ahead and reply however you want. obviously come put them on people who will not put them on themselves. )

Listen closely, you simpletons, and you will hear my genius! I, the ultra-gorgeous and breathtakingly brilliant Dist the Rose have devised a way to generate heat!

This should be a surprise to no one, as I am a true genius. I will allow you to feast your eyes on my newest creation!

[The camera pans around to a small device, roughly one foot by one foot, covered in a grill and glowing slightly orange. It's clearly constructed by scrap metal, but actually looks to be fairly well put-together- it's in no danger of falling apart.]

I am available to commission for such devices, fortunate for you! They will warm one large room. Contact me if you wish!

[And the camera swings back around. He smiles, pleased with himself, and ends the feed.]

[Last time Jaime posted as Blue Beetle, he kept to text. This time, he thinks that people might need a face - masked as it may be - to match to the words. His voice is put through a technological filter, just distorted enough for him to keep from being recognized. He's in the VR room in the most professional looking room he could think of, which is essentially a large table with wall-to-wall windows behind him looking out onto San Francisco - potentially recognizable to some canonmates as a loose copy of the Titans Tower meeting room, which is fairly generic anyway.]

So... hi. I'm Blue Beetle. A bunch of you already know that I've been trying to dig up as much info on the Chimera Project as I can - those are the cloned children, for you new guys - and I think I've got enough information to get going. Thanks to everyone who helped me out with this, by the way - you know who you are. I know everyone must be really tired of hearing people give long speeches by now, so I'll try to keep it short. [He smiles at the camera for an instant, a flash of white, human teeth behind the armour]

[He's making an effort to sound professional, but he's not used to public speaking. Sometimes, he looks down at his lap instead of the camera (consulting his notes as if he's giving a speech for class if he's honest about it) and he's stiff, uncomfortable, but his voice is even and steady. Small victories, and victories born of actually rehearsing.

Are you ready for a fun history lesson, Transports? Because you're sure as hell going to get one.]

( Non-IC cut! )

Okay, so, two things.

One, anyone know how to reattach an arm? Like... fuck, I dunno, I guess you could just sew that shit back on. Or like... heal it on? Anyone got any magic wand-waving bullshit for that? Or science it back on, I guess, since holy fuck this is the moon, and all. Hey, are we over that part yet? Cuz I'm pretty fucking jaded. Turns out they weren't kidding when they said that thing about no one hearing you scream in space! They can't hear you bitch in space, either. It blows serious donkey balls out there, once you get your ass over the moonwalking part.

Oh, right, thing two. Anyone seen a decapitated head anywhere? Blond hair, rotted out eyes, answers to Luke? You just lemme know if you seen that little scamp, 'kay? He ran off somewhere, can't turn my back for a goddamn second on that fucker.

[ feel free to have spied Jan's missing head-trophy anywhere around the moon base :') it got shrunken and preserved somewhere along the line, and could pretty much have been left anywhere. ]

Kya-HAschyuu!

[That pleasant sound is accompanied by some sniffling, and throat clearing. You're welcome, fellow space cases.]

Sorry. I...my brain is all stuffed up.

[By the sound of it, the croaky teenager addressing you right now probably means his sinuses are stuffed up.]

It's cold. Anyway some of you said you could help with some stuff before...Don't say it, okay? Just -hyaaaSCHOO!

[Sniiiiiffff, cough. Really attractive, right?]

Show of hands?

On Earth - my Earth, anyway, though I'm sure it's true on other ones too - today is celebrated as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day in much of Europe and North America. It marks the day World War One ended, and in remembrance of those who've served in the armed forces, particularly those who died on the battlefield in sacrifice of a cause.

I've been a soldier most of my life - at times an unconventional one, but it doesn't make the battles any less real. I've seen a lot of people die fighting.

And here we are, today, conscripts in the middle of another war. So take a moment and remember those you may have lost at home - people close to you, or people you never knew who were fighting for you all the same. And think about why you fight here. Or why you don't fight, if that's the case. Both are choices not to be made lightly.

[ He makes the bother to speak in Basic (which is really English except maybe accented weirdly, who knows) but cuts right to it and doesn't betray his own thoughts on the matter. ]

How are we certain the Initiative is the right side to fight for?

((ooc: oh, also. permissions))

[the feed clicks to audio, and suddenly there's a very loud enthusiastic greeting.]

Hellooooo Exsilium!

Nailed it.

[the greeting ends as soon as its last syllable of "um" drops, and the post switches to text.]

Great! Everyone heard that, right? Now that the whole pleasantries thing is out of the way (as well as our B-Movie undead run-for-your-life quasi-fiasco), there are some suggestions that I must present to make us all the more comfortable. Please kindly lend your ears and open your hearts! The Initiative is welcome to take such suggestions, so I hope you've your ears open. I've condensed these to a brief number! Onward!

(1) A party every Saturday featuring the round Italian pastry covered in a copious variety of cured meats. I also propose that we're offered a number of stylish festive hats for the occasion. Top hats are in season, and nothing is complete without some kind of festive hat to show our enthusiasm.

(2) While I hardly mean to offend the technology offered to us by our captors, we're left regrettably with a single App that does a single boring thing and absolutely no games! I would settle for Birds of the Angry Emotional Feelings, or perhaps the Saga of Crushed Candy! Anything mind-numbing to pass the time. Even some Exsilium produced space-cat forum!

As a side note, anything of interest and practical use may also be warranted for App exploration. Perhaps something for these "missions" I've heard so much about. Or lists. Yes, lots and lots of Apps for lists. Perhaps a App of lists that lists all the App lists.

(3) Also include the Internet On-Line World in the suggestion above.

(4) I suspect it vital that we all learn how to walk on the moon. We're in luck! I've heard of what's appropriately dubbed "the moon walk." It's a series of difficult steps in Midgardian dance that cause the illusion that you're walking forward, yet you're walking back! Quite helpful in the scheme of things while we take residence.

This is a very small list for those of us who have been captured from our homes and drafted into an unknown future-war that none of us even had suspect of happening! All in favor of boosting morale.

Oh, yes.

I see that some of you are quite aware of the handle of "Loki." If you could give me any such knowledge of your experiences with this fellow I would be eternally grateful. Eternally grateful ... IN SPACE!


Posted from my StarkPhone

[The video clicks on and shows the pale features of a young man that some might recognize as the warrior who was springing around in the warehouse. He's not as mute as he was pretending to be.]

Look, I'm flattered you invited me to join the party and all but you've got the wrong guy.

I'm no soldier.

Don't take orders well. Never did.

So how'bout you just send me back to my old crib, huh?

[He gestures into the camera with his off hand, which is holding an oversized white handgun.]

Do that? And I won't even charge ya for the work I've done so far.

Scout's honor.

[ooc: permissions post]

[Cy's in pretty bad shape, even if it can't be seen it can definitely be heard.  His voice is ragged, a growl to it as if he's trying to keep himself together.]

I know all of you...  You're pr--  You're blood is pretty precious to you but...  [He pauses, sucking in a pained breath so he can go on.]

I need to feed.  If I don't...  Well, it'll be bad.  [He gives a bitter little laugh.  Bad is an understatement here.]

Needs to be human.  Can't...nothing else works. 

[As if an afterthought.]  Please.

[ There's a big, toothy grin front and center on the screen here — it's about all that can be seen, actually. The hall is dark, and the light from the tablet doesn't show much of it. ]

Heeeeeyyy, kiddies! I seen a buncha people complaining about this sweet sitch we got here, so I figured I'd do a demonstration. Y'know, how how to kill zombies the badass way, right?

First off, anything but a semi-automatic is for pussies, but you're even better if you can take this shit with your bare hands. Don't worry about getting bitten or whatever! If you get bitten and die, or turn into another zombie, you didn't deserve to try this shit anyway.

[ There's a scratching sound just off camera and Jan stops, excitedly grinning into the dark. ]

Shit, okay, here we go.

[ He scoots back, setting the tablet on something to keep the view trained on the scene, and starts forward into the dark. It's hard to see what's going on. Someone here is a terrible director with an awful mind for lighting. ]

Come out come out where ever you are, you ugly motherfucker! You got a date with some fucking fangs! [ Something snakes along the floor, mostly impossible to pick out, but it seems to be wrapping around his ankle unnoticed. ] What the fuck, are you hiding? Just figures that I'd get a camera-shy zombie for my first go at my very own nature documentary, right?

[ He starts to turn back and offer an exaggerated shrug, but at that moment the something tightens around his ankle and pulls, and he goes flying almost comically off-balance, and dragged off-screen.

Too bad he's still so obnoxiously loud, though. ]

Aww, FUCK! LEGGO MY FUCKING FOOT, YOU DICKWAD! Holy shit that is an ugly goddamn mug, you — aw, fuck! THAT'S MY ARM, MY GODDAMN WANKING ARM, YOU SICK FUCK—

[ Some metallic clanging, and Jan's complaints grow fainter. He also sounds increasingly more pissed, until he's out of range entirely. Then the tablet just records a blank, dark hallway, with the ambient noise of the creatures in other parts of the base.

So much for that. ]

[[ooc; There won't be replies here, but Jan could totally use a rescue. Or maybe someone killing this thing and incidentally freeing the vampiric princess?? He'd appreciate it. (Log is coming!)]]

Okay, so here's the thing. I am totally not advocating any of this zombie murder going on right now. But you most of you guys are normies and that's just what you people do to monsters. I guess there's not a whole lot we can do about that.

[WHO IS THE REAL MONSTER? IS IT YOU?!!! IS IT?!!!]

Anyway. I can uh...actually speak zombie. Like the actual language. So if any of you guys want to hold up your tablet to one of them so I can catch a few groans and moans and whatever, I can tell you what they want. Maybe we can resolve this peacefully, y'know?

Hngh.

[ Yeah, that's pretty much all you get to hear at first – a grunt, followed by a long delay of him trying to figure out how this gadget works. It's tricky and he doesn't have the patience, but given what else he's seen and heard so far, this seems almost insignificant in comparison and not quite worth his ire. Because really – space zombies. ]

Okay. Sure, I'll run with this for now. This thing's working, right?

[ Part of him still wants to believe this is a crazy dream—but even so, he's gonna be a professional and deal with it gracefully. For now. Provided this isn't gonna be dragged out. ]

Not that I particularly appreciate being kidnapped to fight for somebody else's cause without so much as proper contract conditions being negotiated first, but whining will get us nowhere, will it?

Given the circumstances. Bad timing all around, it looks like.

Anyway, I got the gist, but there's still a lot of things I don't understand – most pressing matter of all being the question if and how we're gonna get rid of this infestation, or whatever you wanna call it. [ Of course he's still gonna skim the archives later, but first impressions and especially first hand accounts go a long way. And really a zombie-free station would be kinda nice right now. ] So tell me about what you know, what's important – what can be done right now. About yourself, if you feel so inclined, I'd rather get to know my comrades. Unless you'd like to postpone introductions, which is fine by me.

Me, I go by Big Boss, but Snake's fine.

Okay first off, before y'all start yelling at me, I been assured that we got plenty of supplies for this and I ain't cutting into our rations. Everybody's been doing a good job going on missions and bringing us stuff, so thanks for that. You guys are awesome.

So most of you know what I'm gonna say next: it's almost time to bake cookies. New guys, the deal is that we usually do this every month. It's a little something to help new arrivals feel better about being stuck here. We get together, we bake cookies, and then we pass 'em out on the first of the month and talk for a while with anybody who's got questions or needs a shoulder to cry on or whatever. It's just a nice thing we try to do.

Last month sucked but we're picking it back up again now, so anybody who wants to help out, we'll be having ourselves a little Halloween party in the cafeteria and baking all night. It's fun. You don't gotta be no master chef or nothing, I'll help you out.

And speaking of that, too - I heard some people ain't been eating right 'cause they don't know how to cook. That's messed up, yo. Don't stay quiet about something like that, okay. Ask for help. Nobody wants you starving and getting sick up here. If you can't cook for yourself, just come and find me. I'll make you something. You won't be bothering me 'cause I'm bored outta my mind anyway. I'm in 144 right now, so you can stop by or leave a message. Jesse Pinkman. It says right there on your screen.

Aight, I'm done.

( PRIVATE to LILY )

( PRIVATE to ELLIE & DICK )

[ Her voice, while somewhat tired, is leveled as she speaks. ]

For the time being, the clinic should be stocked with some personal hygienic products anyone might have been wondering about. There's shampoos, soaps, sanitary napkins, and pads and tampons for the ladies. There's also patches for smokers. Anything else you're looking for, like medicine or bandages, you'll have to check with someone at the clinic.

Anyway, I asked the AI the decrypt a couple of drives belonging to the UE. There were various analytical notes specializing in robotics, specifically robotic spacecraft — rovers. For those unfamiliar: a rover is a vehicle used in space explorations. Depending on the design, they can either be partially or completely operated on their own, or they can transport crews.

There's a couple of bad ideas that come to mind knowing this information: one being they may have plans to come up here eventually and if they aren't fully aware how many of us are here, they'll find out.

Research also indicated "interdimensional colonization". We've been well aware for a while they're able to access portals into other worlds.

The drives also contained some notes on Project Chimera and talks of previous genetic projects the UE's researched. I'll forward anyone who wants a copy of these notes to look over.

[ For those who ask and receive: here. ]

Has anyone begun to compile the information we have together to make it more streamlined? I imagine the AI can likely do it if you ask.

Hello.

[On screen is a pleasant looking young woman with short blonde hair and red eyes that might be dimly glowing, or is that a trick of the light? Something about the way she's speaking - in a clear English accent - has the air of someone who's practiced this speech beforehand.]

My name is Seras Victoria, it's my first time addressing the network here so nice to meet you all.

I'd like to talk about another particular issue of resources on the moon, though this resource is er... a little different from the others.

Some of you may be aware that werewolves aren't the only supernatural creatures living among you. Some of us are vampires.

[She won't name any names, respecting the privacy of those who would rather not publically announce what they are.]

I'm asking if anyone here would be willing to volunteer to donate blood specifically for the vampire population. There would be no biting involved Jan and it would never more than once a week, depending on how many people volunteer.

[Seras smiles hopefully.]

I know it's possible that we could make a supply run to a hospital or blood bank somewhere using the transport system but I'd rather not take it from where it might damage lives. We could do with getting the medical equipment to collect and store the blood however. Bags and a fridge for example. If anyone with medical knowledge could help that would be appreciated.

To any other vampires out there, I know a couple of you but if you'd like to contact me, privately if you wish, to have access to whatever we manage to organise, please do.

[Added on later to the post]

Erm, when I said once a week, it would really be a month. My mistake.

[The video feed clicks on to show Heath in his quarters smiling widely at his audience]

Heeeey Exsilumites. Just trying that word out there, I think it works for us. It makes us sound way cooler than 'Transports', don't you think? Transports make us sound like we're, like, smuggled goods or something. Stuffed in some guys suitcase trying to sneak through customs.

[Wait, he had a point to this ramble, didn't he? He clears his throat]

ANYway, I noticed some of you guys have been getting all antsy about the werewolves, so I thought I'd give you some Monster High approved ways of keeping your werewolves happy. Just follow this advice and you shouldn't have to worry about being mauled unless you...you know antagonise them, and if you do that you're pretty much asking to be chewed on.

[He'll hold up a variety of toys to the camera. Squeaky chickens, tennis balls, even a Frisbee]

Now what all werewolves love is to play fetch. They'll chase pretty much anything. If you throw one of these things in the opposite direction you want to go, you can make sure the thing they're chasing isn't you. If you can't get any toys, sticks work too. ...Though I guess you can't get any sticks on the moon, unless there are like moon trees.

Are there moon trees?

[Back to the subject at hand, moon trees aren't important right now]

They also love steaks, so if you guys are heading out collecting stuff to bring back here, you should probably bring steaks. Not stakes. Because that's for a completely different monster and no one wants to encourage that kind of prejudice anyway.

So there you go! Remember that werewolves are just big adorable puppies in their fuzzy hearts and don't annoy them while they're suffering on the moon and everything will be A-OK. This has been a PSA by the Heathster. You've been a great audience!

What's up, Exsilium?

[ ... ]

We! We're totally up, get it?

[ A nervous laugh. Ella pls. ]

I swear it sounded better in my head. Anyway! Welcome, newbies! I'm Ella, Ella Ellis and yeah that's my name. For those that don't know yet, I'm the person that gets you whatever you want, no matter what. Unless it's like, really complex. Or alive. Or a hydrospanner. I mean, seriously Han, the damn thing has exploded like ten times in my face already. Sure you don't want a battery powered screwdriver?

[ Not that she can really do one of those without the risk of explosion either. ]

But yeah- you need something, you ask me. I'm still not charging for this, so hey, better make good use of it. And yet I didn't want to talk about this, or at least not only this. I keep getting sidetracked.

So for the ones that were around on August, I hosted a pretty kickass party, right? September wasn't so good for parties because we were too busy, er, you know. Plus we got bombed and not in the fun way. And now we're on the Moon, which is kinda cool, but you know what's cooler?

[ Imaginary drum-roll! ]

VR Rooms! I've been messing with them, and I have decided I can totally host a party inside of one of those. Make a nice, big house, with an even nicer, bigger back yard, maybe put some grills, some games, a pool, make it something more afternoon-evening to let everyone relax for a little bit. And something like a college party in the evening, although all I know about keggers and the like comes from movies so some help would be appreciated.

[ Obligatory pause to breathe. ]

But yeah, it's totally happening, sometime soon in a close VR room to your Moon base. Probably on the last week of the month, but you've been notified! I'm now open for ideas and suggestions. Just like the last time, food and whatever will be handled by yours truly, and the music will most likely be handled by Claudia, I guess. So if there's any real party planner among us, you might want to step up and give a hand.

This totally trivial message ends here.

[Han Solo]

I actually have a working hydrospeanner, but I need you to look at it to make sure it actually does what is supposed to do. This is the first time I've created something I don't have in my world, so.

[Lisbeth Salander]

The tobacco is ready, if you still want it.

[Flora appears on the feed. There's a deep worry to her eyes, but also a focus. Soon after, a hologram of a solemn, dark-haired man fills the feed in her place, while her voice is heard off-screen, urgent, but steady.]

Hello, everyone. Has anyone seen this man around the base, or in Exsilium, if you're still there? He usually goes by Berserker, or maybe you know him as something else, but I can't find him. He was with me yesterday, and he was supposed to be, today, but he's not. I don't know where he is, and we're running out of time.

[Saying it aloud again just makes it all the more real, tightens that noose of tension and anxiety around her neck just a little more and she finds it hard to breathe. She's trying very, very hard not to come apart at the seams, but it's just too much. After everything else that's happened, and is going to happen, this is just too much.

But she can't come apart, not yet, because she hasn't found him. She still has things to do.

She reappears on the feed.]

I don't know if he's just happened to have gone back home, but there might be a chance that he hasn't. [That she can't be certain of anything, especially on today of all days....]

I know we're all busy with so many things right now. I'm not asking anyone to go out of their way, just if you've happened to have seen him. If you know anything at all, please, I would really appreciate it if you could let me know.

Thank you.

[He smiles a bit, sitting back from the screen for a moment.]

So, it seems that we'll be leaving this place. Some of you seem...upset.

Not I! I am quite pleased to be rid of this place. But if it bothers you that much, I, the great GENIUS Dist the Rose, propose this:

Given the right materials, I could begin making replicas. In fact, I could even replicate the entire island. If we bring one Exile with us, I could make many more from them. You see? It matters not if I make a hundred or a hundred thousand! We could simply repopulate the island!

[He folds his hands in his lap, pleased.]

It's a simple solution, directly from the mind of a genius. You may thank me now.

Yo, listen up. I dunno how close you guys been paying attention to the intel coming in about where the U.E.'s holding our people, but there's something really important we gotta remember before we rush in there:

You can't go in there if you got superpowers or magic or anything. They got alarms and shit. The second you step in there, they're gonna know about it, and then we're totally blown.

Which sucks, right? 'cause if you're like me, you wanna be with the rest of the group busting in there to save your friends.

Okay, here's the thing though. I got a superpower. And it's one I ain't talked about before, but I'm talking about it now, 'cause it's important. 'cause we're gonna need as many people as we can get on that rescue mission.

[He takes a deep breath. This is hard for him, okay, coming out like this.]

I can, um... I can take away powers. And I can give 'em back. And it don't hurt or nothing. You just turn regular, okay, like a normal human. Norm is what we call it where I come from. Or "non-powered".

So... So if you need to rescue somebody and you can't because you're superhuman or whatever, I'll be there and I can take your power right before you go in. And then I'll give it back as soon as you come out. I swear to god, I will.

If you got any questions about it, I can talk to you right now. So you're ready for it and everything.

[ piper's communicator clicks on with a scream. ]

— Yeah. I'm going to need a little help over here.

[ frozen — literally — in the air is a thick book piper had accidentally knocked off the table in her room. the book and a good portion of table have been affected by her power. it's ice, crystallised, and is smoking a little as ice would do. ]

Those guys who attacked the party — I got the memo that they could stop powers from working, but can they turn you evil? Because … Eh. [ she's panicking. ] This is bad. This is very, very bad.

[ she is very, very confused, and very, very concerned. the last time she had this power it was very, very bad. ]

I can't help when I'm like this!

I don't understand you lot. [Mostly the Exiles, but Transports, too. Although it's a statement she can say on any given day most of the time anyway since the huge gap in cultures, but this time it's something specific.]

Where I'm from? If someone attacks you, you attack'em back. If someone steals something o' yours, you put a spear in their belly, and if they steal you? You fight back.

We're supposed t'be trainin' for some war. I know war, and this is how you lose it. If all we're doin' is sittin' around, waitin' for them to attack us with our fingers up our arses. This is how this place works, aye? They do somethin' t'us, we fight'em off, and then we sit around until they do somethin' else. Like destroy someone's home.

I'm tired of sittin'.

[The video comes on. Toph stares into it paradoxically, her sightless eyes open a little wider than usual, but her expression as bored as it's ever been.]

This place sucks, so I'm leaving forever. Bye.

[The more decrepit areas of the city, a far distance from the Hold, can be seen in the background of the video before the feed cuts off.]

 [Kagura sounds irritated, as always, and in the background there is the sound of someone shuffling stuff around--presumably Kagura, as the noise stops as she begins to talk.]

For those of you that care: I'm leaving for the wilderness. I don't want to have to deal with your faces anymore, and it'll be easier for the both of us if you just leave me be. I'll come into town when you need me.

[And then, she resumes packing the few items she has.]

Don't try and stop me. I am the free wind, and you will not contain me.

( Law )

( Sango )

[Lily's still nervous, even after discovering that she's free of that underground facility. Not only does she not know what happened to her fellow test subjects, but it's a big change, and there will still be fighting. Will she accidentally hurt someone? She hopes not. She flips on the video feed. There are two things worth noting about the young girl's features. The first is that her eyes are yellow. Perhaps the most notable, however, is the metal collar around her neck. It doesn't look like jewelry.]

I just have a question for everyone. What do you do to relax when you're scared or upset?

[She doesn't want to mention the extent of her problems, but she shouldn't lie either. So she just won't say anything if she's not comfortable talking about it, or she'll change the subject. That usually works for her.]

This place is very different than what I'm used to, so I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Oh! And I'm also looking for flowers. The place I lived in didn't have any, and I've always wanted to smell real flowers. Thank you for your time.