Remember when I asked if anyone could cut hair? Well now that everyone has stopped being a little shit, I'd like to get my hair cut and dyed.

Anyone want to join? Bring booze.

[ she begins without preamble, speaking clearly and surely. ]

I have things to trade in the cafeteria. There's hams and cheeses, doughnuts, and juices. Socks too, and wet wipes, toys and jewelry. I've got books too for those who want them and markers in lots of colors. There's a lot more too. I'll be here all day or until it's all gone.

[ she took over a section of the cafeteria for her use. her direwolf lies beside her, guarding both her and the cart.

her wheeled cart ( commandeered from the clinic ) is full of items: the top has a tray of finger food from the promised cold hams and cheeses to oysters and shrimp packed in ice with sauces alongside, even cooked mini pizzas. below are assorted vending machine goods in their wrappers, sacks of ground coffee and hot chocolate, and a dozen fresh doughnuts. she has a pitcher of lemonade and a half-gallon of fruit punch.

in the drawers are assorted items such as wipes, hand sanitizers, socks and scarves, toys including a stuffed bear that moves and talks when you press its stomach, a few books and papers and markers.

hidden inside a bag at the girl's feet are a few cartons of cigarettes and small bottles of whiskey and wine for those who can pay a little extra. ]

[Look who's smoking and no one was surprised. However, she's down to her last pack.]

This certainly puts a wrench into my project. I guess I could use the break, though. You can only look at binary numbers for so long before you start to get cross-eyed.

Also, I'm willing to set up a deal with anyone who can... trim my hair. [Only she can cut it.]

[There's another pause.]

And lastly, I'll begin a trade for tobacco products. Any.

[Being on the moon felt like her first day in Exsilium]

[ She's so not ready for making a video and putting it up here for the Transports to see...but this isn't the sort of thing you can just convey over text. This is actual important information she needs to share with them, frustratingly vague as it seems to be. ]

Hello Ex-Exsilum.

[ Perfect start. ]

My name is Charlie, Ch-Charlie Dyer. I was w-with the rescue g-group on the compound.

[ She stops there and takes a breathe. While she had some time to clean herself, she looks...well, beaten up, Even with long sleeves and jeans the darkening purple creeping up her neck and the cut over her left eyebrow make it obvious she got in one too many unfair fights. ]

I found something. It was be-being guarded, so I knew it w-was important. [ She holds the diamond storage device up for a moment. ] Had the Initiative p-people crack it. It has...um...

[ She puts the device down and picks a paper sheet up. ]

"A system of sch-schematics that show the breakdown of an un-unnamed event over the Island of Exsilium, including m-models tracking the presence of some element o-or another for fifty, one hundred, and two hundred years."

[ She puts the sheet down. ]

Wh-whatever it is, they're l-looking at us. B-been looking at the island f-for a while. Maybe th-this makes more sense to so-someone else here? A-anyway, that's that.

I n-need to sit down...

[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.

[Despite everything that's happened in the last few days, Steph looks positively cheery as she comes onto the screen, dressed in civvies with her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. She might not have worn the particular suit for a couple years now, but she's all Robin, all grins and charm, because she doesn't have the energy to be anything else.]

Hey, guys, I know this is kinda last minute, but there's been a change in plans with the whole cookie thing this month. [She holds up a hand as if silencing comments that aren't actually going to come, because this is pre-recorded.] I know, I know, I'm not exactly the regular guy that does this, but don't adjust your sets, Jesse's just come down with a hell of a cold, so I'm gonna run things this time 'round.

For those of you who don't know, I'm Steph, hi, I don't bite very hard.

[Steph pls]

Since Jesse's sick, we figured it'd be best not to cook in his kitchen, 'cause I'm sure we don't wanna give the newbies the sniffles when they first show up. If anyone who's normally involved would like to volunteer their kitchen to be the base of operations, I would love you forever, but if not we can just use my place, 104.

[And a briefly apologetic look because she hasn't actually asked her roommates. Sorry guys.]

We'll still be doing it on the 31st, starting early and hopefully finishing early so we can all head over to Ella's party, and the tent will be set up at the same time on the first, you'll just have me co-ordinating things intead of Jesse.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, now's the time to voice them, if not, I'll see you on the 31st, either at mine, or I'll update this if we get a volunteer.

Thanks.

[A lazy salute, and the feed cuts.]



[[OOC: Same ooc stuff applies; there won't be a log for this but feel free to say characters participated! The thread in the welcome log will still go up and everything will go the same, it'll just be Steph instead of Jesse wrangling things c: ]]

[The video opens up with a longer-haired Lisbeth, her red-head roots showing because what does a woman have to do around here for some black hair dye? She seems distracted as she clicks around on her computer to the side. Soon, she's biting the cuticle of her thumb.]

If you could take on a project that has the potential to lead to some kind of public attention - attention on you - would you do it?

Good fucking job with that protective dome during the last mission, assholes.

Does anyone have aloe vera or anything to soothe sunburn?

[ The screen comes on, this is broadcasting more or less like anything flagged with a tiny 'important!' flaggy sign on a forum would have been. Tony looks to be in a good mood, he's clearly been working, and still is, apparently, seeing as it's a few of his workshop.

(Dummy can be seen sweeping, if one pays attention to this while Tony's speaking, instead of to Tony, they will see DUM-E2 sweeping, Jellyroll accidentally drop something on a swept part of the floor, and then some sort of robot whirring fight - at some point DUM-E-JR came over - ...starts?

No, it doesn't, because Max comes in and quietly picks up the knocked over thing and gives the little broom to DUM-E-JR who is delighted, tells the others to power down for a bit.)

Tony was aware of all that, but that's how his life works now anyway, so whatever. ]

I know my place isn't the only one that got bashed in a smidge with all those bombs. Yikes. Now I'm not puking my guts out, I've got most of my repair done as far as I know, so I'm up for commissions again, or just lending a helping iron hand if you need one. [ He doesn't want this to seem too altruistic. ] We'll just call it collecting good karma or something. Just bring me shit to fix if you've got shit that needs fixing. [ Still happy, still actually kind of working on things during that whole talk. But he seems to be done now, turning and halfway through a sentence to JARVIS when he shuts the feed off from across the little corridor between two long tables. ]

A native sneezed in my coffee this morning. Seems like there's something nasty going around. We're so many eons into the future, they couldn't figure out a way to eradicate colds?

[sore throats and runny noses are a nightmare]

[This lady might be a new arrival but she is going to be damned if she appears with anything less than perfect hair and perfect make-up.]

Good morning, everyone. First, thank you to everyone who welcomed me so warmly on this chilly day. I'm Sofiya Karimov, and I'm new to this city, and I'm asking for a little bit more help from all of you - trying to get in here before all the other people I saw rush to give their introductions.

First, I'd like a world map and a compass. Don't ask me what it's for, because I'm not going to tell you and I'll get really annoyed if you ask.

[She sounds cheerful, like she's joking.]

Second, I need the names of useful people. I mean really useful. You might think you're useful, but then you come and you start talking about your emotions, and that's not really all that useful to me. Smart people, literate, willing to work and put something in place. Heads down, getting it done. They're what I want. And if you're not them, then no complaining to Chicken Little when you don't like the taste of her bread.

I'm a lawyer. I'm going to be starting with the system of law here. You have things in place, and you've all done decently, but it's underdeveloped. There'll be more after that. Interested?

[And cheerily, with a little salute, she shuts it off.]

[Jack appears on the network. It looks as if he isn't aware he's being filmed at first; he glances around him nervously, his eyes darting from place to place.]

So-- right. You guys don't got no newsies, yeah? But I'm grown outta that business anyway, so I figure, I'll do somethin' else anyway.

[And now he focuses on the camera. His eyes are a little sunken in; his cheekbones jut out sharply from his face. The entire effect is unpleasant; he looks like he hasn't slept or eaten in quite some time. Carefully, each movement deliberate, he takes a cigarette out of his pocket; his gaze focuses on that as he speaks.]

I draw pictures. Real good, if I do say so myself. Do paints, too. You want your picture done? You want your wall painted? Maybe you're in theater, you want some sets done, or maybe you want somebody to put a, a, a mural on your wall. If it's somethin' to do with art, I can do it. I don't give a damn what it is. I'll paint you and your stupid girlfriend if you want, 's long as you pay me. Name's Jack Kelly.

[He nods sharply, once, and lights up the cigarette.]

An' in personal business, a couple thin's: this gun's good an' all, but I'm in the knives business, meself. Anybody sellin' any good blades? I don't mean no stores, all right, I ain't lookin' for no directions to no weapons shops. I'm talkin' about the good stuff, the stuff you get on the streets. I don't got much money yet, but like I said, I got a few skills I can exchange.

An' speakin' o' them: I hear I got some roommates. Miss, uh, Galadriel and some guy named Guy? Well, I ain't gonna be in at all. Not for sleepin', anyway. So don't trouble yourself with that, when you don't see me come in.

[A deliberate pause. He exhales a lungful of smoke and watches it drift upwards before adding:]

Asano Rin. I got a bone to pick with you, and I think you know why.

Today I've seen all the colors of the rainbow through swatches.

[GODDAMNIT JULES.]

_{( For once, Remy might actually be in his apartment. He's sitting on his bed, not in coat or costume but a simple cotton shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He's got a roll of cloth bandages, and is wrapping his hands methodologically. )}

Y'all really know how ta discuss, you know that? I'm very impressed.

_{( He's not, actually. He thinks the talking around such matters is a waste of time, and also a way to show the Initiative their hand. But he doesn't say so. )}

But I have ta say, all this bleak talk ain't really for me. Can't keep at it for very long. Désolé.

So, for those of you who care ta lighten the mood, here's a game. First player--that'd be me, I like ta deal--gives you a word. You say the first thing that comes ta your mind, after that. An' y'keep goin', over an' over, until someone cracks an' has ta ask the reasonin' behind your answer.

Whether y'tell 'em is up ta you.

_{( He laughs, to himself. )}

It's an option, anyways. If you don't wantta keep talkin' 'bout how unhappy y'all are.

_{( ooc / idk if this'll come up but if you want to threadjack and play with each other, i'm totally cool with that. )}

[Jesse's reporting in from the lab, for once, which probably looks a little strange for anyone seeing him in hazmat coveralls for the first time. Look at him. Professional-like. Behind him is a peek at the Initiative's futuristic chemistry equipment, but the focus is on a vial of clear liquid pinched between Jesse's fingers.]

Yo. Remember how I said like a month ago I was working on something? I finished it.

Wait - Um, backing this up a little in case you missed it. We got word a few months back that the U.E.'s been drugging their people with something called verstatsi. A lotta the Exiles that turned up here ended up sick 'cause they couldn't get their fix. A lotta them were dying from the withdrawal. It was pretty bad.

Anyways, I was developing an anti-addictive drug. We tested it this week.

[He taps the vial he's holding, looking pretty proud of himself.]

It's working. Everybody we gave it to stabilized in like under two hours. Cravings totally gone, symptoms gone. And the dose is only once a day, which - if you've ever been on methadone - that is huge, okay.

I know a lotta you are probably like, "Who cares? I'm not a junkie anyway." No, seriously, this shit? This could save your life if the U.E. ever captures you. This is big. We're gonna keep testing it, but I'm making sure the clinic gets stocked A.S.A.P., yo. All my research notes'll be there along with it so I don't gotta sit here explaining science to you for three hours. Everything about dosage... Recipe, too, in case anything happens to me.

So... Yeah. And thanks to Vanadi and Rin for helping me out with getting chemicals. We totally did it, you guys.

This sentience thing is bullshit.

[SOMEONE'S a little bitter that her handgun is being a little shit.]

I'm not comfortable going on missions until this gets fixed.

So, I want some people's opinions on the sentient-weapons thing. It's just something I've been thinking about, since I haven't had a chance to use mine much during the missions I've been on. I'm planning to switch to something more practical for my needs, but...

Are they actually as useful as they seem, in your opinion? I mean, where I'm from, intelligent items are kind of a pain in the ass, to say the least. Always demanding things, and if they're strong enough, they can make you do stuff if they don't like you.

I don't see as much of that here, but... It makes a girl cautious, you know?

(OOC: At some point, this post is going to inspire Pidonus to switch her sentient weapon from a whip over to her voice - making her bardic magics, bardic music, and suggestion spell more effective. If someone with a voice ability wants to suggest the idea to her, that'd be great!)

[ It's not video this time for no apparent reason. The reasons are not apparent because you can't see him. It's like a catch-22, just without the catch, or maybe the other twenty parts involved. Maybe even twenty-one. Who knows. ]

Friends, transports, exiles, lend me your engineers. [ Appreciate that stunning wordplay for a moment. ]And your scientists, assistants, researchers, mechanics, and technicians. Anybody who can function in a room filled with things that they sort of understand and not break each one systematically. And pass a basic skills test. You have to actually be able to do the job.

And speaking of that - I'm employing people. Contrast Mechanics is starting up and I need basicaly everybody. So, Exsilium, what've you got?

I need work, something to keep me busy. The training facilities are getting a little boring. [not to mention it's a little painful being in the apartment.]

I can do anything technological. Or administrative - sort mail, make coffee.

[The screen flickers on, showing Meliantha's face.]

Greetings, fellow travellers.

In the course of our last mission, I was able to take some time to exchange some of the currency from my home into currency for the place we were in, and then obtain supplies with it. For example, I was able to get clothing for myself, as well as the person whose body I had temporarily.

With what I had left - considerable amount, gold is much more precious there, it seems - I obtained items that people have mentioned on the network as desiring.

I have two hundred packages each of these kinds of... cigarettes. [She holds up two different packs, Marlboros and Kool 100s.]

I also have seventeen bottles each of... just a moment... 'Smernoff' vodka, Southern Comfort, and Bacardi. The bottles say they are 24 ounces.

I am willing to sell them - in fact, I obtained them to sell them to people, as they're not vices I indulge in, personally. I am also willing to trade for services! For example, I would like proper training with guns, as I do not know how to use them particularly well, and as long as I am here I should be learning how to use them. Also, cooking lessons would be appreciated, as I am terrible at it.

Please leave me a message and I will get back to you. According to my partner in this enterprise - who has already claimed part of it for his assistance - the packs will be ten marks each, the bottles thirty.

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

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

[Loki is slouched back on his throne, one knee propped against the arm. The communicator is resting across his thigh showing him sitting back, chin in hand, eyes twinkling in amusement.]

It would seem that the Initiative's machines are not without their sense of humor.

[A grin]

Ah, well. On Midgard they say you should not judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. Perhaps this a chance to truly know one another.

( PRIVATE to DICK GRAYSON )

( PRIVATE to ZEVRAN ARAINAI )

I don't suppose anyone remembers, but back in December I came across an old synagogue here. I've spoken to the citizens here who use it for shelter every now and then and they also thought it would be a good idea to help clean and fix it up. I'm no contractor and I can't offer anything in return unfortunately... I've only noticed a lot of people asking if there's something to do around here.

If you're interested, I figured helping out the people here would be one small step forward. Someone's got to eventually help with some of these buildings, hm? I also imagine there's got to be a few people who know a thing or two about repairing interiors. I noticed there was talk of building a greenhouse a few days ago.

[ A lengthy pause. ]

And a question since most on the network apparently enjoy them: do you think there's such thing as too much information? [ It's been on her mind for a couple of weeks now. ]

Biggest country in world I know but Initiative don't seem to bother to bring anyone else but me. Too many goddamned Americans and Japanese. [ Says the heavy Russian accent. ] And aliens. And fucking elves. [ For all the emphasis he puts on that word, he doesn't sound angry. More of a 'fuck, what the hell, man?'

... Sorry, elves. He's targeting one elf in particular and he doesn't much care if there's more of them.

Sharp snort. Sound of a lighter snapping on, and the crackling of cigarettes. Then the camera switches on.

Have a pair of heavily tattooed hands, one of them curled around a white stick. Then he tips the tablet upwards until it shows his face, and Nikolai pulls off the sunglasses. ]

You lot ever get tired of talking on this thing? Bunch of stupid questions lately. [ He takes a drag of the cigarette, and blows it at the screen. ] You've all forgotten how to fuck, or something?


[ ooc; for any character with knowledge of Russian criminals, Nikolai's hands carry tattoos that basically says he's one of the worst ones out there. Yeah.

Also, content warnings for sexual assault for the thread with Steph (controlledvariable). ]