[ When Apollo appears on the video feed, she doesn't quite look her usual, overexcited self. Physically she looks a little bit different than normal as well - a couple new tattoos on her chest/shoulder, slightly longer hair, that sort of thing - but for the most part, she's still recognizably Apollo. She takes a breath, getting ready to speak, but then just lets out a sigh that turns into a long, drawn out groan that ends with, ] Fuck.

[ But okay here she goes, she's straightening herself up and she's ready to address the public properly now. ]

So hey is this just a fuckin' thing now? You're here, then you ain't, then you are again a week or months later when really you spent a couple years back home and-- Gods, y'know what, no, forget it 'cause I don't even fuckin' care.

[ Despite her claim of not caring, her shoulders sag as she throws her head back and groans some more, and lets a brief, humourless laugh escape her as irrational frustration catches up to her again. ]

My harem! They're all gone. Well, then again, all the good ones got eaten by a fuckin' sea monster a couple weeks ago anyway but still, god I'm fuckin' here in the snow where wow it doesn't mean fuck all that I'm the Pirate King of Ce Monde, huh? Or Lord of the Espalion Isles, or the Sea Strumpet's captain - hah! That's great, that's perfect! [ Only it really isn't, she just has to bitch and force herself to laugh in a poor attempt to deal with this bullshit. ] I mean shit I know I'm improved and even more fantastic than fuckin' before right down to my tits, but shit sake's just fuck, fuck. Gods above and below, it's only been a few days here, hasn't it?

[ Another heavy sigh as she sinks back again. She seems to be feeling a little bit better now that she's got that off her chest though. ] Whatever, I'm back, I'm King of the Sea, and I'm gettin' myself a few goddamn drinks.

[ when the feed clicks on, marduk is in what appears to be a ruined building near the edge of town. there's snow on the floor and holes in the walls, but he's not wearing a single scrap of winter clothing. more importantly, he doesn't look especially pleased to be doing this. ]

Recently, one of the locals here went missing. Don't ask me what his name was, I'm not the one who gives a shit. I'm just here to solve the mystery.

He's missing because he's dead, and he's dead because I killed him.

[ he pauses here. it looks like it's for dramatic effect, but really he's just trying to figure out how to end the announcement. ]

Most of you would call that murder, wouldn't you? Can't remember if you all figured out what to do about that, but-- if you want retribution, you can come and get it.

[ good enough. the video ends there. ]

[Hello, friends. A cold-eyed elf with a fairly significant skin condition stares at the camera, his jaw set, his mouth a thin, inscrutable line.]

Talk of a council is all well and good, but we have another matter in front of us.

As many of you have pointed out, there is no formal system of law in place. At present, those of you who acted as peace officers have simply continued as you were in your own worlds. If you brought others to justice, if you spoke about justice -- you have continued to see this as your right.

[His eyes narrow, drawing his long eyebrows together.]

But it is not your right. Your laws are not universal. Your morality is not sacrosanct.

We must decide on appropriate conduct as a whole, with consideration given to perspectives outside of our own.

I propose that any code we settle on be simple and direct. For example:

1. Murder shall be abolished. In the case of murder, execution.

2. Theft shall be abolished. In the case of theft, the hand shall be cut off at the wrist. Repeat offenders shall lose both hands.

3. Conspiring with the United Earth shall be considered treason. In the case of treason, suspected or actual, execution.

4. Bodily autonomy shall be respected. Knowing efforts to mind control, telepathically invade, steal, or otherwise forcibly take spiritual or physical authority over another sentient being will constitute assault. In the case of this assault, execution.

And so forth.  These are merely ideas, of course.

[His lower lip twitches, suggesting that he's perfectly aware of the extremes he's recommended. Suggesting that he's just trying to get your attention, to get you to think about how you would define your own terms. What constitutes murder? Theft? Conspiracy? Justice? He's only asking.

Maybe.]

[After several hours, the post is edited with a very carefully recorded text attachment.]

( alternatives.txt )

[Lawd, this guy is spent. Though he usually likes to broadcast from somewhere in the clinic -- his office, a supply closet, the waiting room -- this time, he's in bed, propped up against pillows and looking weary.]

Folks, we're not exactly out of the woods yet -- as the piles of stinking rubble and even less breathable air than usual make obvious -- but I still wanted to thank everyone who stepped up in service of the clinic over the past month.

[He rubs the side of his pale mouth tiredly.]

We lost a lot of patients, there's no denying that. But we saved plenty of people, too. Saved each other. We did our goddamn best. That's worth something.

[He pauses, as though that's all he's got to say. The feed shakes a little as he shifts around on his bed, his hand finding a piece of paper with a ring on top of it. He closes his fist over the ring, curls his fingers against the paper.]

And -- for those of you who knew him ... Belthazar has gone home, to Azeroth.

[His expression tightens; he's saying this for his own benefit, as much as anyone else's.]

No one who's been there would call our world a safe place. But our cities aren't like this, and Belthazar was just a child. Better that he's gone.

[He thinks of Jericho, so recently killed in the bombing, and Syllona, constantly overwhelmed with fear.]

Better that all the children should go, if their circumstances at home are even slightly better than this.

[ 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  )

[The feed flickers on with a wobbly view of a single eye and a thick eyebrow. It wobbles.]

Oh! Ohh!! It's on! I think!!

[The image pulls out to focus more generally on Nitoh's face. He holds his device out at arm's length as he walks up a back staircase in some nondescript building]

Hey! I'm Nitoh, Kousuke Nitoh. I'm looking for my RIVAL, Haruto Sohma, Kamen Rider Wizard. And also PHANTOMS. I'm sure he's hiding some somewhere around here. They told me there are no Phantoms here, but that's gotta be a trick or something. BECAUSE! There's no way I could be here AND he could be here without there being any PHANTOMS here!!!

[He treks up and pushes open the door up to the roof, and for a moment the video feed whites out, until it adjusts to the light and it shows him silhouetted and the scattered rooftops below him. It bounces up and down as he paces.]

Okay, stop don't say it, I know what you want to know. How do I know my rival's even here? WELL! I asked about him and they said he'd been here for a while! So Haruto! Don't try to hide from me! I'm sending my little gryphon out to find you!

[He sets the camera down, still pointing at him, as he activates his driver belt and a little self-assembling model appears in mid-air in front of him: a green somewhat robotic-looking gryphon. He pulls off the ring he is wearing and sets it inside, then looks at the camera significantly.]

SEE! I'll find you if I have to search every donut shop in the city!!

[Gryphon flies off and he waves his forefingers at it as it leaves, smiling fondly. Then he looks back.]

And then you can show me where you're keeping all the Phantoms in this city! You gotta share, you KNOW why!

[At the last, he focuses strongly on the camera, pointing accusingly at it. Then he waves, back to a winning grin.]

Later!!!

[The feed switches off]

[Feed clicks on to a probably somewhat familiar gray-skinned, yellow-horned seatroll with a purple streak through his hair. He looks equal parts extremely irritated and frantic, mouth tight but eyes wide. When he speaks, his voice is level, but it's clear he's distressed.]

And here I'd thought the fun part of this was over with the grand larceny. This is Haruto Souma, even though I look like this. I'm looking for my body--brown hair, tall, extremely good looking. Belt buckle that looks like a hand, lots of rings. Whoever's in there, I need to talk to you. Considering where I've ended up, it's probably Eridan Ampora in there, but just in case it's not...

Please get into contact with me. For your own safety.

I have a question.  How do you know when someone is flirting with you?  I just do not understand flirting at all so I do not know how to recognize it.  Or how to even flirt.  It never really seemed like such an important thing.  But apparently it is?

I mean, for us sylvari we are blunt.  If we like someone we tell them.  We do not see a reason to beat around the bush, you could say.    But it seems to be a thing the other races do.

[Silence for a few moments, as if she's debating on adding anything else.]

We have some new arrivals again.  Hello!  I hope you can find a way to make this place feel like home.

It… seems to me that the lot of us have returned to ourselves, yes? No more five year olds wandering about, thank gods.

[ He clears his throat a little awkwardly. ]

I used to be somewhat… ah, forthright, I suppose, which is the age I've lately been entertaining. My apologies to anyone I've been untoward to.

( and here is a slew of encrypted messages! )

[ The face in the feed here is kind of the face Vanadi had presented at the Masquerade ball, with makeup over his scar and black hair dye. Except this time there's no need for dye in that full, long black hair, and his perfectly unblemished complexion seems a little better-fed.

He also has no idea where he is and who he's addressing with this thing, but hey, when has that ever stopped him? ]

Charming place, really. The decor isn't bad, for a human establishment. But this... [ He lifts his red mask into sight, one fine black eyebrow cocked at it. ] The owner of this is welcome to pick it up at any time he or she likes. It's not bad, I suppose, but really, it's not quite a match to kitrian style.

And if it isn't yours, you're welcome to pretend it is as an excuse to see yourself over. Some drinks, a few CDs, and this place could be considerably receptive to a good time! [ Insert a totally charming smile right here. ] Don't be strangers, hmm? It will never be claimed that anyone of House Vadarta was anything but hospitable!

[This is the first time Lena's made a post of her own, and she looks nervous. For any who haven't met her yet, she looks like your average teenage girl, albeit with one vivid green eye and one gold eye. Probably not too unusual around these parts, though.]

Hi. My name's Lena and--

[She hesitates, sighs, and looks away from the camera for a moment.]

And I was hoping I could get some help? I have this staff from the armory, and I'm not sure how to do stuff with it.

[So clear, this girl.]

I mean, I can do... lots of things. I have powers. I know that's not big news around here, but I was wondering how to use the staff with them, because back home I don't need anything to channel it. But this weapon's supposed to adapt to me? Or something. So I figured it might help.

[She gives the camera a self-deprecating smile.]

Sometimes my powers can be a little unpredictable. That's why I was wondering if anyone could help teach me how to use the staff? Please let me know.

[She's about to turn off the camera, but then she remembers something and the image shakes for a moment.]

Oh, and I don't mind using my powers to help out anybody who needs it. Back home I had to keep it hidden, so it's kind of nice to not have to do that here. Umm, I can control the elements, levitate stuff, create things... Just ask and I'll see if I can help.

[Unit 806 has smelt of cookies for the past week.  There's a good reason for that, Taicea's been making cookies for EVERYONE in Exsilium.  Yes, that even includes Arthas.  And now she's ready to share!]

Happy Wintersday everyone!  Or um, whatever holiday it is you celebrate.

[She turns the camera around to show the mountains of packaged cookies set up on every open surface she could find in the kitchen and surrounding area.]

I made cookies for everyone so if you would like some please stop by Unit 806 and grab a package.  I'll be here all day so you needn't worry about that!

[She turns the camera back to herself, she's smiling now but it's a tired smile.  The cold and lack of sunlight has her feeling really sluggish.] 

Each pile is labled with what's in the cookies so if you happen to be allergic to something you needn't worry!  [And it's actually written in English this time.]

[ Feed clicks on to a young man with an ostentatious ring on his visible right hand. His expression is placid, but there's a line around his brows and a smudge of dirt on his cheek. ]

Aaah, well this place is certainly something, isn't it? To think I thought I'd seen the weirdest things the world had to offer. My name is Haruto Souma, and I have two questions, if you'd be so kind! First, these undead creatures, formerly human and, well, otherwise--are they safe to kill, or should I continue just, ah, restraining them? Is there a difference between the animal ones and the human ones? I only arrived recently, I'm not sure if this is a regular event, or if there's some kind of procedure you guys have in place for these things.

[ The camera shifts, and there's at least three or four zombified woodland creatures huddled up and bound by a magic circle and several magic chains. Haruto looks unperturbed by the condition of the rotting, living animals. ]

If I do have to keep them locked up, is there someone I can, well, deliver them to? Or a way for someone to come pick them up, preferably, my spell isn't exactly portable.

Ah, and second--is there a place to get good doughnuts around here?

[ Zombie problem or not, there are important questions to be answered here, you understand. He smiles, as if it's not an out-of-place question. ]

In accordance to an agreement I made with a certain gentleman upon my arrival 4 months ago, I do believe I'm entitled to some, ah... undead affection. And while I don't mean that attractively pale dead man with the glowing eyes, let it be said that I certainly wouldn't be opposed to that, as well!

But here I'm faced with a dilemma. I haven't heard from this charming corpse in quite some time — do you think I ought to look him up and remind him? Or shall I assume that he's a cadaver of his word and await his making good on our deal in his own time?

[ with a definite smirk in his voice here: ] Or perhaps this much will prove enough to spark a little reminder, hmm?

[The face on the screen is very reptilian, with curling horns on the side of his head, yellow slit eyes, and scales with a bronze sheen to them, and his expression is displeased. His voice is dry when he speaks, the first sentence muttered under his breath.]

I hope I'm using this damn thing right.

If this is a dream, it's definitely the strangest one I've ever had.

[He speaks a language that sounds almost exactly like English but with some differences in pronunciation, an entirely foreign word every rare occasion, and with an accent similar to Eastern European. The displeasure on his face doesn't completely fade as he gets serious, wings rustling slightly.]

I am Lord-Governor Kang of Teyr, on the world of Krynn. I've read through some of the information given to me already, and I'll try not to ask too many questions without consulting it first. I apologize in advance if I ask something included in it.

First, are there others from Krynn who are here as well? I've found two already, and in order to avoid further... mishaps, I want to make it clear that I have absolutely no intentions of starting any sort of trouble.

[Please don't hit him with any more chairs or try to kill him. He won't be so nice about it next time.]

Second, I've met one of my 'roommates' already. She has told me that a Lord Prestor is also sharing quarters with us. I would like to formally meet you.

[It takes him a moment to figure out how to end the feed, and the last thing that's seen and heard is a frown and a quiet, mild curse.]