So, uh. Hypothetical question.

[ Time travel wasn't exactly his field of expertise back in his time (or perhaps his world), so he's hoping to find someone who does know what they're talking about. ]

Say I go back to the early twenty-first century. What are the odds of finding something from my world, that the Initiative apparently knew enough about to give me this?

[ He holds up his xenothium-infused dagger that he received from them... how long ago was it? It felt like a year, but hell if he was keeping track. It was a jagged-edged dagger with a red blade, that seemed to glow in the dark. There was also an X-shaped marking on the grip, just about where the center of the palm of his hand would be. This thing here was the reason why he didn't need the raw xenothium ore to power his suit. ]

'Course, I don't know if they got the chemical compound from this world, or mine. It's not exactly easy, or safe, to make. But if I could get my hands on the materials needed to create the stuff, it might be useful. And not just to me.

Oh, and uh. Merry Christmas I guess.

[ Since he's actually asking for something for someone else, he needs to at least try to sound nice about it. ]

This is Locrian Sergeant Tear Grants of the Oracle Knights, home world Auldrant. I'm seeking whoever can give me information on the clinic; I'm a healer and I'd like to offer my services there.

[ She pauses before moving on to her next order of business. ]

The Initiative makes a convincing case for why we should willingly join their cause. "The United Earth will destroy our worlds as well"... At the very least, it makes for a compelling argument, particularly in light of the recent display of the United Earth's level of firepower. But how much of that is actually true?

It's not that I find the Initiative untrustworthy, but rather that they've given me little cause to trust them. Although recent events certainly make you feel compassion for their cause.

I'm presuming some of you have already gone on missions, so you have less biased accounts. Any insight you could give me would be appreciated.

[ the tablet is sat in Elizabeth's lap, she hasn't worked out really how it works beyond hitting buttons until something seemed to happen. Which she's frowning so at it then far too pleased with herself when it seems to do what she wants it to. ]

How on earth do they make the little images move -- ? [ but it is no real, matter. She's learning to just accept the fact she doesn't understand how half this stuff works ] I've a few questions that I cannot ascertain simply from watching if I may be so bold... [ she licks her lips briefly before continuing. ] ... where does one find material to make clothes from? As I've yet to make sense of the items I find here made already, but the clothes I arrived in are... not fitting for most daily activities. [ It had only one layer of clothing and... no. No that seems wrong and strange and not at all decent. ]

As well as... [ she lent her head on her hand as she hummed. Making requests is strange, there ought to be people swarming about her, accompanying her wherever she went but now there isn't and its so odd to ask. ] Would I be able to request someone to take a walk about the city with me? Someone who is familiar with the times, so to speak, as I find myself unable to make sense of very much of it. England was a very different place to me, and I cannot make heads nor tails of her now. I do not ever recall her raining so much. [ and she smiles very briefly. ]

My thanks for your time.

[ ooc: my mistake, this should read as coming from Victoria Guildford. forgot to add it in, all my apologies for the confusion. ]

With the new arrivals of Transports coming in this week, I can only hope that someone else - like Erza - will come back too. But I know there's no way to tell when, who and if they'll even return. Anyway, how are you all settling in?

[ More importantly, big scary!sis is very much needed, not just for the war against United Earth, but on a more personal level too. Not... that Lucy had ANY intention of confiding in Erza on ..that. Actually she was working on keeping those kinds of thoughts from distracting her, and so far it was working! She pauses, idly jotting down a few words on paper. It's a good way to get the creative thought processes down. After a moment she looks at her papers. ]

Wha... what the heck was I just writing?

[ HAHAHA NOTHING IMPORTANT CLEARLY. She bunches it up into tiny pieces. ]

EHeh, I was trying to come up with a title, but - that one was definitely off of the list. Anyway, I know there are a plenty of people who are good at fighting, but is there anyone handy with leaks? Or painting? My apartment could use a little of both.

[ That balled up piece of paper is tossed in the trash to be ignored; Because Juvia would murder her. She looks thoughtful - she should mention Zeref, but right now they don't know if they really do have something to worry about, what with that Initiative's pin. So. ]

[ Private Filter ]

Natsu? Juvia? I - we need to talk about something - can you stop by today?

[ Spoilers: It isn't about Gray, Juvia. ]

 I'm looking for people who can build things. There is a broken down building I want to live in. It's in the outer part of the city. I'll transport you back and forth if it's an issue, and I have stuff I brought back from the last mission. Is that payment enough? Contact me if interested. I don't need to waste my time with idle conversation.

[OOC: For anyone who planned to do things, I'll have a log up! As for any action things at this place, the log'll be the best place to put it! Thanks!

EDIT:Log is up! Here!]

... You're kidding, right? After all that, the Initiative can't pay it's electric bill?

[ A dim, red light is all that's illuminating the room. Red X usually has his bedroom locked up tight, mostly due to hazardous material and stuff that he stole from all over the city, but he didn't stop to think of not broadcasting this one from his room in his rage. He noticed the smell, too. At least, while his mask was off. It's been on since then. That's right - he hasn't taken it off since this whole mess started, except to eat and drink. ]

So, what is it, sabotaged breakers, generator failing, someone spill coffee all over the big red button? This has gone on so long that it's now officially inconvenient enough for me to want to fix it myself.

[ ... of course, it's not that simple, is it? Not that he knows. But like hell he's sleeping in these conditions. ]

[There's a new face on the video feed here, and that is the face of a somewhat troubled young man. He's not looking at the camera at the moment, instead looking around his surroundings with a thoughtful expression.]

This world has been through a lot, too...

[Without a single word of explanation on what he's meant, Yuusei turns to the camera to address any possible viewers directly.]

If there's a conflict, I'd like to help resolve it, even if it's in a world other than my own. These methods, however...

[He makes a pause, frowning and looking down a bit. "War" or "changing the past"... Even for him, it's hard to tell which of those he dislikes more; it's probably a little bit of both that makes him feel this anxious.

The duelist lifts his head, speaking up once again.]

... If possible, I'd like to speak with people who have been in this place for a while already. I have a few questions I'd appreciate answers to.

Thank you in advance.

Hey, how many of you have considered celebrating your birthday if it comes around while you're stuck here?

[A brief pause before she begins speaking again.]

See, I was thinking about how when we leave here, we return to the point in time we were taken from in our world. [And also her own birthday, considering certain things involving her situation back home are directly tied to her age.] I guess I was just wondering what other people think about it. Do you think it's worth it, to keep stuff like that in mind, if when all of this is said and done you're just going to be sent back to how you were?

[Another pause, followed by a very soft "heh."]

I guess that sounds pessimistic of me, huh? Don't worry, it's just something I'm curious about!

Hey. Quick question.

[ The thief holds up a red vial of liquid, but anyone who has seen this particular chemical compound before might notice that it's not glowing as brightly as it used to. ]

Safe place to dispose of depleted xenothium ore? I've been stockpiling them for a rainy day, but I'm running out of safe places to hide 'em. Don't worry, can't make anything REAL dangerous out of the depleted form, but direct exposure might still make your hair fall out, if you get my drift.

[ With Rika being reluctant, the transmission is silent at first. She has to remind herself that there are others like her that have a dead end fate. It's not like home, not like when her own parents refused to take her words seriously.

When she speaks up, her tiny voice is carried across the feed. She sounds sullen and tired. ]

After this war is won, if everyone is returned to their respective worlds, what will happen to those who don't have a future back home? If we were a corpse in the ground, is that what we'd return to being? [ In Rika's case, there aren't many futures left for her. She believes she might as well be dead already. ]

Or is that a question that has yet to be answered with complete certainty? I'm sorry if it has been asked before, but I would like to know.

...If there's a small chance, even a one percent chance that I can reunite with the people most precious to me in this world, then... I think I would prefer to stay here and wait for them.

[ It hasn't happened for her yet, but there's still a little bit of hope in her. And, she's beginning to feel awkward about bringing this sort of subject up. ] ...I'm sorry again if I've said anything strange.

[ So here's Jesse and Collette, grinning stupidly at the camera and looking like they've got a plan up their sleeves. Jesse's the first to speak, rubbing his hands together excitedly: ]

Okay, so like... I heard there's superheroes here. Like real, bona fide superheroes. Costumes and everything. And, like, where I come from, you know, we don’t really got superheroes except in stories. So we were thinking it'd be real cool...

[ Collette glances at Jesse, then to the camera. She blurts out something that surely will never ever cause immense embarrassment once she learns the extent of the super heroes she's been around (discounting Barnaby and Kotetsu, who are weird anyway): ]

... If we could meet a few of you in person, and maybe even get an autograph!

Color me curious, my fellow captives! The holiday season may be over, but it's still very much winter. What winter-like activities were your favorite back home? Playing in the snow? Curling up in blankets? Drinking something warm and delicious? If you feel like sharing, I'll listen!

[She's looking for any distraction she can get--January hasn't been a good month for her in a long, long time. This is something more obvious in person, however. Should her roommates interact with her or someone ask to hang out, it'll really seem like something more is on her mind.]

So, uh. Anyone out there know how to fix an acoustic guitar?

It's uh... a gift. For someone. Don't ask.

[ That's awkward, isn't it? ]

[ When the feed opens, there is one teenage girl who seems to be pretty pissed off. But it's not just because she's been brought here, really.

And in fact, her bored, yet annoyed tone of voice reveals all. ]

Honestly. If you're going to kidnap me, attempt to give me a place to call 'home', and even tell me that I'm some part of 'Initiative', then no thanks, I'd rather die.

[ She laughs coldly after that. After all, she's made yet another joke... even if other people don't exactly understand what it means. ]

Anyway, I'm Yuri, and if anyone can tell me where I can find the people in charge of this place... well. You won't get a penalty game, that's for sure. Because I plan on giving those people as many punches as they can get!

[ And to emphasize that fact, she places a fist near the screen, a grin slowly appearing on her lips. ]

If you have any other information, though, tell me immediately. I won't accept any information that I've already gotten earlier, though. I hate hearing the same thing over and over, after all.

[Tori's just. Going to sigh and run a hand through her hair before talking.]

I really don't want to repeat that ever again, but knowing our beloved captors? I bet we'll all get to repeat something like it before we know it! Assholes.

Can't say I'll be as angry with them if I can find a good set of paints, though. At least then I'll have one more way to get my stress out. Which leads me to my question--does anyone here paint or do anything artsy? [It's not her passion or anything, but art is something she holds dear. Especially since it meant so much to her mom and means so much to Jeb.]

[For someone yanked from her home only a week ago, M'gann appears awfully calm on the feed. In fact, as she walks through the Hold, netbook floating in front of her, she can't help but seem a little underwhelmed. Transports viewing the video can see her in all of her green glory as she quietly explores the Hold, footsteps barely making noise.

Finally, somewhere between the classrooms and library, the martian stops and looks to the camera, curiosity getting the better of her.]

I understand what the library's for, but are the classrooms ever used? I haven't heard anything about sessions or studying since I arrived. [She pauses, considering something.] Did I just come at a bad time? The creatures only just left, after all.

[Waiting a few moments, something hits her. Well, it's more of a delayed realization.]

In any case, would someone please direct me to the nearest place to eat? It's almost lunch, and I missed breakfast...

((ooc; open to action, and maybe a breakfast buddy 8D))

[ While technically Lucy was still beaten and battered herself, she wasn't so out of it as to avoid a fight. Er... if the fight came to her, anyway. The food from the banquet had helped a little, but her magic reserves were still fairly low - low enough that she wasn't actively looking to get into any trouble her first day in such a weird place. However there is one thing that is more important than all of that, which is why she sends a message through the network. ]

Nn - is this right? Looks like it's recording - I mean, broadcasting. It looks like the communication lacrima back home, ne Plue?

[ Though her companion can't be seen, her companion can be heard. ]

Pun~~! Pun pun~ Pun~!


[ Lucy grins towards the ground, where her companion presumably is and turns her attention to the feed. She's cleaned up a bit, at least, and is cautiously making her way towards the apartments - keeping an eye out for things that go bump in the night. Or in general. Bandages are wrapped around her forehead and her arms, but she still smiles hopefully. ]

If you can hear me, my name is Lucy, and I'm... I'm hoping that some friends of mine might be here as well. I didn't see them when I arrived, but they're the type that won't sit around in one place for long, in a situation like this. [ With monster infestations and all. ]

Specifically I'm looking for my teammates, Natsu, Gray, Erza, or Wendy - even Happy or Charle. Anyone from Fairy Tail, will do-! [ She can't be the only one here right? ]

... aside from that - [ She murmurs more quietly at this point, frowning a bit. ]

Is it always like this here? [ At that point, her companion pipes up again. ]

Pun~ pun pun~ PuuuN~!

I'm fine Plue - actually I'd love nothing more than to take a hot bath and sleep for a week. But let's see if the others are here first, okay?

Pun~!

[ You can't see it, you poor deprived souls, but Plue just saluted. It was adorable. ]

[ He's sort of holding up a toaster oven but he sets it down pretty quickly. ]

I've got one appliance that takes a little too much glee in burning shit, and what looks like a maudlin blender. Who wants in on this?

[ He's also set up some programs to just sort of trawl the network constantly for various things. One is the word 'pie'. Another is encrypted messages not encrypted enough to be completely hidden from him. Casual re-pimp of permissions. So, yes. Both of these wouldn't be immediately noticed without someone else doing some sort of tracking of their own.

aka: Tony is bored. watch out ]

Hello? Helloooo? Ugh, how does this stupid thing work? [Korra has somehow managed to turn on the video function on her communicator. She has no idea how. But you can watch her tapping ineffectually on the keyboard.] If they're gonna kidnap us and give us this stuff they should t least explain stuff instead of being all cryptic. How the heck am I supposed to talk to people with this weird little box? And what's the little light on for? [She hits another button and the machine lets out a beep.] Gah! [She drops it, and the feed cuts out.]

((Obviously, she isn't going to responding anything via communicator, but feel free to come find the poor technologically-impaired girl wandering around looking confused.))

Well, shit. The Initiative's really spreading out, aren't they?

[ The thief's sitting on top of a billboard, ironically containing government propaganda on it. It's a really weird background. ]

They start out bringing everyone and their mother from Jump City, get rid of all but three of us, and then bring in a bunch of aliens, space people, and people straight out of a fucking Tolkien book. I wish they'd just make up their minds.

[ The thief looks back at the billboard, raises his hand, and fires an adhesive restraint onto the billboard, vandalizing it with a giant red X covering whatever self-serving message was there before. Hey, at least he didn't light it on fire or something. ]

Guess that means we're working together, now. I keep trying to tell myself I'm not playing the hero here, but I guess that's what happens when you're stealing from assholes like these.

You know, if I'm going to be taken from my world, I'd like to be asked first. [She sighs, running a hand through her hair.] Guess there's nothing that can be done about it, though! I'll just have to try to live with it~

With that out of the way--what's up, everyone? I have a couple questions for you guys. [A small grin.] Any of you into fashion? The more alternative in style, the better. I definitely wouldn't mind talking to you!

Second... do any of you have experience with magic of an elemental sort? I'd rather not get into specifics on here, but I'd really not mind talking to those who do. Eh, either way. I bet you guys are just an assortment of fun people~! [Laughs.]

[Hey guys, when the video comes on it's your favorite evil boy genius! He's still missing his jacket and still wearing that shirtless red t-shirt of his. This starts playing in the background, although low enough that you can clearly hear his voice once he starts speaking. He spends a few seconds headbanging with his goggles on, then finally turns his attention to the screen and grins.]

You said it couldn't be done! Nooooooooooone thought I had it in me!

You're a loser Jack! You couldn't build a robot out of kitchen appliances! You have yellow teeth! Lame goggles! Blah blah blah blah blah!

WELL NO LONGER! THE TIME HAS COME! LET THE SHADOW OF DOUBT BE CLEARED BY THE LIGHT OF...MY...MY BRILLIANCE!

[Jack reaches forward with both hands and attempts to adjust the netbook, turning it on the spot. It's meant to show his latest creation, but he's standing in the way of the camera and blocking the view. If you look passed him, there's something robotic and vaguely humanoid shaped behind him, but it's mostly obscured by Jack himself..]

Alright! Let's get this show on the road. [He reaches off screen and picks up a controller-like device, fumbling around with it. There's a few beeps-] Wait... [A ringing noise.] H-hold on! Just a second. [Then the sound of sparks, the room lighting.] ...oh, this isn't g-

[And he's interrupted by a small scale explosion. The video feed is erratic as the netbook is thrown across the room, and after everything settles down(mostly the aftermath of the explosion and Jack's screams) he crawls over to the netbook, his hair singed and goggles cracked. Again.

How to save face...]

...IT'S MEANT TO DO THAT.

[Then he turns off the video feed.]

(ooc: The explosion wasn't big enough to damage anything outside of Jack's room, so the most roommates will have to deal with is the noise. NO FIRE BECAUSE HE ISN'T EVEN COMPETENT ENOUGH TO MESS UP RIGHT.]

[When the video feed clicks on, it shows Jack looking a little ragged.
He's got bags under his eyes, he's missing his signature black jacket,
instead sporting a red sleeveless t-shirt, one of the lenses on his goggles
is cracked and he's got a twig sticking out of his hair, which is also
looking pretty messy too. Despite that, he's grinning, in a lame attempt
at looking smug.]

What's happening, losers!? As I'm sure MOST of you didn't even notice,
your old pal Jack here decided to do a little midnight shopping last night!

[At that, he hoists a burlap sack with a hole or two in it and turns
towards a table nearby, emptying the contents onto it. There's a few random
kitchen appliances, the odd lamp or two, and generally things you might
find in your average living area.]

Aside one or two little snags, it all went PERFECTLY! And none of
you even noticed! Hahahahahah! Just thought I'd let you know if you go
to make yourself something in the kitchen and can't find your toaster,
or maybe try and look down the back of the couch for a missing remote or
something, it's here, and getting much better use than it would've if you
still had it!

I wouldn't try getting it back either. I got something else
a little more deadly than a toaster last night as well, and I'd hate to
have to make it crush any of you losers the first time I have to use it.

[Calling a bluff? Or is he serious? OH THE SUSPENSE.]

Anyway-

[Nope, that appears to be someone's hand and it is shoving its way into Jack's face, effectively knocking him out of view. Instead there's Raimundo, or if you don't know him, a tan-skinned kid with a Brazilian accent looking none too impressed with Jack's gloating.]

Anyway, I'm gonna go ahead and preemptively apologize for this idiot. If something's missing from your place, come by and I'll give it back. I managed to loot some of his stash when he broke into my place.

[ooc: red is Jack, green is Raimundo. open to anything, even if you weren't robbed but wanna comment on this mess, or maybe you were robbed but he somehow managed to avoid waking you, go for it. s'all good.]

[The feed cuts on, and the first noticeable is that Leo is messy. He's covered in dirt and oil, and -- is that hot sauce? Yes, yes it is.] Okaaaaaaay, 'sup guys? So listen, I've been thinking...

Is it just me, or does the training place suck? Seriously, no lava climbing wall? What kind of training is that?

[Cue a huge grin. Not that he wasn't grinning hugely to begin with, but it's getting worse and -- oh wait, is that fire? He doesn't seem to notice, but there are in fact flames flickering around his head, yet he pays no mind to them. And the more he talks, the more the flames grow.] So that got me thinking. With all sorts of kinds of people 'round here, I figure we need to do better than this. I'm not the only demigod here, and I bet there are others that have super awesome powers than need special epic training.

My idea? I'll build it. Or stuff. Figure I can find supplies around here, and hey, I'm a son of Hephaestus, I got this. [His excitement reached it's peak, and thank goodness, he finally realized what was going on. His hands were glowing from the flames, which he easily shook out, and with a large amount of control, the flames that had been creeping over the rest of his body disappeared too.]

...Right. Where was I? Oh, yeah! I wouldn't mind some odd jobs here and there, either! If anyone needs any kind of tech or machine worked on, I'm your guy. Or if you need a weapon or something made, again, I'm your guy.

So, yeah. Awesome. Leo out! [He mock salutes the feed, before it cuts off.]

Titans, this is Robin! Come in! Beast Boy? Cyborg? Raven? Starfire? Can any of you hear me?

[Robin stares down at the communication device he's been given and frowns. His normal communication device isn't working. Nothing about this place seems familiar.]

My name is Robin, and I'm a leader of the Titans. I'm trying to find the rest of my teammates and figure out what's going on here.

[Looks around while he's talking into the device. They have to be here somewhere. One way or another he'll find them and the answers he's looking for.]

If anyone has information on their locations or this place,I need you to share it with me. You'll have my gratitude and I'll share whatever I learn in return.

[Kuroyoru is laying on her stomach in bed, boredly glaring at the camera.]

The people running this shit really think they can just grab us and make us do what they want?! How fucking cute of them. I'm really touched, you know.

...Tch. Goddamn morons, whoever these "Initiative" bastards are. Do they really think that they can drag just anyone in and get them to live with strangers and do their shitty bidding?! Well, I sure as hell won't comply! I'm from the evil world of Darkness, dammit!

[A twisted grin creeps onto her face.]

Heh...Who's up for sabotaging it?! If I'm the only one thinking that, then you're all boring.

[The video turns on and shows a pale blonde woman in a black dress. She steps back from the camera before she starts to speak.]

It seems that I have once again been brought to a world against my will. An interesting circumstance we find ourselves in here.

[She brushes her hair back and gives a smirk]

My name is Hime, and I come from a world of monsters, so a setting such as this is not too different for me.

Now, is Hatake Kakashi or Haro Octavian around? It seems I am supposed to be living with you two.

[Naturally the first thing Speedy's going to do is complain. It's what he's best at, besides archery and obsessing over his hair.] Can't the world stay saved for like. Ten minutes? I mean seriously, I just laid the smack-down on the entire Brotherhood of Evil.

[And here's an exaggerated sigh.]

But I guess since I'm needed, it's fine. And I gotta say, they know how to seal a deal here, I'm liking this whole super special weapon thing.

So hey. I'm Speedy, member of Teen Titans East. Give me a ring if you want.

[ There's a new face in Exsilium today. Or at least, a new mask. A black mask with a prominent white skull, with a red X in the center with its right leg extending over an eye, seems to be juggling a black and red knife in one hand. ]

Y'know...

[ The obviously young man begins. ]

First, I wasn't happy about being brought here in the middle of ripping off the mayor's reelection campaign funds. But this?

[ He says, flinging the knife into a nearby wall. It lands perfectly, with obviously practiced precision into a small slit in the wall where this same knife had been thrown before... only to disappear in a flash of smoke and reappear back into the same hand he threw it with. ]

This I can get used to. Especially if I'm gonna get paid to do the same shit I've always been doing. Gotta ask, though.

[ The masked face gets way up into the camera, leaning into it. ]

Don't tell me these little freedom-fighters brought me, but not the Titans.