[ 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.

[This query brought to you by a pretty handful of missing puzzle pieces, not that you'd know, since Lenalee has no intent to justify or explain that imagery, nor to keep picking at scabs until they fester.]

We've already seen how the smallest change made can rewrite the entire history of this world. People are unborn, warheads are undropped... because we've cut out the circumstances which led to their happening.

How do you think that it might be the same for us? Transports come and go so often here and no one knows why. Whatever we do, we are always altering chances, there is no reason not to consider they could also be our own. That someone arrived on a day no longer existing may suddenly leave, or return by new circumstance, or forget they were ever here before.

It may be that we don't "go home", just. "Never arrive".

[ about ten minutes after broadcast, through careful squinting and experimentation, the feed is locked from Gilbert Nightray ]

All right, I think I've finally found my way around this thing. And what better way to use it than broadcasting what I have so far of my newest work? I usually have Varric give my friend-fiction a quick read before I share it with anyone else, but I think this snippet is particularly fantastic. It's dedicated to a certain new sparring partner I ran into.

Settle down, everyone, Aunty Isabela's got a story for you all.

( Not explicit BUT NOT FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES EITHER. )

[Preaching is something Kevin can do blindfolded, but socializing is not by far his specialty. In fact, right now he wishes he was blindfolded. And yet he is braving the terrifying audience of strangers to deliver his very important invitation. It is that time of the year, after all.]

G-good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Please allow me to apologize for infringing on your time. However, I wonder if any of you would be interested in joining a little amateur choir? The city seems odd without proper Christmas carols, wouldn’t you agree? Fortunately, I have had the honor of directing a few church choirs in the past, and happened to find a place that seems just right. [He casts an uncertain glance over his shoulder, revealing a dark and creepy museum hall.] …As long as one refrain from feeding the penguins, I suppose. [He redirects his attention to the tablet with a self-conscious cough.] Perfect acoustics, I tell you!

Ah, and for those adventurous enough to give it a try, there will be cookies and hot cocoa after every rehearsal.

[Cookies and hot cocoa should not be viewed as a bribery for heaven. Not at all. Why, even the most prayerful can use a little nudge now and then.]

[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. )

[It takes Estelle a little tinkering to get used to the idea of the tablet. But she thinks she sort of gets the idea, managing to open up a video feed.]

Oh! There, it seems like it's working now. [It's almost like seeing Rita working with her blastia research a little....

[She pulls back a little from peering closely at the tablet, smiling almost triumphantly at having figured it out for the most part and giving a small wave.]

Hello everyone! I guess I'm one of the newer arrivals and my name is Estellise. Oh, but you can just call me 'Estelle'. I might not be quite as aware on the situation as others who have been here longer, but I'll help as best I can. War is a terrible thing and I'd like to do my best to prevent it escalating if possible. I've done some fighting back home and I wouldn't like for things to get too out of hand, with children or civilians getting hurt and caught up in this.

[She's worried there, obviously upset at the situation from what she has gathered. It's not quite as dangerous as back home with the threat of the Adephagos, but even so, this is still serious and it seems like they are bringing in a lot of people to help out the Initiative.]

Though I guess all of this might take a bit of....getting used to. This is quite different from Zaphias back home. I can heal, so if there is some sort of clinic or something I'd like to offer my help if I can.

Oh! I'm not sure if there are any books here but I'd still like to hear some stories! I think this is a wonderful chance to learn so much with people from such different places! I've never heard of 'Earth' before I came here so I'd love to hear more about it.

I wanted to also thank everyone that helped me when I first got here too. I think I'm getting used to things here now.

And....I'm sorry if Yuri caused anyone any trouble. It's...not necessarily his fault but trouble sort of seems to follow him sometimes.

[A light, almost sheepish smile. She knows what Yuri can be like at times and even unintentionally how often he ends up in the middle of things.]

[ when the feed flicks on, it’s to the simple image of a sharply dressed man adjusting his glasses upon the bridge of his nose. or rather, it’s the lens glare that strikes the view first, a flash of blue that obscures the friendly(?) way he eyes the viewer, the practiced way he smiles. ]

My apologies. [ the tone, too, is terribly kept, composed and precise. ] If I may, I kindly request that you lend me your brief attention for but a few minutes of your time.

First, allow me to introduce myself: I am Munakata Reishi. You will have to forgive me, I’m afraid, as my recent arrival will mean my lines of inquiry will run along the road of repetition.

[ it’s formality and ease in idle, clear-cut motions; he laces his fingers together and rests them neatly on the table set before him. his smile hasn’t moved. ]

There is, I understand, a . . . certain freedom to living in the time before we are called to action. Training is -- was mandatory, was it not? I don't suppose all of you have been keeping up with your weekly regimen during this temporary state of confusion.

But I digress.

Let me cut straight to the chase, then.

Certain concerns come to mind. Minimal organization though we may have, I admit I’m rather lost. [ there’s a breath of laughter, possibly meant to curb the tension… not to create it. ] With so many people in a state of little to no enforcement, is it safe there on Earth, I wonder?

. . . And what kind of activities, pray tell, have you found to be the most beneficial use of your undoubtedly limitless spare time?

( PRIVATE; TO SARUHIKO FUSHIMI: )