- Yeahyeah, ya got it but til then this'll do.

[The video feed kicks in and sets to record mid-message. The closer of the two men turns to the screen, fixing the camera with an irritable look.]

( A brief Initiative transmission )



[For those who do report, the transport pad sits, powered down at the moment, with several of the access panels behind the platform are opened or removed entirely. Vennett sits in a folding chair in front of one of the computer displays. At his feet is a box of tools, and in hand is a strange black device. He doesn't look all that pleased to see you.

Lowell sits at a computer desk in the same room, ready to get the right calculations of the Transports as they step onto the Transport Pad. And while he isn’t really enthused at the idea of being here, he’s also a lot less miserable looking than Vennett. Maybe that makes him more approachable? Good luck.]



((OOC: NOTE: This is an intro for two of the new NPC characters. Come meet them! Handwaving having either done the scan or declined offscreen is totally fine. THIS IS NOT A MANDATORY EVENT.))

For a surprising change of pace, who is actually in favor of leaving the locals behind? Five hundred thousand odd lives, good as gone. Three hundred fifty of us in safety.

[because everyone who isn't is honestly an idiot.]

No lynching, please, ladies and gentlemen, let's have a civil discussion.

I was really starting to get used to being here on my own after Mukuro left me.

[If you are trying to guess where this broadcast is going, it's probably best not to. Junko looks positively miserable, however. It's probably because she's ran out of her favorite lip gloss. Also Naegi and Kirigiri were talkin' smack.

Mostly it's because of the lip gloss.

She gives a big, heaving sigh and chins a hand. It's a hard thing, sticking to one personality. It's so boring; her boredom is probably evident. ]

I mean, it's not really lonely with my roommates, you know? But Naegi and Kirigiri-chan came here from home! They've been here a while and they haven't invited me for cake or anything. Isn't that sad? Maybe I should make the first move or something?

... Oh! That reminds me. Actually, I wanted to ask if anyone knew how to make their weapon more functional? I think I saw something once, but I totally forgot.

[To be honest, she's hoping her knife is a secret mecha or something. ]

Ladies, gentlemen, a question: what do you look for in a significant other?

[he's grinning something fierce, like he's a host of a dating show or something. don't answer him, he's just going to use what you'll tell him against you when it suits him :c]

Looks, property, good with their hands, an excellent cook? Willing to die for you on missions? Takes a bath every week? I'm curious, this sort of thing isn't spoken about in my time!

Hello, everyone.

I have been in United Earth territory since June. I was released last week. Although I have been inspected and declared safe by the Initiative, I feel that it is my obligation to notify you all of what happened.

I am very eager to see some of you again. I am staying in my assigned housing at 502 while I continue to recover. Please come by at your convenience.


((feel free to use this post for both network conversations and action!))

[ The woman is wearing a dark black dress reaching just to her knees and a black jacket. As she walks across the room the echo of her heels is steady and confident. The room is quite like any other in the housing building only somewhat more fancy, the mattress of the bed seems thicker, the blankets softer. But the view changes quickly as she moves to seat.

Regina Mills is every bit of her Madam Mayor title, every bit of Her Majesty is also laced in the way that she carries herself. Confident to the point of haughty as she walks, regal as she sits, folds one leg over another.

It is then and then alone that she smiles.

Her lips, some will notice, are very red and her hair is dark and her skin is fair; fairest of them all, the tale said she wanted to be and she'd laugh at the foolishness if she had time.

But time is exactly what she doesn't have. ]

Exsilium, I hope this finds you well.

It grieved me to hear of the plague that has spread through the city; it grieved me even more to hear of the connection of the United Earth to this -- terrible ploy. My best wishes are sent to you all alongside wishes for a swift recovery.

I would formally introduce myself to you; I am Regina Mills, Mayor of Storybrooke, Maine; I don't trust you have heard of it, it is really quite small.

I do not plan to raise questions as to when or how we will be released from this...service we have been called upon. It is not of my nature to ask pointless questions or to waste time for time is precious, especially here.

I will ask you this and this alone, if there is anything known to us on the devices used to bring us here. We have all been brought in the same manner, I trust and I wish to know if anything has been found on this branch of technology. I assume it is merely that, technology although -

[ and at that part, her smile turns nearly embarrassed, a perfect facade of humility and amusement. ]

I would believe you if you'd told me we arrive and leave and move between worlds on our missions in magical manners. Such means are not quite possible in small towns in Maine.

[ she chuckles and it is charming. A moment later and she grows more solemn. ]

And one more thing I have to ask of you. I am in search of a child, my son whose name is Henry. He is ten, would be dressed warmly if he came here from our world with his clothes. If you have seen a boy of eleven who answers to the name, I want to hear of it. It is my hope that my son had not came here with me, this island does not seem to be fitting for children but I must ask to make certain.

--- It is unnecessary, I hope, to warn the people of this island from hurting him if he is here.

[ but the threat is already there, the violence laced behind dark eyes and then the moment passes and she smiles again. ]

I thank you for you time.

[The feed turns on to see Joshua, casually leaning up against a wall, looking like he was deep in thought. He had a lot of information to read and process, after all. But still, he was still curious about some things that he couldn't simply read up on.]

Show of hands, Exsilium. I’m taking a little poll -- how long have you been here? [A beat, as he thinks.] And these disappearances from this world...how often--

[ breaking bothered voice interrupting the feed, and supposedly from some quickly rescinding distance given the steady increase in Offended™ volume - ] The hell-- What are you doing here?!

Neku? [ another voice, less bothered and more confused, chimes up behind him suddenly, wondering what he’s suddenly angry about. not that he ever needs a reason-- ] Who is--

[There was just a little bit of surprise on Joshua’s face as he looks up at Neku, but it’s only momentary, because he’s smirking in the next second.] The same reason that you two are here, I suppose. And why wouldn’t they want my help? You of all people know how useful I could be.

[Casually...not mentioning that he was talking to the network. Sorry Neku, he’s still an ass.]

Not that! I mean why are you helping them!? I have no freaking clue how this turned into our problem, but if it turns out it's 'cause you wanted to be here--

[ HE'S NOT.. as abhorrent about helping a whole town of people as he seems to be, but he's also under the impression he's only being cranky toward the asshole he thinks is at fault rn. ]

Neku, hold on!

[ now shiki’s jumping in again, because she knows this could go on for a while if she doesn’t. it’s not even that she thinks neku is right or wrong -- it’s just that this is kind of embarrassing.

not that she can blame him for being angry at joshua, but... ] The tablet... he was recording.

Oh, so I was. [Though Joshua doesn’t look too sorry about it, tbh. And there’s that trademark giggle of his that everyone pretty much hates.] In all the excitement, I must’ve forgotten.

[ ?! ] Wha-- Seriously!? Rrgh, shut it down!! [ fml 3kwhatever

the feed probably shifts to the lovely ghetto ceiling or whatever that blur is with a lot of thumping noises in the audio before abruptly cutting out. ]

((ooc: gray for Joshua, blue for Neku, and pink for Shiki!))

[There's the sounds of a scuffle---with a girl's voice cursing and complaining about 'stupid idiots, I'm not handing over my marques or whatever the money here's called! I told that little girl I'd buy her some bread!' ---when the tablet's voice feed suddenly clicks on:]

Okay, now let me get this straight. We're supposed to be soldiers, off fighting this war, right? So tell me this---

[The girl speaking quickly grunts as she dodges the thugs' attacks. The sounds of her footsteps make a scurrying noise as if she quickly backpedaled away. Afterward, she takes a deep, irritated breath.]

---isn't part of our job supposed to be keeping the peace? Why are there still moron thugs running around?

[After she poses this inquiry, there's the sound of electricity cracking, and the tablet suddenly shuts off.]



[ooc: tags might be slow, sorry! action tags are welcome as well, for anyone who's up for it!]

[Kousuke appears on the screen, covered in dust and sweat and blood. If you look closely, you can see the trails his tears have left in it. But he gives a wan smile anyway. Anyone who's seen his real smile could tell what a pale imitation this one is.]

Uh... Hey, hey everybody. I'm Kousuke Nitoh. I, uh. I'm calling you on my way back from the outskirts of town. I gotta tell you something important...

[He sighs heavily, leaning up against the wall of a half-ruined building.]

There's a monster in town, a Phantom. It, uh, well, the easiest way for me to explain it is that it... killed Haruto.

[He looks immediately despondent, having said those words. He quietly repeats it.]

Haruto's dead. The Phantom stole his body, and it's walking around lookin' like him. So if you see him, don't talk to him. Phantoms usually don't kill people, other than the ones they're inside... But he'll try to feed off your despair.

[He starts walking again, looking around awkwardly.]

It's my responsibility to kill him. I gotta do this. But if anyone could help me keep people back while I fight him, or like... Just help me out. I have to deal the final blow, though. My life kind of depends on it.

[Nanami's fever has spiked worse than anything. She sounds a little woozy.

She breathes in and rattles, then coughs.]

Listen. I've been thinking.

The people who disappear...

... How do we know they're not going to able to find them and follow them?

What's the difference? [Rattle.] No matter how you leave, what's stopping them from figuring out how to get to you?

[A long pause.]

Don't say anything about the hospital.

I know, already.

[Unusually for this network user, the transmission is purely Audio. A great deal of transports will of course recognize the voice as belonging to Kanaya Maryam. Strangers will hear a fifteen-year-old female, naturally rather mature and composed, doing her best to sound even more so. She speaks crisply and briskly with no mercy, like the distinctions between American and British English are to be stalked into a dark alley and shot in the back of the skull.]

The armageddon that occurred in the world of Elmer C. Albatross isn't the only one that's ever occurred in paradox space, you know. Just ask Asuka Langley Soryu or Rei Ayanami or Shinji Ikari. Any of them can tell you that the end of a world is always at least as ugly a thing as what happened on May Twenty-First. Anyone who escaped the planet Alternia before the meteors struck can reiterate the sentiments that Exsilium is a far better alternative to no planet at all. For many of us, Exsilium is our home now and we'll fight literally to the ends of an Earth for its sake.

I know not all of you feel that sort of debt to the Initiative. You do want to go home, this isn't your war, it's their fault. That's really too bad. Because if we let the United Earth have their way and don't develop Initiative in both senses of the word, we're all going to be post-apocalyptic refugees before long. We come from dozens of worlds. Would you like to take arms with the Initiative to fight against the reckoning, or watch each one meet the same fate Elmer's world did?

[An open question, Exsilium.]

[ she's put this off for almost a month now. what with looking out for madoka, keeping an eye on oriko mikuni, examining the surrounding areas and moving in with three other magical girls... there simply hasn't been time for something as frivolous as this. nonetheless, it's something that needs to happen at some point, and thus she has holed herself up in her room with her tablet at the ready.

today is the day homura akemi finally contacts the network.

when the feed comes on, a young woman with long black hair can be seen. some of you may already know her, for any number of reasons; her cool, formal demeanor is in effect as always, even if it's significantly less icy than it's been over the past few weeks. ]

My name is Homura Akemi. I arrived here a little over one month ago, and I've been working on settling in ever since. [ her words have a certain practiced, muted tone to them, as does the slight bow she gives the camera. ] It's nice to meet you all.

[ she closes her eyes, takes a breath, exhales- when she finally opens her eyes again, she resumes speaking in that controlled way of hers. ]

If the network is reliable, I've been to this place several times already. As such, some of you have likely met me before. I'd be very interested in meeting with anyone I once knew.

[ a slight pause, another breath, and then- ]

Thank you for your time.

[ and with that, she unceremoniously reaches out and closes the feed. ]

[It's rare that she addresses the network at large, but today, Kyouko is perched on a far-off rooftop. The remains of the domed ceiling and the slightly bent, scorched cross atop it suggest that this place, wherever it is, used to be a church.

She is dressed as a Puella Magi for this, and with a care that belies her usual behavior, wraps the chains of her separated spear around the bent cross, and begins to pull, slowly. The comm device catches bits and pieces of this work — her boots, the strain and squeaking of old metal and wood. Eventually the cross is righted as much as it can be without tipping over and crashing to the ground below, and apparently satisfied, she leans against it, unwraps a candy bar, and places her comm device in her lap, staring down at the screen.]

[She turns away a little, and speaks in a contemplative tone of voice.] Y'know, the people who live here have hard lives.

[She takes a bite out of her candy bar, and continues to speak. Seems she's in an introspective mood.] Not you guys, [rude.] the people who lived here before we got here. When those bombs hit, a buncha of these buildings didn't make it. A lot of the people didn't either.

[A grin, but there's little humor to be found in it.] Heh, and this place is still here. It's a dump, but people come in here anyway. There's no priest and no books, but they leave junk here at the altars, even though the rain leaks through. They bury people without givin' 'em their rites. [...] I wonder if they even remember 'em. Betcha they don't, huh?

[She continues to chew.] I got here almost a year ago, and this building's still the same as the first time I saw it. I used to think nobody gave a damn about it, but I see them coming in and out of here all the time. An' even after the bombs, and what just happened, they always smile at you when you walk by. People give me stuff for no reason. I used to think that kinda attitude was stupid. Who smiles in a shitty place like this? Why give a buncha strangers anything? It's better to just care about yourself. They'd live better lives if they did.

[The wind is soft. Still. Kyouko's expression appears to close off, becomes difficult to read.]

Maybe. I don't know what I think now.

[An audio post begins, and for a few seconds it's just the sound of the rain. Then, a piano begins to play. Those familiar with classical music would recognize it as French Suite No. 4, a well-known work by German composer J.S. Bach.

The music goes on for about fifteen minutes. It's a piece with a sense of introversion to it - even as the music turns complicated and speedy in some areas, it maintains a restrained elegance. Emotional, without being passionate.

When it finally ends, there are another few seconds of rainfall before Kaworu speaks.]

The demands of human relationships are overwhelming when you consider just how much love a heart needs to survive.

But, conversely, a heart can give an infinite amount of love in turn. The world is less scary if you simply remember this.

( Action for 705 )

[As Open Action before the post gets made, a rainbow drinker can be seen clattering about half the shops of the city at a breakneck pace - on the streets, this is literal, a blur of supernatural running so fast her clothes are practically dry. She's buying things. A fold-up hexagonal playpen. Blankets. Food, none of it cooked or complex. You usually don't see her carrying too many of these objects at once because she's rushing in and out of the apartment to set them aside. Inside the stores she maintains a more normal pace, though she flickers like a morse code technician out of nervousness.]

[This relatively short video shows nothing of Kanaya except for her voice and softly glowing hands. She's holding a gray sphere about the size of a soccer ball, covered in smaller versions of the orange horns all the trolls possess.]



The restoration of the troll race will take place at four o'clock today in Unit 705. I thought you should be informed if you're a member of our species or care about it at all.

( Homestuck text under the cut )

( Filtered text for Kido and Kano )

( Action for people who show up to 705 )

Yes, hello.

[someone's looking rather poised today]

To those that are unfamiliar with me, my name is Alice Liddell and I'd like to ask for but a moment of your time.

I've become rather tired of simply waiting for the next mission and the resulting, and seemingly inevitable mess we'll have to put up with due to the ineptitude of our "hosts". Whether it's swapped bodies, time discrepancies, or whatever else that could possibly happen.

If I'm to keep myself better occupied, then I would like it do be through helping whichever way I can. Specifics on what I'd like to help with can come later, I would much rather make myself useful than to continue remaining idle like this. Perhaps more another able body is needed elsewhere?

I can assure you that I'm much more capable than my small stature would indicate.

[she brings out the Hobby Horse and swings it over her shoulder.]

In any case, do give it some thought and I shall hope to hear back with some favorable suggestions.

Good afternoon. I'm Yuri Petrov, of Sternbild City.

[Yuri doesn't hesitate to use the video function. It's how he's used to communicating in Sternbild. He also doesn't hesitate to air his opinion, however much some might disagree. Someone is not in a good mood. Yet his tone remains, overall, polite, in spite of the stern nature of his words.]

I hope I'm not alone in finding this kind of conscription both morally and ethically insupportable. It doesn't matter what the reason for the war is. Not only is there no such thing as a just war, but a cause can never truly be just when supported through unjust means.

Furthermore, to meddle with the past in the hopes of affecting current events strikes me as patently absurd, if not outright foolish. Time is an interwoven series of events. Think of it as a cloth. Tug on one string, and others begin to unravel. Who knows what the unintended consequences may be?

I do not know if there are other conscientious objectors among the population, but they may count me as one of their number.

<sub>[The feed opens up to a room with pink walls with plush, very comfortable looking couches, as well as more intimate looking tables and chairs for two or three. Everything is clean, immaculate, and cozy. It then shifts to show flowers, many, many kinds in bouquets of different sizes, already in vases, corsages, wreaths, and other sorts of arrangements.

Flora appears in front of them all with a sunny smile.]</sub>

Hello, everyone!

Spring hasn't arrived yet, if it ever really will in the way I'm used to, at least, so I thought why not try to make a little of our own? The flowers are free to absolutely anyone that wants them. Even if it's just a for a short while, I hope you can take a little of spring with you and have brighter days.

_{[The feed then moves to display all sorts of cakes, treats, and teapots before she appears again, scratching her cheek a little bashfully.]}

Oh, and um, it's also my birthday today, so if anyone wants anything here, please, feel free to help yourself. You're quite welcome to stay a while, too, if you like. I'll be here all day.

Farewell and see you soon, perhaps!

<sub>[The feed cuts off. There are directions provided in text. And if there was any doubt as to which building it is, it's got flower baskets hanging around the door of it, window boxes, as well as potted plants to either side of it.

And around it.

...and down the pathway.

Yeah. So. Shouldn't be too hard to miss.]</sub>

Say, if you're an alien, I have a question for you. What was your world like? Do you miss it? Please tell me about it if you feel like it. Did you get to fly a space ship? Was that fun? What kind of fun things did you do? Are humans weird? What's the weirdest thing about them? Do you like humans? Did you ever meet humans when you were an alien?

[Okay, that's a bunch of questions. But she doesn't self-correct.]

Also, does anyone here know how to do magic? And if you do, is it magic you can teach to anybody? I think it would be pretty neat to know how to do some magic, and it could come in handy sometime. If you do please let me know.

[Good evening, Exsilium! Sheryl may have been stuck in this dystopian city for approximately two months now, but it's the first time she's officially made a network feed for the masses. And what better way to show off the device's capabilities by doing what she does best?

There's a soft intake of breath, slow and steady, then she begins with a calm, dulcet rendition of "Aimo". The song is relatively short and peaceful, but her voice retains all the intensity and passion, enough to show that it's sung by a woman with well-trained vocal chords.]

( Aimo aimo... )

[Shortly, the feed switches to video, revealing a pink-haired woman lying down on her stomach in bed, all smiles as she swings her feet back and forth from behind, also propping her chin in the palm of her left hand.]

To tell you the truth, this isn't really my song. I heard it once back when I was trapped as a child in here and at that time, a young girl with a kind heart sung it to me. I didn't realize it then, but that girl would someday become my best friend.

[She pauses, tucking her pink strands behind her ear with her free hand, then grins.]

Ranka, I don't think you ever told me about that song before! I'm interested in hearing about its origins. And as for the rest of you—

[Her grin soon morphs into a confident smirk as she pokes at the camera. Guess what? The singer has something planned in her sleeve, judging from the slight glimmer in her blue eyes.]

Tomorrow, I'll be making pot-au-feu, a delicious French stew which I expect everyone to try at least once. You'll be missing out if you don't, so I won't take no for an answer. Consider this an invitation from Sheryl Nome.

[ 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.

I know that in my world, on the fourteenth of this month, there's a holiday called Valentine's Day.
On this day, people express their affection for one another, right?

I was wondering if someone would be willing to explain this to me a bit more.
I don't understand.
It seems to me that expressing one's love, and having love expressed to you in return, is meaningful when it's done spontaneously.

[VIDEO // Encrypted to everyone who interacted with him during the timewarp mix-up]

Hello. I wanted to thank you for helping me the last couple of weeks. [smile.] And I wanted to apologize for my child self, if he said anything strange to you.

( well, that was - something. fifteen is not an age he'd ever wanted to experience again for a number of reasons, all of which stand out vividly in mind right now. there was so much he didn't know then, driven by a raw need for revenge and to get his answers, still hanging on mr maverick's every word. he wasn't happier then but things were simpler then, more cut and dry, and he was more certain of things than he may ever be now.

he sighs before he can stop himself, offering the feed a long-suffering expression. )

I'd like to thank everyone who helped me ( there's a slight stress on the last word ) in the last two weeks as I was getting reacquainted with living here - especially since I wasn't particularly easy to deal with, at that age. Presumably, everyone's aware that disruptions like this are difficult to predict or control, but if anyone would still like an apology for my behavior, I can't say it wouldn't be deserved.

[ 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!

[Video]
[The feed opens to a view of a white-haired male who is just giving a bemused stare as a young girl's voice could be heard in the background.]

Well, I suppose this situation could be worse, but you'd have thought that someone would've won the conflict.

[A shrug.]

Though, leaving me with a brat who can't tell what they're supposed to do in this place is quite the welcome back present, isn't it?

How dare you speak ill of me when I am right here!

[ There's a small bit of golden hair sticking it's way into the feed as well as a set of fingertips as the girl mentioned earlier tries to take the tablet from him. ]

They will think poorly of me so please cease with your words. I cannot become a magical girl if the populace thinks of me as a fiendish nightmare who throws tantrums like a babe torn from his mother's breast!

[There's just a deadpan look as he wrestled the control back of the device with a sigh.]

Case in point.

[And with another shrug, he's going to just turn off the feed.]

((OOC: Both of them will be responding to you!))

[ Oh look, another person is fumbling with the tablet today. There's a short capture of the grey sky and a glimpse of bright red hair before a "clunk!" sound can be heard and a panicky-- ] Oh no! Did I brea-- [ The video stops there.

Several minutes later, the audio comes on. Whether it's by mistake or choice, who knows. You can still hear the rain coming down heavily and then a young girl's voice speaks up. The same one who was panicking not too long ago. ]

Hello? Is there anyone who can hear this? Hello? I'm-- [ her voice is almost hard to make out in the rain, so she talks louder: ] I don't know how I got up here and I'm stuck! Somebody on the street told me they were gonna come, but it's been forever and it's cold and raining and-- [ She sounds cold, tired and scared. ]

Can somebody come and get me down from the roof? [ A beat. ] Please?


[ ooc: max will be retrieving her! otherwise all network replies will be icly delayed by an hour or so. ]

—It's okay! We don't have to keep this stuff a secret.

[ THAT SURE IS A GLOVED HAND COVERING THE CAMERA but never fear, she figures it out after a moment and waves sheepishly. Exsilium, say hello to one half of your new magical girl duo. ]

Looks like there's been a bit of a problem, huh? Lucky for you guys, magical girl Sayaka is here to take care of everything! [ She holds her sword up with a grin, cape fluttering behind her. ] Just leave it to me! If anyone needs any help, I'll definitely be there straight away.

[A second later, another little magical girl face pops up. There's some fumbling around when she and Sayaka nudge shoulders and push together for room, and then she clears her throat and begins, nervously:]

If you say so...are all other magical girls this flashy?

[Mami-senpai had not mentioned it. She had also stressed the importance of keeping their magical girl personas a secret, but surely in this strange place, it wouldn't matter much, right? ...She hoped so.

Kyouko bows her head toward the camera politely, and speaks up a little louder.] Excuse me, everyone! I don't mean to be too forward, but...

[She straightens up a little, gets her game face on. She's holding a spear about twice her size, but it doesn't look like she's struggling to hold it.] We noticed there are a lot of kids around, and we want to help! So - please count on us! We'll help gather all of them up.

[A pause. She turns to Sayaka, and in a stage-whisper:] Did that sound cool enough?

You sounded fine! Geez, Kyouko, you worry too much.

[ ooc; tags will come from both in separate threads! edit: threadjacks are happening. feel free to action it up if you run into them anywhere in the hold, they will be all over. ]

[As background noise to Lilith's frantic chattering, there's the loud revving of what seems to be a very large chainsaw. The fact that she's either running or getting out of breath is also clear in her voice.

Truth be told, she's chasing after something. And on her first day here. Impressive business, Lilith.]

Hey! Hey, I uh, I kind of need some help here. I'm new to this place and I got that sentient weapon and everything and I picked out this really badass one I mean, it is totally swank. It's probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of shit.

Oh, but anyway, I revved it up and it's got a helluva lot more kick to it than I thought it would and it kind of got away from me. It's also pretty sharp. I mean, it cut up this lamp post-looking thing pretty quickly and now it's just sort of flailing around ruining the ground even more. I tried shooting at it but I think that just made it angrier or something. I tried apologizing and told it that it needs to stop, but it's not really doing that and I can't really grab it I mean I'm pretty sure if it's pissed it'll just cut my freakin' hand off and I sort of like my hands.

So uh, can anyone give me a hand here?

[There's a pause.]

I don't mean actually giving me your hand, I meant help.

ooc: so Lilith has lost control of her sentient weapon! It's a chainsaw katana, something along the lines of this. People are welcome to find her with action tags or whatever!

--And here we are. What an intricate device it is, and its design is solidly made!

[ On the screen stands a young looking woman in regal red, bright garments. The device is placed at a distance so that the feed can transmit her entire body, and she looks vaguely amused. She gestures with her hand at the surrounding areas, and the slight smile on her face nearly drops entirely. ]

Yet this land I stand upon... Truly, how times have made this land that I once knew as Britannia to fall so low. It is a tragic sight, to think that it was once a part of my Empire, but I get the feeling that the world beyond the Moon Cell is exactly as how this place appears to be. Why, it does not feel as though I have left my own realm at all.

[ And at that, her eyes narrow and glisten with a sharp look. ]

But I know this is not the case. This... Initiative has torn me apart from my Master, and that is a sin I cannot forgive, despite how courteous they were to my presence and readily answering my queries. Hah! Then again, perhaps my situation is punishment for the sin of defeating a misguided Savior to leave the world as is. Yet I do not regret my actions one bit.

So tell me, those who came before, how goes this war that we are all unceremoniously made to participate in?

[ a sneeze; acough, and a creak of a door. ]

Ugh.

I knew going out in the snow was bad news.

[ a quiet, affectionate cry echoes, animalistic in origin. Stellaluna's a bit worried about her human. 8( not like him to be so lethargic for a few days.

However, Riku's been spreading a bit of cheer--some of his presents might be a tad late, but they're delivered carefully. And random transports were given pies or torts, even if he doesn't know them. ]

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Now we just--

[ achoo! Groan, wobble, worried scree. ]

... have the New Year to worry about.

[ The video feed opens up showing what looks almost like a traditional snowman wearing a scarf. It has pebbles for eyes and a mouth, but instead of a smile, it's in a frown. It has no carrot for a nose, but bananas... no, banana-mangos on the side of its head. Are those supposed to be horns? And the mun is sorry. She doesn't know how to draw banana-mangos. ]

...au, au, au♪

[ Snowmen don't make that kind of noise, but for some reason, Rika's horned snowman does. Rika, who's almost a head shorter than the snowman, leans out from behind it, flashing a big smile at the feed. It's the biggest, happiest smile she has made since first arriving in Exsilium. She's also bundled up in some new warm clothes more suitable for cold weather. ]

Nipa~☆

I didn't think I would ever see snow again! Before I arrived here, it was the summer season in my world. It felt endless.

[ It might sound like an over exaggeration, but it really did last years for her. She bounds up to her tablet, scooping it up in her gloves and switching it to audio. She only wanted to use video to show off her snowman. ]

If anyone wants to come out and play, we can have a snowball fight. To make it even more exciting, maybe we can have a penalty at the end for the loser.

[ And before she ends the feed, she has one last message. ]

And thank you for the stuffed penguin, Santa Claus. [ OR SHOULD I SAY SAYAKA CLAUS. ]

[A curious young woman appears on the video as she stares at the tablet in her hands, somewhat interested in the new and different and technology and all--when she remembers that oh right, she'd planned on talking to people. Way to make an impression of being focused and prepared...

She clears her throat.] Er, hi there. My name's Shirley, and... These people--y'know, the Initiative and all--they're really not picky when it comes to people who end up here and all, huh? So I just wanted to clarify something: not everything has to be about fighting, right? I can't say I'm good with anything like diplomacy either, but it's a better start than something like shooting someone...

Sorry if it's a simple question. I just wanted to be absolutely sure; thank you for your time in advance.

... actually, there's just one more thing. [A pause, because this is a lot more awkward of a topic to bring up. Still, she can't help but be curious given her own circumstances.] This is probably gong to seem silly, but this isn't actually some kind of weirdly militaristic afterlife, is it?

[Good day to you Exsilium. This fine morning you have a rather serious looking Erza Scarlet on your screens (she's fully clothed this time) as well as Natsu and Lucy looking rather resigned and kneeling in the background.]

Good morning to you all.

Regarding the events of the masque ball I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for the terrible behavior of my guild mates and myself. It appears I unknowingly became intoxicated at some point during the night and became somewhat violent.

[She doesn't mention that Lucy also became drunk from the punch because she remembers seeing Lucy drinking with Claire. Natsu, however, has no excuse and the glare she shoots in his direction says as much. She clenches her fist with determination.]

I refuse to let this event bring further shame upon the guild. Therefore I wish to offer up our services, to both the Initiative and those wronged by our actions, to repay the debt for any damages we inflicted.

[At the 'damages we inflicted' Lucy can be heard whispering, "Didn't she cause more damage than we did..?" and then quickly half-ducks behind Natsu when Erza turns suddenly with a murderous look in her eyes. The two figures in the background go completely pale but Erza only bows humbly before the camera. After a few moments Erza looks back at the screen, her severe tone having softened.]

Sayaka I'm sorry for abandoning you after our dance, it wasn't my intention.

[With her final apology complete Erza turns to deal with her friends. Lucy, now using Natsu as a shield, raises her arms up as if pleading for mercy.]

((OOC: Context Feel free to say your character was injured by these idiots at some point during that night.))

[It's been days, perhaps weeks since she arrived, and it's taken this long for her to feel comfortable broadcasting even her voice in a public place. Even so, the message is short as she makes an effort to keep distress or dismay out of her voice.]

Since we've all been taken from our homes, there must be many out there who have left behind family, friends, and loved ones. As I've been told, there are people who have been trapped in this place for months.

Does time make the ache of being apart fade? Is there a way to make that pain subside?

[The video clicks on to show one of the streets scattered around Exsilium, the camera panned slightly upward, and it is half-covered by an oily black hand. After a few seconds it tilts down to reveal the owner of the hand, a woman with very blue skin, her eyes slightly narrowed in thought but her expression amused, her black hair half falling over her face and half held away by a series of small red clips. Behind her head appears to be four oily black tentacles that writhe faintly as she moves. The top of her clothing, visible around her neck, appears to be shifting against her skin as well.]

[She’s gliding along, but she slows to a stop as she studies the camera, and after a few seconds seems to realize that it’s transmitting.]

Hmm. They did say people could hear me…[Her voice is absent-minded, but when she speaks again it is stronger, more direct.] Hello out there, people of the future? Or the past. Whatever.

[She shrugs and her gaze shifts away again, looking at the buildings she’s passing, and she speaks as she begins moving again.] Eddie told me about his time, but I was expecting something…grander, I guess. I know there’s a war going on but this place looks like it was designed by someone who never even heard of music. I mean, really, narrow buildings, straight streets, everything is so…utilitarian.

[She says the word like she doesn’t even like the way it sounds.]

Where’s the soul? Where’s the music? This place is supposed to be awesome, it’s not even managing boring. I’ve barely arrived and I already think most of it is tedious.

[The background changes as she enters the apartment buildings, hunting for the one that was apparently 'hers.' She's never had an apartment before, this could be interesting.]

Anyway. I'm Ophelia. The pleasures all yours, trust me. I'd tell you about myself but apparently nothing from back home matters here. A clean slate. It's sort of appealing. And a little depressing. And kind of boring.

But hey, free reign to do what I want, right? [She glances down at the camera again and smirks an almost malicious smirk.] This should be fun.

[Click.]

( Action for two dorky teenage boy roommates. )

[This sort of technology is nothing new to Tamora, and it doesn't take her but a moment or two to get the hang of this particular device and its functions. The video feed shows a very stern-looking blonde with an unimpressed glower on her face.]

Okay, civilians, look alive. The name's Calhoun--Sergeant, Space Marine Corps. If this game's in trouble, then I'm offering my full cooperation, but I'm gonna need a little more info first. I got three questions for you, and I expect clean, concise answers.

One: [She holds up one finger, then three, and folds one down for each description she gives.] I'm looking for three people--a short guy with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a blue shirt and a goofy hat, who carries around a golden hammer; a little girl about nine years old, with black hair, wearing a turquoise hoodie; and a big guy dressed like a lumberjack with disproportionately large hands and feet. Don't ask why he has disproportionately large hands and feet, 'cuz to be frank I really don't know. I just need to find these people, and if anybody's seen 'em, I'd like a full report on their last known coordinates. Also if there are any other space marines present, sound off; if there's a hole in the code in the far quadrant we need to figure out how to get a message to the rest of the team.

Two: [Two fingers this time.] Who's the genius that designed this game? Because I'd really like to punch them in the eye. Who in the name of Goomba's snaggleteeth thought it was a good idea to design a game with no exit? [And then she mutters under her breath.] Ugh, if I have to play a bunch of minigames to get to the next level or something I'm gonna seriously knock some heads...

[Back to business.] And three: [Three fingers, and then her hand swims to her forehead.] Where can you get a good strong cup of coffee around here? I have a feeling I'm gonna need it.

In addition, anyone who can give me a more comprehensive rundown than the sorry excuse for a briefing I received upon arrival, I'd appreciate it. Calhoun out.

[And the feed cuts promptly.]