[ The feed opens up to one girl recognisable to be Kougyoku Ren looking into the camera, clearly held up by somebody else. ]

So when it starts recording, I should speak to it?

[ From behind the camera, a voice chuckles, sounding amused. ] Kou-chan, it’s already started.

[ The girl gasps and blushes, covering her mouth in surprise. ] I’m sorry, I didn’t... Oh, how do I begin? Um, h-hello... everyone. I mean, greetings! I mean...

[ A whisper from behind the camera: ] Introductions, Kou-chan, introductions~

Yes, you’re right. It’s not like I haven’t introduced myself before. [ She turns her head a few degrees away from the camera. ] I am Kougyoku Ren. I am… eighteen years old. I am from the Kou Empire, and I, I like fashion, fighting and… um... Anyway, I. I am looking for friends.

[ Again, from behind the camera: ] So, if you’d like to be her friend, please reply to this video!

[ Kougyoku immediately smiles and faces the camera after that line. It’s as if her personality did a complete 180. ] Did I do good, Tatara?

[ And, once more, the voice behind the camera chuckles as the feed shuts down: ] Very well done!

[ note; Tags will be coming separately from Kougyoku and Totsuka separately! ]

[The voice is that of a young woman speaking in a crisp English accent. She sounds entirely unamused, though not necessarily resigned to her situation.]

If the circumstances here are truly as they've been presented to me, it would seem that my travel plans will need to be revised and that I shan't be leaving for Paris in the morning after all. More pressing, however, is the lack of access to my own finances. I find this irritating, to say the least.

[A girl's gotta have some cash. Real money, too, not this fake stuff they're touting. This is absolutely ridiculous. She sighs, voice taking on a slightly more sympathetic tone.]

As I said, if I can't go to Paris tomorrow, I shall have to alter my plans. I am in dire need of a tailor. Someone skilled. Not a dressmaker. I shall impart the details of my commission to said tailor, if and when we are introduced.

At present I have nothing to barter with aside from my good name and promise of repayment at a future date. And with all these witnesses, that ought to be enough. My name is a very good one, if that matters to anyone at all.

[There's a deliberate pause before she speaks again.]

Though if anyone should have pertinent information on how one might go about securing passage away from this this... settlement, I should be much obliged for your assistance.

[Asuka clears her throat and pauses before actually launching into her little spiel.]

So, I thought you all deserved to know that I turn sixteen tomorrow! Maybe I'm finally getting used to living here after a year. Or something. Hell if I know!

The only problem is that we're still stuck on this stupid rock, so it's not exactly the best place for celebrating much of anything. Anyone have suggestions? And none of that virtual reality crap! They're neat, but they kinda give me the creeps. Maybe I'll just try and take over part of the dining hall...

[So this hasn't been a traumatic last few days at all. Still Sky assumes it's better to at least find something to do than sit around and think about how she isn't home. Or about how people were just killed on earth. What she's supposed to do? She doesn't know. She amusingly assumes to herself that at least no one will need her to cook any books here.]

Ugh, hi. I'm Skyler. [Because while only a handful here are associated with her husband, she would rather leave him out of this.]

I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do. [And this is already starting to sound like an AA introduction or something.] I'm a mom back home. It's the one thing I'm really good at.

[It's not entirely true, but she doesn't really know what else to say, and who needs an accountant in space?]

I like to write, and I don't really have powers. Or know how to fight. Well. [She doesn't want to think about the fight with the kitchen knife, so instead she just breathes and nods.]

I'm not sure what I could really do here, but I'm good with children. I have two of my own, and I'd like to help if I can.

[Nanami's sunburn has mostly healed and peeled away by now, but she still shows signs of having been out in way too much sun for way too long. For once she's speaking very politely, aware of both of the subject matter and the adults who might be watching.]

It's my birthday on the 8th.

[If the potential selfishness is broadcasting her birthday for the entire network has dawned on her at all, she doesn't show any signs of recognizing it. But, for a moment, her expression becomes closed off and drawn.]

I already had a birthday, technically - on a mission. It was a long time ago, but only a few weeks here. But we all know that doesn't count!

[She lifts up again, pointing her index finger at the camera.]

There's no way I'll let this opportunity go by! This is the most important event in my life! I can't possibly let it pass without the appreciation it deserves! That's where some of you come in!

You should all be planning to attend!

[Attend what? Attend where? She's doesn't...know. Details.]

More to follow!

[The screen clicks on to a super close up of Pabu's face. The little fire ferret sniffs the screen, then turns a few circles and plots down right on top of it.

Fire ferret butt. Just the way to start your day.]

What do you think, Pabu? I'm not losing my gorgeous figure, am I? [Bolin hmms and hawws.] Of course not.

[a moment of hesitation] Still, maybe you should eat the last biscuit.

[Pabu chitters and jumps off the device to go gobble the last of the biscuits, and you can finally see Bolin. He's standing in front of the mirror in his room, posing and making muscles and oh, yeah, only in his underwear.

Left arm muscles? Looking good. Right arm muscles? Oh yeah, baby. He turns around so he can see how his glutes are doing in the mirror, and that is when he notices the tablet on his bed.

On.

Recording.

He covers his crotch and turns bright, bright red. Oh no oh no oh no oh no.]

PABU! WHAT DID YOU -- [Off-screen, the fire ferret is no help whatsoever. Traitor. Bolin's panicked and frozen and it takes longer than it should for him to think of grabbing a pillow and covering the device.]

--maybe... oh! I think I got it this time!

[The woman speaking carries an Australian accent and she sounds triumphant albiet a little tired.]

Technology like this really is useful, huh? [A pause and then a deep sigh.] I can't believe it. When I first got here all these people told me nothing happened here! It isn't nice to lie like that!

[She does see the irony in saying that, yes.

She sighs again.] I hope everyone is all right. I still don't understand all of this but I'm glad I was able to be useful and help heal people. If anyone still needs anything like that just let me know.

I don't really know what to expect from this place anymore but it sure does make me nervous.

[The user ID definitely says "Painwheel" but that has to be a mistake. She hardly ever actually shows her face on the network to begin with. And those that do know what she looks like will notice that something is definitely missing.]

U-Um... hi. It's me, Painwheel.

[The deep, raspy voice matches.]

My mask got ruined during the attack and... There wasn't much point in getting it fixed, so I decided to take it off.

[Seems like it was done forcefully, as she's got some serious scarring going on.]

I know usually talk with text, but I was thinking about getting away from that. For a while, actually.

[Painwheel looks really seems really nervous about this, given how she keeps looking away and back to the camera, and awkwardly scratching the back of her head.]

So here I am.

[The camera turns on, focused on a small, seventeen year old girl. She looks rather odd, with strange jewelry (earrings that look like radishes and a necklace that looks like it’s made of corks) and protuberant eyes that make her look almost perpetually surprised. She gives the camera a vague, dreamy smile.]

Hello, there. I’ve been trying to acquaint myself with the place, but I suppose I should also acquaint myself with the people. I’m Luna, Luna Lovegood. I don’t think it’s so bad here. It’s better than the place I was not too long ago, though I don’t like to think about that. It makes me sad. I think it would be worse if you had friends back home, though. I’m not quite sure if I have friends.

[She stares off dreamily into space for a few minutes before looking back at the camera.]

I was curious as to what kind of creatures roam this place. I should very much like to see them. And if you know any places to explore, I would like that very much as well.

Company would be appreciated, but isn’t necessary. I’ll be fine.

[She hums a tune of her own creation for a few minutes before finally shutting off the device.]

[ She was bored. So very bored. She wasn't training, because that's what they wanted from her, and the last thing Merida wanted to do was satisfy the people who wanted her to fight for them. She wouldn't do it. She wouldn't! And that was the end of it.

However, this didn't leave her with much to do. She wandered the city, even explored a bit of the Outlands, but she didn't go far. She was daring, but she wasn't stupid. She knew this world was dangerous, and she didn't want to lose her head without a good reason.

So she finally takes the painstaking time to learn to use the strange device she had been given upon her arrival. It took her plenty of attempts to get it working properly, and even when she does, there are several segments of very brief footage of the redheaded princess growling at her tablet in frustration. ]

Oi, is it working now? About time. [ She clears her throat. ] I want someone to tell me more about the land outside this city. [ It was much too crowded, too cluttered here. She wanted a freer space. ] A good place to explore, t'actually, you know, move around - that's what I'm lookin' for. How do you even stand it in this city?

[ She taps her chin. ] An' while you're at it, tell me what you do around here t'keep busy. I'm goin' out of m'mind.

( 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.

[The screen flickers on to show Utena sitting on the foot of her bed. Said bed is unusually rumpled, and she looks bleary-eyed and tired. Her hair is disheveled too, but when she turns to the camera, she manages a sleepy grin. It's only a little forced.]

Uh, hi, to everyone who's been here, and all the new people. I think this is around the time new people show up, is that right? For everyone who doesn't know me, I'm Utena Tenjou. I'm fifteen years old...I think. [She rubs the back of her neck, and sheepishly adds:] My birthday's gone by since I got here, but I'm not sure if that counts. It's good to meet you all.

[Her voice sobers some, and she slows down.]

Ah, I wanted to thank everyone who helped me and Himemiya out a few weeks ago. It means a lot. I wasn't really myself then, so...sorry for any trouble. [It almost looks as if she'll stop the message there, but she continues after an overlong pause:]

Say, I was wondering, well, when I was, ah...well anyway. I noticed there's a lot of buildings around here that are run-down. That big greenhouse in the city looks pretty bad, and I thought maybe a bunch of us could get together and help clean it up a little. Y'know, get all the glass fixed, and plant flowers. Where I'm from, there's gardens everywhere, so I miss it a little.

[Her gaze drops. She looks off to the side, and then starts a little, as if suddenly remembering something:] Oh! And to everyone I asked about sports the last time, there's a way we can play without finding a field. I asked around, and that VR machine'll make any kind of field or court we want. That's great, huh? I wanna host a game soon. Maybe we can have something like that once a week. It gets dull around here.

Mm, that's all. [She rests her hand against her mouth, looks and sounds thoughtful. Mumbled:] If anyone's interested in a game or in helping with the greenhouse, you can find me around anywhere, but I stay in room 705.

I had one last question. Does anyone know how to cook? I wanna learn. There's not a lot of instant stuff to eat here, and I'm not so good at cooking from scratch yet...

[After a while:] Hey, Nanami-kun. Are you still here?

[ The voice is hushed and small, but no less direct for it. ]

Reporting. Met with Ikari-kun and the pilot of Unit-02. [ Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child - she omits him, as something unsettles her still. ] Housing was located, according to instructions. No status problems. I will wait.

[ Silence, as if she forgot to end the recording, until: ]

Requesting information on where to buy clothes. My plugsuit is not useful here.

[ Here's an unusually solemn new face. Ashraf looks a little shorter, a little more gangly, and with less wear and tear. He's traded out his swank priest robes for a nice tan dress-looking ensamble, too. After some initial juggling he stares straight into the camera, takes a breath, and speaks very carefully. ]

I understand that… some of you will recognize me. To those that don't, or have forgotten me, my name is Ashraf Salib, an acolyte. [ A pause, and there's a rustle of paper as he glances down at something in his hands. A note? ] …That is to say, I am a healer. Please make use of that, if you need it.

I've been instructed to tell this network that any children that are unsure of where to go or what to do may come to the clinic for care. There are a lot of people who are currently their wrong ages, I think? Well — you will find safe haven at the clinic.

[ YES HE DID IT, HE WAS PROFESSIONAL AND EVERYTHING. He looks a little nervously relieved as he hurries to kill the feed again.

Then a few minutes later (it takes him a while to figure this thing out ok), some ( private messages! )

[Filtered from Kanaya]

OKAY, SO. WHAT KIND OF CRAP MAKES AN ACCEPTABLE GIFT FOR HUMAN TWELFTH PERIGEE? IS IT ANY KIND OF CLOTHING ITEM OR ONLY COLD WEATHER ITEMS, OR IS THERE ANY RULE FOR WHAT YOU GIVE BACK BASED ON WHAT YOU WERE GIVEN?

ALSO, WHAT IS THE DEADLINE ON THIS THING. WHEN EXACTLY DOES THE HUMAN GIFTGIVING HOLIDAY END?

I'm already familiar with the fact that people seem to appear here more than once, disappearing and then returning as if renewed. I'll spare you the effort of convincing me of it.

[ Oh, so look at this pink-haired but serious-business-looking woman finally addressing her tablet for the first time! In a marked contrast to the unusual armor she originally showed up in (no doubt causing more than a few stares at the masquerade), today she's got on a rather unremarkable, plain grey shirt on instead- a fact that, given her posturing, even she seems to think is unsavory.

... But more importantly, despite her direct words, her tone is definitely a bit at odds with them, too; she speaks with purpose, but her voice is low and more careful than you might think... and carries a strange sense of barely-hidden weight behind it- whatever the cause of that might be. ]

If you've seen me before, if we've spoken at any point in time, I want to hear about it. More importantly... if you've ever spoken with my sister, Serah Farron [ ... ] I want to hear about that, too.

[ She knows Serah was here before, but. These things don't record everything, after all, and in a strange way, it's definitely engaging Lightning's sense of annoyance that she isn't familiar with all that has happened yet. After Valhalla, she's not so used to being in the dark about things... and even asking that question seems to spark something painful in her pale face. Regardless- ]

Thank you.

[ She doesn't allow the camera to pick up on any emotions that sneak out past her defenses for long, ending the transmission there in wait for replies. ]

[So... arriving here was a shock enough. Now... she's still struggling to absorb everything she's learned. It's so overwhelming, really. And Xion is not comfortable at all with just... putting her face and her voice and herself in general out there, but she has several questions and nobody she knows nearby to ask. So, text it is]

So we can't go home until we help the Initiate win this war? What if we've never fought in a war before? Why do they choose who they do?

I'm sorry if that's a lot of questions. I just don't understand what's going on. [Or why they picked her]

Is there any way of telling if there's anyone you know here?

[It seems like that's it, but at that moment, Xion slips in a puddle in the real world and nearly drops the tablet, fumbling with it and accidentally activating the video feed. It shows a small hooded girl, though her face is difficult to see. She seems to stare at a moment at the feed in surprise before she mutters "Sorry", and a hand clutching the bow she got when she arrived reaches up and clicks it off again]

[She looks squarely at the camera. A very nonhuman face: gold fur, slitted eyes, and four large pointed ears. There seems to be some recent damage with small scrapes, the larger ones covered by bandages.] My appearance. Do you feel fear? Of unfamiliarity, or recognition.

If it is the former, then you need not tell me.

[A pause, as she seems unsure about the next topic. Her speech is slower, cautious and reserved.] Many species, many homeworlds. Many opportunities. My search is ongoing.

What is… expected of your species? Your gender. Your— caste. Your role, by design. Do you fulfill it, or do you rebel?

[There is not much that outright startles Utena nowadays — she's fairly accustomed to the unusual and bizarre (and more importantly, used to rationalizing it), but the weeks since her arrival in this place have been a trial by fire, so to speak.

But she's adjusted, the best she can, and so when her comm device video flickers on, she looks to be in good spirits, all things considered. That is, if her viewers can actually see her. The video appears to be moving erratically. Often, Utena dips out of sight, only to be seen again. It's at an odd angle too, as if the device has been set on the ground, and is tilted slightly to the side.

It probably has a lot to do with the fact that she's doing lunges. In her assigned room. It's not a lot of space, but apparently she's making due. She stops long enough to address her (assumed) audience.]

Hi, everyone. [The device is lifted, and for a moment there's nothing but flashes of bright pink hair before her face appears — friendly, but a little tired.] I've met some of you already, but I haven't said hello on this thing yet. There's a lot of people listening to this, right? Um, I guess not everyone's "people," though, so maybe that's not the right word. Is it rude to say "people" then? If there's a better word, I want to know it. [She frowns, befuddled. Interspecies communication is a new thing for her, obviously.] My name's Tenjou Utena — er, Utena Tenjou. That's the order most of you would say it in. I'm from Japan; is anyone else from there? Or...er...Earth? I've been here for weeks now, and I'm still sorta getting used to this place. Those monsters from before...I've never seen anything like that.

[She looks troubled and shifts into a contemplative silence, but something else comes to mind that makes her brighten up.] I'm pretty glad it's over. Say, is there anything to do around here besides training? Does anyone play a sport?

[A sigh. She stretches an arm behind her head.] I could really go for a basketball game...or baseball.

[This is the first time Yue's even bothered to begin messing with this thing since her arrival. Her roommates in 405 likely notice a few things - one, they have a new roommate and two, that roommate must enjoy a lot of food. Seriously, there seems to always be food leftover near the stove. It's all neatly put up and most of it involves dumplings somehow.

This is one night when she's returned from training. And when the video pops up, it's...

Well, it's a bear. A panda, to be exact, with bright green eyes and long, slightly damp hair. The rest of her fur looks like it's trying to decide if it wants to fluff out or not. There's a slight accent to her voice as she talks.]

Let's see, let's see... ah, there, working!

[That brightens her up. There's the slightest of accents to her voice as she speaks.]

Much more efficent than letters. We should really have these back home, it would save so much time. And travel! I can't count the number of people who send me here or there or over there with a letter. A letter! What are the mailboxes for then!

[Huffpuff, she still can't get over that. It's not very efficient. Not that the Wandering Isle had the best postal system ever.

Whatever. She waves it off quickly to add:]

I'm Yue Hua. If you're hungry, stop and see me sometime. I'm usually training but I can always stop for a snack.

[Or five.]

Can I ask someone some questions about human parents? Like if you have them, or if you are one!

[ With the way Feferi has her face all up in the camera, you would think she had never used technology before. But no, she's just very exuberant, more so than usual. ]

Oh yeah, and that's not the only thing I wanted to say! So who remembers that we were working on a guide for new people? Well, it's finally ready!

[ Link Attached: A Newbie's Guide to Exsilium ]

But before I print it out, I want everyone to see it. What do you all think? And some people can be relieved that there are only plain, boring fonts, thanks to the all the help I got! If anyone else has anything to add, tell me! Also, it would be great if some people would volunteer as contacts for the new people. You know, like an on-call question answerer!

( ooc notes )

[When the all clear goes up to return to the surface, the first thing Luffy does is look around to see if the food stores and restaurants are okay. Hey, he's got to make sure his food supply is still around. Some of the stores are all right, some aren't. He'll continue wandering around the city just to see how bad some of the conditions are, maybe dropping by the housing to see how his room is (that being his actual room, not the apartment he's staying with Ace in).]

[Later on, he finally turns on his notebook, fiddling with it until he assumes it's recording.] So, is it normal to have all that stuff around here? The bombs and the gas and those weird mask guys? 'Cause they sure seemed pissed at you guys.

[Here's a guy who looks like shit. Not like he's been beaten up or injured or anything like that. The kind of "looks like shit" that comes with recovering from a meth bender curled up on the floor of some catacombs while there's a war raging outside. His body needs sleep desperately but the chaos has kind of prevented that, so he looks pale and sick with dark circles around his eyes and he's subtly shaking - which means the camera is shaking as he holds it.]

Hey, so... Hey. I know we're busy cleaning up and all, but I need, um... I'm just wondering if anybody could bring me some cigarettes. Or, like, anything else to smoke.

[Vague because he's not sure what's legal here.]

I'll pay you back or, you know, whatever. I'll owe you.

And, um, Nananea? You're probably busy with all them hurt people, but - that thing we talked about? I'm ready when you are.

[Despite looking like he should spend the next two weeks in bed.]

Anyway, yeah. Thanks in advance.

Everyone breathing okay?

[One easygoing looking man grins into the camera. He just got his netbook after the bombing ordeal calmed down a bit and he's been fiddling with it all day! Now he knows how to use it and he's so proud of himself.]

Yes? Nice to meet you. The Initiative brought me in to help out this Resistance project of theirs, so I guess that makes us comrades? That's nice. You know what they say about friendship.

[What do they say about friendship, Nick? He has no clue.]

Anyway... I actually had a question. Is there anywhere around here I could find some playing cards? I was talking to someone down in the tunnels last week and thought game night might be a fun thing to do sometime. Maybe poker for some fun prizes? Haha.

[... He does not introduce himself. He thought it might make him mysterious, and it'll be a way to start a conversation later, right?]