1st Video

[youcanthavemylife]

[She's been around for several hours already, circling the cities and doing some exploring. Not that anybody would have seen the newcomer in person, but she's been there. Even if it's only been a quick shadow passing by overhead, or a pair of eyes watching from somewhere high up.

When she finally does decide to make her presence known, it's over the video network and from behind a white mask, speaking from somewhere dark and hard to pin down.]

Well, I can't say I'm entirely pleased to have woken up to all of this. [She waves a hand.] If your instinct is to offer platitudes or assurances, don't bother, I saw the message when I woke up and I've seen enough of this world by now to know that it was at least the truth. It was a surprise to be greeted by a Schnee but, well, they do love to tell everyone about their benevolence whenever they can, don't they?

[She shakes her head with a brief, humorless chuckle.]

Unfortunately, I don't intend to accept this captivity so easily. I intend to find a way to return to my home by any means necessary. If you're of a like mind, or you've uncovered any information that might provide a lead, contact me and perhaps we can work together to make it happen. My name is Raven Branwen.

And if you're more interested in maintaining the status quo of this place, well...

... let's try to keep out of each other's way.

Comments

[Video]

[solar_flare]

[The notion of sending this privately doesn't even cross Yang's mind. She sees the video pop up, from a newcomer, and the mask looks awfully familiar. Huh. Whoever this person is, she seems cranky. Might as well at least try to make her feel wel--]

[RAVEN BRANWEN?!]

[Subtlety goes right out the window.]

--MOM?!

[Video]

[youcanthavemylife]

[She's almost annoyed when she gets an answer to her initial video. She hadn't really intended to strike up a conversation with the locals but the voice she hears gives her pause. As does the face she sees when she looks at her device.

A pause and she turns her head, reaching up to slowly remove her mask. When she turns back, there she is. The face Yang knows only from an old photograph, aged certainly but her all the same. And she has a faint smile on her face.]

Hello, Yang,

[Video]

[solar_flare]

[Her throat feels tight. After years of searching, and asking, and coming up with nothing to show for her efforts...this place just drops her mother right into the city.]

[And Yang wasn't prepared for that. She isn't even sure what to say. Raven's here. And talking to her. There are so many questions, and raw emotions. Her fingers dig into her thighs as she frowns down at her lap for a second, then exhales, and lifts her head to look at the viewscreen once more.]

[Her mom is really here.]

...Can we talk?

[Video]

[kalmaleader]

[And here is a masked dragon, staring expressionless into the device.]

I would certainly be of a like mind. However, the level of science and technology involved in the research is far beyond what I'm accustomed to.

[Video]

[youcanthavemylife]

It's inconsiderate of them, isn't it?

[Her mask isn't giving anything away on her end either.]

The message said something about a threat outside a barrier. What do you know about that?

[Video]

[kalmaleader]

I suppose...

[He just shrugs. However, the mention of the threat beyond the barrier almost makes him nauseous.]

The barrier beyond this world keeps the spirits out. The barrier has been breached several times in the past, but I've only been present for the most recent one. If they touch you, they drain you of all your emotions. And then it will make you try to drain emotions from others to ill your own void. It is possible to fight them with weapons, but if they are taken out with ordinary weapons, they'll just reappear elsewhere. Genessia City's Guardian, David Haller, has created weapons with some of the spirits sealed inside them that can permanently kill the spirits, but will only allowed them to be used during a breach, as the weapons themselves can also drain the users of their emotions, albeit at a much slower rate. He has also created safe houses in all the cities to protect the people who cannot fight the spirits.

[Video]

[aurabble]

You're Yang's mom?

[She's kind of hot.]

[Video]

[youcanthavemylife]

[Raven's reaction is.. wholly less impressed. She raises an eyebrow, regarding the boy who'd spoken to her.]

And you are...?

[sarcaskick]

[ Being a Mistral native, of course he knows her tribe. It's not a name he's heard in a good while, but you never really forget. So he's well aware that this woman is Kind Of A Big Deal.

But!

He's got a job to do. ]

Status quo keeper here! Do yourself a favor and don't actually try to fight the entire system. It's not going to end well.

[youcanthavemylife]

[Hm... there's something familiar about this one. A resemblance that she can't quite place. She frowns thoughtfully for a second before shrugging it off and waving a hand dismissively.]

It hardly ever does. Don't worry, I don't plan on toppling whatever little society it is you've put together here. I only plan on going my own way.

[sarcaskick]

And I'd love to show you the door, but there isn't one. Trust me, there have been eggheads on the job looking for the way out for a good long while. You'd have better luck smashing your way through a mountain with your face.

[ Apparently, Mercury's sass is not turned off even for The Raven Branwen. ]

[video]

[vicious_slice]

[Have another person in a mask, Raven. His isn't anywhere near as neat, and he has a helmet with a buzzsaw on it.]

... Cool mask.

I can't say I'm in any hurry to go back home, but good luck in finding out whatever you can about it.

Re: [video]

[youcanthavemylife]

[It is a cool mask, thank you for noticing. She lets the compliment slide with a shrug.]

Just as long as you don't try to hinder me, I'm sure we'll manage to get along just fine.

[Action]

[rando_dork]

[In the time Gwen had been in Genessia she had seen a handful of masked heroes, but masked villains were apparently hard to come by. Apparently today was the day that all changed. She had seen this scene a dozen times with the Bodega Bandit back in her own world, only this time it was someone in a creepy skull mask destroying a store front after stealing from fruit. It wasn't exactly the crime of the century but it didn't have to be for Spider-Woman to make an appearance.

A webline is fired from above in an attempt to pluck it right out of Raven's hand. A mysterious masked and hooded figure clings to a wall well above Raven's head.]

Hey, chump face! Knock it off. Everyone was having was having a good time until you showed up!

Gwen Stacey reporting for jobbing duty.

[youcanthavemylife]

[It hadn't really been that much destruction. It was a little petty of her, perhaps, but she'd snatched a bit of fruit from it, intending to go on her way. Naturally, the owner hadn't any intention of letting her do that. She'd ignored his shouts but when she'd sensed him making a grab at her....

The stand slides apart into two even pieces as she slips her sword back into its sheath at her side. On the ground in front of her is the owner, trembling and staring up at her with wide eyes, adequately discouraged from following her.

But the same can't be said for the next meddler who steps in. A line of... something or other shoots down from somewhere up above and snagging her prize. Although when Gwen tries to tug it away, she'll find that's easier said and done as Raven's hand barely budges.]

And it can still get so much worse. [She turns her head, looking up at the hooded girl through her own mask. Clinging to the walls is an interesting trick, but not the strangest or most daunting thing she's ever seen.] Run home, little girl, before you find out for yourself.

Audio

[blindpuppet]

You sound confident.

[Enis wonders how long that will last.]

Go to the research institute. They have some information that isn't in the pamphlets. And if it isn't to much trouble, please try to refrain from hurting innocent captives while you're on your search.

Re: Audio

[youcanthavemylife]

[It'll last as long as she needs it to.]

If I manage to find anybody innocent I'll keep that in mind. This institute sounds worth a look, but I think I'd rather see the barrier myself.

Is it possible to reach it from the borders of this city?

Text

[nrgsvr]

Genessia Scientific Research Foundation has gathered information. Laboratories are on the corner of Nettle Ave and 27th St.

Re: Text

[youcanthavemylife]

So I've been told. Is any of the information there actually useful?

[Video]

[grizzly_teatime]

You're an uncivilized little thing aren't you?

[Enter status quo keeper #3?]

[Video]

[youcanthavemylife]

[She nearly snorts a laugh at that, looking steadily into the video feed.]

You have no idea.

[Video]

[specialist_snowflake]

I'm aware of the name.

[Winter regards the screen coldly.]

I'm also aware of your habits. I advise that you choose new hobbies to occupy your time, should you choose to move through Fayren, or you will find that I am not so benevolent.

Re: [Video]

[youcanthavemylife]

[Somewhere between her initial message and this one, she's found herself something to eat and possibly cut a vigilante teenager real good like. So as Winter goes on, she'll take a bit and then really take her time to chew before she gets around to answering.]

And who are you?

[Video]

[alwaysimpaled]

Boy, you like sending mixed signals don't ya? Offer an olive branch in one hand, and a dagger in the other. Can't say I'm a fan of the approach. But, as someone who makes a living enforcing the so-called 'status quo', I suggest you keep your threats to a minimum.

Cause trouble in Attleton, and you might be unlucky enough to have me be the responder. Behave, though and we'll be fine.

...while I like the mask, probably a good idea to y'know. Not wear it around here? People might get the wrong idea if you walk into a convenience store wearing that.

[discomilf]

[Ragyo listens to the introduction with little interest, but she has to say she's a fan of the attitude. Not that she'll say that out of the gate.]

You say that name as if it should mean something. I'm afraid, however, your name is meaningless here, as are any previous exploits you may ascribe to it. I sympathize with being a newcomer to this place, however, words mean very little.

Why should I share any information I may have with you? What makes you worth my time?