Network . Video

[priceofmagic]

 [The past few weeks have been difficult. So many friends and found-family members have disappeared lately, leaving Satou to stew in feelings of loss. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. Which is strange. She's cried a lot in Genessia, but never because she was heartbroken. 

Then there's a ping on her device. Guardian Elections, huh... She sighs. After cleaning up her face, and her work desk, she takes to the network:]

Hello, everyone! Looks like the Guardian Elections are rounding the corner again, ne? Good luck to everyone applying~!

While I am going to re-run, this message isn't about that. It seems like a lot of people have vanished recently... I wanted to make sure that everyone was getting along okay. If anyone needs an ear or a hand, please doesn't hesitate to reach out. No one should be sad alone. 

[She pauses, her smile briefly faltering... then, beams again,] Back home, we light candles when people leave us. I was thinking of lighting a few and praying for my friends' to have pleasant and safe lives, wherever they may be now. If anyone wants to join me, please let me know! I was thinking of doing that tonight and tomorrow both. 

Okay. Kuroneko Satou, out... to the candle stooore~!

Comments

[Video]

[fashionably_strong]

[Hey Satou, guess who's back?]

I hope you're running. I've got some great ideas for your re-election campaign.

[priceofmagic]

Bulla-chan...

[She's trying hard to stay composed. This is a public network, at least.

But the sight of Bulla causes an emotion to bury deep in her. She really hopes her other friends will come back too. Which sucks. Hope hurts a lot.]

... Yeah. If nothing else, w-we're gonna have a blast campaigning.

[Video]

[fashionably_strong]

I'm going to come find you right now, okay?

[Because she can tell her friend needs a hug.]

We can get some candles and then start planning your campaign!

[video]

[chikapolilla]

Uh-but-huh--!!?

[Vaggie's stammers and sputters for a good few seconds and stares at the screen as the panic begins to build.]

What do you MEAN this isn't about the elections?! This goes PERFECTLY with the elections! People are vanishing and-and-and...

[And this is what you want to do? And you aren't looking for ways to keep people safe?]

--and don't you think this is exactly what being a guardian is supposed to be guarding against??

[priceofmagic]

[She's tired, but responds calmly:]

Ah... Sorry, maybe this is your first...?

They've gone home. Their names aren't in the communication devices anymore. At this point, the most we can do is take care of those who are still here.

[video --> proviate audio]

[chikapolilla]

[She's quiet, staring at the screen for a long time. Her hand clenches tightly against her device and it leans closer to her face. She doesn't say a word, and pulls the screen away before turning it off.]

[The audio comes on shortly after, the voice raspy and harsh.] Yeah. First time.

Y-You said something about candles...?

Video

[cool_skeleton]

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT WAY HANG OUT, AND MAYBE EVEN MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS AT THE SAME TIME!! GOOD IDEA!! I CAN SEE WHY YOU WERE ELECTED!!!

[Hint hint. The cheer masks it, but he's starting to miss his past friend too.]

[priceofmagic]

[She catches on, somewhat. With all of the names that have vanished, she's pretty sure that everyone is missing at least someone.]

Thank you. I hope it'll help everyone deal with the sudden losses. The worst thing we can do to our missing friends is make them worry.

video;

[corpsacorps]

It seems I was brought here at a solemn time.

[Or brought "back" maybe? He didn't know. This whole name business was confusing. Still, it doesn't hurt to reach out.]

That sounds like a lovely gesture. Do you need any help to set it up?

[priceofmagic]

[She stares. At first, confused and shocked by the similarities. Here she is, missing her two 'mentor' Guardians and struggling to fill their shoes, and then one of them shows up.

Or, at least...

Looks similarly. He doesn't act like the Gale she's remembering.]

Help would be great. Even just having people come to listen to stories, I think, will help ease the loneliness.

[corpsacorps]

And perhaps through that, they may yet find new friends to call upon.

[He's not entirely sure how much he believes his own words, but surely it helps to be optimistic in this new environment. Right?]

I'd be happy to lend my support. All I need are instructions.

[He pauses, giving an uneasy smile.]

I only hope my presence does not cause any confusion.

[Action]

[halfdeimos_king]

[Darc joins Satou, nodding to her in greeting. With a single candle in tow, he lowers to one knee a pace from her.]

[He sets it down. He lights it. He stares into its flame.]

[He doesn't say a word. The candlelight flickers over his somber expression.]

[Action]

[priceofmagic]

[Satou is doing her best to make sure that anyone who comes will feel comfortable. She's got blankets, water, snacks... Though she keeps these emergency shelter-isc supplies hidden inside her office, the fact of the matter is that she has them. When people grieve, they often forget to look after themselves. So she's prepared to meet their needs and look after the citizens' health, while they focus on their hearts.

In Darc's case, she comes by with some bottled water and packaged snacks. She gives him some time to pray, if that's what he's doing, before she offers the water.]

Do you need anymore candles? [Also, are you staying hydrated?]

[Action]

[halfdeimos_king]

[Darc eyes the water bottle from the side, expression unchanging. After a moment, he takes it with a shake of his head.]

This is fine. I don't want to use up the rest of them. [The amount of people he's lost in his life would take up too many - or at least, that's what it feels like to him.]

[He opens the bottle and takes a drink. Keeping fed and hydrated hasn't been as much of an issue as his fatigue.]

...Do you sleep well? Here in Genessia, I mean? Oh, and...thanks. [For the water.]

Video;

[innocent_royal]

This sounds like a wonderful thing. I wish to join in as well, if I may.

[Anastasia certainly has a few people she would like to light candles for.]

[priceofmagic]

You're more than welcome. I'll have a few candles ready for you, Ana-chan.

video;

[mynameisallen]

[Allen seemed to have been taking at least one leaving quite hard. To the point that even Timcampy sat sadly on the others head even if Allen wasn't showing his emotions. But he was attempting to focus on what he needed to, mostly deputy work. Whatever was needed to not really think about it.]

May I join you?

[priceofmagic]

[Satou has likely noticed. After all, she works with him. Even if he doesn't show it, she can imagine a connection between "more work" and "sudden disappearances."]

Of course. Want to help me set-up before hand? I could use the extra hands.

[mynameisallen]

I can do that.

[If it got him to focus on something he was more than happy to do it.]

What set up do you need doing?

[Video]

[wontdieifkilled]

I, uh...there was someone I knew who disappeared. I'd like to join you, if that's OK.

[Shirou will always have mixed feelings when it comes to Archer. But after everything that has happened, he has to admit that he appreciates having the chance to have met him. He had grown so much in so short a period of time, and much of it was Archer's doing. It would be wrong to ignore his disappearance.]

[priceofmagic]

You're more than welcome to join us, Emiya-san. Are you holding up okay otherwise?

[wontdieifkilled]

[Shirou nods.]

I'm all right. I still have some family left here. If anything I'm more worried about how they're affected.

[Video]

[generalgrievous]

If yourself or others are troubled, you are always welcome at the Sheelal Trauma Centre. It is located in Nova City but open to all cities and their people.

[priceofmagic]

Thank you. I hope you don't mind if I refer others to you all, if they need it? We sure lost a lot of people suddenly, after all...

[generalgrievous]

Of course. It is there for everyone in need of emotional healing.