[The android body that Kay had been using when the Circus was in town stopped working the moment it disappeared. Kay had tried to find a battery that could suit the body but nothing seemed to work. And so, he kept it stored in the closet of the bedroom he never used -his recharge station was in the living room- and went on with his life.

In retrospect, it would have been a good idea to mention that to Cassian.

When the video starts, there's a 'thud' and all that can be seen is white. The camera shifts as if it is dropped and the face of a cat can be seen. Fest has been playing with Kay's device an accidentally turned it on. While the camera keeps showing the cat sniffing at it, there is the surprised yelp of a man somewhere off-screen, followed by a growl, and then the bang of a closet door being slammed shut.

Someone is very unhappy to have opened a should-have-been-empty wardrobe to put away pokemon toys, only to have a corpse fall into his arms. Deactivated android body. Still not fun.]

Kay! What did I tell you about stuffing bodies into closets?!

"Hello, everyone. Thank God the Cirque du Vrai is no more, eh? First time I've been glad that the circus left town. My sympathies for those who suffered its decadent airs. To my chagrin I was silly enough to go, and, thanks to the terrible charities of a dear and faithful friend, blessed enough to die to it. By now I suspect everyone knows the meaning of its name: "Circus of Truth." An odd title for something with the pretense of a masquerade. If there was truth therein, 'twas only partial, and taken solely by itself, is as destructive as a lie. The other half ought to be unveiled, and it's towards that attempt I present the following works. I hope reflecting on their wisdom will help settle your mind and mend whatever wounds were left in the carnival's wake. May whole truth, bared in love, illuminate."

1st Piece: The nature of the circus
( The Aristocrat, by G.K. Chesterton )

2nd Piece: Proper pretense
( Zizek & Bacon )

Final Piece: Do you have eyes but fail to see?
( Giant slaying )

[A poem, some choice quotations, and an allegorical story. A trifecta of literary pleasure! Hopefully, Ted thought, those words would do someone, somewhere good, especially as they recovered from the dark bacchanal of the circus. The last story was incomplete; he had to shorten it for the sake of relevance and attention span. The meaning of the riddle is explained, though Ted humbly thought everyone else perceptive enough to not need it. But if they do, he's always happy to reveal for those who sincerely want to know. For the right reasons, of course.]

Action | Outside the Bay | Midday

Broad shoulders and grim expression trained on the hologram as it begins to repeat itself for the third time cast a striking and imposing figure. With each successive repetition of Weiss' holographic address, Clay looks more angry, his eyes become harder and something like unease settles into his shoulders stiffening his stance as though he's prepared for some sort of attack that never comes. After the third replay of her recorded message, he turns his head to the stand of pamphlets, finally something beyond grim dissatisfaction gracing his features: confused concern. He takes them easily enough, shoving them into the back pocket of his jeans rather than reading them, except the one referring to Genessia City. That one he opens fully, to the map, visually associating his location with the indicated one on the folded paper.

He reaches into the front pocket of his jeans, pulling out the key that had been in the box he'd been left and then looks up in the direction indicated on the map.

"Free room and board's never good." The statement is made to himself rather than anyone else who may be around, though the latent telepathy he's been graced with will alert him to anyone walking up (unless their minds can't be detected that way) and he'll turn to regard them. There's a pistol in a shoulder holder under his left arm, within ready reach if he needs it, and from the look of him, he knows how to use it.


Audio | Open

(A few hours after he arrives, Clay decides to go ahead and address this Network. Normally, he'd have taken the time to get the lay of the land himself, but Earth, his Earth, has a very set way of doing things, something to build on. This place? "Starting at Square One" didn't exactly capture it.)

I'll cut right to the chase. I get there's a bunch of us trapped here. I get there's no way back, at least apparently. I'll bite for now. So, show of hands: who's been here a while, or who's been here for a bit and got some info, they'd be willing to share with a newbie?

Also, the name's Young. Clayton Young. So, what are we dealing with here? Aliens? Covert government experiments? Give a guy a hand.

Who; Belle & Open
What; Settling in.
Where; Cloak and Dagger, Genessia & Attleton & Everglade
When; May 12-14th
Warnings; None

---

Cloak and Dagger

Belle had heard of the establishment named 'Cloak and Dagger' through a very reputable source. Dorian, who had been nice enough to share his space at the library upon her arrival. It took longer than she'd intended to but she had put aside the time to stop into the shop and inquire about a position. There was a lot in this new world that she wasn't used too and while Belle was very clever, it was a lot for her to handle all at once.

She wore the same plan dress that she was used too, finding the heavy well worn fabric comfortable and familiar among the oddness. This was her first trip into Everglade and she found the city daunting. Her eyes were drawn down foggy street corners and at unfamiliar sounds with no source. Belle breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the shop and pushed open the door.

"Hello?" She called inside. "Is anyone here?"

---

Genessia's Streets/Library

Belle was making her way to and from the library with a basket held protectively under her arm. She had more to do here than she had at home but she continued to take a little time each day to read. Today she was returning two books and hoping to find at least new one from the vast expanse of the library's collection. She doubted she'd read every book available to her but that didn't mean she wouldn't try to read what she could.

She hummed a sweet tune as she stepped down the busy street. She wouldn't let this place steal away her sweet disposition.

---

Attleton

She had to find a permanent place to live but it was proving to be a daunting task. She didn't know the area very well though she'd memorized the map before leaving her home. Today she'd decided to travel to Attleton. She'd heard that it was a sweet village and a place that wouldn't be opposed to her starting a small farm. She had wanted to see Fayren as well, however she'd heard that there was currently distress in that archway.

Belle could be found at the archway, staring at the strange opening and then along the streets. Her eyes swept over the streets as she pondered her options.

"It's a rather quaint village." She spoke softly to herself while trying to figure out what to do.

(Video: May 8th)

[Anastasia appears on the feed, dutifully keeping her long, blonde hair neat and tidy with brushing. She seems to be sitting in front of a vanity mirror with a slight depressed look on her face.]

I...am going to start thinking twice about going to any circuses or carnivals... I feel like a total ass for being rude...

[She doesn't realise she used language unbecoming of a proper lady. What sort of influence brought this on?]

(Action: May 13th)

[On this fine Saturday morning, and after extra work for her language last week, Anastasia decides to hit the city and glam it up to the best her childish stature allows. She'll be walking around, parasol in hand and a Glaceon at her side, she will visit various places around Nova City. Including, but not limited to, a cafe or two, the arcade where she looks at the games, but doesn't actually play them.
The planetarium where she sees if her own home can be found somehow.
A Candy store, because sweets.
A toy store, because that wall-mounted moon lamp looks cool.
Perhaps even wander into Holodeck'd where she has no idea what she just walked into.

Come question what she is doing by herself again.]