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[Ever since Akira awoke from his cocoon and listened to the welcome spiel from the hologram near the Bay, he's been scouring the network for more detailed information about this place and the people who have ended up here. He's managed to learn a great many things just by getting lost in the posts for about an hour, and he's even seen a few familiar faces in the process. Knowing that he isn't alone here provides him with a small sense of relief, although his feelings about this whole situation are still very mixed.

The best way to get their attention would be to make a post of his own, but just saying something like "Hey *insert names here*, I'm here now" would be boring, not to mention obnoxious for everyone else who has to scroll past his post. Just having his name attached should be enough, so he should ask about something he hasn't managed to learn from his network surfing. He could introduce himself while he's at it like other newcomers, but none of the information he's willing to share about himself to a bunch of strangers is terribly interesting compared to the others, so he'll just get straight to the point.]

Question for the coffee lovers here: who has the best coffee in all of Genessia?

[Because he could really go for some coffee right now, okay.]

[ action; near the bay ]

[Anyone who happens to be walking near the Bay area before the network post may find a frizzy-haired, bespectacled teenager seated on a bench, eyes glued with intense focus to that tiny smartphone screen. Next to him is the white box every new arrival receives with a copy of the brochure from the magazine rack laying on top of it, signifying his newbie status. It's clear from the look in his eyes that the grogginess from his awakening hasn't fully worn off yet either; in fact, staring at a screen for such a long period of time is making him feel worse, but he wants to absorb as much information as he can while he tries to come to terms with this situation.

The more he learns, the harder it is to believe that this is all real, yet he has no choice but to accept it. It's fascinating, but thinking about what he's leaving behind fills him with sadness as well as anxiety due to the circumstances he left under, and it shows on his face.]

[ action; genessia city ]

[Akira can't just sit here going through posts and stewing in his thoughts all day, though. Shortly after he posts his message to the network, he slips the phone into his pocket and picks up the box and brochure as he rises to his feet. Shifting the box under his arm, he opens the brochure to the page that contains the map of Genessia City. Might as well check out his new place and drop off his stuff while he waits for responses, so he locates Genessia Commonspace on the map and takes a moment to plan his route before heading off.

He isn't used to following a paper map, so at times he may get a little lost into it and nearly bump into someone. That someone may be you. Fortunately, he has enough Proficiency to sidestep away from you moments before a collision can happen. It's still a little too close for comfort, though, so Akira looks up apologetically.]

Sorry.

[At least he didn't actually bump into you???]

[The seven-coloured puppeteer appears on the screen. Her magic dolls busy at work tending to mundane chores in the background.]

Good evening, everyone. I am Alice Margatroid, candidate for the Fayren guardianship.

It's that time again for all to cast our ballots and choose who we want to safeguard our fair cities. Please follow your hearts and choose whom you believe to be the best choice. You are part of the voice that speaks for Fayren. Go on, and vote, and do so without regrets.

I am well aware that I tend to be... Introverted. Which is why I'm taking this opportunity to highlight many things I have done and can do for Fayren.

[A helper doll descends on screen and settles in Alice's hands.]

I am a magician youkai who specialises in doll magic. Manipulation of dolls. I am a puppeteer. Through my magic, I can have dolls that I made perform just about any task I have them do.

During the terms of Satori Komeiji's, I assisted the Fayren soldiers in protecting Fayren during a monster attack, as well as those red-robed creatures during Xander's term. And when the Hands of Decay were active, Satori asked me to design security dolls to be placed at business establishments to humanely capture criminals. This left the Hands unable to function.

We are recovering, still, from a breach in the barrier. Fayren, without Guardian Xander, was hit especially hard. I did what I could from the air and on the ground to protect the citizens as they retreated to safer locations.

Outside of crises, I made home-made sweets and handed them out to people and performed puppet shows for the populace.

And what more can I do? I want to help bridge the gap between mages and non-magical. I may be a magician youkai, but I was human once. I believe I can help build that bridge. Further more, I have a "Phantom Sight," where I can see through illusions.

That is all I wished to share. To my fellow candidates for Fayren's guardianship, good luck to you all, and may the best woman, and dragon, win.

[John almost expected restraints when he woke up; Strange place, strange bed, but there was nothing keeping him there save for the care package on his chest. Had he still been with the CIA he would assume the whole thing was some kind of test. He wasn't though, and this... this was not anything like Harold's style.

For one thing, John couldn't help thinking idly, he would have had a hard time getting him into that....coccoon. For another, nothing about how tired he felt, how out of sorts felt right to him. It screamed 'drugging', but he couldn't figure what or when.

At the thought of Harold, his hands had gone to his phone - no connection, no service. Not an especially good sign.

He skimmed through the paperwork quickly, and was able to at least determine he wasn't in some kind of prison. Not a traditional one, in any case. All the same, he had his gun drawn all the way through to the welcome center and more traditional light of day.

By the time he started the video he had heard what the hologram - and weren't they fancy here with that - had to say while browsing through the brochures, and spent a little time on a bench nearby. People-watching, yes, but also looking through the recent posts on the network. Judging from what he saw introductions were commonplace, mostly video, with some small exceptions.

A simple question, text, caught his eye and the sight of the name listed brought him conflicting emotions. At the very least the fact that Harold was there meant that there as a lot less chance of him managing to get himself into trouble on his own. It also meant, if he could believe everything he had seen, that they were both trapped.

It's in the process of this research that he finds the name listed for him - John Reese. Someone, obviously, was good at their job. It wouldn't do though, 'Reese' wasn't the name on the ID card in his wallet. He changes the display to ' John Rooney' instead, with only a little trouble.]

[The video opens on an unassuming man in a suit. A little older, if the start of gray in his hair is any indication, his gaze a little concerned. Perhaps worried - but that shouldn't be unusual, should it?

Between the fingertip over a portion of the camera, the sun behind him causing glare, and the slightly askew angle it's hard to get a full idea of his face. The camera shakes, just a hair.]

Hi. [There's a smile, small, that almost definitely appears to be from nerves.]

My name is John. Rooney, that is. John Rooney. I have to admit, I just woke up here and I'm a little out of my depths.

I did - [John seems to rush to add.] read through everything. It just...sounds like some kind of a joke.

[He shakes his head, like part of him knows it isn't but he isn't in any rush to accept that.]

Sorry if I'm bothering anyone. I saw a lot of other people doing things like this and, well... I think I could use someone to talk to.

[John turned the camera off while he waited for a reply, expression turning more controlled as he set up a private message. His hands weren't shaking any more.]

[Private Message to: Harold Wren]
You okay?

I know a lot of people have had various feelings about me in the past. However, Fayren has been uniquely open in its dealings with me, and those I care for. As such, I have an announcement of a sort to coincide with the Guardian election.

Fayren is under my protection. Any attempts to weaken it, or harm it will be met in kind. I do not care who you are, or what your station, if you harm Fayren, you answer to me. Not even our potential Guardians are exempt from this.

Fun question: Who found green crystals in the Maw and what did they say? Major can't have been the only one because that definitely didn't seem like the whole story.

[ She's hoping anyway. There's a chance it was just a remnant of a story and they'll never know the rest, but she's kind of hoping otherwise. ]

Other fun stories and information would be great too. The GSRF doesn't operate on guessing really well.

P.S. Been craving froyo all day, send help or froyo.

[ Yes, she said P.S. outloud. ]

Now that things seemed to have settled down across the cities, Sonico was ready to get her housewarming in full swing. She has never been to one before, nor has she ever attended one, so it’s all very new to her. Still, now that she is more settled in her new home with Cassian and Kay, she is determined to make this a really great housewarming party.

So, all friends of Sonico, Cassian, and Kay, are invited to their brand new home in Attleon for a barbeque and drinks to celebrate friendship, and home. Come along and mingle!~

Early Evening

Where it all begins! The garden is large and includes a small pond, a couple of trees with a hammock between, a wood burning stove in the corner of the patio and, of course, the BBQ. There’s a large grass area and a patio area too, plenty of place to stand and chat. There are a few fold up chairs dotted around too. There’s a table full of foods and burger buns and condiments and, of course, yet another table full of various kinds of cider, beer, and soft drinks. Help yourself, mingle, say hello to the happy hosts and hostess.

Getting Dark

Later on, there’s a definite sense of merriment around the garden. If it’s too cold, there’s always the options of going inside to find a couch or a blanket to stay comfortable. But all the fun is in the garden, where the fairy lights that Sonico has strung up everywhere have been turned on, lending a festive, and almost romantic, glow to the evening. Even if most of the food has gone, it seems to have been replaced with snacks and more cold drinks. The wood burning stove is on now and, when it is dark enough, Sonico appears with matches and boxes of sparklers for her guests to enjoy – not quite fireworks, but fun enough!

Very Late

The evening is winding down, most guests have probably gone home. Still, it’s nice to sit long and late into the dark with friends, or even on your own just to enjoy the atmosphere. When all is said and done, there’s still some clearing up to do.