[Video.]

[One tall slender woman appears on video, long dark blue hair, crimson eyes. There is a cross around her neck. Despite the cold winter, she doesn't seem to mind given she is wearing a tang top. She seemed bemused when the video played.]

Yeah, yeah, I get it. Different world, great.

Couple things.

FIRST. [She raised an index finger! So demanding!] Where is the nearest bar from the Welcome Hell hole?

SECOND. [She raised two fingers now!] Any morons I should be aware of?

Third~ [Her tone dropped almost sweet as she raised a third finger.] Anyone like to confess their sins~ I'll be willing to listen, and make a donation~?

Are there other places where new people appear?

[he's been by several times to see if Iris had come but still has not seen her yet. He's still not pleased with the situation but figures that he should spend any spare second down where the newer people were arriving just to see if his beloved wife would come through.]

Greetings citizens of Everglade. I am Vlad Dracula Tepes, lord of Castlevania. I realize that I have been rather... quiet as of late, however this last week I have learned of something I can simply not abide by. It has become public knowledge at this point that the Mayor's office here in Everglade has been the subject of some rather... shady dealings, to put it mildly.

For those unaware of the situation, it appears that the former mayor was the target of some extortion, and while there are no concrete links, it would seem that Guardian Grell Sutcliff benefited from such extortion, and the current mayor is little more than a lackey installed to answer to her.

I have never been one to enjoy puppeteers, and as such I believe it is time for a change. What Everglade needs is a leader that will stand strong for the policies that benefit Everglade, and can stand independently from the Guardian's office. As such, I am formally announcing my candidacy for Everglade's mayoral position in the next general election.

[The hologram is...informative. It isn't information that he's entirely happy with, but it's useful to know, assuming it's true. It also doesn't explain why so many of the people walking through this city have no trace of ki whatsoever, as if they aren't even really there.

Being kidnapped in and of itself grates; yes, his mother has her husband to take care of her in his absence but no doubt she's worried about him. The empty people just make it worse.

But he swallows it all down and stays calm and collected as he explores the immediate area outside the Bay and plays with this new 'smartphone', figuring out how it works. It's fascinatingly advanced, actually, and he might be found just leaning against a wall poking at it with interest.

Or he might be found talking to passersby, testing what they know and how they respond.]

[Video]

[A young man with long dark hair, grey eyes, and a pleasant, friendly smile appears on the network. He brushes back a stray strand of hair with a self-effacing expression before speaking.]

I'm afraid I'm not sure what the etiquette is, but I just arrived here earlier today. My name is Shuuichi Minamino. I'm sure I'll be able to look after myself, but I wanted to see if any of my friends ended up here, as well. Or... my mother... Since it seems like anyone can be brought here?

Their names are Shiori Minamino, Yusuke Urameshi, Kazuma Kuwabara, and Hiei.

[He glances down, the corner of a map brochure peeking into the camera's view.]

By the way... Are these descriptions of the cities genuine? They seem a bit fantastic. I'd appreciate anything anyone can tell me, to be quite honest.