[Forgive the stuttered movement of the screen and muffled words before it's settling on a familiar face who has a notepad in front of her on top of a rather nice looking desk. She's... not in the woods or her home for once, given this seems like some sort of conference room, huh.]

Well, it's time again for elections to come around for Guardians, hm? Perhaps things can go a little better than last time, given we're guaranteed new blood this time around in at least Everglade which ought to change a few things in the city properly. But what do I know, I don't know how anyone's going to end up voting nor do I pretend to act like I do. That's the thing about free will, it makes people... unpredictable for the most part, people changing their wills and wants on a dime due to outside factors.

[She shrugs slowly and is smiling lightly to herself as she notices the shiny pheromosa looking over her shoulder not that far behind her, she does make a bit of an imposing figure despite Lydia's actual intentions here.]

That's why I have a question for you, Everglade, along with others I suppose... What are your highest priorities on issues you see or others see within the city? Mind you, I mostly deal with the undead, deceased, and non-humans in this city, but I'm extremely curious as to how we can advance from here. To focus on what the... populace... believes are the things that need to be prioritized.

 So with the elections going on, I figured I might as well talk about a certain candidate I have to live with.

I know a version of him, one in the future from another world altogether. He is a half-demon, half-human hybrid, but was made through natural means as opposed to me. In my world, which I remind you was destroyed mostly and the apocalypse happened, a contest was held by Lucifer between all the Fiend demons. Whoever could get all the candelabras, and solve the puzzles within his labyrinths, they would join Lucifer in taking down God. Dante apparently went along trying to figure out the game plan, and you can guess what happened.

[He sighs, palm against his face.]

We fought. Crazy strong. Even with an army of demons, he kept tearing through them just to get to me. Took some of my best to reach a stalemate with that version. But despite our fighting, he did try to understand me, even keep me out of that contest. Me hungry for info, which was what Lucifer used to manipulate me, and overall just being pissed off, kept on going despite his protests. He even decided to finally help me out.

[His gaze falls to the ground, recalling all of it. Though he also knew what he had to say next would...hurt.]

Well until I defeated Metatron, God's own voice. I was so angry at the apocalypse, at the friends that had used and betrayed me--[Tears formed, small ones.] I almost took that offer. I mean with little hope for the world, I thought I had no choice. He stopped me though. He helped me realize the person I wanted to be. Didn't matter if I was a demon or not. I still had a heart, and that even crying is okay. It's a sign you are still human.

[He wipes away the tears on his face, trying to stare back into the camera.]

Just wanted everyone to know that with Dante as a Guardian, everything will be okay. He may not even be the same age as the one I teamed up with, but he was still kind enough to let me in here, even if I don't laugh at any of his jokes. I don't know anyone who is as strong as him, both physically and mentally.

Personally, I'm not interested in being some sheriff. After all the crap I have been through, I don't find myself mentally suited to the task. Not yet anyway. Besides, it's a handful just keeping track of my demons. Until I surpass him, I can't take such a job. That and you guys barely know me.

Anyway, hope you guys vote for him. Can't say I trust anyone else here to tackle such an important task honestly.

ACTION

[ After waking up and listening to the hologram's speech, Ashton has since made his way into the city proper. It's stupid, he thinks, that his phone isn't working and yet he has been given another in its place. All of his internal alarms are going off, this all feels weird and wrong and too real to be a dream. But it has to be a dream, right? Another world? The unexplained means of arrival? the way no one knows how to get out? It sounds like something out of some dystopian novel and he is having none of it.

It's probably because of that stupid letter. Isabella freaked out and he dismissed it and now his subconscious is punishing him for being a dick. Well whatever, subconscious, he'll play your little game.

He's currently meandering about town, reading signs, pretending to look busy while eavesdropping on people that might seem interesting, doing whatever research he can to get a real grasp on the situation. He doesn't look particularly lost, but he does look pretty irritated. Every once in a while he pinches himself too, winces when he feels a twinge of pain and tries to shrug it off. It's probably fine. ]

Hey, uh. You got a minute? [ he says to a passerby on the street. ] Think you could answer a few questions for me?


TEXT ( ANONYMOUS )
So this is all bullshit, right? There's no way this can be real.


ACTION ( closed to Azura )
[ Somehow or another, Ashton has made his way out of the city (probably because there's fuck all for him to do there anymore) and into the ruins of Fayren because... shut up? That's why. He figures if this is all a fucked up dream he might as well make the best of it, right? Go on an adventure. Get attacked by a monster -

Holy shit, that is actually a monster though. Ashton reaches for Ophelia, aims, and realizes the beast is made of solid stone.

What.

The.

Fuck. ]

Shit! [ A hissed curse as he rolls out of the way of a stone fist smashing into the ground right where he had been standing a moment before. This dream sucks. ]

[Okay, he's read the pamphlet and watched the video so he's up to date. After suppressing his ki and flying high above the bay to get a good look around, he's still not impressed.

This isn't Earth, he knows that. It's no other planet he's been to. There's some familiarity here, maybe some familiar ki, but they're not at full power and faint. It sets him more on edge than comforts, actually.

Whatever's responsible knows that he's here, and Vegeta was never one for hiding. So, pissed to hell and back, he activates a video from high above the bay.]

Whose idea of a joke is this?

[Translation: Whose ass does he have to kick to get back home?]

(She has let herself panic and weep. Her hazy memories had been a kindness, but they hadn't remained hazy. She is, once again, not herself and wholly aware of that fact! But she has worn herself thin and her voice is quiet, giving off a false sense that she is a timid woman.

Or that she is a woman at all.) Am I the only one from King Haggard's castle?

(If there is no Schmendrick, she is without hope.)

I am called... (She takes a breath. This is a human oddity. If she skips it, she may not have anyone to help her.) Lady Amalthea.

(At least that is what she has been named recently.)

How am I to use this...currency? I do not like resting indoors; I would prefer to lie under the trees.

(But ladies don't do that, do they.)