[video]

Has anyone gotten to meet Santa Claus before?

I wonder about that every year. I always go to his photoshoots back home, but I'm never allowed to see him. I write him letters too, but I couldn't get presents because I didn't deserve them. I've seen other kids with photos, though, and they get what they wish for, so...

But he must be real, right? So many people believe in him. It would be so crazy if he wasn't!

So... Has anyone met him? Can you tell me if he's nice?

[VOICE]

[There's no visual for this. It sounds as if whoever is on this frequency has placed it next to an old radio, the sound of the frequency being tuned as static gently hisses and pops.

Then, a soft click, and a voice sounds, cheerful and bouncy]

Good morning and a happy Sunday, ladies and gents! It is a beautiful day out here, absolutely stunning, I can scarcely believe my own two eyes! I've seen a lot my friends, I've seen an awful lot and let me tell you, I don't remember ever seeing anything like this! My, my, my my my, how things have changed, all it takes is a few decades, hahaha!

[The background crackle and pop of static continued to tint that voice, as if the phone was, in fact, really set aside next to some old vacuum tube radio. But by the distinct, clear sound of cars flying past and the crisp noise of city life distantly continuing in the back of this frequency, something didn't quite seem to match up as neatly as it should.]

Now I don't want to be a pushy sort, sure don't mind having a look around for myself, nothing quite like a chance to stretch your legs and explore! But I could sure use a nice, friendly face here to give me a good run down.

Sure, I listened to the stand-alone picture show down there, called herself a hologram, and friends, I have no idea what that is, sorry to say! Not a single clue! Now not to seem like a choosing beggar, but I'd rather be getting my information from someone who answers questions back! Lovely girl though, an absolute stunner, shame about being a recording, apparently. I'm assuming that's how that works.

Anywhoo! I'm over here just outside that cave, first bus stop on the left hand side of the street, can't miss me, friends, can't miss me!

[Apparently, this radio voice fully expects to be helped.]

[ACTION]

[You couldn't miss him.

Seven feet and eight inches, dressed head to toe in crimson. A pair of long, bushy ears sat atop his head, twiggy, four pointed antlers between those.

There's an uncomfortable sort of energy about him. A manic, twitchy, buzzing sort of sensation of sleepless anxiety. That smile is stretched disconcertingly wide, mouth full of razor sharp, yellow teeth. Crimson eyes like saucers, darting here and there and everywhere as he stood patiently, quietly, inhumanly still at that bus stop, taking in every single detail of the area in which he stood. One scarlet clawed hand remains wrapped around a cane, the topper shaped like an old radio microphone, gently tapping ever so lightly against the metal of it.

He won't be moving, don't bother to tell him to get out of your way.]

 Fuck this place and all its fucking bullshit.

*Faye's strained voice is followed by a glass smashing hard - sounds like her bottle of rum has hit a wall. Then the feed ends*

[Alec's expression is a mixture of confusion, resignation, and an attempt at politeness. It's not exactly a pleasant expression but it lightens when he smiles nervously. It's obvious that he's not comfortable with being on video or talking to a random group of strangers.]

Hello. My name's Alec Lightwood. I just arrived here and I'm trying to find out if any of my family and friends here. They'd have the last name of Lightwood, Herondale... [By the Angel, what name would Jace use?] Wayland. [There's others Jace could use but if his parabatai heard those, he'd know Alec's looking for him.] Fairchild. Also, if anyone's seen anyone who has marks like these. [Alec holds up his hand to show the black rune on the back.}

I'm also looking for someone named Magnus. If you know anything about these beings, could you contact me? Thank you.

[Video]

Well. That was exciting.

[Presumably he means his arrival, since his is an unfamiliar face.]

Where does one go for fun around here?

[There are probably more important things to tend to first, Lucifer.]

[Action: Genessia City]

It's a good thing that he'd woken up in some place where no one else could see him -- and that he'd figured out that his true face was showing so he could hide it again -- because until he figures out what sort of place this is, it's better not to go showing it off to anyone he comes across. Especially given what happened the first time he did that.

So the strangest thing about this man strolling through Genessia City is his clothing. Not the fact that it's an expensive suit, bespoke, not off-the-rack. It's more the state of it: crisp white shirt marred by what appears to be several bullet holes, though not stained by blood and he himself has no injuries; a tear in the left jacket sleeve, and what appears to be blood if looked at closely enough. Otherwise his clothes are clean and impeccably cared for.

Where is he going? He doesn't know, but that's never stopped him before. If he acts like he belongs for long enough, then he's sure to figure something out soon enough.

 [video 1 - no replies]
[As the video comes to life, it shows a petite girl with short, messily cut red hair and startling golden eyes. She seems to be fiddling with the device until the last minute, causing it to shake and the camera to move all over the place.]

How- Does- This- Woooork? Is it magic? I'm not picking up any magical auras. [She begins tapping it with her finger.] Hellooo? Are you alive? My name is Silicon. I know this is troublesome of me, little box friend, but might you assist me? Are you my friend, or my enemy-- [She must have been waking while she played with the device, because Weiss' welcoming message can suddenly be heard in the background.

Silicon shrieks and throws the device against a wall.]

GHOOOOST!

[action]
[This is followed by Silicon tearing out of the Bay as fast as her legs can carry her. A big thank you to everyone who tried to make the Bay a calm and informative experience. But you missed the mark on this girl.]

Ghooost! Waaah-haaa I don't know any holy arts! What do I do, what do I do--- Ha! [She skids to a stop, still in a panic. Realizing she's surrounded by civilians and afraid she's led the ghost into this ?town? It looks funky. Silicon spins her long wand and turns to face the "ghost."] I-I can't let it hurt these people--- eh?

Where'd it go? Why's it not following me? H-Hey, I'm worthy prey, aren't I?

[video 2 - responses okay]
[And now she's back! Having returned to the Bay to pick up her device, after someone hopefully told her what it is. She's poking at it again, but this time she's not shaking it or anything.]

H-Hello? Is it true I can talk to people in this box? Is anyone there? May I speak to someone, please?

 [When one was stuck spying in Attleton and making sure some idiots didn't start fights, training was difficult. Thank god for the holodeck. But whenever she was around, she took advantage of every hour she could get in. Whenever she is training, it's usually against Yoma, mostly the small fry so as to not drain herself immediately. Tempted as she was to try and fight Orochi, she had to pace herself. Granted, even against the smaller Yoma, she would find herself a bit tired, needing to take a break every now and then. Those who are used to high-speed fighting would be able to keep up with watching these battles, noticing how Homura and the creatures seemed to zip around the battlefield. They might get in a few good hits, but Homura was quick to recover, slicing them into ribbons and letting her flames shred them apart. She barely even uses the seventh sword, not until she ups the training to increase the Yoma she fought. So far, her training in this field was going remarkably well, getting used to how they moved, how they worked together. Once she knew that, it was just a matter of exploiting weaknesses. Not perfect, but good enough for someone fighting solo. It was a far cry from where she was previously in her world, getting ambushed by some Yoma and nearly paralyzed. Then again, this was her most common training, going up against a single Yoma and adding another one when she felt like testing her limits.

Another training session though would pit her against a single shinobi, yet one far faster and deadlier than the Yoma she faced during the training. Homura was convinced Suzune wasn't as strong as this back when she first fought the Yoma. No, she clearly pushed herself beyond her limits. Or maybe Hebijo made some enhancements to her previously broken body. Either way, Suzune was always far stronger than any of her students. And despite Homura's training, there were no wins, especially when Suzune was at least twice as fast as Homura, and could summon an energy raven for added help. Even as she got close, pushing Crimson Mode to its limit, Suzune would suddenly exploit any weakness she could, defeating Homura and forcing the simulation to end. Homura would keep trying until it was hard to move, growling as she walked away and holding a nearly broken arm. Even in a simulation, her sensei did not hold back. At least Satou's magic held up and was keeping her clothes together, barring a few small tears.

And when not training, Homura would just be waiting somewhere for her turn again, usually meditating and focusing on her screw-ups. For as strong as she was, there were improvements she could make. She's much easier to approach like this...although one could hear her stomach growling. Yeah, she didn't bring any food. Please help.]

[The transmission might crackle and rustle, and all one can see is a deep reddish shadow, as if someone has their thumb over the camera. A husky tenor voice with a cultured sound to it speaks.]

What is the manner of this device or engine? To what purpose was it built for? It appears to pertain to communication, but how does it function?

[A light clearing of the throat.]

Excuse me, I am Mister Howard P. Lovecraft, formerly of Providence, Rhode Island, and now... by some mysterious means, transported to this fair city. Might anyone explain as to why we are brought to this place, myself in particular, as I have... a writing deadline to meet. [He sounds rather concerned by this fact.]

[At length, the reddish shadow moves away and the speaker, a lantern-jawed man in his early forties, dark blond hair and grey eyes, comes into view, studying the device.

Um... Testing, testing... Did I manage to get this thing working again?

[She wasn't sure that was how they tested things like this. Whatever it was, but it seemed like it had the ability to talk to people from long distances, so it seemed useful. She kind of wished they could have something like this back home. Would make talking to her sister if she was away easier. After all, she had just become an adventurer and had made the step toward her goal.]

I hope so, otherwise, I am talking to myself and people will think I'm weird. That would certainly be an interesting way to introduce myself.

[She sighed slightly. It was a moment before she seemed more confident.]

Good, it is working. Hello. My name is Totooria Helmold, though most people call me Totori to make it much easier. I arrived here some hours ago and I'm without a few things that I would have access to back home for what I do. So could anyone, please tell me where to find a cauldron and ingredients that I can use for my alchemy?