[The video feed clicks on to show Fet's smiling face.]

There's a lot going on here I don't understand, you know? There's a city filled with vampires and a lot of other things wanting equal rights with the people they eat. There's another place from the future, patrolled by Robocop. Then there's another with a medieval castle, ruled by a king and queen and policed by knights.

[He shrugs.]

This isn't what I know. Genessia City, a real city, you know, and Attleton, a model suburbia. They have things that are normal, things I do know. [He reaches to his neck, where a very official looking badge hangs.] My name is Vasiliy Fet. Back home, in New York, I work for the Department of Health as a pest inspector and rat catcher. You know what this place has? Rats. I went down to the employment office, you know. Looking for a job, 'cause a guy needs his own place. There's no health department here. Makes a guy wonder what the sewers look like, you know?

Well, you know what they say? It's a nasty job, but somebody's gotta do it. Might as well be somebody who likes it, right? [He smiles again.] Now, you all know who to call for your rat problems. Or your roaches, or your termites. I'll have an office, soon as I get the funding, you know? Until then. [He points to the screen as though indicating the network itself.] I'm on the line.

[The camera cuts on to a very displeased-looking woman whose nose has been broken many times in the past, and whose face is scarred all to hell. She also happens to have pointed ears.]

Solas. I know this is your doing. And I know you have people who will report that I know.

[Her eyes narrow at the camera.]

This isn't going to stop me.

[She almost turns the feed off, but pauses.]

...If any of my people are here, do me a favor and speak up.

WHO: Medivh and YOU!
WHAT: Arriving in Genessia, the Magus explores the city and also gets to reunite with an old friend.
WHEN: Current time
WHERE: Starts at the Bay and ends up at various central locations in Genessia City.
WARNINGS: Nope! Not that I can foresee. Just a lot of meaty prose. Please don't be intimidated by it! My starters are always novels. :)

( Read more... )

Fayren Area

Jade arrived via the bay a few days ago. He taken up temporary residence at a local inn in Fayren. While his dislocation from his world is disorienting, he researched the library, scrolled through the network on his phone, asked important questions here and there for the answers.

Pretty much the colonel had done his homework as he researched the necessary information to his satisfaction. For now, he dines at a café for lunch, and it is time to introduce himself to the video feed:



"Good afternoon, citizens of Genessia. My, my what a very quaint world this! I am charmed by each and every one of you. The residents here have been very kind to me, as they explained everything to me. So if you like to introduce yourself, there's no need to orient me as I gotten much of everything down on my own. I'm quite a scientist myself, you see! *a laugh here*

Allow me to introduce myself: I am Colonel Jade Curtiss in the Third Division of the Malkuth Military at your service. I served the Emperor in the kingdom of Malkuth, and he happens to be good friend of mine. I wondered if anyone has seen Emperor Peony? If not, that's all right. I supposed he's back home, well protected. A little vacation away from the kingdom wouldn't hurt.

Pardon my semantics, as the definition of magic here differs from my world. I'm a spearman of the spear and a magic-user, though in my world, we call our magic techniques fonic artes. Fon being the basic element particle of my world, my planet of Auldrant.

That being said, I can cast my artes, my spells, with the following elements: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Dark, and Light. That's six elements we have. The 7th being Sound, but that element in my world is unstable and cannot be used by me.

The archways is the most fascinating fon...oh excuse me, that's magi-technology. I wonder what fuels them? Well, better to see that such technology aid the people!

Until then, you have a good day everyone, and if you're a magic-user yourself, why not come by and see me and you show me your techniques and I'll show you mine?"

Who: Open to anyone who wants to attend
What: A Masquerade! Complete with masks, costumes, music and food.
WhenSaturday August 20th 8pm-midnight
Where: Genessia
Warnings: Tag them if they apply

( Come dance away the rest of the summer )

[To be honest, Everglade's new vigilante was bothering Azalea more than she'd like to admit. Again, it all came down to blaming the wrong people. Labeling people as "evil" when they were just trying to save themselves or others. Do these humans even know what evil really is?]

Azalea had been questioning these laws in general for quite some time. They didn't seem to deter violence at all, given all these bounties that are listed in the newspaper...]

With everything going on in Everglade, I have to wonder...what good do these laws do? I understand that these laws are intended to protect people, but people are either ignoring them, or working around them to commit their crimes.

On top of that, people are pointing fingers at the wrong people. Why are the Guardians to blame when the problem is too big for them alone? Is there truly a permanent solution for this? Can there truly be a world where one living being doesn't kill another?

For as long as I've been here, I thought Genessia was safer than Sornieth. But now I'm starting to rethink that sentiment. Even if we're less likely to die here, we're still in danger if being shunned by the public. You get punished for killing a beast, even if it's to save your own life. We have people killing others for the most bizarre reasons. Just what are they trying to accomplish?

Back home, we only killed beasts to survive. I'm not going to claim that that's right or honorable, but we just do what we have to do. The only reward is that we get to live for another day.

[There's a part of her that prefers that simple kind of life, even if it was more dangerous. She sighs, her breath shaking a little bit. She almost wants to break down and cry, but she stays strong.]

I'm so tired...I'm tired of dragonkind being labeled as "evil" just for trying to live...

[And then she'll cut off the feed.]

( Alter ego introspection )
***

[The voice is cloyingly sweet, somewhere between Mickey Mouse and Steve from Blue's Clues. Just barely adult, yet saccharine.]

"Hiya guys! What I'm about ta say might not be appropriate for young audiences, so be advised!

All righty then! So, ya may have heard about all the trouble going on in Everglade right now. Just when ya thought things couldn't get any worse! Fai blames the mayor. Welp! I'm here to set the record straight.

It all started way back in January when Dracula, that dumb ol' vampire hanging out in Everglade, used the mayor as a stooge, and made it so ya could kill humans after sunset! Wow! Pretty evil, huh? Now, even though both Guardian Fai and David figured this out from the get-go, they didn't really do anything about it. Why not? Beats me! There's some baloney out there about how murder is A-OK so long as it powers the barrier or fills your tummy. Talk about rotten!

Fast forward through a whole half year of legalized murder, and not much has changed. The curfew is lifted, but humans can still be hunted same as always. Second verse, same as the first. And just like before, there's some funny business with that poor old mayor. Now, he's probably not that great a guy, since Everglade's pretty lousy with crime even on a good day. But still! That video of his was mighty suspicious! Someone's obviously up to no good and putting the screws on 'im. The real blame should go to the people that put him up to it, and the people that shoulda' fixed things from the start.

Welp, if the city's own Guardian won't do anything, I guess that means it's up to us! All right, enough of the doom 'n gloom. Time for the real reason for this video:

Hello! Pleased to meetcha! I'm Everglade's newest vigilante, and I can't wait to meet the good guys and beat the bad guys! And boy are there a bunch to beat! Ya may have heard in the news that they just released a whole bunch of 'em from the pokey. Surprise surprise, they haven't learned a thing. So much for prison reform!

Thing is, even when I try my hardest, I just can't get 'em all by myself. That's where you guys come in! I'm puttin' out the call for anybody and everybody who can lend a hand and keep Everglade safe and sound. There's a lotta criminals out there, and the poor city's really feelin' the hurt! So if you've got what it takes, Everglade could sure use a whole lotta' giving!

But hey, even if you're not some crime-fighting, bounty-hunting big shot, there's still plenty of stuff you can do to lend a hand! Window washing, bartending, even cleaning the gutters! There's something for everybody.

Welp, time to head back in there! Before I go, a great big thank you to all the awesome people who've been helping out lately! You guys are seriously the coolest and I want all your autographs yesterday!

Ace D. Portgas, for taking care of that no-good ritual sacrificer
Mr. Gold and Toby for putting those whispers to bed
Toby & Jeff for putting out the fireman
Danny & Cipher for taking down some of those nutty triplets (maybe go a little easier next time, geez!)
And last but not least, Namur for taking on not one but two bounties all by his lonesome! Wow! I hope some day I'm as good as him!

Golly! I'm inspired just looking at all these amazing people! And hey, if ya ever need help with anything, I'm only a call or a text away. Wish Everglade lots of luck, cause boy is it gonna need it! Until next time, good night, and stay safe!"

[When the video feed initializes, it's obvious the user is 1, outside at night in Genessia City, 2, is currently just outside the Bay as the end of Weiss' holographic message can be heard in the background and then it starts again, and 3, that the user, a dark-haired and blue-eyed gentleman in what looks to be his mid-forties is awkwardly holding the phone in one hand and the pamphlet that explains it's use in the other.

He speaks, at first to himself, with a cultured English accent, though there's a harshness to his consonants that suggests English is not his native language.]

Remarkable! [He smiles in satisfaction and adjusts his grip on the phone so it's oriented correctly for a video address before continuing.] Hello, everyone, or what I assume to be everyone paying attention at any rate. These devices are rather clever, aren't they? [He shakes his head as though chiding himself for beginning off-topic.] My apologies. This is all so fascinating! I should say preemptively that it is a pleasure to meet all of you. My name is Charles Rieben, and I have, quite obviously to most of you I'm sure, just awoken in this "Bay" so usefully marked on this map. I admit the whole situation seems a bit...off-kilter, but nothing seems life-threatening for the moment, so I believe we have time for a chat.

[He pauses here, looking a bit thoughtful.]

I do have one pressing matter to ask of you all, though. Where might one acquire an Almanac for this place?

[The lizard-like being that appears on the screen, floating in the skies of Genessia City itself is different from the one that appeared before. Shorter, to the point of being a midget with a pair of black horns sticking out of his head at 45 degree angles and striped pink sections on his arms, legs, tail and sides of his face. But the voice is all too familiar if a bit higher pitched.]

Hello again, my defiant little ants. It is I, Freeza, your Emperor speaking again having at last completed the survey of my new domain. And I think I will put on a demonstration for you all. One to make you realize just how far out of depth all to even try to stand against me.

[He's not going to mention that he has made several attempts at trying to crack the barriers in various places around here these past few days and ended up out of breath, dizzy and on the verge of passing out before his fist could even connect with one them or form a ki blast.]

As I'm sure most of you can tell, I look very different then when I came here. There is a reason for this. I decided to go to trouble of reverting back to my first form for the sake of this little demonstration.

You see, my species is a most remarkable one. We don't need sleep and can go for many years without the need to eat. We can survive horrific wounds that would kill lesser beings. We can endure nearly any environment, even the empty vacuum of space itself. And then there is our transformations...

The form you see before you is the one my kind is born in. However, it isn't our true one. My race possesses an innate and immense reserve of energy that far exceeds most lifeforms in our universe. But because the strain using it all is so great, evolution developed forms to suppress most of it and made it so that only the most naturally gifted among us could unlock said power such as myself. And so...

[He grimaces and a reddish-purple aura flares up around him. His tiny frame suddenly stretching and distorting in size and muscle Strong winds being created around him as his horns curve like that of bulls and limbs elongate and swell to three times their sizes. At last, he stands before the viewers as a towering giant version of his previous diminutive self. Those who can sense Ki or it's nearest equivalent will notice his power has also doubled. Freeza speaks now in a deep gravelly voice.]

This is the second form. Most intimidating is it not? My father, the late King Cold was the first to achieve it. And then I went and did him one better...

[Aura flaring up once, Freeza starts to change again. In seconds, he is now a squat monstrosity with an oblong skull, pointed snout, large spikes across his head and down his back and massive organic shoulder pads. The voice, a nasally snarling rasp.]

The third from. Quite the handsome devil, I am in it too. Of course, it's still only a stepping stone to...

[Powering-up a third time, cracks start to appear in the monstrous body finally shattering in a small explosion that seems to shake the entire city down below. From out of the smoke, appears the sleek androgynous form that people here should be well acquainted with. Unfathomable might radiating out of it like a warning sign for thousands of miles.]

The true and final from of my race. And believe it or not, that's far from the end of it.

[From the briefest of seconds, every muscle on his body bulked up in mass and that Ki signature of his goes through the roof and keeps going up... It will feeling like staring right into an all-consuming black hole. And then it ends as soon as it's started as if it was just a bad dream.]

I trust that some of you felt that and understood the implications. But if you didn't... I'll put it in the simplest terms possible. You cannot defeat me. My power is as vast as space itself and you are all specks that will be lost in it. Maybe there are some here who have abilities that can surprise me, perhaps even hurt me quite badly but then you'd have to be able to move at my level of speed to do it.

Are you really willing to risk losing your life and possibly the world you stand on to for that chance or will you be wise and realize how much easier things will be for all of us if you just submit my rule? Either way, I'm sure to get some entertainment from it. If you have a death wish, by all means come at me. I'll be waiting right here.

[ action ]

( introspective stuff here. )

Well, she did it before and she can certainly do it again. Time to get to work.

Those around the Bay or in Genessia can find Ambrosia in a black and green overcoat, a white blouse, brown pants and a pair of boots. Her black hair's all frizzy, but what's noticeable in there is a small wooden heart on a string that's woven in to her hair. Her sabres were at her hips and her hat is perhaps the most striking thing on her. She took a map, but for now, she's just exploring and getting her footing. ]

[ voice ]

[ Once she consulted the pamphlet on how to even operate the damn thing, Ambrosia settled for just voice for now. Video function is another thing entirely. ]

Not again with this shit...

--Anyway, ahoy! I've heard the whole spiel from Miss Schnee 'n all, but there's a couple o' questions I've gotta ask.

First: Does th' name Mayfield mean anythin' to anyone here?

Secondly: If Mayfield don't mean nothin' to anyone, did someone named Captain Marvelous come here? Or Ako Shirabe? They were-- [ Family, really. Ako became something like a surrogate daughter to the captain and Marvelous... Well, he's the light of her life. ] They're family to me, hence why I wanna look fer 'em. If not, it's fine. Just thought I'd ask.

...Also, me name is Captain Ambrosia Gray of th' Bloody Mary. Nice to meet'cha or whatever.

Thank ye fer yer time.

I just realized...I've been in Genessia for a whole year now. I remember the day I arrived like it happened yesterday. I remember... [being kidnapped by...] ...meeting Koishi...and Terra was another one of the first people I've met here. I think I've come a long way since then... I remember how scared I was, particularly of humans, since I had not encountered one before then, and I wasn't sure how they would react to dragons. But for the most part, they've treated me kindly, and I'm grateful for that. I was inflicted with a plague when I first arrived, but after my visit to the dream docks, I was cured, and I've become more powerful than ever. I don't like to brag, but...I feel proud of what I have achieved. I am also glad to have brought in my subarchway, so I can share my experience in Genessia with my clan.

Now...I have a rather...strange question. In my world, the dragons of my clan train themselves in battle in a journey that we refer to as The Passage. We battle against the various beasts in Sornieth to improve are skills and powers. Now that we're here in Genessia, resuming the Passage has been...difficult, with the lack of opponents. Now...I know there are many powerful fighters here, but these are frankly battles to the death, and I would not wish that upon anyone here.

So, I was wondering if there are strong wildlife opponents for my clan to fight in order to resume their Passage. Unfortunately, Everglade is off limits, and the creatures there were hatchlings' play anyway. So, if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I know this sounds morbid, but...we feel that it's necessary. We are essentially a warrior clan, after all.

VIDEO

[With absolutely zero apologies to anyone who sees this, Bartolomeo spends the first 30 seconds of the video feed looking into the camera with a dubious expression and picking his nose. Just. Placidly staring, digging for gold. Enjoy the prolonged video study of his fangs, nose ring, goth makeup, and bright fucking neon green hair. Best first impression ever.

When he gets bored of that, his finger drops and he just bares his fangs into the phone's camera.]

This is stupid. Get a job? Hah! Jobs are for losers. And this jewelry is ugly. I'm so over this place, look at it. This little town is way too pretty. [he grins widely] It needs a special touch, I think. Maybe it's time for a new Barto Club, eh?

[he drops the video away and forgets to turn it off right away, so for a moment it just swings wildly back and forth in his fist as he walks. In the process of this vertigo-inducing view, it also picks up his last mutter to himself:]

Ain't as much fun if Luffy-senpai isn't around. Che. Ugly-ass town, no ocean, nothin'...

ACTION

[Bartolomeo is not at all interested in going to the employment office or getting an apartment. No, first he wants to have a look around, and even though he really did read the pamphlets and maps - which are now hanging out of his pants, shoved in his belt - none of that shit matters at the moment. Without his ship, his crew, his bounty, and his beloved great captain Luffy to follow after (that he knows of), he's been left adrift. His dream of sailing as a member of the Pirate King's fleet, put on hold. His purpose for getting stronger, derailed. Oh well, there's always mob work to fall back on. A pretty place like this just deserves to be torn apart at the seams by a gang or ten.

Barty can be found sauntering lazily along any street, hands in his pockets, insulting people at random, spitting on the sidewalk, flipping the finger at vehicles who honk at him for jaywalking, trying on clothes but never buying them, and overall being a nuisance.

By evening, though, he's hungry and bored and looking for a bar with good bar food and beer. Help a pirate out, man!]

WHO: Satori and...everybody!
Where: Chireiden Video Feed!
What: Satori reflects on her tenure as Guardian.

Satori's video feed switches on in her typical sitting room where she'd hosted many an address. It was a fireside chat in this case, with Satori relaxing in an armchair, a small kitten laid across her lap and a couple birds perched around the edges of her chair. One of the birds stares into the camera with considerable intensity, almost as much as Satori's third eye.

( Read more... )

[Video]

[The feed begins with the little dragon sighing with relief.]

Well, I sure am glad the election is over. That sure was nerve-wracking. It's no surprise that Satori practically wiped out the competition, given her previous experience as Guardian...

[And that experience would speak louder than anything that any of the candidates could say in the debate. Azalea sighs again.]

Frankly...I'm somewhat relieved that I lost. I wasn't sure that I could handle the pressure of being a Guardian...and I guess it showed in the debate.

[She gives a nervous laugh.]

Regardless, I will still do my best to protect Fayren, and all of Genessia if necessary. I don't believe I need a Guardian title to do that. That said, I wish the best of luck to all the Guardians.


( Action - Everglade (Night) )


[OOC: Just in case anyone's wondering, the dragons will not attack player characters, unless they actively seek a fight with them.]

[When the feed clicks on, the view is of an elaborate and oppulent cathedral, with an older man in robes addressing the camera with a warm smile.]

These are troubling times in the city. Tragedy surrounds us on many levels, from the individual tragedies of the poor, to the more widespread. It is for this reason that my brothers and I have decided to formally establish the Temple of the Triune here in Genessia. Our doors are open and all that seek asylum and shelter will find it within the walls of the temple. Please, do not hesitate to join us.

[Throughout the day, the cathedral will be manned by three men, with each man spending a large amount of time kneeling at the foot of one of the three statues that are placed behind the pulpit, though one would instantly attend to any that required their attention.]

[ Everyone's TVs will flicker on and to the Genessia News Channel for a Live Special Report. The Show Host pops out from beneath the podium, a cool tenor voice coming straight from him as he addresses the camera. ]

Well heeeeello there everyone! We interrupt your day for a very special report! It's your favorite host with news about the City Guardian Election, live! How exciting! This just in for Nova City: Weiss Schnee and Genessia City: David Haller will continue to hold their positions of City Guardian! Congratulations!

For all other cities, it looks like the heat of battle is about to go from the frying pan and into the fire! Talk about a mixed metaphor, folks. Here we go, the live debate-slash-Q&A you've all been waiting for. Here's how it works: You all come up with questions to ask each of the Guardians, and each Guardian will have the opportunity to answer it to help you decide which of your candidates is the right one for your city.

We are broadcasting live from right here in Genessia City. Many folks are in attendance, including our very own GCPD who are here to monitor and keep the peace. Now onto the debate.

Just to recap, our official candidates for Everglade are Fai D. Flourite, Sans the Skeleton and Maria Selwyn!

For Attleton, we have a new record high number of candidates! We have John Smith, Reiner Braun, Dante Sparda, Roman Torchwick and Blaze.

And last but not least, the competition is fierce in Fayren with four candidates! Satori Komeiji, Blaine DeBeers, Azalea and Mavis Vermillion COME ON DOWN!

Let's get started folks! Get out of the showers and into the town hall for this live debate, starting in 30 minutes! You've still got time to pop in, let's go, and don't forget to cast your votes this Monday, June 20th at the polls!

{ OOC NOTE: Anyone can reply to this post with a question they want to ask the potential City Guardians. Each City Guardian candidate is tasked with answering any question on this post. No candidate is required to, but lack of participation may affect public opinion of the candidate!

On June 20th, the polls will officially go up and each character will be afforded one vote for each city. So if you play 5 characters, you will need to submit 5 IC vote choices. If you only play 1, then only that character will vote. For now though, the debate is here! }

[When the feed turns on, Mewtwo's attempt at looking presentable is lacking, considering the imposing presence he's cut in the past. He's visibly thinner, with large bags under his eyes. His eyes, too seem... nervous.]

Today, I come to you with something of an unfortunate announcement. Do to a number of personal reasons, I am hear by stepping down as Deputy Guardian of Fayren. I would like to emphasize this is not something that the position has inflicted upon me, but rather a combination of circumstances that have me distracted and unable to do my duties to the best of my ability.

However, because of the nature of the situation in Fayren at the moment, I have been in talks with Mavis Vermillion who will be heading up the investigation into the Hands of Decay in my stead. I have provided her with all of the details of my investigation, and ask those that have cooperated with me in this regard to treat her with the same respect you have shown me. Mavis has also agreed to work with the Guardian's office, regardless of who wins the upcoming election so as to keep the investigation as cohesive as possible.

I appreciate your understanding in this matter, and will answer any and all questions regarding this with some exceptions, given the private nature of why I am stepping down.