[As the end of April draws near, each of the primary Guardians, Weiss Schnee, and General Grievous will receive a package wrapped in plain brown paper and twine. Inside is a box, and inside the box, a cylinder of black metal about one foot high by eight inches wide... and a letter. All but one of these letters are the same; General Grievous' has an extra paragraph.]

"When I came to this world, I had just witnessed a group of humans stand up against the fate of their universe and decide to change it. It gave me hope, and pressed me to use my own power to make their wish a reality - or at least to give them the opportunity to try. I do not regret that decision.

My continued existence, however, proved that there was still a problem. Over time, my power would continue to grow, and eventually, it would reach out and begin to unravel the universe. Coming here delayed that process... and I wish to further delay it.

Enclosed you will find a mechanical doll, in which has been installed a Vessel of Anima. They are fairly weak now, but in time they will grow as any seed tends to. They are programmed to respond to the voices of the people I have sent them to, and to defend you in case you are unable to defend yourselves, for whatever reason. They are capable of defeating the shades that reside outside the domes, without exposing you to the potential detrimental effects of their touch.

A production model of these drones has been started by Aster Technologies to be sold to the general public as a line of toys, similar in concept to the Pokemon that have found their way here. This functionality is common to all these drones, but only the Anima drones will increase in power over time. It is my desire that these drones be used in the defense of the cities, in the event of another dome breach. Lesser drones will, in the event of an emergency, follow commands issued to the Anima drones.

I further entrust Weiss with the remaining five Anima drones, to be distributed to people she deems trustworthy. I am sad to admit that I have not had contact with enough people to know anyone else I would entrust these relics to.

May the future smile upon you all.

--Yeshua"

[As a postscript, Grievous' letter includes a further paragraph:]

"General Grievous. I apologize for not contacting you sooner, but I had to make certain my work was perfect before making this gesture. In my office at Aster, you will find a maintenance bay containing an analogue of your current mechanical body, designed to serve as armor to the new biological body I have recently completed. I have equipped the armor with a number of phased energy weapons, as well as four plasma blades mounted at the arm tips. Come by at your earliest convenience, and I should be able to transfer your consciousness to the new body."

[ video ]

[ After the eggs' effect ran out, Sertoria was thankful that she returned to her normal self. However, she considers it to be a humbling experience to be reverted to her human self. It gave her a time to be happier and not so concerned about the way the universe in general was back home. There's a part of her that wishes she could return to that self readily here, but knows that she's better off by being her older self. She has the experience necessary, after all, and the development to deal with whatever may come her way.

Due to being older and therefore, more experienced, her tone isn't as cheerful as it was. There's still warmth in her gaze and a general kindness that she has for everyone here. Her hair's returned to its' blond color and her eyes are their normal blue ones when she addresses the camera. ]

I would like to thank those who offered me assistance when I was younger. It is times like those that make me happy for doing what I do for humanity in general.

[ A pause as she rubs at her chin in thought. ]

Surely there is something I can do for those who aided me...? I will not mind -- it is only right to repay your generosity for helping me.

For those who I did not remember during that time, I would like to apologize. Normally, my memory is not affected in the slightest. [ She remembers everything, after all. ]

I am happy to see that we are all back to normal, though.

( [ video | private to chaos ] )

[ action | around genessia ]

[ After her video post on the network, Sertoria's immediately back to work. She can be found at the hospital doing her daily routine there by helping patients or catching up on neglected paperwork brought on by being reverted to her younger self. Other than that, she can also be found wandering around the city, again in just that tunic and sandals that she's normally found in. ]

wildcard!

[ Don't see something here that works if you want to get some interactions going with Sertoria? Set up something and I'll work with it! ]

[When the feed clicks on, it does so mid-bounce as if the device had been tossed aside with little in the way of regard for what happened to it. Those watching it was spared most of the camera shaking if only because the room in which the broadcast originates is pitch black save for three points of illumination. The first two show the shadow-cloaked face of Vlad as his eyes appear to burn with a hellish flame. The third seems to be a small crimson stone, glowing in the darkness, pulsing softly almost as if mimicking a heart beat. When Vlad speaks, his voice is restrained, but the fury is more than evident.]

I have spent quite some time in this place, and during that time I have learned quite a bit of the nature of the realm. Those of us chosen to be ripped from our own worlds seem to have been plucked from them to serve as protectors of the realm, to keep the barriers around the cities in place so that what lies beyond at bay.

It is because of this that I was willing to accept the peace offering that was returning my wife to my side. However, she is no longer here. Sent back to the fate that awaited her in our world; to be tortured and burnt at the stake for the crime of showing compassion. What this realm seems to have forgotten is that I am not as forgiving as Lisa.

[He pauses, clenching his fist around the stone, dimming the lights further but allowing the shifting shadows that fill the room behind him to become a bit more visible.]

Perhaps it is time I remind Genessia why I am called Vlad the Impaler...

Excuse me.

I have a small request I would like to make, if anyone is willing to render assistance.

As things stand right now, I'm somewhat er... incapable of moving about the more crowded sections of this world without a significant amount of difficulty.

I'd really prefer not damaging anything.

While I do have the means of creating a more suitable shape, in a sense, for getting around, I'm afraid I'm lacking in the correct tools, and I don't believe I can accomplish the appropriate upgrades on my own. The sections that require the most work are far too small and delicate for me to attend to myself...

If anyone here is accomplished in the area of robotics, engineering and general repair-

[He'd ask for a medic but he's got a pretty strong feeling that there's no Cybertronian medics here]

I would be willing to offer payment for your services.

[Who knows where this mechanoid has been in recent weeks. Though his appearance on the screen certainly shows he has seen better days, with evidence of varying damage. But even with enough urgency to actually ask for help, he is still speaking with monotonous logic.]

I am Kunzite. Structural integrity of my armour has decreased to sixty-five percent and falling as a result of combat with monsters appearing late last month.

Due to the nature of the damage, I am requesting assistance.

I lack the necessary materials to continue self-repairs and am willing to part with money to compensate any who can assist me.

[With that out of the way, Kunzite makes his way around Nova City, checking maps for a suitable location that can repair his type of body and armour. All though it's proving difficult.

While in the middle of searching and trying not to make a scene, he unintentionally makes one as the mechanical joints in his knee pops and smokes, buckling out from under him.]

Running diagnostic. ... Complete. Critical damage to endoskeletal joint. Rerouting power from non-essential functions...

[Within a few seconds, the small plume of smoke coming from Kunzite's knee got smaller, and he rose back to his feet. Time is of the essence, so he calmly continues his search for repairs.

...But what about Dorothy? Even he isn't sure why he doesn't just come out and ask her directly.]

Public

[A woman's face is perfectly framed in the communicator screen, neither too close nor too far. Her blue-eyed gaze is serious, not a trace of warmth reflected in her elegant features.]

I will keep my queries brief, and I would appreciate it if the answers supplied in kind were kept succinct.

[Funny how her appreciation sounds a lot more like an irrefutable demand. Her head inclines slightly as if to indicate gratitude, though vocally she gives none.]

First, I would like a status update on what is being done to remove ourselves from this situation. Is there an organized effort. Are studies being conducted.

[No questions, just statements that require explanation.]

Second, I would like a list of names of those who have been within this realm the longest, including the date of arrival. If you were able to return to your home at any point, whether through the Dream Docks or other methods, I would also like a summary of what you experienced.

Third, and last, I wish to know the structure of your emergency response personnel. If there is a breach in the barriers, who responds? What kind of leadership has been set in place for such events?

[Her chin lifts imperiously as a means of indicating that her orders requests are given in completion.]

I thank you for your assistance in this matter. Should you wish to contact me at a future date, my name is Winter Schnee. But I trust that your responses will be punctual.

['Trust'...'insist'...same thing. The feed ends crisply.]

* * * * *

[Private to Weiss]

[This follows just seconds after her initial public announcement, and her tone is just as brisk. However, there's just the faintest incline of her snowy brows to hint at her true concern for her sister.]

How long have you been a part of this world?

[No formal greetings, no 'how nice it is to see you's. This is no time for pleasantries as far as Winter is concerned.]

[As opposed to his usual aggressively sounding network posts, today Grievous has an air of almost melancholy contemplation about him.]

When is it time to cease grieving for something that has been lost?

[Video]

[David starts up the video feed. He certainly prepared for this eventuality.]

We have encountered these creatures before a few years back. I created shelters in each city for people to retreat to in the eventuality of another situation like this. There is both magical and technological shielding to help keep the creatures out. The magical shielding was applied by various magic users in their own styles, including former Everglade Guardian Fai. The Genessia City police force is being dispatched to help stem the creatures from getting into the Archways as well as helping Genessia City citizens get to shelters.

[He puts in their location in each city here.]

There is food and supplies and space to house the entire populace of each city.

[The shelters are really that big.]

I would like for anyone that is able to help get people to the shelters if they wish to go as well as stand guard near them to help protect anyone coming in. Fellow Guardians, if you can spare yourself or your people to help with that effort, I would be grateful. Doctors, EMT as well as others that can offer medical help should be going to the shelters as well.


I will be moving through each city and broadcasting this message out with my telepathy to let people know about them, so don't be alarmed if you hear my voice in your head.

[That said, on to information about the creatures.]

Don’t let the creatures touch you, as they drain emotions from you when doing so. It can cause you to turn on your closest friends. These creatures can be dispersed by strong normal means, but they will only return. After their first attack, I had weapons created to help deal with this. If they are dispersed by one of these weapons, they won't return. The ones with the..flowery thing in them are new. So be extra cautious of them.

These weapons have their own drawbacks, however. Creatures from the last time that they were here have been sealed inside of them to give them the ability to banish the creatures for good. We were able to seal some of the creatures inside of sealing stones last time, but getting over run by them is way too easy. I took the creatures sealed in those stones and had them transferred to the weapons.

The weapons, when removed from their sheathes and wielded, have the same affect that the creatures have if they touch you, however it is at a much slower rate. The weapons can be effectively used in combat without much detriment. Though I do advise to only use then for finishing blows.

They have been routinely maintained and stores, so there is no worry about their state. If you want to use one, respond here or contact me directly. These weapons are only being loaned out and will be collected once this is all over. I think it's a good idea not to have these things freely floating around.

I will be going to the Cloister of Trails to see if this can be fixed. The last time there was a breach like this, a handful of people gave up things precious to them to fix it. I doubt it's going to be so easy this time around, because this breach is far worse than that one.

( Karla )

( Liv )

( Telepathy )

Action: Fairy Haven, Master's Quarters - Open to any member of Fairy Tail or anyone who lives in Fayren Haven

{ It would be quiet; barely audible, depending on where one was in the sprawling compound that Fairy Tail calls home. It was unmistakably Zeref's voice, but there could be none other heard. It might sound as if he were just... talking to himself. }

I almost gave this to them, you know. I was curious to know what they would have done with it.

{ There's the sound of rustling. Zeref sounded slightly sleepy, if one bothered to listen, as if he had only just woken up despite it being the middle of the afternoon. Maybe he was up late? }

What would they have done? Destroyed it? Opened it? They would have been in for a surprise if they had.

{ Whoever he's speaking to doesn't respond. If one bothers to peek into the room... he's speaking to a book laying on a desk parallel to the bed, propped up against the wall. Completely seriously, as if the book were alive and he was somehow expecting it to respond.

Suddenly, Zeref sighs, reaching for the white, outer-layer of his robe, unceremoniously discarded at the foot of the bed. He pulls it on, over the rest of his outfit. }

Why do I bother? I doubt you can hear me, anymore. I wonder if you're even alive in our world without this.

Text - OTA

I'd like to pose a rhetorical question, if I may. Much has been made about the issue of necromancy, in this world. The act of reanimating the dead into 'undead,' as the term I've been hearing up until now.

What I've heard little about is resurrection. Not merely reanimating the dead; restoring life itself. Reversing death. Bringing a soul back from the afterlife and returning it to this world. In my world, it is taboo, regardless of the circumstances or how unfair or undeserved the death was.

Death is ultimately meaningless in this world, at least for those of us with amulets. When one of us dies, we reawaken in the Bay, even if doing so often has a price. Regardless, I've heard some of us say that impermanent death cheapens it.

Why this distinction? What difference is there, truly, between necromancers, and whomever, or whatever it was that brought us here reducing death to a mere transaction?

Who: Koishi, Luke, Satuki, and a few others.
What: Koishi had another birthday. She's giving people presents.
Where: Different places.
When: May 14th
Warnings: None really. Mostly just excessive cute.
Note: Feel free to react. Depending on the situation there may or may not be a response.

Whelp. It was another birthday come and gone. Which meant Koishi was now 416 years old. This meant that people were going to be given presents. Again. Because birthdays involved presents, right? Yes, she was the one who was supposed to be GETTING the presents. But still!

( The BEST Big Sister )

---
( Eyebrow-Grump )

---
( Little Human )

---
( Miss Kitty Shade )

---
( That One Purple Thing )

---
( The Fool of Spades )

---
( The Dollmaker )

---
( Big Brother Shark Man )

---
( That Really Nice Zombie Lady )

---
( Mister Who is Really Nice and Really Quiet )

---
( The Batty Sisters )

---
( Everyone Else )

(IMPORTANT: If I missed someone who has CR with Koishi then yell at me and I'll apologize a whole lot and add them into this post. Sometimes I lose track of people because I'm an unorganized doof.)

Are you still interested in helping with that problem I mentioned before?

Who: Those who signed up and anyone else who wants to help
What: Kamui event. Action. Chaos. Bloodshed.
When: March 10th
Where: Genessia City
Warnings: Graphic violence, people-eating, Koishi frowning, possible feels.


It was not unusual for Koishi to go missing for days at a time. It was unusual, however for Koishi to go anywhere without her hat. And that beloved article had been left at Satsuki's house for the past week with no sign of its owner. Unfortunately, due to the little youkai's unconscious nature it would not be possible to simply seek her out.

The only thing that could be done is wait.

( Behind the Heart Lies True Fulfillment )



((OOC: Each character or group that signed up will get a toplevel here and each attack will happen within the span of time between Koishi's escape and when Satsuki finds her. If you signed up you should have a toplevel below. Each is designated with the sigil icon and they are in alphabetical order. If you didn't sign up feel free to tag the toplevel for reactions or relief effort if you so choose. Keep in mind that no one in this event is allowed to react to or see Ragyo. This is a smaller part of a larger plot.))

 Who: Garrus,  Chaos, and Add
What: Just a few tech geeks geeking out over tech
Where: Aster Tech (Nova City)
When: February 27
( Calibrating... )

[Text]
The City of Everglade is now taking applications for a Deputy Guardian Position. Those with an interest must have an interview with the current City Guardian. Please contact Grell Sutcliff to schedule an interview time at your earliest convenience or if there are inquiries. |


[Action: Nova City & Everglade]

[In Nova City, Grell takes the opportunity to walk her dog in the mostly steel jungle. Although it seems like it's more her dog walking her. Grell is window shopping, and from time to time, she stops in front of a shop to admire a few luxury items. A nice necklace or bag. At this particular time, she spots a lovely red pair of leather boots that come up to past the knees. Whipping out her phone, she snaps a picture for viewing later on, but she gives a wistful sigh.]

Aren't they lovely, Copper?

[Looking to her dog for an answer, she's met with what may be skepticism.]

Everyone's a critic. [She reaches down and examines his collar.] You could do with a new collar, however.

[She makes sure to give him a few scritches on either side of his head, earning a far less skeptic expression, before continuing on their walk.

Until she almost bumps into someone else.]

Oh! Pardon me!

[She might take it back, depending on who she bumped into.]

___________

[In Everglade, Grell is overseeing work done on the shelter during the daytime, which is almost completely built. The interior and exterior are coming along nicely, but with their current budget, they wouldn't be able to open until they got furnishings and supplies ready for use.

At night, she's patrolling the streets, occasionally breaking up a fight or two along the way. One particular fight was a small crowd gathering upon a few people that appeared human. Grell made sure that the crowd dispersed after letting them know that such nonsense wouldn't be tolerated under her watch, and that they'd better return home or she'd give them all a trip to the hospital, or worse.

Making sure that the parties parted ways in different directions, Grell remained where she is, accessing what just happened. The non-humans were getting bolder, which is good, in her opinion, but she doesn't want the public to think such behavior is alright.

At least not in front of her.]

[Anyone around The Bay would likely notice something happening. A light seemed to be shining from within, and after a few moments that light would explode into a dazzling rainbow of color washing over the surroundings, making it dull by contrast. At the center of this light was a woman. Tall, slender, and wearing a fashionable if revealing dress and hair that encompassed just as many colors as the light surrounding her. She stood at the entrance of The Bay, looking around with mild disdain before finally beginning to walk, wandering the streets as she gathered her bearings, the light seemingly following her everywhere.]

[Video]

[It had been a couple hours and Ragyo was shown seated at an outdoor cafe, a coffee next to her as the pamphlet she'd woken up with and the odd currency laid out in front of her as if she were analyzing everything that came with her. As the video started, she was putting down the pendant she had received with a soft sigh.]

La vie est drole... I would commend the audacity of anyone brazen enough to attempt to kidnap me, and the skill to follow through with it. However, cowardice is unappealing. Shoving me into that pod thing was simply uncalled for. As for the hologram claiming this is some other world? You'll forgive me if I maintain some doubts.

I suppose I should introduce myself anyway, should any of that information prove true. My name is Ragyo Kiryuin. I am CEO of the Revocs corporation, and a very powerful woman. It would be in the best interest of my kidnappers to release me and return me to Japan. I have very important work yet to do.

AYAME'S SHOP:
[It's about noon when the white-haired young man wanders into Ayame's shop. He's wearing extremely old-fashioned homespun robes, and appears to be faintly glowing - especially his hands, which might explain why he mentioned a need for gloves.]

Hello. Are you Ms. Ayame?

SEBASTIAN'S SHOP:
[Though he's no longer wearing the robe he started out in, he does have it in a garment bag slung over one shoulder. The costume he's adopted is part jumpsuit, part martial arts uniform - something very like what he used to wear aboard the Elsa, though it's most definitely not of the same level of quality. It won't stand up to hard vacuum or radiation, after all. And he's still glowing, though not quite so obviously as before - the clothes really do seem to be helping.]

Hello.

[Look who's back. And... still wearing that same robe. Does he not have any other clothes yet?]

If anyone knows where I can find a good tailor, please, let me know. My needs are simple, but rather... immediate.

[Apparently not. And... is he glowing?]

[Video]
[A white-haired figure wearing a decidedly ancient homespun robe emerges from the cavern, looking bemusedly about and blinking in the mid-afternoon sun. Given that the last thing he remembers is aiding Mary in returning all the Gnosis to Lost Jerusalem, and both their physical forms dissipating in the process, he can perhaps be excused for being somewhat confused - especially since he knows, beyond the shadow of doubt, that this is not Lost Jerusalem. Nor is it Michtam, where last he stood in crystal caverns hewn by man beneath that planet's long-dead surface.]

[The hologram at the exit of the cavern seems quaint, even old-fashioned, to his eyes - after all, he's from an era when man walked among the stars. Compared to the inner workings of an ES or starship, just about anything is going to seem antiquated. Still, he listens patiently to the information being given by the young woman, nodding to himself as background noise in the collective subconscious confirms details of what she's telling him, and then examines the communications device he's been given. It's not so different from the UMN phones that have been in vogue for the past decade or so, back home. Doping out its workings takes him no time at all.]

Well. This certainly isn't where I expected to end up.

[Action]
[Feel free to run into the guy in the robe if you happen to see him wandering about.]