Shops closed.

[Well. Yes, Cassian. No one can get there. Oddly enough, this is not a video post, though, judging by the harsh rasp of his voice and the vague breathlessness behind it, chances are pretty high that he's gotten sick.

Tis the season]

Won't be open again what till this blasted storm blows over. Dorian, Belle, I better not catch sight of either of ye until the roads are clear.

... And aye, yes we'll be havin' the tits up special at the shop again, cos everythin' has, predictably, gone tits up again.

And it'll be half price on fire startin' spells until the end of winter.

[And with THAT, the feed ends.

As for Cassian, he's more or less a shapeless lump of blankets in bed, wheezing, coughing... and yet still better than he was last year at this time.

Sure he wants to go downstairs for tea and soup. But it's cold out there and he doesn't hate himself that much.

So Tannusen will instead get to hear the dulcet sounds of his fiance's rasping, reedy voice from upstairs-]

TANNUSEN. Get the kettle on and then fill it full of scotch, luv.

So it looks like, as is per the usual for the area, that things have gone, to put it simply as possible, right tits up.

Again.

I know a few of ye are new here, and haven't gotten to experience all the joys of whatever the devil happens when the angry, ancient, crazed deities of this dimension get bored of sittin' around playin' the biscuit game and decide to take a leak in all of our collective wheaties.

Tis what's happenin' now, I assume.

Nae, don't bother questionin' it, it'll all be over in less than a fortnight.

In any case, this upturnin' of the tits is a semi regular, near bi-weekly event, so I figure if it's going to be runnin' on a somewhat predictable schedule, I'll make the events as tolerable as I can.

So there's a new special at the shop what for when tittage aims upwards and it's the "Oh Bugger Me, Everythin's Gone Tit's Up Again" special, or, for those of ye with shit to do and not enough time to speak it, "Three an' one free."

Aye, it's a promotional for a pub, I don't know what ye all expected.

Come in and spend three red bills or more in the shop, and ye get one free pint of Guinness.

If ye want more than a pint, well you'll be happy to know Velvet Lust down in Genessia sells 'em by the flagon.

You're welcome.

Nae, just one pint a person here because I've the inkling that mixin' large amounts of alcohol with explosives, focus daggers and enchanted crystals might cause further raisin' of the tits here. Don't ye feckin' get plastered in me shop.

Cloak and Dagger in Everglade, because ye can't stop what's already happened so ye may as well have a drink and wait it out.

( pre-video closed action )

VIDEO;
[ She said she can be, not that she was going to be. Before he can object Weiss starts the recording, a slightly teasing look in her eyes like he can’t argue anymore since she pressed record, but her gaze turns to the recording. ]

Sun and I have an announcement to make to everyone.

[ And so goes the pause for dramatic effect. She takes a deep breath so she doesn’t just blurt it out before he gets a word in edge-wise, though it’s obvious she’s bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waits for Sun to speak, giddiness apparent throughout her demeanor. ]

I asked Weiss a very important question and her answer to it made me so happy and her so excited that we just have to share the news.

[Sun turns his attention over to her.]

So tell me again, what was your answer to the question I asked?

I mean, technically I just put the ring on and let you give me those cute dumb-founded double-takes you do. [ What? A little teasing never hurt. (And she really does love how surprised he looked.) ] Then I said yes.

I mean, you totally stole away my chance to put it on you by putting it on yourself. But I forgive you, Weiss. [As long as she accepted and is wearing the ring, he didn’t care how it got on her finger.]

So we are formally announcing that [He waits for Weiss to join him in saying these next words.]

We got engaged! We got engaged! [Like it’s not obvious by this point anyway. But saying those words just makes it feel all the more real.

The buzzing Weiss had been doing up until that point had finally broken out into the worst camera work ever intentionally posted on the network as she started jumping up and down excitedly a couple of times before holding the ring out to show the camera, then turning to kiss Sun on the cheek. ]

We haven’t started planning anything yet so a date for the wedding isn’t set at all. We are just happy with this for now, but once we start- or well, once WEISS starts planning stuff, I’m sure she will let you all know.

I’m glad you know me so well, I already told Jaune he’s going to have to help you through this. [ She says it with a pat on his arm. They know each other so well, they didn’t even have to discuss this and she already made arrangements for him to deal with her inevitable micromanagement. ] I’m ready for people to congratulate us now.

[If you thought Winter looked upset when she vocalized her disappointment about the guardians, the stare she's directing at the camera now could probably give a person frostbite if they meet her gaze for too long.]

Weiss Schnee has failed to respond to her communicator and did not return to her home last night after accepting a bounty posted in the latest edition of the newspaper. I am led to believe that she may be in danger.

If you have any information as to her whereabouts, or if you have seen or made contact with her in the last 24 hours, you are to notify me at once.

[Her eyes narrow.]

If any of you are responsible for her disappearance, there will be dire consequences.

[She doesn't sign out. There's just a snowflake sigil.]

[Winter's severe disapproval and judgment is on open display. She makes no effort to disguise her displeasure, her brow darkening, the corners of her mouth descending.]

The recent rash of monster attacks and general assortment of chaos has left me to question the leadership capabilities of those who deem themselves fit for their positions. I will state the problematic issues that I have personally witnessed, and suggest a solution that I would strongly advise to be taken into immediate consideration.

[Her head turns just slightly to indicate her first assessment.]

One. Newcomers arrive in this city on a near-daily basis. Under ordinary circumstances, the hologram would be enough to inform them of their first steps. However.

[FROWN.]

For as many capable fighters as this city seems to hold, not one stepped forward to watch the Bay for new arrivals. Instead they were immediately thrust into a perilous situation that a mere holographic recording could not possibly hope to redeem. This is a serious and reckless oversight. During times of emergency, a team must be instated to protect our newest and most vulnerable citizens. They were neglected and left to fend for themselves.

This should NOT be allowed to happen again. Do I make myself clear?

[There's a hint of fire in those frosty tones. She definitely expects a response in the affirmative.]

Two. Along a similar vein, no public announcement was made about the sudden dangers each realm now possessed. An excusable oversight in Everglade, as no serious harm can come from a sudden shift in architecture from inedible to edible, annoying as some of you may have found it to be. For Attleton, however, the lack of warning was completely intolerable. The physical and mental damage sustained from an unexpected encounter from one's worst fears can be severe, even deadly. Despite this, there was no evacuation order, no warning, and no guard to stand by and warn the ignorant who might have ventured too close. Such gross negligence cannot be easily forgiven, but should be absolutely remedied to avoid future tragedies.

[Her icy blue eyes narrow.]

Three; my final point. Many of you were caught unaware, and unprepared, to sufficiently deal with the dangers into which you were thrust. To you, I offer a choice. You may content yourselves to remain victims and cling to the shadows of those who are stronger, better trained, and more capable. There is no shame in acknowledging one's weaknesses and limitations.

[Even though it sure sounds like she's heaping on the shame.]

However.

If you would seek to improve the situation, for yourself and others, then you must be willing to undergo a training regimen that will test your boundaries, and force growth. There are many such individuals who are willing to accept students for any number of learned skills: martial combat. Wilderness survival. Communications. If you are one such person with an invaluable skill that few to none offer, do not be stingy and hoard your gifts. Teach.

Though I did not accept students in the world from which I hail, my current position as the captain of the royal guard in Fayren affords me the opportunity to offer an intense training regimen to those with the proper motivation, perseverance, and mental and physical fortitude. It takes eight weeks to complete, and my methods are grueling. If you would have a teacher to coddle you and accept your failures, do not apply, for you will be turned out at once. I expect perfect obedience. In return I will teach you to survive, and to hone your talents.

Should you even manage to impress me, I may offer you a position as one of my elite. Nonetheless, should you seek employment as a royal guard or simply to become better than you are, I would welcome you.

[Winter leans back just slightly, her arms clasped formally behind her back.]

I have stated my disapproval, as well as my suggestions for improvement. If you have questions you are free to make them known. But I will not tolerate bruised egos or tantrums. Respond with either and you shall be cut off at once, and disregarded.

Winter Schnee signing off.

[Blip! And she even managed a little snowflake logo for her call sign. Well isn't that fancy.]

[Thin fingers carefully hold the phone as if she's speaking into a magic mirror.]

Hello. My name is Belle.

I do not know if this is the time to ask but I've heard and seen a lot about Halloween and it's monsters. I was wondering more about these traditions or if anyone else has traditions outside the ones that we've seen.

I've heard some about costumes too but, I admit, I do not know why people are wearing them.

[Magical mayhem aside, it all seems rather odd.]

Thank you for your time.

[Genessia. It hadn't rung any bells, and it still didn't now, but over the past few days The Iron Bull felt he'd gotten a decent enough grasp of the place. He'd been reading up on the network logs, camping out in the forest of Fayren.

It was some damn interesting stuff. Some needed context, but he'd gotten good information from a couple of the answers other people had gotten. A shame that it was all second hand but all the answers matched, at least as far as the basics were concerned. They'd been abducted, no way out, free housing for the first month.

It didn't seem to be magic, as much as the smart phone he'd been given struck him as nothing so much as a more advanced version of the scrying stone Dorian'd given him. He'd seen that he was here. Had been there, from the looks of it, and he couldn't help wondering if that stuck in the mage's craw.

The whole thing had thrown him for a loop, but it was starting to feel like more of just a place. He did a touch of exploring before he made a video, settling into his in the common housing. It was a good thing he hadn't meant to actually use it; the bed was a joke.

Still, it's good enough to sit on, a blank wall behind him when the actual video clicks on, his sword on the mattress behind him and out of view.]

This is on, right?

[It never hurt to play a little dumb. His face takes up a good portion of the screen, one eye covered by a leather patch that had been tied down, scratches extending outside of it. A pair of horns sprout from the sides of his head and extending off-camera. There doesn't seem to be a lot of shirt on what little you can see of his chest. His voice is rich, tinged by a hint of some accent or another and a care for inflection.]

I just got here. [The lie was easy.] Thought I'd get off of the road before saying anything. That said - shit.

[There's a smirk, almost commisserating.]

Is this place for real?

[Dorian smiles and gives a quaint wave a greeting before he addresses the network. His surroundings are smaller, not the modern trappings of his own office, but the stone masoned and naturally lit walls of his office at Fairy Tail.]

Good afternoon, everyone. I'd like to talk, today, about Time and, more specifically, the record thereof. You see, through quite a bit of research I'll not bore you with, I've determined the calendar utilized here correlates well enough with my own. The 10th month of the calendar used by Genessia and its environs began yesterday, at midnight. It is referred to as 'October'. In my own world, Frumentum or as it's referred to by the common folk "Harvestmere" will be beginning in roughly two days time. We have 12 months, divided into 30 days each. If Genessia continues on a path consistent with its previous course, its calendar year consists of 365 days, save for every 4th year, when some brilliant scholar ages ago realized they were losing time and devised a rough patching that's consisted into the present day. I've of course not been around here long enough to have experienced this mythical "leap year", but Genessia's calendar, along with many of its residents, seem to hail for "Earth". It's the "Roman" calendar, which is a rather interesting topic in regards to both Earth and Thedas, but, well...

[He clears his throat, turning his gaze to an open journal before him.] I digress grossly.

Last month on Thedas, we began the month with the Annum "All Souls Day", and it would seem there are several similar holidays at the end of this Genessian month. I've read about several of them, but I'm curious what your traditions are. In Thedas, the holiday is rather dour. We dress as ghosts and parade about at midnight, very sad. We don't even get a feast! What do you do?

( Private to Hawke )

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.]

It took a while for Maggie to feel safe enough to even look at the device she'd been given - more or less a cellphone - let alone the other things she'd woken up with, in that damp, dark cave. It was easy enough to understand, but she was out of practice; It'd been a long, long time since she'd seen a working phone. But safety mattered more, and the first thing she'd done was get out of the cave and into the blistering sunlight. After that, it had been a matter of seeing for herself that this place was - as the bizarre hologram woman had promised - safe and free of walkers, at least from what she could see. Now, she set up a voice message, from where she was sitting on a bench she'd found, at the edges of a park. It'd been a long time since she'd seen one of those, too.

"H-hello?" She started, swallowing hard before pressing on, forcing her voice steady despite the scary strangeness of this place. A scary strangeness she'd felt before, that still felt wrong in the pit of her stomach. "My name is Maggie. I just arrived here, and I'm trying to get.. situated. Things were pretty bad where I was, and I was hoping - if this place is safe, maybe some of my friends came here, too? Is it true that there's no walkers here?" The last question was sort of blurted out, unintentional, and she shut up as soon as she'd said it. It was a hope too far - a world without walkers. But it was also - maybe, probably? - a world without Glenn and the others, too, and that was worse. That was terrible. Hastily, she added, "I heard - I heard it was safe here. Is that true?"

[The video opens to what appears to be a rather ordinary man - dark hair, square jaw, and a smudge of something red over his nose. His face is too close to the screen, brow furrowed in concentration. It quickly melds into surprise, then disbelief - and maybe even a hint of amusement.]

And here I was, hoping I'd just landed in the Fade somehow.

[His tone is very light, and he sighs, pulling back from the phone enough that he inadvertently allows the camera to focus better on him.]

I'll have to admit to being at something of a loss. Attempts on my life usually don't come with instruction manuals. It's an interesting change, but I do prefer things a little more straightforward!

Oh. And if you are trying to kill me? I have to admit my head feels a little foggy and I appear to be unarmed, so it's probably a good time. We can talk about this whole thing, maybe get some drinks while you ramble on about your plan?

[There's a beat, Hawke looking around him, head tilted as if listening for an ambush. He shrugs.]

It was worth a try.

a. [Video]

[Mavis is looking pretty serious this. She's smiling softly but it's not her usual bright smile.] Just a fair warning, some strange things have been happening in Fayren for the past three days. I'm not aware of anything life threatening but please be careful... especially when you're opening doors or eating cookies or cakes.

If you need assistance, don't hesitate to message Fayren's Guardian or one of her Deputies, including me.

And if you have any idea about what could be causing this, I'd be interested in hearing about it too.

Thanks!

( b. [Private message to Yukiko] )
( c. [Private message to Zeref, Erza, Mirajane, Blair and Dorian] )

d. [Action/Anywhere in Fayren/OTA]

[Mavis is walking around, barefoot as usual, accompanied by her little fairy-type Pokemon Floette. From time to time, she turns the little flower fairy and smiles at her. At some point, she stops to sit under a tree.]

Let's stop for a bit, shall we, Floette?

Okay, Mavis!

You know, even if I can usually understand you, I must admit it's much easier that way.

It doesn't make much of a difference to me...

I guess not. And you have no idea how it happened? Could it have been something you ate?

[Floette shakes her head and her red little flower 'no'.]

Well, let's keep looking... Oh! What's that?

[In the middle of the path lays a gigantic apple. It smells delicious and looks very tasty, though taking a bite of it might not be a good idea.]

[[ooc: Floette talking is just part of the even. The Pokemon will return to normal as the event ends.]]

Uh...so, I got a question for unicorn experts.
Can unicorns and regular horses create offspring?

Uh...I think the unicorn unlocked the stables to get in.

[It's been some time since Belle has used the phones video function. She has been going through the motions of each day, spending her free time with her nose stuck in a book. She is sure that there is adventure here but loss has made her confidence waver ever so slightly.]

Hello everyone, for those I do not know, my name is Belle. [She spoke in soft warm tones.] I don't know any of the man's acquaintances but Gaston is no longer here. [Belle can't say that she misses him but the single thread that she had from home had suddenly vanished and with him she felt thin shreds of hope slip between her fingers. Belle knows that some people have been in Genessia for a long time, perhaps she should get used to loss.]

That said I am also looking for somewhere to take a vacation. I know that there are several smaller archways attached to the main cities but I only know where one of them goes. I'd happily take any suggestions.

[She flashes a quick smile at the screen before inclining her head in a soft bow.] Thank you.

WHO: Bartolomeo and Dorian
WHAT: A tour of alcoholic delights was promised and by god that's a promise we're keeping
WHEN: Probably this week
WHERE: some generic bar in Genessia City and then moving onward
WARNINGS: Barty being gross and Dorian being a flirt? Booze and drunkenness should go without saying.

( It's an adventure! )

[he is in another office. A much smaller one, with a much lower quality desk. In fact everything seems to speak out of it being: 'the new guy's' space, from the ancient carpet to the wood grain paneling that resembles more plastic than wood. At least he's got a spinny chair which he is sitting on, legs crossed at the ankle, propped up on the flimsy desk and slowly rotating back and forth as he plays with a pen]

You know I've never much been one for the rhythms of every day life. Get up, get dressed, go to school, go home, get your splines reticulated, go to bed. Much prefer to be out there [points at the ceiling with the pen] Doing... something. Doing whatever.

Odd what you can get used to. Even tedium.

That being said, hey! [he grins and claps his hands, rubbing them together.] Almost time for school again! That's one thing to look forward to, isn't it? Acquisition of knowledge. Doodling in notebooks. Skiving off to go snog behind the phys ed building. Used to do that all the time when I was in school. Couldn't keep me pinned down. Even if there wasn't any one to snog. Sometimes I made it up.

But, with any luck I'll be on the other side of the desk, stuffing willing and not so willing brains full of facts until they fill numb with it. For instance, everyone knows that a pulsar is a collapsed neutron star that underwent a supernova,and it emits bursts of radiation. But every now and again, in a quintillion to one chance... that's a 1 and eighteen zeros, that a quantum pulsar will be formed from the heart of that star-- and what you will get as it pulses and dies, slowly crushed by the weight of its own gravity, are flashes of time. The past. The future. The present. All rippling outward, unseen and unheard and unknown except by the lucky few who happen to be there at the right place.

Mind you they can't be there for very long...not if they want to live.

But just knowing something like that is out there, knowing that something like that can even exist-- makes the universe stunning, doesn't it? So much to see and do and explore...

[he trails off, looking at his pen which he's holding between two fingers, as if it's absorbed his attention, murmuring to himself]

But here we are, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world, smaller than most, wrapped up in petty concerns, money, work, romance, where we're going to live the next however long we're here because time is running out when no-- time doesn't work like that. It just... exists... and we move through it. And if we're very clever we can find a way to use it well.

Which you can. [he sits upright again] With any luck. Attleton University. My class. Three days a week and twice on Thursdays. Auditing is available. See you there.

[swings away, swings back]

Oh and I'm coming back in about three hours. But not for long.

And if you don't get it, don't worry. That part of the message is not for you.

[end feed]

Who: Dorian and Alleyana.
When: Backdated.
What: Fitting the prosthetic arm Dorian's been working on for Alley.
Where: Skyhold II
Warnings: Probably not.

The Inquisitor was pretty easy to track down when she was at the house. Generally, she was either in her room reading or doing maintenance on her armor and weapons, or she was in the back yard working on Jethro's tack or fussing with the garden. Today was that last option, the warrior meticulously weeding the raised beds currently growing a variety of Thedosian plants of assorted uses. Lots of elf root, of course, but a good representation of the whole lot over-all.

Useful stuff to have around, and it wasn't like they could just go plucking handfuls of these plants from different regions of Ferelden and Orlais anymore.

[Thea had emerged from the pod both confused and covered in blood thanks to Ra's Al Ghul's sword. But once she gets her bearings at least somehow she's walking towards what is hopefully shelter but comes onto the feed on a mission of sorts. There's bits of glass in her hair but she's not bleeding which is weird enough right?]

Waking up in a freaky pod covered in blood is not normal so where am I?

[A click. There's darkness, and shuffling, the sound of water being splashed around, and a very soft, very gentle curse.

Then a few seconds of silence... before the screen blasts white. It takes a second for the phone to adjust to the light itself, and when it does, blue skies and an upside down Genessia city are broadcast for a decent minute, before the screen is finally angled up at the holder.

A young man, dressed as if he'd tumbled out of some dark Victorian based funeral parlor, white as a sheet thanks to his own panic and confusion.]

... It must still be a dream...

[Apparently, he's not entirely aware of what he's looking at or what the hell its doing, because in short order that phone is flipped over to get a good look at some expensive looking boots as he decides to just... take this all one goddamn step at a time and deduce what the ever loving fuck this thing is.]