[Welp, there sure are a lot of interesting rumors filtering through public conversation. It would be easy to let them run their course and watch everything spiral into chaos, but alas. He likes a whole one (1) of the affected candidates.]

Hm~! We've sure got a lot of exciting candidates for Guardian, or whatever it is, this season! Accepting bribes sounds pretty normal, and who isn't in debt with the shopping channel, so you two have my vote! And I for one think that a ruler in Everglade without powers would be pretty neat. 

What about everyone else? You heard any interesting rumors lately? I'd love to know. Voting is super important and all~. Oh, and if any killjoy candidates want to deny the rumors... I guess that's fine too. Just make it fun.

Except the Santa Claus killer. That's just bad. No vote for you.

[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.

Who: Grell, Namur, Rip, Rowan(??), Lydia for after
When: During the masquerade, but back before the fireworks end. It's nighttime.
Where: somewhere in Genessia City, a later private affair in Everglade
What: Grell really wants a book she read during her kidnapping months ago. Oh, and she wants to run out a local mob and take over their business. You know, Family Things. She also has something special for Lydia.

[Action: locked to Namur, Rip, and Rowan] On a rooftop overlooking a rather plain building, Grell is dressed in all black, yet won't even bother tying back her length of hair. It just felt odd to keep it neat after all this time of fighting with it loose. Below she can see a few of the people she's been keeping tabs on for most of the night. A smirk shows on her face, glad to know that some things are going according to plan. "They're running their operations in the baasement of this office building. It's a smart move, really. People stay inside after hours, so no one questions their comings and goings. Plus, you can easily see inside their windows. Who's going to bother looking underneath?" She turns to the rest of the crew, grinning at the possibility of some real action that has nothing to do with her job. "No one escapes the building alive. I'll take a few elsewhere. I've got a deal to make. We need to be back at the masquerade before the fireworks end. Any questions?" [Later, in Everglade: locked to Lydia] [Voice message] Lydia, dear. Could you come outside? I have a gift for you~! [Indeed, outside wherever the door to her wonderland is, Grell will be standing in the forest clearing with a few goons tied up and gagged, wriggling to try and get free.]

[You know the normal anonymous skeleton? Seems like someone isn't quite as anonymous as she'd had hoped, though the voice modulation doesn't seem to be working quite so well, either.]

This place is so boring unless you count some nutcase exploding something as fun, maybe to them it is, certainly isn't to the rest of us. Ugh, how tactless and without class that whole thing was. And in Attleton of all places, who would have ever guessed?

Aaaanyway. I suppose the question this time around is what sort of hobbies do you have out there, lovely Genessia? A girl's gotta find something to do with her downtime and so far nothing's really catching my eye since no one seems interested in doing more than just... talking.

At this point I'd even take someone's stupid crusade to purge me of the world, at least that'd get a laugh. How can a place with so many people from so many places be somehow devoid of entertainment?

So bored.

It looks like Katsuki-san went home... I can't find him in my phone's contact list. [And she's been trying really hard to call him. There's so much she wanted to tell him about her plans. It stings that she can't.

Yet, she doesn't look as heartbroken as she did when Ada disappeared.]

He's probably back home taking those hero classes and becoming stronger, though, so I guess it's a good thing. I'll bet he's happier, and he's probably working really really hard, so...

[She nods slowly, reaffirming her own optimistic position, and then breaths in. Time for her to work hard too! To be the "hero" Bakugou thought she was.] I think that Guardian elections happen at the end of November, right? I'm running this time. I've thought about it a lot, but I think I'm gonna do it. There's a lot that I think could be done here.

But before I start on the politics stuff, I want to be better informed on a particular topic. Can anyone tell me what they know about the barriers around the cities? Do we know anything about what's on the other side? How much do we know about those 'Spirits' I've heard hold up the barrier? And don't waste my time telling me to check books. I've done that. I want to find out what I've missed. Like first hand accounts.

Thank you!

[Too soon? Never. Lydia's merely grinning at the screen, though the appearance is more vicious than her normal grin would be.]

Usually I keep to myself a little longer before doing this, but I think we need to have a little chat about something.

I'd like to say, whatever little utterly precious [there's nothing but venom in those words] anon decided to put that little poll out needs to mind their own damn business. You sound like someone that's a human and, guess what, you have no idea how this city works and you're very clearly unaware of how in over your head you are.

I suggest next time you do some research before saying absolutely stupid shit that gets you reamed by everyone in Everglade. 'Kay? Hunting already isn't allowed in Everglade so if humans feel unsafe in the city, they have the option to fucking leave and go to the other three fucking cities where they can be all scared of us there. Honestly, how stupid.

On that note, guess who didn't get hit with the whole monster thing. I guess I'm enough of a monster on my own, who would have guessed? As a lobbyist for the Undead and Deceased Civil Rights Movement, if you have any questions about what the dietary needs or need any other on what kind of creature you are, feel free to hit me up. If I don't know off the top of my head, I have tons of resources there in particular.

That's all darlings, enjoy the rest of your week~

[The message comes onto the network shortly after sunrise. You know who's not panicking on the network and is, in fact, looking like he's having the time of his life? This guy. He's got a demonic appearance again, and decked out in the black-purple leather outfit that he had custom tailored for this very scenario. You know, the one he got three years ago. And he's made sure he's got an appropriate song playing in the background while he's sitting with legs crossed mid-air in the Skyrise office. ... at least he's not playing Monster Mash?]

Y'know, the best way to tell if someone's been here less than a year is to listen to their messages in October.

[He holds his arms open to begin his announcement! Or PSA. Or whatever.]

So unless Genessia's done somethin' new and exciting this time around, you folks with new and exciting features and appendages don't have anythin' to worry about. This is the third year in a row this has happened. Which, if the spirits out there can hear me? I really appreciate you guys givin' me more mileage out of this outfit. I appreciate the new horns compared to the last two years too.

[He folds his arms. He likes gesturing, folks.]

Last year, only Nova City got this "curse," if ya wanna call it that. I took a gander around the other cities earlier- and it don't look like we got the same effect as last year. So you all just gotta sit back, relax and enjoy your time as a monster. If it's anythin' like the last few years, it'll be a week or two. So calm your tits. Or don't. I'm just your local Nova Guardian here to give a PSA.

.... oh, and if you got any new dietary needs, Everglade's probably your best stop. And also "Special" drinks will be discounted at Holy Diver if ya feel so inclined. No, these new forms don't count towards Lydia's costume special, so don't try.

[He ponders a moment as he taps his cheek.]

Also~ My WayPoints project is just about done, thanks to the lovelies at Aster Tech. I've just got a couple finishing touches, and then we can all get around faster- particularly in case of new emergencies. I may be eccentric, but I'm no liar.

[Not always, anyway.]

Happy spooking, dears~

[He blows a kiss to the camera and the video cuts.]

[It's everyone's favorite lich who this time looks pretty happy and very much in the background of what can only be assumed is Holy Diver. Though instead of her usual gaudy attire she's actually just... fully out lich. A skeleton in a black robe with those red eyes, what the hell, Lydia.]

Hello, darlings~ I know it's almost Halloween and I have two little announcements to talk about. [She's humming and just moving to perch on one of the bar stools, propping her device up so she doesn't have to hold the damn thing.]

The first is that Wonderland, starting today and going to the week after Halloween is going to be set up as a haunted house~ Mostly of things that are kind of from my own world, so probably creatures and decorations you might not be familiar with. Since we do a little things differently back home, of course. The thing is, that Wonderland is also... well... it's going to be a bit of a reservation only thing since it's a one man crew that runs it now, mind. So just give me a call if you want to go through it, if you can survive and not cry and want to leave through it, then you get a nice little present. Haven't quite decided what yet, probably a nice little token or something. I'm taking suggestions. Mind you, there's no danger associated with it, but there is going to be contact, so if you can't handle contact, then might not be for you. But no danger, no death, no injury, it's all in good fun.

[She's stretching for a moment before glancing past the screen for a brief moment and looking back again.]

The second announcement deals with lovely little Holy Diver and Heaven's Gate here. For those out of the loop, our dear Gale put me as the branch manager of this place and I'm going to take advantage of it~

Mostly because everyone is so... pissy and uptight about things here in Everglade when it comes to Halloween. So the week of Halloween anyone that comes in here in costume will get a free drink on me~ [She's just going to use a little bit of illusion magic to make it look like she's taking off a mask to show that elf face underneath the skeleton face.]

And before anyone asks, this is a costume. I'm an illusionist wizard darlings, I can make things look real.

That's all I had~ Have fun!

Genessia City;《ｖｉｄｅo》

[This feed starts off with a bang or rather a splash. A colorful stream of curses overpowers the commotion as this surly bloke struggles to get himself upright. After fighting his way out of this weird contraption (that subtly looks like some kind of egg or pod), Trevor finds himself knee deep in water. For the life of him, he couldn't remember the last few moments before he fell asleep. All he does remember is being lectured by Sypha and Alucard both. A memory he much rather forget considering the two of them are a pain the ass together. With a groan, Trevor Belmont speaks as he clutches onto this weird device.

So not only does God shit on me but he also pisses on me too?

[A huff escapes him as he peers down at this phone. Be damned if he knows what the fuck this is. Trevor never seen anything like it besides those queer crystal balls that mystic's use. While the shiny glass certainly reminds him of that, this shit looks like something that would be found in Dracula's accursed castle. The monster is actually a renown alchemist, isn't he? So claimed Alucard.

He stares at the device curiously as he dangles it above his head. Get a good look at that face, Genessia. He's going to be a known troublemaker around these parts.]

So the hell is this? [He questions as he sloshes through the water.] A parting gift from the tombs?

[Trevor scoffs.]

Not bloody likely---Ooof! [His foot slips and he crashes into the water a second time.]

FUCK!

[Trevor Belmont, ladies and gents.]

Everglade;《a c t i o n》

[After successfully cursing out the hologram and gaining some intel to boot, Trevor wanders around town until he finds the Everglade gate. Thinking it somehow could link him home, the hunter steps through only to find himself in a modern day looking Wallachia. He tenses visibly once the thick fog rolls in. Something about this place gives him the creeps despite it being early evening.

Trevor wanders from shop to shop, combing his way through the alleyways for the sake of exploration. Eventually he comes to a little store called Cloak & Dagger, a curious spot not for the faint of heart. There's a few daggers on display that caught his attention, some more exotic looking than the next. Trevor has hald the mind to buy something here but trying to learn this new currency is a bit of a stretch for him.

In search for information, Trevor takes to the streets again. The hunter wanders for awhile until it hits evening. It's then that he finds himself gripping the hilt of his whip a bit tighter. Just what sort of horrors lie here? That's a question Trevor isn't eager to find out. Wandering throughout the town in this dense fog, the Belmont stops briefly at another curious shop boasting exotic meats called Edible Alternatives. Of course he shies away from this particular establishment since it features some really odd foods that simply don't seem kosher. While Trevor will admit to eating sine unsavory things while on the road, he draws the line when the meat looks less than edible. Plus the butcher there simply gives him the creeps.

His next destination is inside the sinful temptations of Holy Diver, a bar and nightclub ironically inside of an old church. This place suits him somewhat since there's a decent bar but all the nudity and raunchiness doesn't impress him. If anything, Trevor seems to ignore it all for drowning some spectacular rum. Four drinks in and he's already shit faced with a prominent blush across his cheeks.]

[It's been awhile, folks. Augustine hasn't made a video for quite some time, hasn't he?

Well, guess what? Today marks his return to social media with a sly smirk upon his face and the most handsome tailored made suit you've ever seen. He's dressed to the nines and tens today in a lovely red baroque themed suit looking very much like some sort of prince or duke from some far off land. Admire the golden embroidery work upon that slick black tie and the lovely print upon the jacket and slacks. Augustine looks very much like a Tepes today and there's good reason for that.

That reason being a little disclaimer he wants to record for all those planning to enjoy All Hallows' Eve.]

Good day and hello to all. I certainly hope that the sudden shift in the weather hasn't made anyone ill. [He chuckles quietly.] I know I've been feeling a tad under the weather as of late.

[His smile is positively dashing but what he says next isn't as charming.]

With the approach of autumn and the end of summer, we're all about to enjoy arrival of the holiday season. With that being said, there's one such holiday I feel needs to be taken to account and that holiday is none other than All Hallow's Eve better known as Halloween to some.

[He's talking about Halloween already? But it's only September---well, October is around the corner.]

Please be mindful for this Halloween that dressing up as a "vampire" might be considered a tad...[He pauses for a moment as he desperately thinks of the right word.] Offensive.

Vampires are proud and elegant creatures, most of which are hardworking individuals and not the monsters you know from pulp fiction lore. With that being said, please don't dress up as a vampire for the sake of drooling blood or some nonsense. We're much more than our pearly white fangs and fondness for capes.

Such stereotypes are quite harmful against my kind, and we would greatly appreciated if none of you attempt to win our ire by pretending to be us.

[That's a Augustine speech for "I better not see any of your fucks dressed up as Count Dracula this Halloween".]

Despite our terrifying reputation, most of us aren't bloodsucking demons. So be mindful when picking your costumes this season. I would hate for anyone to get the wrong idea about us vampires.

[The normally poised and controlled Lydia is very much not what anyone is getting in this video. In fact it seems to be turning on after having been thrown across the room and being returned by someone that isn't Lydia given she's currently snarling something in some foreign tongue while throwing a vase at a wall off screen. That's... not... great. Probably.]

Eddie. [The word is strained, attempted to be something other than rage filled as she's taking the device to perch it on a nearby table which finally shows the Zoroark who's darting off to the side almost immediately. But the vision of her is clear enough, her normal clothing but there's bits of skin seeming to disappear with crackling black electricity almost with the briefest moments of what seems to be bones. Mostly in her balled fists and various other parts of her body that are exposed. Odd.

She's sucking in a deep breath that sounds more like a hiss, teeth almost bared in an attempt at a smile that is far more vicious than it has any right to be.]

Whoever took my brother, I demand you return him right this moment or I will find you and you will not like the consequences of your actions.

This whole place has done nothing but prove to me time and time again that there's no reason to trust anyone here. There never was, but many of you have shown me just how horrible of people you are and how selfish you can be. Asking for things that are only for yourselves when you could literally do anything to help the others here or help anyone other than yourself. To improve lives, but no, nothing but filth to be found.

[Her rage has slowly subsided to a sneer, though nothing else about her has changed.]

Disgusting creatures. But the worst are always like cockroaches, aren't they?

[With that she's scooping the device up again to focus on just her face and that's just her whole face shifting from smooth pale skin to nothing but bone and red eyes.]

You took away the only damn thing I gave a shit about here and expect me to just roll over and accept it? You clearly don't know who I am. [And off that device goes. She... might have lost her composure a little.]

action, around Attleton and Nova City, morning and lunchtime

[ Yay, it's Cassian's birthday! His second since arriving in Genessia, in fact. Except, you know, the birthday boy hates parties and being the center of attention alike and would rather not have one at all, so he will be doing his best to treat this day as just a regular day. It's not that his birthday is a secret, as such, just not something he has any wish to go out of his way to share with people.

He will be going to work as usual in Attleton and can be found on the streets of Nova City late in the morning on the way to and from a meeting with a client.

At noon, he can be found in the Attleton park, sitting on a bench looking solemn and lost in thought while he is feeding crumbs of bread to the ducks. His eyes keep going back to the wedding band on his hand. His life has changed so much since he arrived here. He has changed so much. It makes you dizzy if you let yourself think about it properly. ]


video

[ There's Cassian, looking annoyed... and very sparkly, with glitter in his hair, his face, his clothes... everywhere. Every time he huffs in annoyance, a cloud of red glitter is stirred up on his desk. So much for keeping it quiet and avoiding any ridiculousness.

Resigned to his fate, he holds up an equally glitter-covered card saying "Happy Birthday" and the remains of an exploded, obviously glitter filled balloon in a package - a little gift from Lucky, not that he knows that yet. ]

Whoever sent this: not funny. Thank you.


birthday party: SoKaCa house in Attleton, evening

[ If he had thought he could get away with having his birthday go unnoticed, Cassian is proven wrong once he returns home. He notices something fishy as soon as he opens the door and finds the house surprisingly quiet, no pets or pokemon greeting him by the door.

He comes to a sudden stop as soon as he walks into the living room, which is decorated with party streamers and balloons, a large birthday cake on the table. The terrace door is open, letting guests and pokemon wander outside to enjoy the gardens that are lush and still blooming with fairy magic.

The party has been quietly arranged by Sonico, careful to keep Cassian none the wiser while she invited guests and planned it. She is the welcoming hostess tonight, while Cassian himself looks a little bit embarrassed but quietly pleased and does his best to socialize. ]


OOC: Sonico has been inviting Cassian's friends, so if you have CR with him or are just curious about that party going on in Attleton, feel free to assume you got an invitation.

[ A: Action, open to anyone in Fairy Haven ]

{ A pile of notes, two open books - both written in long-dead languages, and one in particular written entirely in hieroglyphs - and an untouched plate of food, quickly growing cold, laid before Zeref at his table in Fairy Haven. He was neglecting all of them, as he shook a snowglobe-like object and just... stared at it. A smile slowly spread across his features, as he stared, transfixed as if in a trance of some kind. For several minutes he'd sit like this, before stowing the object in his pocket, turning back to the forgotten lunch and unfinished translations.

Clearly, he was having trouble focusing. He looked over his notes once more, and then unceremoniously closed the books and set them aside. They weren't needed until the end of the week. They could wait. Without any input from him, a Pokéball fell out of his sleeve, and out popped what looked like a blue-eyed doll dressed in a gothic lolita dress. She didn't say anything; just stared, unblinking, at her trainer, as if expecting him to say something in particular. }

Gothorita.

{ Zeref nodded down at his notes. }

Can you proofread those for me? They're written in lunar runes. You're the expert, there.

{ Gothorita didn't answer. She just continued staring for several seconds, before the notes rose up into the air, levitating in chronological order in front of her. He didn't need to convince her with words; Future Sight told her everything she needed to know about the reward in the form of ice cream waiting for her afterward. With that, Zeref withdrew the snowglobe once more, setting it down next to the uneaten food, and went back to staring, himself. }

B: Video, OTA

I have a question. Anybody may answer.

{ Zeref picked up the device, moving it away from the sunglare coming in from a nearby window. }

For those who remember, a while back, necromancy was illegal in Everglade. That ban has since been repealed. I was thinking about the parallels to my own world, where certain forms of magic were arbitrarily banned by various governments, on the pretext that they were inherently dangerous.

{ Zeref had plenty to say about that, but he'd keep the political discussion for another time. His question was far more straightforward than that. }

How many of you come from a world where magic, or any sort of equivalent power, was made forbidden to even learn, and what was the rationale behind that decision? I want to compare these instances to my own world, and this world, for that matter.

[ A certain young looking and French sounding vampire has shown up on the network after who knows how long, and she is looking rather conflicted. It's a feeling that's become much too familiar to her liking. ]

I must have gone soft. Perhaps it's this... Deputy Guardian job I have, or the fact I do not have to inspire fear to even exist in this realm, but since when has the Scarlet Devil cared even a little what happens to a few foolish mortals?