[It doesn't take Charlie too long to figure out on how to use a smart phone. Of course the style and the way it's made is way different from hers back home, but after exploring it for a few minutes - she manages to get the hang of it. The video feed starts up with her look down at the camera but then alternating the angle so whoever is viewing can get a good look at her.]

[Awkwardly, she flashes a small smile and a wave.]

Uh. Hi! I'm Charlie.... -- Soooo uh...

[Charlie takes a small look around her surroundings as the recording now starting to lightly bounce in movement due to her walking.]

If I'm getting this right, we're stuck here? I mean, I guess there's worse places...

[Funny enough seeing that her home is technically supposed to be that worse place. The recording stops shaking for a moment as she comes to a halt. She bites the tip of her thumbnail as she ponders nervously. Almost forgetting that she is on video, she turns her attention back at the camera.]

Oof... - Uh. Sorry, sorry! I'm just, uh, trying to wrap my head in all of this. -- Er, anyone mind helping me get settled, I guess?

[A beat.]

Oh! And maybe help find my friends? There's Angel, Vaggie, Husk, Nifty, and... [She pauses for a moment. Should she really name the last person?] -- and Alastor.

My parents are Lucifer and Lilth. And if you see little goats in tuxedos, they belong with me. So, if anyone seen them or know where they are in this... place, just let me know! Or let them know I'm looking for them.

-- I'd really appreciate it and thanks!

[Another day, another training session in the Holodeck'd. Only today, Karla found herself ending it sooner than normal. She felt her muscles aching and burning, her chest congested. At least this time she was better able to recognize what was happening.]

I'm getting sick again, aren't I...?

[So she made her way home, questioning whether she would even make it. Thankfully she did, and she got into bed, taking a brief glance at her device. Just for any friends or strangers who might be curious, she broadcasts a brief message.]

Looks like I won't be able to train for a while...

Who: Lea, Dove, and People
When: Various points in December
Where: Lea and Dove's apartment (locked threads) and a park in Genessia City (open thread)
What: Various holiday event things!
Warnings: Lea being sick in one thread, various kinds of feelings and warm fuzzies throughout

( Read more... )

[Genessia City/Nova City - Coffee Shop]

A little frazzled, she had left the apartment to run a few errands and allow Lea to settle in without the stress of having her there, fretting over how she could help. She’d have to remember to grab dinner for them while she was out, as she had promised, but for now, she simply rested at a table outside her favorite cafe, ignoring the chill of the air and trying her best to enjoy the peppermint tea she had procured from the shop.

It had been weeks since she had ventured out for anything aside from training herself into exhaustion, jobs, or absolute necessity. The cooler weather and shorter days had only helped feed that dark anxious hole in her chest, and she had limited her contact with the outside world to sparse messages and rare calls, and even those had only been to let her remaining friends know she was ‘okay’.

…even if she hadn’t really been. But things were changing, just like the season itself. At least now there was a touch of hope on the horizon.

Maybe she’d bump into a familiar face now that she had found daylight once more.

[Fayren]

Some days were harder than others, and on those days, she somehow always found herself tearing through the forests of Fayren, using the branches as an obstacle course of sorts as she threw herself through the air in desperate hope of tiring herself out again. Training. That’s what she called it, even if her recklessness would have been immediately checked by her previous trainer. He wasn’t there to stop her, and her self-destructive behavior was carefully contained to herself, even if the fire at the tips of her wings looks rather terrifying for a setting with so many dry and crackling leaves.

Regardless, it worked more often than not, and she’d stop only when her wings were aching and sand squished under her boots in place of leaves. Always the beach. While she still hadn’t been able to bring herself to the inlet where she had once trained with Styxx… where she had last seen Namur… she always ended up on the damn beach, scowling at the way the sun cast its dying light across the surface of the ocean. It had once been beautiful, soothing even… now it just hurt.

Really, she’s not mad at you; it’s just the way her pretty face looks at the moment.

[Genessia City- Feather Light Studio]
On the days she found peace, she could be found in her dance studio, letting the music sweep her away entirely. From classical to R&B to rock, she moves as it commands, sometimes with her wings proud and present and others with them hidden away. Its the safest escape she has, and even when she’s at the front, checking her bookings and scheduled events and classes, she’s longing to be back on the floor, even if she has to share it with someone else.

Perhaps a partner might even help.

[Anywhere Else]

The cold seems to help clear her mind, and though the dark comes much faster in the day, Dove doesn't seem to mind it too much. It certainly hasn't stopped her late night wanderings, hands stuffed in her sweater pockets and Houndoom trailing beside her. Her mind is anywhere but the present, but the pokemon's sharp gaze is on watch, should anyone approach in the night.

[Jenny clicks her phone on to make an announcement. The sound of her smiling obvious as she speaks, though to anyone who really knows her, there's a sad down behind the smile.]

Well, hello everyone. For those of you who don't know, I'm Jenny, the Doctor's daughter. Of course that's a long story, but moving on. I'm here to inform everyone that the Doctor's and Rose have all departed this place. Probably on another adventure by now, but seeing I'm still here, I've decided to step in and start running Torchwood in their stead as well as all business beneath it's name. So those of you who work for Torchwood, I suppose work for me now. I hope to work with all of you to keep it all running into the future.

Now, it's come to my attention that it's the month for Halloween and I have a Haunted House to run. Yes, I know it's open all year round, but I hope everyone will look forward to many Haunted events coming soon. We'll also be having some special seasonal menu items available for all of our patrons so stop by while you can because we'll only have them available for a limited time.

I look forward to all of you stopping by to enjoy the spirit of halloween. See you all around!

[With that, the transmission cuts off.]

Please tell me costumes are going to be popular? [How can you not spend this month looking ghoulish?] I can help anyone who wants a more...magical...transformation. There are potions I can use and spells...

[No, no. Everyone should just say no to this man.]

I would love to see a few centaurs wandering about, wouldn't you?

[Darc is filming from his campsite, the crackle of his cooking fire in the background. Those who know him will notice that he's looking a little healthier since last they saw him. He's been eating better, at least.]

Hello. This is Darc. I haven't used the communicator much in a while, so...

[Right, socializing isn't one of his strong suits. Get to the point. He takes a deep breath to collect himself.]

I have a question about magic. I know people can use it here, but what I want to know is how. My people, the Deimos, could use magic in my own world. But only by drawing power from spirit stones. They were mined from the earth, or found by killing monsters.

However, when my friends and I saved the world from evil, all spirit stones lost their power. There's no magic for us anymore. Besides that, I haven't found any spirit stones in Genessia.

How does magic work for you and your world?

I need some advice on the best refractory material that can withstand extremely high temperatures and a near immediate cooldown. It has to cool white. And I need someone who can work scrimshaw on it without risking cracking or compromising the integrity. Thanks.

[Short and sweet as always.]

[Meanwhile, Smoker locks a message to Namur, Rip, Grell, and even Marco, though he basically hopes the Phoenix ignores it.]

I need to meet with you during Portgas' work hours. It's not an emergency, nothing's wrong, but it is important. Send me times, or stop by the shop, but not alone.

video;

( despite his serious, unfazed expression before the camera, his eyes certainly reveal more than he intended to show. )

For the time being, I'll take ownership of Amatsu Inn. The married couple Kenshin and Tomoe Himura are no longer in Genessia.

( and that's it. the feed ends there. really not in the mood of saying more about it, knowing that tomoe will go back being... dead. he hopes... she will be happy in her next life... )

action; fayren and amatsu

( souji found himself having more time in his hands than he originally had. ridiculously more free now that he's not a servant. he's never been the main chief of anything: only an assistant teacher, a captain... a follower, owning something overwhelmes him. glad to know he has a kind staff willing to back him on this decision.

here and there, all he wants is to remain distracted from thinking about tomoe, who came to consider a dear friend given her initial distrust of him being from the shinsengumi, and also came to estimate her husband kenshin, a good and very strong talented man with the katana.

at some point during the days, afternoons, evenings or nights, someone might bump into him and his now a little more grown wolf pup, mibu. )

[Well... this was really not what he expected. He didn't even remember falling asleep in what he could only figure was an extremely enclosed space. Whatever it was he was planning on staying in it for long, grabbing his hat which he was grateful was with him and grabbed the other things not really knowing what they were or if they were even that important.

As soon as he left the Bay he was looking around, the device having switched on as he was putting it into his pocket. What happens next to pretty much what others are going to hear and he hasn't realized it yet.]

Oz... Oz! [He wasn't sure if what happened was a joke of some kind or not, but it wasn't funny either way. But he figured he should at least call for the other as well.][Nothing... That was annoying.]

How did I end up here? How do I get back? Maybe Raven... but that might make me exhausted just getting back...

[He muttered slightly, having ignored the hologram completely in his panic over where the others were. Still concerned it seemed like he was in his own little world. Arms crossed he soon found himself bumping into someone, causing him to snap out of it.]

Ah... I'm sorry.

Accidental Voice

Why... Cats...

[Seems like the device was still on and was recording a rather panicked Gilbert. As to why it will soon become obvious.]

Why is there a place that has cats in it?! Isn't that a little unhygienic! [There was soon a meow and a scream, crashing soon following.]

Ke-Keep away from me!

(Hatchlings must grow and the two Daenerys and Rhaegar have been caring for are finally ready to spread their wings. Drogon is there to keep watch, a curious flower crown on his brow.)

You can do it. Stretch them out...

(The little Dragons watch her with the same intensity they would their actual mother, stretching out one wing and then the other.)

Now flap them like Uncle Drogon.

(Tiny screeches of glee follow that command and the tiny Dragons jump upward to catch the wind under their wings.)

[Ace and Papyrus are standing together on a roof and both of them seem very excited. They've got something to show off, they're sharing with the cities the test flight of a set of beautifully made wings. They're intricately wired together, made of bones and feathers arranged with care and given structure with leather and metal. They're strangely beautiful, a labor of love that took Ace well over a month to complete. And Ace holds up his handiwork, before moving to actually strap them onto Papyrus. If all goes well, in Ace's mind, Papyrus will be able to fly with these wings by moving his arms like a bird.

This duo of genius is part of the force protecting Fayren. Feel safer, citizens.]

[Great minds think alike, for Papyrus shared the same vision. Naught but confidence and hope shines in his eyesockets as he holds the phone in front of him, taping this historic, groundbreaking event: the world's first flying skeleton.]

GREETINGS, GENESSIA! IT IS I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AND MY GREAT ACE-ISTANT!! TODAY YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE SOMETHING TRULY AMAZING: SKELE-FLIGHT!! IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE, AND WHEN I SAW THE GREAT HERO HAWKS DO HEROISM ON WINGS, I KNEW IT WAS TIME TO REALIZE THAT DREAM!! NO BAD GUY WOULD EVER EXPECT THE GREAT FLYING PAPYRUS TO SWOOP DOWN AND NAB THEM IN THE ACT!!!

THANKS TO THE GREAT ACE AND HIS GREAT BIRD FRIEND MARCO, THAT ACT WILL BECOME FACT!

[He glides the phone from his torso to his sides, lovingly focused on every detail of his winged apparatus.]

I DONATED SOME OF THE BONES MYSELF!! OBSERVE THE DOWNY PLUMES. TAKE IN THE STICKY GLUE. MARVEL AT THE STURDY BEAMS! WITH THIS AND PLENTY OF EXERCISE ON MY PART, I'LL BE BOTH LIGHT ENOUGH AND STRONG ENOUGH FOR LIFT!!! AND NOW, LIKE MY POPULARITY, IT'S TIME TO SOAR!! BUT NOT FOR TOO LONG!!! I'VE GOT A GOOD FEELING THAT THE NEWSPAPER COULD ARRIVE AT ANY MOMENT! I CAN'T WAIT TO BE INFORMED OF ALL THE CURRENTEST EVENTS! UNTIL THEN, I LEAVE THE RECORDING OF MOMENTOUS, MONSTROUS MARVELS IN YOUR HANDS, ACE.

[He hands the phone to Ace like some hallowed baton of destiny. Without further ado, he sucks in breath, takes a few steps back, then takes a running leap off the rooftop. ]

NYEH HEH HEEEEEEH!!!!

[His arms are flapping overtime with that erratic, manic energy he pulls on in times of need. And it seems to be...working!? He's gliding, at least, gaining altitude. Maybe this isn't so stupid after all. His hit points remain at a healthy 680.]

IF I HAD A HOUSE I COULD TOTALLY SEE IT FROM HERE!!! OH LOOK, THERE'S THE PAPERBOY NOW!

...WAIT, DON'T!!! I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING! SHOO! GO AWAY!!

[He had not been in the world enough to know how vain appealing to the paperboy's mercy was. Not even the most masterful barrel roll could save him from what would transpire. With grim determination and a fierce countenance, the paperboy took out one rolled up parcel, cocked back, and fired. His aim was sure and absolute, like the terrible vengeance of God. Papyrus' path was struck as if by thunderbolt, sending him into a doomed tailspin.]

I'M HIT!!! MAYDAY, MAYDAY!!! BRACE FOR IMPACT!!! I'M GOING DOW--

[He was cut off with a crashing collision, right into the Ivory Tower. That should give the wizards something to talk about. His HP had seen better days.]

Dammit, no! [There's nothing else to see besides motion and blur as Ace takes off after Papyrus because this did not end well and he doesn't even have the mental faculties to think about turning the video off. His pocket eventually does the work for him, when the device is shoved in.

Sorry, he's got a skeleton to save.]

(OOC: Capslock is Papyrus, regular typing is Ace, either dumbass could respond or both.)

Video

[The video was pretty shakey for a moment, before getting steady and showing a blonde in all black and pink.]

I'm back! This is so weird... Big brothers, big sisters, I'm back! Let's spend time together.

Everyone else too. I want to meet lots of people this time. Let me know if you want to be friends, ok?

Action

[Elise was already wandering through Genessia City, healing staff clutched in her hands. She could head to Fayren later, but the modern city still fascinated her, and she wanted to see if anything was new. Not that she'd know, really. But first she has a couple of stops to make. She bounded up to the first person she saw.]

Hi! I just got back here, and I was wondering if you wanted to go to Moonbucks with me!

[The best way to make friends is to put yourself out there after all.]

[Papyrus, in full chef regalia, poses magnificently before an over-sized pan, holding a large stirring spoon like a king's scepter.]

GREETINGS GENESSIA! IT IS I, THE GREAT CHEF-SLASH-GUARDIAN PAPYRUS, HERE TO BRING YOU A SPECIAL TREAT! MY SOON-TO-BE-WORLD-FAMOUS POKEMON PASTA! IT'S MADE FROM ONLY THE MOST DELICIOUS AND EDIBLE 'MONS OF THEM ALL! HERE COMES ONE NOW!

[Bounsweet leafcopters in, panting and smiling. It tumbles into the pan, then rolls around, glazing the surface with its sugary-sweet sweat.]

WOWIE, BOUNSWEET WORKED UP A BOUN-SWEAT! ORDINARILY THE SWEETNESS IS TOO POWERFUL FOR HUMANS, SO LET'S WATER--NAY, MILK IT DOWN!! MILTANK, YOU'RE UP!

[The camera pans to a pink cow who fires its four udders, producing a quadruple stream of white, glittering ambrosia. Great aim! Once it's in, Papyrus tosses a handful of magic fire-powder below, instantly producing a roaring flame.]

THAT MILK IS FULL OF NUTRIENTS!! DRINK ENOUGH, AND MAYBE ONE DAY YOU CAN BE AS BUFF AS ME!!! NOW, LET'S SOAK THE ONE THING NO POPULAR DISH CAN DO WITHOUT: PASTA! I'VE BEEN SAVING THESE NOODLES IN AN ANCIENT, OAKEN CASK AS OLD AS THE FAYREN WOODS ITSELF!!! IN THEY GO!!! WOW, THEY'RE AS SOFT AS I'M NOT ON CRIME!!! OKAY, THE SAUCE IS GOING GREAT!! NOW WE NEED SOME GARNISHMENTS! PANSAGE, LEND ME YOUR HEAD! PETILIL, YOUR LEAF! TROPIUS, YOUR NECK! CHANCEY, YOUR EGG! (BY THE WAY, THOSE LAST TWO WERE DONATED BY THE GREAT DOVE! THANKS A MILLION!!!)

[A monkey, a bulb, a bananasaur, and a...Chancey, respectively, all drop their particular victuals into the mix. Papyrus stirs like he's never stirred before, even though he totally has. How else could he cook with such power and speed?]

NYEEEEEH!!! MAXIMUM POKEPOWERRRR!!!!

[Huffing and puffing, he stirs like a mad witch over a cauldron of deliciousness. The flame goes out, signalling the dish is complete.]

HAH...HAH...THE POKEPASTA IS PERFECT!!! ALL RIGHT, I HOPE THAT'S ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE, BUT SINCE IT'S THE BEST THING YOU'RE LIKELY TO EAT, PROBABLY NOT! FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!!

[That's questionably true. The taste is...well, you know how some dislike pineapple on pizza because they don't want sweet and savory to mix? It's the pasta version of that, but worse. The taste is, like everything he makes, indescribable.

Those brave enough to eat it, however, will feel euphoric. The leaves of Pansage and Petilil will refresh and rejuvenate, banishing all fatigue. One bite of Chancey's scrambled egg would make you so happy, Prozac is jealous. The fruit of Tropius...won't do anything in particular, but what else was he going to use? Clawitzer's entire arm? In a perversion of philosophy, the parts were more than the whole.

But do you dare? DO YOU!?]

( Another exciting night out on the town brings Mollymauk back into the house at about, say, 8 am? Too early for a man who has yet to sleep, if his current disheveled and half dressed state are any indication. Still, he kicks the door open and trots inside like he owns the place (little does he know, right?), announcing his arrival with a loud: )

I’m home! Hope you didn’t miss me too-- ( He pauses, surprised at first by the stillness of the house, and then by the figure resting on the couch. )

[Said figure is staring at her device, rapidly scrolling up and down the contacts list. Muttering under her breath in a trembling voice,] Gone… Gone, gone… Where are you…

[The movement of Molly’s entrance snaps her out of the strange trance. Satou turns her head, eyes wide and filled with tears. Her mutters stop, giving way to complete silence. And then, a terrible screech.]

THERE’S ONLY YOU! [is this good or bad? It’s hard to tell as a breakdown takes hold.]

( Of all the things he expected in that brief moment, it sure as hell wasn’t a harpy-esque screech. Molly’s phone drops out of his hand in surprise, clattering to the floor to show an upside down shot of the tiefling now holding his head in his hands. Why was he filming this to begin with? Who knows, he’s drunk or high or just too tired to remember. Either way, everyone can hear him shouting back, his own tone confused and slightly alarmed: )

What the hell are you talking about?! ( Then a pause as he looks up again, one eye closed in a wince of pain. ) ...Are you crying?

[Satou barely gives him a chance to speak. Her sobbing has not stopped and only grows louder when questioned.] They’re all gone! Hizashi-san, Toshinori-saanngh, [She covers her face again and screams. That scream translates into “Aizawa” in harpy.]

( Hizashi would be proud of her screeching, were he still here. Molly continues to stare, stepping forward only when Satou’s yelling is more sobs than ear-shattering screams. Another confused “huh” coming out of him as he absently kicks his phone across the room, turning it off when it bounces into the wall. The last thing heard over the network is him simply asking: ) What do you mean they’re all gone--Ugh. ( Then, darkness. )


( ooc: replies can come from either??? maybe??? probably molly mostly. )

Genessia City - Midday [ Open ]

[ Besides the faint tapping of his heels against the pavement, no one would know he was there. Augustine mastered the art of invisibility years ago but even so, his brand of sorcery has its limits. While he could remain invisible from the naked eye easily enough, cloaking his approach is rather difficult. Even so, his invisibility spell helps him sneak past the paparazzi lingering at the park across the street.

Augustine gives them a glance before quickly dashing off but he barely rounds the corner before accidentally slamming into someone. Just like that, his invisibility spell is shattered and the nearly 6'2 dhampir is exposed for all to see. Thankfully, Augustine always been a snazzy dresser but no one ever caught him in just black leather before. ]

Oh, I'm sorry! [He apologies with a sheepish chuckle.] Didn't quite see you there--

Genessia City - Evening [ Open ]

[ Every good apology begins with flowers, right?

That's what Augustine thought when he brought this lovely purple bouquet of hyacinths. In the language of flowers, purple hyacinths signify both sorrow and forgiveness. A fitting bouquet for those that Augustine has wronged in his long self-imposed hiatus. While he didn't mean to go this long without visiting family and friends, Augustine honestly needed some time away.

He made sure to have the florist add a couple of bright blue "Forget-Me-Not" within this lovely bouquet but he almost wishes he had a bouquet of roses instead. ]

...I doubt she's going to like these. [ He mutters to himself as he comes to a slow halt by some random street lamp. ] Pretty flowers aren't enough.

[ A tense sigh escapes Augustine. As much as he dreads the conversation, he's almost looking forward to it. After all, it's been awhile since he last seen Rip.]

Maybe I should get roses.

[ He's a little too preoccupied to notice anyone near. His thoughts are running a mile a minute.]

Everglade - Late Evening [ Open ]

[ Ever seen a drunk vampire? No? Neither has Augustine but he's determined to find out if he can get wasted.

That's why he's nursing his fifth glass of red while listening to the awfully loud bass. Even though he's not terribly fond of Everglade or this tavern in general, Augustine knows the drinks are decent here at Speak Easily. He would've ventured into Holy Diver if he was in the mood for flirting and loud ass music. The Speak Easily suits his gloomy mood better, especially since he doesn't have to worry too much about anyone causing him trouble.

Most of the folks here don't want to tangle with a vampire, even a half-breed like him.]

Mind filling my glass again?

[ He asks politely with a fanged grin. Despite his mood, he's been chumming it up with the bartender. ]

Wildcard

Have something else in mind? Go right ahead. Feel free to hit me up on devillady!