[The sound of breaking glass can be heard followed by a very rage filled scream. Someone woke up to a very earth shattering discovery this evening. She always feared this would happen and now that it has... Rip's anger and sorrow can practically be felt reverberating through her device as there's a frantic sound of motion before her device clicks on to video.

For a brief moment, there's the sight of her tiny pumpkaboo who looks really worried before it darts behind the camera. When Rip comes into view she's reaching for her musket. Her long hair hides her face but, the rage is hard to miss in her every motion as she grabs her gun and heads for the door only to pause.

She moves towards her device and grabs it.]

He's gone.

[That's all she has to say before she clicks off her device.]



ACTION
[Rip's not taking Namur's leaving well. At all. More than a few random people might just be lying dead or dying in the wake of her passing as she heads towards Everglade. Once there, no one is safe from her rage.]

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.

 Happy birthday to me.

[She grins as she holds up her device. The Huntress is sitting on a beach somewhere bathed in moonlight as the sound of waves accompany her post. Curled up in her hair is her pumpkaboo who just so happens to be peeking out at her device.]

It's been a wild year, don't you think? But, I haf enjoyed it und hope zhe good times keep coming...it's...been vonderful.

[Her grin fades into a slight smile. yes, this was very different from the way she quietly celebrated her birthday last year. Now, people actually knew about it.]

I appreciate being able to live anozher year. Hopefully, I get to live to see anozher and anozher. But, enough of zhat. Tell me, vat are some of your favorite vays to celebrate your birthday? 

Who: Everyone
When: May 3rd - May 12th
What: Exploration, creature fighting, whatever you want.
Warnings: Potential violence.
( Read more... )

Vell, I don't haf to ask vat time of year it is...

[Rip's device is gently bobbing up and down as it floats near her. Rip's currently sitting on her living room floor with a small.. grey bunny on her lap that seems to be shedding literal cotton balls that are sticking to the sleeves of her button up shirt and her slacks. There's even a few broken eggshells not far from her....

Beyond that, Rip's... hair is a neon purple instead of its usual raven black and she looks a little annoyed by the change. She's trying to pick the cotton balls off of her but the more she tries, the more there seems to be.]

I vonder if Namur likes hasenpfeffer.

[Yes, she might be glaring at the rabbit in her lap when she says that despite how cute and innocent it looks.]

Und Pumpkin, put zhe device avay. I've told you more times zhan I can count not to play vith it.

[There seems to be a very sheepish sound of 'pumpkaboo' from behind the video before a vine snakes around and shuts it off.]

Who: Augustine, Rip & their potential prey (Open)
What: Boredom is a terrible motivator, especially when combined with "blood lust".
When: Moments before Midnight
Where: Everglade

Notes: Mentions of violence, gore and cheesy romance? Odd combination but okay!

( Even good people can forsake their morals. )

[The video feed shows Jinbei sitting at a table, sake cup in hand. It took a while, but he managed to find one that suited his size.]

It seems like there were a lot of departures as of late. Unfortunately, Ace and Sabo, my captain's brothers, were among them. Shame that Luffy couldn't be here to see them, but they'll be missed.

[With that, Jinbei downs the sake, setting the empty cup on the table before continuing.]

I probably should have told them more about Luffy's adventures while I was here, but it's probably for the best that I didn't - last I saw, he was taking on one of the most influential people in the world, and preparing to take on one of the strongest, so I'm sure it'd just worry them.

[His serious expression gives way to a hint of nervousness; he's not overly sure about asking for advice.]

I... also had another purpose for making this video. Work has proven to be more difficult than I figured; I've been tasked with showing a zombie woman "the time of her life", and all I know about zombies is that they can't eat anything salty. I'd appreciate any advice that I can get.

You know, zhis isn't my favorite holiday.

[For once her apartment wasn't decorated to reflect the holiday. Instead, Rip's sitting on her couch with a hot cup of something in her hands as she gazed into it. She even had a blanket on her lap, covering her legs.

Rip takes a moment before she takes a sip of her drink and frowns into the hot liquid as her Swoobat cuddled up to her. ]

Halloween und Christmas are my two favorite holidays. Zhis one never really meant much to me ozher zhan an over abundance of annoying candy I cannot eat und overly sappy gestures. But, at least zhere are no annoying living teddy bears looking for attention, glitterbombs or festivals.

[She sighed and pulled the blanket tighter against her.]

I vill just be happy if zhis holiday passes vithout incident.

[Namur's voice is hoarse and he breathes harder than usual as he speaks, head propped sideways on a pillow so he can face the camera.]

Hey-

[He is interrupted by a coughing fit, followed by a few colorful words muttered weakly under his breath.]

A'ight let's try that 'gain.

Hey guys, I'm feelin' down. Thought a some shit that'll lift my sp- AHCHOO!

[He cringes. That one hurt.]

Oh, Lord a the Sea. If yer willin' t' go find some shit an' bring it back t' me, sing out an' I'll give y' a reward.

So, first of all, congratulations are in order for the newly elected guardians. Secondly, I find myself down two deputies. Satou obviously will be moving to Genessia to carry out her duties as it's new guardian, and Sakuya Izayoi will be moving to Everglade to serve as Remilia Scarlet's deputy, both with my blessing.

So. I suppose if you're interested, let me know?

[Something bumps against a certain huntress's phone and the next thing the network is greeted with is a sideways recording for a few moments before it rights itself of a very VERY over decorated apartment with lights and garland around the windows, snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and a tree that is loaded with decorations and surprisingly strung popcorn and electric candles.  There's even an advent wreath on the kitchen table just off to the side of the video with four candles along with a plate of sweets despite the fact that Rip can't eat the cookies herself. There's already a few presents under the tree and  Rip can be seen off to the side wearing this and a pair of  leggings   while working at a pretty heavy duty sewing machine with bits of leather on the table and on the floor.  It's obvious she's working on something... it's just hard to tell what.]
 
 Pumpkin, hand me zhe scissors....

[Rip's cute little pumpkaboo darts into frame with a pair of scissors in its vines to give to her as she's working on marking something out...A bag maybe? Or some sort of leather thing...As Rip works she starts to hum the tune to 'Jingle bells' but, when she starts singing, it's soft and most definitely in German. Once she's done, she slips into another Christmas song  .... Rip may not be aware that she's treating the whole of the network to a private concert just a few days away from Christmas...and is that tinsel braided into her hair? Probably. The Huntress apparently really likes the holidays....]

[Well, that sucked, waking up in a new place for the umpteenth millionth time. But this time it wasn't some planet to be conquered or waking up in what was essentially Hell. Given the information presented to him, as despite the appearance he was still keen to learn what the hell was going on in his surroundings, this wasn't... some new brand of Hell for him. Huh.

Which might be why that screen is flicking on with the appearance of this man probably being a little more intimidating than most. Even if he's merely got his arms crossed and leaning against a wall of a building not far from the Bay.]

Useful information to have right out of the gate, appreciated. But two questions extra.

One: Anyone know the logistics of being, what I can only assume, alive again? I seem to have the whole flesh and blood and breathing thing again but I'd rather not press that luck in case there's a catch to it.

Two: Nearest clothing store, this weather is garbage and clearly this isn't doing anything to help with the temperature.

It's that time of the year again, isn't it?

[Have a mildly unimpressed dhampir making a face in regards to the Guardian debates. While he hasn't been keeping a close eye on the event, he certainly can't believe he's been in Genessia long enough to witness another change of hands. It's a little...humbling. Why? Well, Augustine never expected his stay in Genessia to be an indefinite one.]

Lovely. Now we sit back and listen to the candidates spout endlessly about working for the greater good and all that nonsense. The usual campaign pageantry we're used to by now.

[Well! A certain someone is feeling quite cynical today despite looking quite handsome in an all black ensemble. There's hints of red here and there but it's all so discreet.]

In any case, I'm in need of some holiday cheer. So, I was wondering if anyone is interested in decking the metaphorical halls with me, preferably with candy canes and eggnog.

[Knowing him, he's mentioning the eggnog loaded with alcohol.]

Although, this begs the question...who actually celebrates Christmas here? [Good question, right? Augustine is actually curious about this.] So many of us hail from various different worlds and such, so is Christmas honestly a holiday that is celebrated largely here?

Or does it go by other names, perhaps? I know I heard someone refer to it as "Starlight" before.

[He pauses.] I forgot whom it was but that's a rather festive name.

You know, it iz getting close to zhat time of year vhere trees get decorated, carols are blasted in all zhe stories und zhose of us vho like music curse out every composer vho ever thought zhat singing about Christmas vas a vonderful idea.

[Despite her word's, Rip looks pretty amused as she sits in her living room. Her Pumpkaboo is nestled under her hair on her shoulder seemingly napping while Rip toys with some sort of carving. From the looks of it, it might be made out of bone... regardless of the material, Rip's put several designs on it that seem to mean something to her as she runs her fingers over the small object before turning her attention back to her device.]

Which brings me to a question, vhere is a good place to get carving  und leather materials  around here? I'm looking for suggestions so I can pick up a few old hobbies of mine once more.  Vhy bozher shopping for gifts for zhe holidays vhen I can make zhem~. 

[Not to mention, this is the first year where buying gifts was an actual possibility.  Rip's not to sure how to feel about that.]

I might even be villing to make zhings for people if zhey are villing to pay. 

[Namur's face on the screen is pale grey, his eyes a deep red, and he has a few extra teeth hanging out of his mouth from the top lip.]

Hey, listen up y'all. Know 's weird turnin' int' somethin' y' usually ain't. This shit ain't usually my look, either. But yer gonna be okay. All a y'. Yer still the same person on the inside, aye? An' y' ain't got no reason t' be 'shamed a what the world saw fit t' change y' int' for a time. This ain't some shitty crisis, 's an opportunity t' experience the world in a new way, catch me?

That said, some a y'all might find yerselves targeted cuz now yer differnt. Ain't gonna name names or nothin', but some folk 'parently feels like they's got every right t' be yer judge an' they don't give a shit 'bout yer situation or how y' got t' where y's at, so be careful out there, aye?

An' maybe there's some a y' out there that's used t' bein' differnt, an' now yer stripped a the physical shit that gave y' an edge an' helped y' survive. 'S gonna be okay. Don't let fear keep y' from makin' the most a yer days.

Anybody thinks they need some backup, I'mma add my name out there as one t' call. Do that kinda shit every day, so really it oughta be obvious me an' my boys'd be willin' t' help.

[Private Text to Jolly Eddy's Employees and Koishi]

Team mtg tomorow 6pm @ hq
Pot luck
Drinks provided

If u cant maek it u betur hav a damn gud rezon

 Good evening, everyone! This is Detective Satou of Everglade speaking! I realize that we've all undergone some... changes.

[Satou herself only has a minor change: Her skin is a reddish orange, and she doesn't realize there are flame patches on her body.]

I'm not sure how far this goes, but I thought I would follow up on Guardian Gale's mention of dietary needs: We do have resources in place here in Everglade for anyone with special dietary concerns. Please feel free to get in touch if you need help locating those resources.

I'd also like to take this moment to remind everyone that the "Night Laws" in Everglade were repealed. While I understand that you may be hungry and that hunger is hard to control, don't use that as a result to attack people in Everglade. We will arrest you. Likewise, if you feel threatened or like you can't control your new impulses, I'll do what I can to help!

Thank you so much!

Ah, Guardian Dante. Let me know if our patrol schedule is going to be updated to deal with this. I'll be on stand-by!