What kind of curse is this, anyways? Bursting into random songs? Ahh, and I thought that those witches were pretty random with their pranks, but this beats what they've done by a long shot--

[ And there's no tune playing, but Battler also stops! He's too tempted to sing to continue. He finally also gives into the current... curse-- ]

She kept looking at her watch
Doesn't matter had sex
But I cried the whole time
Doesn't matter had sex
I think she mighta been a racist
Doesn't matter had sex
She put a bag on my head
still counts
I just had sex
And my dreams came true
So if you’ve had sex in the last 30 minutes
Then you qualified to sing with me

<sub>[ If anybody is out there receiving texts, they may get a wall of purple here, not sounding utterly pleased with his sudden new location. He's going to sent an out cry of this before switching to video.
It's a rather demanding sounding wall of text. This guy is really trying to sound dead serious here, but it's sort of hard to take what he's saying seriously, really. ]


[ Impatience as nobody responds right away, Eridan snarls and switches to video. We an exhausted looking fish boy here with disgusting looking fins protruding from his face. His hair is styled in some messy faux hawk with a purple streak in it, eyes framed with stereotypical hipster glasses. Oh, and the stupid scarf of course. It takes him awhile to adjust the video on his face properly, and all he barks is this: ]</sub>

Vvris, if you're out there, get your ASS ovver here! I ain't done wwith this!
As for anybody else, tell me wwhat the HELL is goin' on here! You're addressin' sub-ROYALTY here. I demand you givve me your damn RESPECT.

[ This time when Battler shows up on video, he's in the library, several books are laid out before him. Nedless to say, he's been doing his research. ]

Heh.... Even I have to admit that the Gods have put together a pretty impressive game. .... Normally, in a mystery, the motive isn't confessed so early on, but that might not be the case. This entire world isn't like any ordinary crime in the first place, is it?

[ He stands, beginning to pace around. Even as a witch, he wants to try to solve whatever riddle this place might have. So, Asgard gets to hear the full fruit of his efforts. ]

So, I've tried to take another stragety in trying to solve this Game completely then the one I've had since I woke up from Rokkenjima! The only way that the Gods could have snuck each and every person here is by using drugs to bring others here. So, they must have snuck drugs into their victim's food and brought them all here by boat! As for the location... This has to be a small island somewhere!

Sorry, but even if I understand that there might be a heavy motive to this game... I still have my own promises to keep.

[ He points at the screen ]

How's that? Even if as the Endless Sorcerer, I can still be one of the detectives on this board! Because of that, I'll uncover this place completely!!

Some of the Gods here behave like children.

Heimdall's cleaning up after Baldr's mess.  [Baldr is an idiot, but he's not going to say that out loud because it might get him cursed.] Now I'm lead to believe that the God's relationships play an important part in our survival.

The first step is doing research.

Anyone's welcome to join me in the library.

*Like many, Aoto is kind of just walking around the colorful town as he flicks his bracelet on.*

You know, I kind of got the impression from just watching some of you guys and gals go on over the-- ... whatever we call this. Braceletvision? Bracemo? Ah, whatever.

Anyway... It's kind of sad, but...

Most of you don't trust easily, do you?

[Hello, Asgard. You all must have noticed the fog cleared, right?

Well, now you can hear this familiar quiet voice, more shaky than normal, but for completely different reasons that aren't half negative- but not that positive either. Hanako still can't believe her eyes when she's looked out the window this morning.]

The colors... the c-colors returned...

D-does that mean that we... we can go back home now? Or...

[There's hesitation, and then an abrupt click as she puts the feed off.]

[ After a week of doing nothing but sleep, Battler shows himself on the bracelets. Frowning to himself, he mutters a ' it'suseless' under his breath before he grins a bit warily at the feed. ]

This place again, huh? ... The Gods, or whatever have a pretty tasteless sense of humor to send a piece from here, to home, and here again, through sleep or not. But, that's fine. Sending me back here was just perfect. I've got a promise to keep.

In fact, I'll fully welcome whatever games you have planned. ... Heh, just don't be surprised if you earn a punch or two in return for sending me and the others from home here in the first place.

[ A pause, and his expression changes into a more soft smile. ] Ange, Beato, Shannon-chan--everyone--you're... all still here, aren't you?

[ hey there asgard! so today it is audio over video, and you will certainly recognize both of these voices. the first voice to speak is one you are probably starting to adjust to; of course, it’s none other than soushi miketsukami. and with him tonight is the girl who went missing after being stabbed due to the ides of march and hadn’t been seen nor heard from since, ririchiyo shirakiin! ]

Ririchiyo-sama, are you certain about this? [ his voice will be heard more as a plea than a suggestion. ] Please, allow me to be the one to look after your body's well-being. I do not wish for your body to exert itself too hastily if your fingers continue to fumble around...

You don’t need to!! [ clearly ririchiyo isn’t budging. because of where her wound was, it was easily considered indecent. or, at the very least, rude. even if her breasts were close to non-existent, she still wouldn’t allow a man--a fully grown man, no less-- to take a peek. ] Something like this is nothing but childs play. I can do it myself.

[ soushi will remain silent after his master's response. he knew the true reason behind her stubbornness over taking care of it on her own, but he could not allow it. after all, it was a very delicate matter, something only he could do because, as far as he knew, ririchiyo was still inexperienced in these sort of practices. ] Do you truly have vast knowledge in taking care of it? Have you ever taken care of something as delicate as this on your own in the past?

[ there is silence. it’s not particularly long, but not exactly short either. however, when she speaks again she sounds a little flustered, embarrassed even. ] O-Of course I have! What do you take me for, a fool? It’s easy, and it even has a rhythm to it. You put it in, then pull it out.

Ririchiyo-sama. [ he'll stop her from further explaining because it was clear she truly was inexperienced with taking care of something as complex as this. anyone with basic knowledge will know this is a job for two instead of one. ] There is a difference between learning these sort of practices from a book than first-hand experience. Very different, and a lot more complex. I am not challenging your knowledge and skill, I have faith you will do a fine job at it. However, this job is a lot larger for a mere person; you'll need someone to assist you, and keep from making too much of a potential mess. We can’t be rude to our kind housemates by leaving them to clean up after us. So please, allow me to be of assistance. I only wish to make your body feel satisfied, without any pain. [ there will be another pause, neither long nor short. ] Please trust me. I have enough experience to assist you.

I told you that such a thing won’t be necessary, aren’t you listening to m—!? [ before she can finish her sentence she is cut off as she comes in contact with the mattress, her mind momentarily boggled by how it came to be. hovering over her was soushi, and even though none of the people could see any of this, he wasn’t only hovering over her but he was standing over her, almost as though he were taking matters into his own hands. obviously ririchiyo being well, ririchiyo, her initial reaction was one word really: doom. but then she’s back. ] Is your hearing malfunctioning? Haven’t I already said that I don’t need— hey, wait a minute! What are you doing!?

I am very sorry for acting like this, Ririchiyo-sama. It is not my intention to hurt you in anyway, but I feel this matter is too delicate to argue any further. It is a matter that cannot be delayed like this.There is little time, and I feel we will get nowhere at this rate. [ his voice sounded urgent, filled with concern, and maybe a tad bit rushed. ] I will never harm you. I can never harm my wonderful master, the one who has saved me before. Please believe me when I say -- I will not look nor touch more than necessary. I only wish to...help you. Do you not trust me as your faithful dog?

[ he was good. really good. those black sparkles were coming in to play, and in that moment she really couldn’t figure out if she’d made some kind of pledge or something. ] Trust is completely out of the ques— wait, what do you mean by you won’t touch more than necessary? W-W-Wait just a minute!

[ and with a loud AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! at the end from the female, the voices are gone. ]

( Grey is Soushi, purple is Ririchiyo. Both will be replying to threads, although Soushi may troll the living daylights of those who misunderstood what is going on while Ririchiyo flips tables. Replies may be a tad bit slow, especially from Soushi-mun. )

[ the video feed opens up to a girl with a seagull on her head. How peculiar, but the young Ushiromiya maid had not noticed it sitting there like her hair was its nest. She’ll open her mouth and twiddle her fingers, nervous to call out to the bracelet. ]

U-Um, hello there everyone.

I hope everyone is feeling better after these past few days. Auu...

I’m really sorry for not helping out as much as I would have liked to. I-I’ll do my best next time.

Battler-sama, Jessica-sama, Ange-sama. Are you three alright? I-If you need any sort of assistance, you can always call on me.

[ Yozora, posting on the network? It's a very strange occurrence, it might as well be important. Can anyone feel a bad omen coming along? No, wait, that's just-- ]

--on earth did you do this time, Shu!?

[ Why is this suddenly his fault? He doesn't understand. ]

What do you mean? [ Have the most confused look ever, Yozora. ] I don't get what you're saying.

[ This isn't the best time to be dense, Shu. Yozora raises her hand - well, their hands - in the screen's view. Being stuck to a pretty girl with a pink Chinese finger trap should be a dream come true, but with her personality and his awkwardness, it's just a living nightmare! ]

If this isn't a prank, it's obviously some sort of divine punishment for your actions! I may not be a normal, but I would never resort to doing something so pathetic as being a hikikomori. Look at Shiage! [ She saw your post, man. ] Will you spend the rest of your life wooing two-dimensional women, Shu Ouma?

If my actions caused this, then doesn't that make you my accomplice? [A short pause.] Hikikomori can do whatever they want, I think. Shiage? What's this about?

[ He doesn't want to admit it, but he does enjoy looking at fictional things on the internet. There's nothing wrong with liking 2D imagery, gosh Yozora.]

Sometimes people look sort of like images online-- [What is being socially awkward?] No, I won't. I already have Inori. How about yourself, Yozora? Playing dating sims is one thing, but when you put males into the picture it becomes something much bigger.

You should tell us if you have a crush on a fictional male. Would you go for the ones with a jerky attitude?

Hmph! You underestimate me if you think I'll stoop down to Meat's level. Besides, I prefer the ones with... A-anyway, that's none of your business!

[ Her face turns from red to redder when she notices their bracelets. ]

Shit, the network-!

It was actually on this whole time?

[Quick, find a way to escape.]

Everyone----

There's a really good explanation for this. I'm not sure what it is yet, but there is a reason. We'll tell you when we figure it out.

Sorry.

( ooc: Shu, Yozora. tl;dr a curse has been placed on Shu and Yozora and now they have a Chinese finger trap they can't get off no matter what they do. Unless... dundundun THE ANSWER WILL BE REVEALED IN THE TAGS OR SOMETHING. There will be some threadjacking by either, of course, but we'll be tagging separately. )

I tried to warn you
but you kept blindly moving forward

I tried to warn you
but you only listened to what you wanted to hear

You tried to warn them
but you were only the boy who cried wolf

[Have fun with Bern and her stupid mysterious poetry, Asgard. Anyone who chooses to respond to this will get replied via text and probably won't see the video message following.]

I will admit, I hold an inkling of respect for whoever my captors may be. Reeling in the power of a miracle and snuffing it out like a flame is a rather fearsome talent.

Though, anyone who has even the slightest of ideas of how to get out of this place had best come forth with them immediately.

Good day.

 [...The communication opens, but no sound comes out for at least half a minute. When it eventually does, it's a very quiet and shaky female voice coming through. Hanako has some valid reason why she doesn't want to show her face in front of strangers.

She seriously hopes a certain pair of her friends have been pulled in as well. Otherwise things are going to become awful for her.]

G... Greetings... My name is Hanako Ikezawa... [A pause.] ... I-I'm looking for m-my friends... and... I wondered if there's a library here...

... [Another pause, then a gulp.] Hisao... Lilly... If you can hear me, please... please tell me you guys are okay...

[The feed is abruptly cut short.]

( Action | Sigyn House )

[Well, something's definitely not right. In fact, something's very wrong here. Very wrong indeed.

Anyone who resides at the Sigyn house might feel a slight disturbance in the Force air. The structure itself may even literally shake a little as huge booted feet storm up the walkway and onto the porch, although... as soon as Snow gets there, he halts in his stride, simply pulling open the door and entering. He's been there before, after all, it's not like he's new to the place. He doesn't need to be an intruder, even with his heart pounding the way it is.

You see, he's lost something very important to him. Something that was once in this house. And he's not going to believe it until he's questioned every person in his path, left no stone un-turned... you get the point.]

--

( Video | Later that evening... )

[Once Snow's recording starts, there's the glimpse of a bed beneath him, a few haphazard things scattered on the floor. Obviously, it's his bedroom. And he's slumped a little, gloved fingers idly toying with something shining and translucent he's holding in the opposite hand.]

Hey.

[He's not looking at the camera at all, gaze focused instead on that very bauble he's holding onto. The thing's cupped in his big hands like it's something fragile and living that could be easily broken to pieces in his strong grasp, or snuffed out, like a flame.]

Just thought I'd let you guys know. I dunno when she left or where she's gonna go now, but Serah's gone.

[And he leaves it at that, reaching to click off the feed, not once meeting the video with his eyes.]

[ Greetings, Asgard! Looks like someone set off their bracelet at a bad time, if the angle on the feed is any indicator. From the look of things, some sort of battle’s just come to an end, as a pair of combatants (one visibly sweating and the other absurdly relaxed....) come into view. ]

Eh~ Those guys were pretty tough, huh~ [ This is coming from the one who doesn’t seem worn out in the slightest, naturally. ]

Hmph. Like you’re one to talk — you didn’t do anything beside stand on the sidelines like some kind of mascot. [ Here, her tone seems to give off the feeling of a mix between irritation and exasperation. Honestly hijiri... ]

Hey now, I was only letting Chiyo-chan serenade me with her strength~! [ If he realises how... ridiculous that sounded, he doesn’t really show it... ] Thou~gh, I like how that sounds! Do I get a cool mascot outfit?

Ah, I must’ve worded that incorrectly. You were more like a burden on the sidelines. ... Honestly, you’re such a troublesome guy.

I help in my own little way, right? Bu~t, if I’m a burden, I’ve really got to thank you for bearing me! Chiyo-chan’s so kind~!

Hah, don’t misunderstand. I was just making sure those pesky things didn’t cause trouble for anyone else. [ Although this does warrant him a mumbled: ] You’re welcome.

Oh, I see... [ Insert what may or may not be a chuckle!!! here ] Then, I should change out that ‘kind’ for ‘thoughtful’, is what you’re saying?

Hmph. [ The viewers may notice here that ririchiyo has gone on her hmphing mode. ] No need.

It’s not really a matter of need.... So then, I amend my statement to ‘Chiyo-chan’s so thoughtful’.

[ He thinks for a moment, before giving a light shrug. The more observant viewer might catch him make another quick look round to see that they’re both safe... but that’s about all the effort he’s going to show. ]

Hm~, maybe I should talk about your sudden fighting prowess too?

Wha— What are you blabbering on about with words such as ‘prowess’? Hmph! Could it be you weren’t expecting this from me?

Hm... not really! [ HE SAYS IT IN SUCH A SHAMELESS WAY. ] Most girls your age don’t do that sort of thing, right?

[ A pause before — ] ... I’m not like everyone else. Hmph, how rude of you though. To think you’d lump me in with the rest of the girls my age.

Oh no~ I said something silly, didn't I? Please, accept my apologies! [ It's impossible to tell if he's being sincere or stupid, as always ... ] But yeah, Chiyo-chan’s a special case, that’s for sure.

Let’s just see if we can sort the rest of these things out. How something so tiny could be so troublesome, I’m not sure.

[ He chuckles lightly, giving Ririchiyo a lopsided smirk ] Since it’d probably make my apology a little pointless, I’ll avoid the obvious joke here, okay?

Wha—!?

[ Aaaaand leaving off at that embarrassing point, the feed cuts off mid-sentence! ]

( Dark green is Hijiri and dark purple is Ririchiyo. Both of them will be replying to threads but one or the other may be slower than than rest of us. /sideyes herself. )

[ Set to video, the screen shows a girl who looks to be around eighteen years of age, staring at the screen-- but rather than looking at whoever she is talking to, she seems to be staring at the screen itself, with a look that mixes intense concentration and confusion. The classic expression of someone trying to figure out how the hell to use this thing. ]

Um, does this thing actually work? ...Oh, hey, look, it does, ehehehe! Would you look at that...! Well, uh... I wasn't really expecting it to, I guess-- oh, I bet this isn't a good way to start off... dammit... [ You can just hear her, yelling at herself inside for screwing this up and starting off at a rather embarrassing note. ] Aha, sorry about that. I mean, seriously, who would've thought this little bracelet could actually do this stuff? I swear, this is like magic or something. [ She comes from the mid-eighties, what is technology... but that reminds her-- ] Although, this sure has been one crazy night, even if it technically isn't night anymore, so with all the weird stuff that's happened, this should've seemed so unbelievable, I guess... [ But she doesn't want to think about all that depressing stuff after finally having some time to come to terms with everything that happened. Even if she has a vague feeling that this isn't quite right in a different way than she thinks. ]

Well, anyway, never mind that! [ She perks up, and sits up straighter, taking on a cheerful and lively demanor as she speaks and gives the screen a smile. ] I'm here to introduce myself. So, it's not like I'm glad or that it's nice to be here, but it's great to meetcha all anyway. My name's Ushiromiya Jessica. Since we're stuck here and it's gonna be for a while, I figured we should get to know each other better. 'Cause, sure, the conditions aren't perfect for this, but no reason not to try to make friends with each other, right? Especially if our emotions are supposed to add color to this city or something. And this city really could use some color. I mean, seriously. Oh, but if you're a creeper or a pervert, feel free to stay the hell away, got it? [ And here she shakes a fist at the camera, one that is currently equipped with a brass knuckle. ] Just try to touch me or any of my friends. I'll kick your ass!

Hmph. So those fake Gods felt it mandatory to drag me to an unknown location, not on any maps I've heard of, away from that moronic faithful dog of mine? I suppose you wish for a congratulations on your success. Well, you aren't getting one. Why, you ask? Hah, isn't it obvious? While I'm grateful to be away from those two noisy idiots with their bickering and swordplay, you chose a truly awful time to do so. Now that I'm not there, they'll probably slit their throats and I'm not there to find out the reason to as of why beside the mere fact that my faithful dog has been keeping something quiet from me. Surely you can imagine my irritation at being taken at such a poorly timed minute.

[ through the feed, a petite figure finally reveals itself-- the height is no more than 4'"9. a child's height, really. hair that reaches a little further down from her back comes into view, a black shade, to be precise. in anime terms, this girl would be best described as a loli but the look on her face gives off a more cruel, condescending look. almost patronizing, actually. she smiles, but it is in no way kind-hearted. ]

While I seem to be the topic of pointless chitchatter through this device, I might as well introduce myself. But, on second thought, I don't think I will. One is only meant to exchange their name when the other party has, after all. Hmph, well then it does seem like we're strangers and we'll remain as such for I have no interest in making my acquaintances with you people. If that maid wasn't bad enough, I already had a stranger from this district greet me as though we were friends, or was hoping that to be the case sooner or later. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not interested.

[ with that, the feed shuts off as if proving a point. ]

[ When Battler first appears on the feed ] …. W, What the Hell is this?! … I don’t know what kind of weird trick that damn witch is up to now, but I can’t really stick around here. I have a game to go back to!

Though, isn't this still Rokkenjima...? [ He pauses before grinning ] Hey, Beato! You've shown me magic that was much more awesome and impressive than this! Is this the best you can do? Weirder letters then usual? An illusion of an entire new setting...? Ahh, it's useless, it's all useless! Even this twisted and weird place can be explained by human means!

But, if this is another one of your weird challenges--then, sure. I’ll play. This kind of tasteless prank definitely suites you perfectly.