[ 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. )

[Hello, Asgard. If you're just checking out the feed, you may suddenly find yourself staring into the bright blue eyes of a very ordinary-looking man. He doesn't have any crazy hair colors, or seems to be wearing anything extravagant- he seems simple, and looks like the sort of person who you could easily forget about when you pass him by in a crowd.]

[But his eyes are what draw you in. For, they're as calm  as the horizon of a calm sea, and they just seem to pierce into you, as if he can see into your very soul with them. They're old eyes for such a young-looking individual.]

[After a while, he speaks.]

How interesting. This place isn't so different from back home.

So many people in one place, so many stories, so many tragedies and hopes colliding with one another. And so many flaws. But this is to be expected. Everyone is flawed.

[He smiles slightly, glancing at the city around him before he turns back to the feed.]

And this place is flawed too, isn't it? It is devoid of color. And if what I was told was correct, I have to help bring the color back. But is that in everyone's best interest, I wonder?

Tell me, people of Asgard. What do you truly want to do here? Do you want to help the gods? Or are you only playing along to get something more out of it?

...Are you the selfless or the selfish?

[Yuri is seated at a desk, in his manager's office above the tea room. Close observation will reveal that he looks rather weary. He hasn't been sleeping very well, or taking much time to rest.]

To you newcomers, welcome. My name is Yuri Petrov. As some of you already know, I'm interested in working with others to organize a simple, practical justice system, primarily focused on crime deterrence and public safety. Please contact me if you're interested in being involved in the process. I don't mean to take charge of this effort, merely to assist in organizing it.

[He wants to be involved in public affairs, but he'd prefer not to be the leading figure. Some respect and attention are desirable, but a more background role suits him, and his purposes, better.

He's interrupted in his speech by a small, gray cat jumping up onto his desk and his papers. He smiles at the animal. The cat is still somewhat shadowy, but it is beginning to take on a more definite form in Yuri's presence. His office, too, is beginning to take on color. Perhaps there are some benefits to feeling powerful, if hidden, emotions at all times.]

There's no need for you to be up here, Skazka.

[Yet he doesn't shoo her away, as she rubs the side of her face against his hand. He continues to address the network.]

I'd also like to invite those of you who enjoy tea or baked goods other than cupcakes to visit the Hrafn Tea Room in Odin. [He had declined to take part in the cupcake contest.] It's near the library, and can be easily recognized by the raven on its sign. I'm the manager. If you'd like to speak to me, you need only ask the staff.

We're hiring, if anyone is interested.

[Babydoll has been here for a few days, so she figured that it was time to address everyone here. But once she has the video on, she freezes up momentarily. She is shy by nature, so the thought of talking to so many people she doesn't know is frightening, to say the least.]

[But, this is important. So she swallows the anxiety, though her voice is still soft and gentle.]

I'm looking for a job. [No, wait, that's too straightforward. She brushes some hair from her face nervously, then nods.] Actually, I think it's better to say that I'm looking for suggestions for a job. I've never really worked before, so I'm hoping that someone can offer some ideas.

[Babydoll pauses again, this time trying to think of what she's good at, but really, only one thing comes to mind.] I'm a good dancer. But otherwise, I'm pretty average, I think. If you know of any openings anywhere here, I'll consider anything.

[And, finally, there's a smile. It's small, but it's there.] My name is Babydoll, by the way. And thank you if you can offer anything. And even if you can't, thank you for listening.

[The video starts and a beautiful person can be seen staring intently at the device. Long, silky silver hair cascades freely against his bangs. Rich amber eyes are focused intently on whoever is looking. ]

Hello my lovelies~

[If it’s not for his voice you would be prone to believe you were staring at a attractive woman. A strand of pale hair is flicked back dramatically as he cocks his head to the side and offers a small mysterious smile.]

I’m looking for my dear family members. Has anyone seen some handsome Sohmas running around?

[His smile becomes a little wider.]

If there’s something our family was blessed with, it’s beauty. I’m the perfect example, don’t you think so? Mmm!

[And here he turns and poses, one hand on his hip while the other holds his chin thoughtfully.]

Don’t worry. Stare as much as you like. My beauty is meant to be shared!

[Vain much? And he might just be opening a few of those buttons to show more of his beauty. Fortunately he seems to stop for now and instead focuses once again on the device. A hint of worry reaches those features.]

Is this some sort of abduction? It would explain a lot of things. Royalty are always easy targets. My prestigious bloodline has always been in peril. The brave prince abducted while his country suffers...

BUT NO MATTER!

[Determination shines deeply now in his eyes. Can you feel it? He’s ready to go to war.]

We will triumph! My brothers and sisters! I will lead you all to victory.

TRUST ME!

MY BODY IS YOURS!

[A very tired and somewhat emotional looking woman is the central focus of this video. Anyone who cares to discern the background in her video would see that she's already managed to find her room, and has already closed herself inside of it.]

I don't understand... Why was I chosen to be brought here. I don't have time to try to save another world. I'm supposed to be saving my friends... And KOS-MOS.

What right do these "Gods" have to take people from their homes?

[The first thing that fills in the screen is ROSES. ROSES EVERYWHERE. And to follow up, it looks like a boy has searching around for someone. Although if you look more closer, it seems like judging from the nice legs, long hair and cute face? It's definitely a girl wearing boy's clothing.

And if you're around in the gardens, you may have noticed that this girl has been stretching her legs in the same place for the past five minutes. She looks kind of at a loss on what she should do next.]

Hm... Y'know, I thought that she would be hanging around in a place like this. She enjoys being around flowers, so it would make sense. Besides... It is a big garden, so we could've missed each other by an inch. Maybe I should give it one more go around before heading back to that place with the maid?

Now that I think about it, it's pretty creepy with how the people around here act. [If she could describe it, it would be like they were puppets in a play. No feelings, no emotions, no soul-- It's like seeing someone who wasn't all that there. It felt like they just went with the flow towards whatever anyone had told them to do. Maybe what disturbed Utena the most was how Anthy acted similar to these people at times... Even if she did not want to admit it.] C'mon, Utena Tenjou... Let's ask for some help.

Um, yo! Has anyone seen a girl with purple hair, green eyes and dark skin? Her name is Anthy Himemiya and she's a very kind hearted girl. If anyone has seen her around, then I'd appericate it if you could tell me where she is!

[Those who know her will notice that Nakama has gradually begun to look calmer and healthier - her face has regained its childish pudginess, and there's not so much tension around her eyes. Today, though, she looks like she's on a mission.]

Hello, everyone. With so many new people arriving, I thought now would be a good time to bring this up.

When I was new here, I went around and mapped out all of the businesses in the city, adding them to the map we got when we arrived here. At first I was just going to use it to help people find their way around, but I thought it'd be more helpful if everyone could have their own copy. I don't really know how to make a picture an attachment on these bracelets, so I just made some photocopies.

[It took most of her first paycheque, but she did it. She holds up her original - all of the districts and the landmarks are there, but this one is bristling with dots and notes (in Japanese and the shared Asgard language) stating what each dot represents. There are cramped notes about the size and content of each business as well. After enough time to get an idea of what the map looks like, she lowers it again.]

If you'd like one, just let me know your name and room number in your district, and I'll have it mailed to you. You can screen your response so that everyone doesn't find out where you live, and I promise I won't tell anyone.

Oh, and sorry about the Japanese... I just thought I should do that in case I ever forgot the language we speak here for some reason. It's all a bit cramped, but I hope it's legible.

...I don't get it.

You want us to restore color to this place? Why not just slap a nice coat of paint over all the gray spots? Bam. Problem fucking solved.

Beam me up Scottie.

Oh, right, this thing! So, this is a holographic telecommunications device, complete with camera, phone, and text messaging. Crafty little thing, though, looks like it has an automatic turn-on feature. For what, I don't know. Maybe it's like a candid automatic! Catches you doing embarrassing things, that's fab. You could record something and post it on Youtube, get a laugh out of--

Well, there isn't any Youtube here, is there? Which is really a shame. All those cat videos just out of reach. I suppose you could start a separate network to just share silly camera videos. Could you do that? Could we do that? Doesn't seem to be any rules to using this thing, does there? Let's see...

Oh, it's broadcasting.

Hello! [ he waves, grinning brightly. ] You know, it's a bit rude to eavesdrop. Then again, it's not your fault. Automatic turn-on feature, like I said. If you managed to hear that, earlier. Now, let's see! Who all is here, hmm? Could we have a roll call?

If that's possible. There is a commenting feature on this, isn't there? ... yes, there is. Thought so.

And don't be shy! We're all aliens here. Oh, right. Introductions. I'm the Doctor, the Caretaker, or, if you like, John Smith. No, nevermind, no, not John Smith. Just the Doctor. How about you all?

--just push it with your fingers, and... OOH!

[ The feed opens on the snowy nighttime streets of the Loki district. A mocha-skinned woman with bright pink curls is bouncing (yes, bouncing) in front of the screen, her blue eyes wide with excitement. ]

It worked! It's on! Hellooooo in there, is anypony listening? Pinkie Pie here, on my way to the okie-dokie-Loki house! Not really sure how I got here from Ponyville, but-- WHUH-OH! [ The screen is a jumble of white and pink as she trips and falls in a snowbank. The fall looks like it could have hurt, but Pinkie is all smiles and giggles. This new angle reveals a lot more of that mocha colored skin-- it would appear she's been walking around naked. ]

BRRRR, that's chilly! This walking on two feet thing is tricky, I'll have to practice some more when it's light outside. Maybe I can find some skates and a pond!

[All day and all over the city, you'll be likely to find one pink-haired girl walking around and peering at... well, everything. Buildings, trees, stores, everything. She'll bring her face extremely close to whatever it is she's examining with a rather intense looking face SHE IS CONCENTRATING VERY DEEPLY OKAY but after a moment or two...

She leans back and sighs dejectedly with the kind of depression that would make one think her entire world was just blown up into itty bitty pieces. But yes, if the sight of a girl oddly examining everything in sight wasn't odd enough for you, this might be.]

President Aria... [Except that he's not here with her oops call it a bad habit.] I think I'm lost.

The population seems to have suddenly increased recently, and I do not mean of the locals. [There's a hint of curiosity as well as slight concern in his voice when that's said. It looks to him that these Gods are getting more outside help and he almost has to wonder if it's really justifiable to bring in more people for their assumed cause. He understands the whole "strength in numbers" approach but when more than half of them don't understand what it is they need to do, it's just a little frustrating.]

Though it's rather pointless, I apologize for those of you that are new and expecting explanations on how to return home from those of us that have been here longer. The only real key to that seems to be our task of returning color and life to this world. The first wave of newcomers may only offer so many answers, though at least this might make it a little easier for a larger group approach at understanding our situation better.

But, I have a question, for anyone that is willing to answer it. It's hardly mandatory. We've all basically been assigned as "heroes" of this land, to assist the Gods and locals in a troubled and difficult time. If you were actually given the choice to say yes or no to their plea, what would be your response? [Just before he's about to end his question there, he decides to tack on a little something extra.] --not just in this case. Would you ever choose to be some kind of hero?

oY ;PPLS. o JSVE GPIND ,uDRL

[ oblivious to the video feed now running, one of the newest residents busies himself with his new device. there's a tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth, his fingers are now moving over the keys in a far slower manner.

new keyboards are hard to get used to.

it's with intense concentration that he types, slowly and carefully, even saying the words slowly to himself to make sure that they come out clear. ]

Whoops. Sorry, I did not mean to do that. I am not used to typing on, this new device. Uh, as I was saying, before, I have found myself, in this new world, uh, with all of you. As we have been trapped, or rather kidnapped, as that is more accurate, to the situation... Which does not seem so bad, for a kidnapping, really. I think that, uh, it would be beneficial, to get to know my fellow captives, and perhaps to get some more, vital information, from other people who are in the same ship, as I am, while doing so.

( cut for trolltext! )