[Claudia does not wish to show her face for the moment, though she is considerable calm and matter-of-fact when she speaks. Her tone, however, is gentle, as she is the bearer of bad news.]

There has been an incident. The pet store in Freya's district-- Mi dispiace. There was a break in. Many of the animals have been killed.

[She doesn't want to go into detail. Though she likes animals and pets, herself, she knows there are many, many others who would be distressed to hear of the carnage that she found. She wants this message to be brief and professional.]

There were two of them. Men. I tried to follow them but could not. I believe one of them was using some sort of shadow ability.

[LOOKING AT YOU, HEL HOUSE.]

Please, take care of those around you. And if I could speak to the proprietor of the pet store, I would be most grateful.

[She needs to tell them about what actually happened to their pets, oops.]

[ This message pings across the network several hours after the SOS post following James Potter's murder ( warning: blood/violence ) and Jade's confession for the crime.

It's only a few hours after Odin took Jade for some very humane euthanisation. It's been such a fun day. ]

It wasn't her.

There are more out there.

Find them. Bring them here. One way or another.

[ And that's it. Get to work, chums. ]

[ The pure, unadulterated rage on Thor's face right now is probably something only those who have seen him in battle have witnessed before. He is nearly apoplectic, seething when he speaks. ]

This isn't us. This isn't some curse or game that we're playing - this is her, and we're not oblivious to this in our city. We're looking for a way to fix it. Stand together. She is mocking all of us, and all of you, too.

[ Still angry beyond measure, he turns the feed to show where Altair stands, just on the other side of the barrier between the city and castle, dead-eyed and laughing. ] There are five of them. Look after them and each other.

[ It's a snarling, raging afterthought, and if the way he flings his bracelet to turn it off is any indication, he likely won't be answering for now. ]

[Federico is smiling broadly when he flashes on screen. There's a hint of unease hidden deep in his expression, deep enough that it wouldn't be easily noticed by anyone who wasn't either well versed in body language or well versed in Federico. He keeps rubbing at his neck almost absentmindedly.]

Well, I must say, I have never been quite so flattered to wake up somewhere with no memory of how I arrived there. I would have expected a hangover, or perhaps an angry father ordering his men to kill me-- [Federico gestures lazily, as though that's hardly an important thing to dwell on.]

Not this! To be chosen, so you say, to help with this place! Truly, you could find no one better than I for such a mission. Now, if someone could simply point me in the direction of some wine and attractive women, I can certainly set about helping this place be more lively. I am certain there would be others with a similar appetite.

--Oh, and I suppose I should ask if anyone has additional information on this place. Magical bracelets and strange greetings; this is all as though it is some strange story a child would tell. I have learned some already, of course, but it is always prudent to ask more of those more skilled than I am in more mundane pursuits.

[He catches himself rubbing at his neck, then, and jerks his hand away, his smile faltering for a second before he turns off his bracelet.]

[The feed flickers a few times as Inara pokes at her bracelet. Finally the image steadies and Inara shakes her head.] Bàoqiàn. I'm sorry, I'm still attempting to get use to this bracelet, we have nothing like them where I come from.

Nǐmén hǎo . For those of you I've failed to meet, I'm Inara Serra and still, I suppose, relatively new here.

[Her smile warms and she clasps her hands together as she continues speaking. Despite what may happen, she's determined to keep her tone friendly and professional.] In my world I'm what is called a Companion and I plan on offering my services as one for those who would like to employ me. I'm more than aware that many of you may not know what a Companion is nor what one does, so please allow me to explain.

A Companion is exactly what it sounds like. We are highly skilled and trained individuals who offers companionship. There are many ways to go about offering this; conversational, spiritual, therapeutic and of course services on a more intimate level. There have been other women and men who have had roles similar to Companions throughout history - Geisha, Sing-song Girls, Oiran and Courtesans.

[And though her expression is still quite friendly, a firmness and no nonsense tone creeps into her voice]

Please do be aware that while I am willing to work on either a short or a long term basis, it is my right as a Companion to refuse any request if I feel as though it won't benefit one or either of us. I am however willing to discuss and perhaps negotiate a contract if any are interested and wish to contact me with inquiries on how to become a client, or even would like a more in-depth what a Companion is.

[ what madness is this, claudia posting in the afternoon? as evidenced by her surroundings, though, she is in a store of some type. what passes as a department store in a not so modern city. euridice taverna may, or may not, be sighted within the background. after a certain incident, the "numa numa incident," claudia has been shopping with her suitemate for most of the day. and well, it can be rather boring! especially since she wants to finish as soon as possible to return to bed. (there are awful bags beneath claudia's eyes, much as she tries to hide it. concealer can do only so much.) it seems the more she wishes to leave, the slower time passes. ah, relativity... certainly, someone will humor her? ]

I know certain Travellers hunt, but who are they? And which of you would... Escort me in my own hunt? I like these modern things, veramente, these modern... [ a hand motion, as though claudia can't think of the word she wants. something close to "rules" or "standards." hunting is perceived differently in asgard than in renaissance italy. she shakes her head, the word lost. ] Still... I miss my home. I miss what we do, when bored, in my home. But to do so, here, it wouldn't be as fun alone. [ claudia smiles. ] We do not need hound or hawk, just horse and each other. What do you say?

[ let's kill things to find out who can. ]

Did it turn on??? [the feed turns on to a very distraught looking child. He definitely gives off that new arrival vibe with his Northern Watertribe garb. As soon as he realizes that the bracelet is in fact working, he gives a quick sigh and looks down.]

H-Hello? [a pause. come on, you can do this. you've got to do this.] Does uhm, does anyone know how to get back home? If anyone knows a way to get back home I'll.... Well... I don't have much, but I just-- [he looks down and frowns sadly.]

( ooc-cut for small spoilers? )

[ good afternoon, asgard! visiting the carnival? enjoying the day? according to the schedule, the weather is pleasant enough! the weather, though, in a needle in a haystack is much less so... today, the auditores present together in a sparse, simple room. the decor is, distinctly, arabian — syrian, if one can guess. they don't suit it, not quite, but the auditores exude an air, make everything bend to them. (somewhere, altaïr and malik are frowning.) that air appearing to be more steel than usual, today. for all the warmth she has spoken with of her brother, claudia is contained, rigid.

she almost frowns, as she motions one hand forward. "what are you waiting for, ezio?" ]

( italian classes, go! )

[Short and simple.]

So who are you missing from home?

[The man in the video seems jovial enough at at a glance, but anyone who looks closer might notice his distrust, not quite masked by his smile. There is relief, too, though whatever he was about to face he would not have been defenceless. He is armed with a recurve bow, and though it isn't loaded there is a quiver full of arrows on his back, and there is a scimitar sheathed by his side.]

It seems today is not such a good day to die after all. People of Asgard, I'd like to thank you once I know my men are as safe as I am. I'm glad at least someone had a better plan than mine.

My name is Robin Hood. I suppose I should feel privileged. It is rare a man of my status is considered an honoured guest, unless he's to be a guest of the cells, or perhaps the noose if it's a bad day.

I won't pretend to understand what is been asked of me here, nor whatever else I have been told of this place. I never thought I would be able to talk in such a way to anyone, and I would consider charm to be more a talent than a power, though a talent I will admit comes more freely to some than to others.

[Robin offers an easy grin, but it doesn't last long. Asgard isn't the only thing on his mind, and it soon changes to a more serious expression. Guarded, but concerned. He takes a breath.]

Lads. If any of you are here and have been shown how to use this, let me know. Some of you may not trust this, I know. I understand. But for the moment we have no choice. We have to regroup. I need to know you're okay.

[ Kaz's trip to Utgard? Wasn't exactly the best experience he's ever had. He met someone he wasn't intending to and now he's gotten himself roped into working for the Queen of Thrymheim and it's been a pretty subduing experience. "Go and convert others against the Gods." Great mission.

The perks are pretty nice though. He's sent back to Utgard without much trouble which means catching a carriage back to Asgard since he's bushed. Once he's close enough for the network not to be so unreliable, though... ]

What the fuck. I leave for a week and you guys almost kill yourselves while camping???? Seriously, how the heck are humans still even around? It's a miracle you haven't gone extinct by now. Maybe it's because you multiply like rabbits. [ Kaz what are you talking about you have 90384768934693 siblings back home ]

Seriously, what the fuck has been going on here? Why does everyone have beards??

[ He'll decide to leave it at that because THIS IS HIS STOP, central Asgard near the castle and dear gods he did not miss this place or anyone in it 8| But being treated like a pet spider by an ice queen is just a bit draining and this is the furthest place from her that he can think of heading to. yep. ]


[ ooc; KAZ IS BACK did you miss him probably not sob he's a terrible person. Feel free to run into him near the castle! HE HAS SOUVENIRS. ]

[After having spent the last month or so doing research on her own, Keine's work has produced results sufficient for her to go on and introduce a governmental-esque system that she has decided would likely work, considering how people might end up disappearing in this city. She'll show up this midday on the feed, her amiable personality outstanding as ever.]

Good afternoon, fellow Travellers of Asgard, new and experienced. To those that might not recognize myself, I am Keine Kamishirasawa, a Healer from House Sigyn, and formerly a historian from Gensokyo's Hitozato, should you know of it.

I speak to each and every one of you today with a purpose, ladies and gentlemen. After my previous post about a month and a half ago, with my proposal for an election of representatives and leaders from amongst us. Now, for such a system to exist albeit the possibility of such elected representatives being sent home at any given time, research and other countermeasures would have to be drawn up to ensure that it would run smoothly. I have done just that, and have drafted up a system which will allow us to do just that.

( Cut for length! But recommended reading! )

(( ooc: So there's that. This is her proposal for a Traveller-run governmental-esque system so it will be important for your characters to know what's happening. Additionally, tags will come at a later time, but I'll be sure to get to them! ))

[Larry wants to make this post short and sweet, so he gets right to the point when he starts the audio recording. He sounds pretty drained when he speaks; the usual upbeat tone in his voice is just totally gone.]

Uh, hi. Just a PSA of sorts here. I know he was kinda popular here, so I wanted to let you guys know.

[He takes a deep breath of hesitation, because he really doesn't want to say this. It took a few days to even come to terms with it and announce it:]

Edgey--er, Miles Edgeworth got sent home.

So uh...yeah. Sorry, guys.

[Then, a filtered audio clip to Trucy Wright]

Hey, Trucy? I'll take you up on that ice cream now.

...Everyone?

[ Sophie sounds worried, like everyone might have left her suddenly.

On the video feed, she's sitting in her bed at the Thor House. Her hair is left untied, not in her usual twin tails. Slightly messy too, like she just woke up. She's a little sullen-looking today or maybe she's still tired...? She did just wake up from sleeping for almost four days straight and hasn't even bothered fixing herself up yet. (And back from a canon update sleep.) ]

I remember Asahi told me that there might be others out there that are like me. I can't grow up and I can't die. Is there anyone else that's like that in their world? And I was wondering... does anyone know if there's a way to become human?

I've already asked Pascal, but... I wanted to know if there's anyone from different worlds that know of a way. Or if that's... impossible... then, what do you do when everyone that you love leaves you behind?

I... want to grow up with everyone else.

Sophie? [ The recording should end here, but Sophie usually forgets to shut it off. There's a knock on the door, but before long it opens and STRANGER DANGER i mean Cheria pokes her head in. ] Oh thank goodness, you're awake! Were you sick? You've been sleeping for the past four days, so I was really worried.

Four days? ...It felt like a year, Cheria.

A year? What do you mean?

[ And the video feed ends. Magenta is Cheria (peachbutt) obviously. ]

[ claudia seems to have a habit, and this habit is posting to the network during the morning. even when it's an accident, apparently! today, though, the post does not begin purposefully; the video records... nothing, only a quiet view of claudia auditore's suite. clean but rich in colors and details, much like the room one would expect of an italian renaissance noble. if more updated, of course. (someone is, clearly, not wearing her bracelet.) but the feed remains quiet for only so long. — a rose-ringed parakeet (recently, feral. has someone lost one of their blackmarket goods?) squawks. once, twice, thrice in alarm as a hair brush nearly collides with its small body. ]

E che cazzo, chiudi il becco!

[ the bird, instead, flies across the screen's corner to settle between books and a plant, all sitting on a high shelf. the window is open, but something about the suite must be awfully nice for it to tolerate thrown objects; it hasn't left for several days, now. some on the fourth floor residents of freya's welcome hall may have noticed. ]

When I finish with you...! Caterina will have bird for dinner. And she asks: "what is this lovely meal," I can tell her it's exotic chicken! Do you hear me! [ claudia is... wet. wearing a towel, of course. but wet. and she has something akin to a mane sticking to her neck and back: soft but long and thick. no wonder she wears her hair up, huh! that's one of those distinctive things people notice when someone is reaching for the recording device, you know. that, and the incredible volume of claudia's voice. ] Oh, because if I hear you one more time, I swear — uch! I'll use those pretty feathers to make new earrings, and —

[ oops, did someone realize she is being recorded in the middle of a tirade against a bird? the surprise passes, though, and claudia's face scrunches before the emotion releases in a heavy sigh. the feed cuts, suddenly. ]

You know, this has been troubling me for some time.

[Hey, Asgard, it's that guy with the clocks for eyes. And this time, he's looking a bit confused.]

So...I had a few questions about a certain phenomenon that occurs often between two people. They go and they, erm, lock lips with one another. Sometimes they put their...[He makes a face.]...tongues in each others mouth. I have no idea why.

But, anyways, what purpose does it serve? Does it exchange genetic material through their saliva? Or is it used as an action to distract the other person? I mean, I've seen it among people who love each other, but...I often notice it between people who don't love each other either. So, it's not exactly a gesture of love, is it?

[A pause as he frowns.]

Basically, what I wanted to ask all of you: what is, exactly, the purpose of kissing?

[It's been awhile since Francis has actually been so bold as to post to the network. It's bad enough that he's commenting on other people's posts for crying out loud. He's been making a fool of himself on a more private scale and that SIMPLY WILL NOT DO. So no--this radio silence has officially been cut off for great justice.

Now, one could say that he's here to philosophize on your ass, or perhaps give love advice since, you know, he's so excellent in maintaining his own personal life. Perhaps he just wants to complain? He is French. It's only natural. However, as the video adjusts and Francis adjusts himself to fit just so into the frame looking mighty dapper today, it becomes clear that this isn't on his agenda. At all.]

My friends; some of you have seen me around and while others have not-- it seems as if Asgard is eagerly accepting more people within its borders, in which I must say hello. Welcome to this ah, surely unique experience. 

[rubbing his jaw, he divulges his imaginary audience with a bit of a grin] 

That is hardly the point of why I am here gracing you with my presence! Non, you see-- I am but a man that is seeking out companionship. An activity partner if you will. While I am not a shy man I hardly can indulge in spa days by myself. Imagine that-- myself, just hogging up all the attention with hardly anyone to talk to! 

Do tell me that there is someone out there that will save a man from his own?

[Why yes, he is bothering the good people of Asgard for a play date. He needs someone that is unattached to his current dilemmas to take his mind off of surly men things. NO HE IS NOT LONELY. NOT AT ALL. Why can't he ask to be rubbed down by a stranger in the company of someone who is a different shade of STRANGER?]

[ there's a bit of jumbling before the feed is set on an empty wall and what appears to be a film projector. the film reel inside it starts in a soft shade of sepia, actual color bleeding in faint, blues reds, and golds. it's old, and the quality is iffy, maybe something in line with the old films from the thirties, though obviously being in asgard has had some effect on the color. on the center of the screen is an arena over a pool of water, lit by a single spot. two groups of three people, one set in reds and whites, the other, in brown and tan, are lined up along the half court line. anyone who met or saw mako on his first day in town will recognize the combination of pads, though the helmets are a new addition. A BELL RINGS, and—!!

(the sound is almost washed out save for the announcer's words, it appears someone has mashed together a radio broadcast in time with the film.)

hot damn, someone's throwing fire. AND WATER? AND ALSO frisbee looking things... ]

( transcript, non-ic cut for length )

[ the reel cuts out seconds later, interrupting the radio announcer fellow's list of "league rankings". while it plays in the background, the camera switches to an awe-struck Hilda. ]

There's some awesome stuff in this library. Hey, Mako! This was that "bending" stuff you were telling me about, right? You should come and see all of these tapes!

...so, any of you newbies know about this stuff? Or maybe had something like it back home? I've seen Pokemon be able to use elements like that, but never people!


((ooc: tags will come from both Mako and Hilda, with the former answering any questions about pro-bending and the latter just jumping in with her own commentary. ))