Grrr. Grrrr! -- oh my god, not this- woof!

[ The sound is distorted, muffled. The network keeps messing up; if she didn't need it to retain color, she'd probably throw it in the lake. ]

No, kitty, come here, I'm sorry! Oh my god, is this broadcasting, stop it, bracelet-

[ That last sentence echoes, ripples as if she's speaking under water, and magical feedback buzzes loud.

Dead air for a second.

And then the audio cuts back in, mid sound-- ]

Woof! Dammit, grr-

[ And the growling gives way to breathless and loud barking as Jade trees the cat. Dead air again, and the feed finally cuts. ]

[Where others were likely wanting to show footage of the serious problem just developing in the center of the city, this footage is different. Instead of the ice, or the palace, the footage is showing the moon. It's a crescent moon, bright and beautiful between the clouds, but if anyone's been paying attention, it's been waning lately.

Samantha turns the feed back around so it's facing her and hefts her sickle in one hand with heavy gloves covering her hands. The look on her face, though, is nervous, bordering on fearful.]

Merlin... Fin-rot, Gio's gone, and I think we've got a serious problem if this is as bad as I think it's going to be. The last time we had something this bad happen, there was over a week of fighting. The moon's going to go new before then... and it's been a few months.

I need somewhere to meet up with whoever's putting me under, in case there's problems. The last thing we need is her getting loose if there's a real fight on our hands.

[He had heavily debated on if he wanted to turn on the video feed, all things considered. His head was still pretty foggy and he was struggling to grasp the fact that he had disappeared for ten full days.

No, correction. He'd blown himself up on camera and then disappeared for ten full days. Urgh. How embarrassing.

He first took the time to sift through the messages left on his bracelet, baffled by the sheer amount of information (and slightly amused/unsettled. Davesprite what is wrong with you.) Then he realized there were several responses to his original message before the disaster struck.

…he was fucked, wasn't he? Alas, he knew he couldn't keep hiding so the best method was to be as nonchalant as possible. That meant showing his face whether he wanted to or not.

When the feed flickers on anyone watching will see a boy who looks sort of like he was hit by the Knight Bus. His hair's messy, there are bags under his eyes and there's the slightest hint of a five o'clock shadow on his chin.]

…hey. [Yes, Draco. After all this time, the most you can do is say hey.] Three things.

First of all, how many of you from that large influx of people are still here?

Two, what's the state of my apothecary?

And three, I'm in desperate need of an aspirin.

…oh, and four. If the gods would just allow for a little more freedom in alchemy…[He'll just grumble to himself.] I'm not done tweaking that formula, so I don't want to hear it. We're pretending nothing happened, understand? Just so we're clear.

How's everyone feeling?

[Pyro is covered in blood: mostly on his hands and up his arms, but there are sprays of it across his shirt and pants as well. Hard to say if it's someone else's or his, given his ability, but there are no tears or holes in his clothing. He wears a false smile, which drops as quickly as it appeared.]

Some of you got exactly what you deserved, and you know damn well who you are. But once the water's clean, there won't be any more trouble for now. The spy's done. [His hands flex and clench, as though he's still got some punching he'd like to do.] You're fucking welcome.

Guys? Anything you wanna add?

[Altair shakes his head and remains silent, but Thor does have something to add. He looks much in the same way as Pyro, though he doesn't take time by giving false pleasantries or greetings. He's mad and it shows, but there's something else that lingers in the depths of his hard gaze. ]

The threat is, indeed, gone. For now. However, it would be wise to assume this will likely not be the last of such an event. [ He shifts, frowning as he glances off screen for a moment. ] It would be wise to upkeep your guard as it is clear we shall have to take justice into our own hands.

[And with that, Pyro shuts off the feed with a glare. Time for the shitstorm.]

((ooc: this is going to be a huge, beautiful mess. tags could come from Altair, either of the Thors, Pyro, or any number of NPCs who decide to hop on. i'll likely turn off notifications and track any threads i get into for that reason, so if i seem to miss something, please PM me!))

[Hilariously, he started writing this earlier in the day. Ended up falling asleep and all of the other symptoms sort of distracted him from it.]

M'lady Morgana, I found a music box. Doesn't have the song I wanted but if you want to look at it I'll leave it outside Odin. [It plays Mary Had A Little Lamb and looks like it should belong to a little girl. Just...ignore the blood that might be on the corner of it, it's Lavi's.]

Miss Nina, Access, I think it's best if I don't come in for a few days. I think I caught some sort of bug somehow. Sorry.

Anyone have a good cough/sore throat remedy or anything to bring down a fever when one already has chills? Mine aren't working right now.

Allen, Two-spot, don't visit. No one visit.

[Lavi's got himself a case of the Bubonic plague (Black Death) of the non-lethal sorts but he'll still be pretty damn rattled.

Sorry, Ash (mullets), but he might be occupying the bathroom more than you like.]

[[ooc; Forward-dated to 7/17 (aka evening of 296) because I have a work barrage but wanted to get some tags in before I got eaten. For those that want to bother him in person, he's at the catch-all log here.]]

[Video]

[From the very start of the message, it's clear something is wrong. For one thing, people appear to be rushing about in the background; nurses and doctors running to administer aid. And when Hibiki begins to speak...

Well. Not many would expect to hear such a raw voice from the normally sweet, soft-spoken girl.]

Something's weird. A lot of people are getting sick from all over the city, and the symptoms are--

[--Something you will have to wait a moment to hear, as she begins painfully coughing once, twice, three times into her sleeve. Which is... odd, since she is indoors. Was she chilly from the air conditioning?]

--We don't know what's causing it. Everyone's sick in different ways. [Her voice is definitely strained after that small fit. It's immediately obvious that the need to continue coughing is still there, but she's trying to hold it back.}

Everyone, please be careful. We're trying to do the best we can, but...

[And here, it begins anew, her body wracked with each harsh, rasping cough. Eventually the feed sinks to the ground as she falls to her knees, and there is a flurry of sound somewhere nearby - the coo of worried hospital workers rushing to help yet another collapsed individual. With a red, shaking hand (Burns? Rash?) she cuts the feed right there.]

[Action for Sigyn Hospital]

[Characters who go to investigate will be directed to one of the hospital rooms. It's shared with the rest of the sick, but it isn't difficult at all to find Hibiki in her cot, especially with that iconic green cloak hung up neatly by her bedside. The blanket is draped over her so completely that only her head and shoulders peek out from under it, although judging by the shifting here and there she seems to be scratching her arms under all of the sheets. For now at least, the coughing has subsided, but her breaths are still quick and shallow. She doesn't look too good...]

Jack! Jack Jack Jack! Doctor, Miss Tardis! And just... just anyone! [Alice is practically spinning never mind jumping and bouncing. She has drawings all over her walls of the three guardians she met.]

I met them! I met Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny and even the Tooth Fairy! I met them all and they're incredible and amazing and so much better than the stories ever said! Did anyone else get to meet them while they were here!

[She suddenly gasps although not in surprise but in excitement.]

AND HE KNEW! Jack, Doctor, Miss Tardis! Father Christmas knew! [Knew what is left unanswered but she's too excited to explain.]

THEY WERE HERE! I hope everyone got to meet them!

[ the face that appears on the network is not worried or angry; luna looks relatively calm. actually, she's smiling, and the video keeps changing from being close up to far away. ]

I'm so glad that mine can do this, too. I know it can speak, but. . . well, I wasn't sure. . .

[ then there's an aerial view. the bracelet is still attached to her wrist, so she's just having fun with different perspectives—different angles. ]

Oh, that's right, I was going to ask something! An inter-dimensional owl post. . . does this place have one? I'd like to send a letter to my father. [ the camera lowers as she drops her arm, the feed now catching part of her face as she looks off to the side thoughtfully. ]

Perhaps they're not owls here. . . monkeys? They have been sent to space before. . . not quite the same as traveling through dimensions, but still. . . [ an airy sigh ] Muggles do the strangest things to animals.

hey i cant reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedsvxz

[.......Is whatever is left from ???'s attempt to type when the feed switches over to video. Apparently he forgot to put up a filter too, but that's his loss.

As for the 5 minutes of video at start up, there's a spikey-haired brunet passed out and laying against the side of a brown cow in a rather small barn. He certainly looks a little worse-for-wear with faded bruises showing on his arms, and there's dried blood caked into his hair on one side of his head. So maybe someone hasn't completely taken care of himself after Freyr was saved, but it's not something he could consciously work on while grey.

He is also very very late to the party. Which is over already.

Gasping, 'Sora' finally shoots upright, eyes wide for a second before squeezing shut as he presses his hands to his face with a low groan. Still nothing much after that, but the cow is tilting her head back toward him, choosing to comfort him by lapping at his hair with her tongue. A hand leaves his face to push her away because ew cow spittle, settling on her nose while his other hand pinches the bridge of his own.]

Shhhh, shush. Dream, it was just a bad--

[Crap, he doesn't get dreams. Something is wrong with this picture; which is why ??? cracks open his eyes again to squint/glare at the wall across from him. Catching up is a bit......slow for him right now, and it's not just that his whole body is wrong. When ??? eventually gets onto his feet, he more or less continues stumbling along with a certain lack of balance. That and he may just get sick, with how pale he suddenly looks. Coming back from being grey after getting his version of a concussion is bad, but being human makes it worse.]

Urgh, stupid humernnnugh... [Double-taking to look at his hands, he's pretty sure those aren't his gloves (although they look familiar). He also isn't stupid enough to wear big, yellow shoes.] Why am I in--?!

[That's not his voice either!

Moving to the water trough (with a little less stumbling), ??? tries to get a good glimpse at his reflection. It's really not doing him any favors with how murky it is, but he finally gets the results he's looking for....And his expression is switching to pure horror.] Why...

WHAT THE HELL?!

[[ooc: ???'s been cursed to look like Data!Sora now that I'm back from hiatus. :D For icons, I'll be using memoirofsky while tagging.]]

[The presence of so many people was more than disconcerting, and Draco's just kind of glad to be rid of everyone. Being away from the distractions of various people (including his family at different ages, Merlin's beard), meant he could finally focus on what he was working on prior to their arrival.

It's pretty early in the morning today but Draco has his camera feed turned on his bracelet. He's in his shop working with some materials that are bubbling in the pot in front of him.]

Never again, gods. Never. Again. I can't believe you let such a mistake occur in the first place…not to mention apparently you forgot some of them. [Here's looking at you, Potter. Get out of Asgard. Now.

Oh well. Adding here, mixing there, and there's a loud pop suddenly. Grinning, he takes a small vial and fills it with his latest potion, using an eyedropper to grab some and squeeze a few drops onto a nearby table.

Bam. Victory! The latest explosion potion works! He''ll just turn his attention back to the video feed, not quite noticing that the rest of the pot's bubbling a little too violently.]

In other news, once again I'm completely brilliant in ways most of you aren't. Excellent. Euri, we've another potion to add to our stock. I finally perfected the formula. So, Asgard. We now offer a small line of offensive potions including explosives. Considering that I've figured out this formula we can work further to create stronger, more powerful potions for the next--

[The problem with brewing potions when you're not entirely stable and happy is that they're sure to backfire on you. It's a precise art with very little room for error. This is the case for Draco Malfoy. He's in the middle of his sentence when there's a series of volatile pops, followed by a loud explosion. The only thing visible on screen is a surprised yell and a cloud of smoke, a wave of acidic yellow liquid bursting from the confines of the pot.

When it clears, the camera feed is static and shows a view of the floor. It's assumed that Draco's lifeless body's laying there despite it not being on screen. The feed shuts off five minutes later and he disappears completely. Oops.]

[ooc: not responding to any tags, but feel free to tag amongst yourselves or whatever if you'd like. Draco's dead for a day and upon returning will have lost his bracelet so ICly he's out of touch for a week or two. Also posting a day early because internet outage at my house.]

[How was it possible for someone to be so out of touch with the world around him and yet. still somehow survive in it? Well, whatever the reason, here he was, the elusive Jake English in the flesh (and remarkably less tanned than normal.)

The young former adventurer was in a rather cheeky mood. Having taken the comments passed down to him from some of his closest friends, Jake decided that if he had been hiding away in his house for as long they all thought, then he came to the conclusion people wouldn't recognize him. Well, this just blossomed and bloomed inside his mind, giving him the very idea he was trying out at present.

Minus his glasses and donning a very snooty smirk, Jake was ambling around the city. His hair, for today, had been swept the other way (though its strands must have had memories, as parts sprung up and back in place here and there.) Jake was convinced his disguise was flawless! His socks were rolled down instead of up and his t-shirt inside out so no one could see the skull!

He was as mysterious as El Zorro! As Bruce Wayne even! He was--

The Emerald Pimpernel~!

[Jake called out dramatically as he flung his coat over a shoulder, letting a splash of green on the inner lining flare out. Obviously he looked way cooler in his own mind than he did for real... Especially seeing as he was without his glasses, which in turn caused him to stumble and bump around... Perfect way to lose any cool points he though he was gaining.]

Oh drat wait! I've done this all tits backwards! I should be wearing my mask, or...Egad I can't remember if this is the look of my alter ego or my crime busting renegade self?...

--You doing it now?

Yeah.

[There’s a short pause as the user notices he is finally recording. No video though, just audio.]

Tell me about these so called ‘Gods’ and how they manage to abduct people so easily.

[He’s figured out how the bracelet network works now, so knows he can just ask all of his questions in one go, and people will answer.]

And what’s the point in bringing people in then sealing their abilities? That’s not how you win a war.

Oi, Sasuke.

[A thud and then-- a hand. Oops. Guess the feed has changed to a video. There’s Naruto, hanging behind Sasuke with an arm over his shoulder, and his chin propped on the other one.]

There. Hey. Yeah, so -- if you know stuff?

…Naruto.

[The dark haired guy is scowling now before raising an arm-- and promptly elbowing the blond in the gut.]

Te-Ow! What the heck!? [Now you see him, now you don’t.]

Tch.

[Ignoring the other, Sasuke reaches out and cuts the feed. So much for remaining anonymous.]

[Loras is usually a well schooled face, only showing what he wishes to show, when he wishes it. Yes there are occasional falters, but nothing like this. He looks visibly distressed, panicked, even. Occasionally there is anger, and frustration--as if he is unsure what emotion he should settle on.]

I am--

[His voice sounds shaky, and he takes a deep breath, trying to gain control of himself. Running a hand through his curls, he speaks once more.]

Forgive me, I am looking for my sister, Margaery Tyrell. She is--she is not at her residence, and her things seem to be missing. I could not imagine she would move without informing me.

If something has befallen her, or if someone has taken her hostage, I would seek to find the truth.

She is my sister. I do not make this plea lightly.

[He has not even hazard the thought that she has been returned home.

Sad it hasn't passed through his mind, because that's exactly what happened.]

[Hello, Asgard. Here, have a set of bright blue eyes, perhaps a little too close to the communicator screen. The moment the feed starts however, he pulls back - blinking at the thing in his hands.

That’s when the shot twists, and he finally settles for grinning at the screen.]

Yo! So, this place really is super grey, y'know?

I got a bracelet thing, and this--! I guess everyone else got one too right? Er. Lesse, lesse. Oh! Yeah, I’m Uzumaki Naruto, from Konoha. Ya probably dunno where that is. Hey! Unless there’s other people from back home?

[As if an idea has hit him he frowns, and looks away before turning back again.]

How do I know if people are gonna talk to me on this?

[The feed starts to show a teenage girl staring down at the feed. Her bottom lip is between her teeth, before she lets out a little huff, sending strands of white and brown hair fluttering away from her face.] Okay. [A slight drawl to that, as a gloved hand pushes her hair back behind her ear.] I've seen and heard some crazy things, but Ah gotta admit, this? I think this takes the blue ribbon.

[Not to mention the fact that the faceless maid was a touch- or a lot- creepy.] Ah get what was said. I'm not stupid, but... Well, I mean, it's a bit hard to accept this. That guide- [The tone of her voice really says it all about the guide. But, if what it says is true... It is a lot to take in, and a lot that really doesn't seem right or real.

Of course that leads to a lot of other questions, such as who, and why, and how.] Is it true though? Any of it? Gods, and giants, and powers lost-

[And that part she hesitates on. It's not like she's going to run around touching everyone to see, on some slim chance.] Or, or is this just someone's idea of a stupid joke. [A stupid joke.] 'cause it's not funny, if it is.

[Mr Manager is annoyed today, folks.]

Also, if you happen to see a blond-haired girl with pigtails about the age of 6, please notify me.

[No, he didn't lose Nina. ???'s just overly paranoid that she may lose him even though he's going to be watching her like a hawk during her curse.]

{{ooc: Nina's been cursed into an itty bitty! You can meet her here.}}

I, Draco Malfoy, am a genius.

[The video flips around to show a very pleased Mr. Malfoy sitting in the back room of the apothecary he and Euri own before panning down to a variety of little bottles and boxes.]

I just wish it hadn't taken this long to actually get the formulas right. Anyhow, Asclepius has some new inventory. Ask me about it, I dare you. I'm just sorry I haven't finished perfecting my ultimate project. But just you wait. I'll have a grand unveiling soon.

[There…are a lot of other things Draco could talk about if he wanted to. Like the recent trip to Utgard. Or about how he and ??? had interrogated the caught spy. Or about how he had plans now thanks to a conversation with some of the gods.

But he won't. Because he's Draco, why would he ever share anything that didn't come across as incredibly self-centered? It's an act, first and foremost. He has to come off as arrogant and dignified as possible to pretend people didn't see his inner workings. It's probably a giant, failed attempt.]

In the meantime…let's pretend I actually care about the answer to this. Your greatest achievements. Tell me about them? Consider it fuel for another side project of mine…

[Filtered to Riku]

Got something you may be interested in.

[Filtered to ???]

Looks like you're not the only one creating things.

[Filtered to Hermione]

So…when would you like to meet for your first lesson?

[Filtered to Rapunzel]

Now that that's accomplished, how would you like to do some research with me about the rest I'm working on?

[Filtered to Jade]

How do you feel about surprises?

Citizens of Asgard. I come bearing only grave news this day. What I believe to be a spy, lurking in our very midst.

[ The camera pans over to a bound and gagged individual that some may in fact recognize from the tail end of the Utgard excursion. ]

He has aroused the suspicions of many with his peculiar behavior. The natives themselves have been able to confirm he is not one of them, as he has tried claiming.

Presently, he can be found in the custody of myself and Sir Gwaine. I wish to seek the council of everyone before we reach the city proper as it is a matter which undeniably concerns the safety of us all.

But as for myself, I would vote for execution to follow his questioning. I have seen firsthand what may happen with prisoners during war. They conspire to escape and wreak further havoc, squandering mercy and endangering good men.

(ooc: edited in-character to clarify.

don't forget about the poll going on. if you've already voted but your character's opinion has been swayed in this post then simply update your vote!)