[The feed turns on and shows Hermione sitting, cross-legged in the middle of the floor. Her eyes are closed and there are...strange markings...surrounding her. For anyone who might know what Ancient Runes look like (or might have taken the class at Hogwarts), the markings will be recognizable.]

. . .

[She opens her eyes and sighs. Picking up a piece of paper, she writes down her findings - or lack thereof.]

I would feel much safer if one of these protective charms worked... [But that would require Magic she doesn't have anymore.] I thought I could get around what I lack by writing the symbols upon a physical surface. There are tales of Muggles stumbling across powers they can't control.

[She purses her lips and wipes away the marks.]

Clearly, they are just stories. I thought as much.

[When you open up this particular video feed, for a minute there's nothing but the sound of shallow, panicked breathing. Though her situation was explained to her and this is by far a better outcome than what she was certain awaited her in the orphanage, this was still a deeply troubling experience for her. She's spent too long waking up in unfamiliar places to feel completely at ease with this sudden change in events. Spending the past few minutes fumbling with her bracelet didn't appear to calm her down from her near-hysterical state.

There's several more deep, steadying breaths, as if gearing herself up to talk. After a moment, the soft voice of a young British woman comes out in a trembling, feminine pitch.]

H-hello? Can...can anyone hear me? [The maid said this was how it worked, but...she's been purposely given faulty directions before. It takes a toll on you after a while.

But never mind that, there are more important matters at hand. Such as-]

I...I'm not certain who can hear this, but...has anyone seen my dog? He answers to Brown and he's really quite friendly, so...I'm sorry if he troubles anyone, but...please, don't hurt him.

I beg of you.

[Waking up in an unfamiliar place? No problem. That's what she's been doing in more hostile environments for....god, it feels like months.

Waking up without her dog anywhere in sight? That's a cause for panic.]

Um...I'm Jennifer, so...if you see him, just...tell me, please. [The poor girl sounds like she's setting herself up for an execution by giving out her name]

I'm sorry for the trouble. And, um...

...Thank you.

[ the video shifts, and comes into focus to a friendly smile. ] It's boring, isn't it? You would think if a person was perfectly gray, they would have something exciting to say about their lives. But they just don't have the vibrancy, the color of life... Well. Any beautiful girl out there understands what I mean. You can't just replace life with grayness. Any gray girl simply can't compare to someone with passion.

Saying everything is boring would be even more boring, but maybe someone out there can spare some company for me? Someone should have some common interests. My name is Kanba, and I'm glad to meet everybody. Don't worry, I don't bite. Or do I? Maybe you'll have to come to find out, but we can be friends. I'm not looking for anything in particular except to waste some time. We can talk about shows that we've slept through, or maybe food we've never cooked.

[ from there, his smile turns slightly darker, and more predatory: ] Ah, I almost forgot to mention. As always, if anyone has seen a girl named Himari, please let me know immediately. I've been looking for her. She is a young girl, extremely friendly, and shouldn't be alone. [ the feed shuts off. ]

[ Here's a face that hasn't been seen often lately although if the way she seems to be staring intently off screen isn't a hint that she's been busy with other matters, her words are sure to clue her audience in. She pauses in what she's doing for a second to look at her bracelet, smiling warmly. ]

Hey, everyone! I know it's been a while since I've talked to any of you. [ A small, awkward giggle rings from her like she's been caught red-handed. She casts her eyes away, even as she continues to talk. ] I guess my new job's kept me busier than I expected.. -There! [ A book briefly makes its appearance in her free hand as she slots it into the shelf next to her. Kairi's attention then returns to the viewer, sheepish. ] You guys sure read a lot of books!

Anyway, I was thinking... Has anyone ever done murals before? I mean if you haven't, that's perfectly fine! I was just thinking that maybe it would be something to make the city feel a bit more like home. I found some paint and brushes earlier this week, but- [ Another laugh as she tilts her head and threads a hand through her hair. ] -I'm not sure if it'll be enough if a lot of people decide to do this, so! If anyone has anymore to offer or even if you just bring a brush for yourself, that would really help!

[ There's a pause as she scrunches her nose in thought. ] I'm thinking around the hospital might be a good place to start, but if you have any other ideas of where we could paint them, I'd be happy to hear them!

( ooc: Kairi's had this idea in her head ever since speaking to Enma (Pssst. Your fault~ ;D) and now she'd really love to set something up to go all out with this! I'm thinking I'll be posting a log tomorrow (to which I will edit a link into this post, so look out for it~ =B) for shenanigans be it paint fights, INTENSE ARTING, hurpa-durp-we-fail doodling, WRECKING HAVOC ON HARD WORK ('Wait- Was that mustache there before...?'), and more!

As a side note, if anyone wants to continue any prior threads with me, you are more than welcome to give me a heads up at my Ping!Box. I know I've been sparse here lately and I might have missed or lost the notifs. @@; And for that, I do apologize! )

[Since she lacked the luxuries she possessed on Serenity, no that wasn't meant to be ironic, Inara had to wander to Freya's kitchen to prepare her tea. Things have finally calmed since that incident only a few days ago. It's hard to imagine so much can happen in so little time and then be gone just as fast. And, learning what the future may yet hold for everyone here.]

[So much was relying on these visitors, and Inara couldn't help but feel a little powerless. She had always remained outside of conflict, and while she's had training, never once had she been called upon to fight, not even during the war between the Alliance and the Independents.]

So the Gods truly do posses some sense of humor, it that's the power they have chosen as a blessing. [Could Charm even be considered a power? If the Companions Guild even found out, there would most assuredly be an uproar.]

[At least...it was a non-combative power.]

Tea is usually better served in company. If anyone would like to join me, you are more than welcome to come.

[ The video starts with the sound of a whipcrack, coming from a young woman who is obviously wielding a whip. There's a hint of annoyance on her face, but not enough to make a normal individual decide that it's a proper time to use a whip. She stretches it over her head, making the leather snap. Then she rolls the whip on her hands with ease before placing it to her side.

If you're starting to get that feeling that you're faced with someone who whips things just because she can, trust that feeling. You're probably right. ]

While I do remember saying that I would go wherever I'm needed, it seems that I wasn't clear enough for the fools who run this failure of a fantasy novel plot. I will go wherever I'm needed provided that I give my prior consent. Gods or not, they're clearly guilty of kidnapping.

[ And as easily as she snapped and put away her whip, she starts to smile. ]

But I suppose I do owe you people an introduction, since it seems like we're all stuck here for the meantime. I am Franziska von Karma, the prodigy prosecutor. I've been told that, despite it's logical impossibility, we might come from different worlds. Should one of you not know what a prosecutor is, I suggest that you educate yourselves in the local library. The lack of color shouldn't hinder your ability to read, unless you're the type of person who requires the aid of silly, colorful illustrations.

I would ask for your names and occupations, but it's only polite to introduce yourselves after being introduced to, isn't it? And it seems like it's customary here to end your first transmission with an inane question on topics such as "look at my inability to read a map and find things for myself" and chicken... nuggets. [ It's clear that she finds the latter topic very strange.] So I ask you this, people of Asgard:

Suppose that you find a box of cake left under the rain. What will you do?


[ Baldr people, she might have whipped a small dent onto one of the kitchen tables. It took a lot of hits. She's not sorry.

Meanwhile, I apologize for asking about cake in the rain. ]

Bored, bored, bored. [Their claws are drumming irritably against the table, their bestial jaws propped up by their other hand.] So we're going to ask you all a question, because we can. Answer or don't! You sass us enough, and we'll hunt you down and yank your spine out through your throat.

[They pause and stare at that, lips curling back so their teeth are even larger and glistening. With that, they burst out laughing.]

Only kidding!

[The feed flickers to life with Himari extremely perplexed expression peering down at it. She blinks, once, before smiling and starting to speak.]

Oh! I don't think I've ever seen technology like this, but it seems it's working now! Or...I hope it's working. [She giggles.] The card I was given by the lady who greeted me said I was brought here to restore color and life to this place? I'm not sure how to do that... but I'll try my best! Even if I don't think I could do that, being brought here so suddenly.

[Sighs, slightly pouting.] Geeze... I hope Ringo-chan isn't too worried about me when she notices I'm gone. I was supposed to cook dinner for us tonight, but I don't think I can do that from here.

[A pause, and then she's back to her chipper self.]

Hello to anyone who's watching this! My name is Himari, and it looks like I just got here. I'm not sure if this isn't a strange dream yet, but if it isn't... then the Great Himari might forgive being brought here if she's told more about where she is! Ohohoho! Line up everyone and start confessing!

[Aaand, with a big friendly smile, the feed it cut off.]

[Welcome to a close-up shot of Momoka's eye, as she looks into the gemstone, before she pulls back well enough for her face to be properly seen.]

I think it's working... Hello!

[She smiles, but there's obviously other concerns on her mind.]

Did everyone here show up in a big room in a palace? ...Is it always so grey here? I'm Oginome Momoka, but you can call me Momoka. This is all a little strange, you know? But it's nice to meet you anyway.