[Private to Arnold Rimmer]

This is Commissioner Prime. You've been identified as a person of interest in an ongoing criminal investigation. I will need to get a statement from you on this matter ASAP.

[PRIVATE to: Chief McClane, Assistant Commissioner Maza and Commissioner Prime]

Sirs: Speaking on this incident this afternoon. I charged Ms. Minoru with distribution an' criminal damage. Tommy Shepherd has still got to be charged with possession, criminal damage, disturbin' the peace, an' drunk and disorderly, but that ain't what this is about. I'm reportin' to you to admit that I at first gave the perpetrators the option to get off without a warnin' if they repaired the damage made. I know this was wrong a me, an' I can only say I'm sorry for this moment a weakness. I'll accept any disciplinary action you see fit to dish out.

[/PRIVATE]

Whoever made the coffee today: never make it again. It tastes like celery.


((OOC: Nico has cursed Pete to taste the taste of celery. And sometimes carrots.))

I wanted to thank those of you that introduced yourselves when I arrived, figure after seeing how many people have come and gone since then you're used to it, but it was still nice of you.

Anyway, if you're feeling like a cup of coffee, there's a diner at [insert generic location here] if you feel like stopping in, I might like to meet some of you in person.

[LOCKED TO KYLE]
I'm trying. See?

[LOCKED TO CAMERON]
How's River doing?

[LOCKED AWAY FROM KYLE, CAMERON, AND PEETA]
I'm looking for a doctor, just a general physician. Any recommendations?

Bakura. If you're well enough to get to a comm, please respond. I need to know that you're all right, and I need to speak to you about--what I've been sensing.

[[Fakir's taking a rest at his work, which is currently quite decked out in pinks and reds for the season. His nametag has been augmented with a little paper heart behind the plain white name plate. He looks displeased.]]

Well, I've just spent most of an otherwise passable evening doing this. [[He picks the com up for a quick pan of the bakery's small dining area before setting it back down on the table in front of him.]] Has anyone else here found themselves pulled into this holiday against their will? I wish I could just ignore it, but it seems... omnipresent.

[The camera clicks on to find Juston's brow dripping with a considerable amount of grim and sweat. His signature green work shirt covered with a healthy amount of grease and oil. He has a somewhat proud smirk on his lips.]

Hey guys... I haven't been on much but, well I've been keeping myself busy. Just before the year started Tank gave me some advice about tearing things down and building stuff up an' well... I decided to get to work on something other than fixing police cars and school. Check this out.

[Juston slowly turns the camera around revealing a small motor scooter that looks a lot like a Vespa if one were made entirely out of recycled chrome and scrap metal that had been slowly buffed and polished down.]

Pretty cool huh? Of course since I only have a junior license I'm only supposed to drive it to school which is odd... seeing as how I live in a dorm. But... hey. This is just the beginning.

[The camera turns on, Venkman squints at it a bit before realizing what it is. He's dressed in full Ghostbusters uniform, proton pack and all.]

The city. Is that what they're calling this place, now? Not to be argumentative, but New York City sounded a lot better. I mean, at least you couldn't confuse it with other cities.

And while we're discussing confusion. "Hero" is fine and all, but the name's Peter Venkman. Doctor Peter Venkman. Doctor Peter Venkman, your hero, is fine too. As long as we're being picky.

Now, someone has some real explaining to do. You don't just fall asleep and then wake up on the other side of town with some tiny, and basically futuristic communication device. Unless I was possessed, of course... and I don't really feel that post-possession numbness in my legs, so I'm going to guess that isn't why I'm here.

I'll tell you what, though. It's a good thing Egon wasn't in that big computer room, he might have tried to sleep with it. Speaking of...

[He whips out a retro-looking two-way radio, smacking it a few times before speaking into it.]

Ray, Egon, Winston... you there? We've got a bit of a situation here. Over.

[recording starts with her fingernails drumming on a hard surface. she stops after a few seconds, and she sounds kind of sheepish.]

Note to self: Walking on thin ice is more than just a saying.

So uhm, thanks for saving me, Aqualad. I thought you were really brave and stuff. [under her breath:] Fuhtan ev dryd'c rec naym hysa...

[she yawns, and then clicks her tongue a few times.] Moving on. I'm feelin' a lot better, and I'm glad there weren't any needles at the doctor's place. Well, not any that I saw, which was just fine with me. Hope it'll stay that way, if I ever have to go back.

Well, time to salvage! Girl's gotta keep her machina stocked, y'know?

[ooc; see this log, a.k.a. GARTH SAVES THE DAY.]

[there is dead static for about ten seconds before rustling noises and a soft sigh. Ryan just sounds exhausted.]

I'm back. Nothing is where it's supposed to be. [a beat] I don't know if that was worth it or not, because it's all out-of-sorts right now - the Script, I mean, and I don't know how to . . . [trails off awkwardly]

Hey, City? I have a question for you: can you miss something you're not even sure existed? Can your memory betray you and make you remember things that didn't happen?

[barely audible] I think I screwed up, but I don't know how. You can be mad at me now, Allison.

[The video feed starts up dark, there are sloshing noises on the audio until finally the video comes on. M’stra is sitting in a bubble bath in her semi-human guise, relaxing up to her neck in a big claw-foot tub, her red hair wound up on her head. The shot angles down on her and god-knows what new limb she’s holding the camera with because each of her hands are occupied washing her arms and shoulders. She looks like she’s in someone’s house, and a nice one at that, but you can’t see much beyond nice tile and a lushly carpeted floor. She chuckles as she picks up a bar of soap and rolls it between her hands.]

Oh, and you little bastards thought you’d gotten rid of me.

[She doesn’t look up at the camera yet, talking in a nonchalant manner as she soaps up one bicep and shoulder.]

I’m sure you’re all so very worried about your little M’gann, but I wouldn’t waste another thought on her if you’re smart. She’s not here anymore. We went home, and dying in this world broke us apart. There is no schism of the mind quite like one half determined to die and another determined to live...

[She looks up finally, smiling as she sits up from the water a little, leaning up to the camera, her smile edging on a threat.]

So. M’gann gets to go home. And all of YOU? Well you get to have me.

[Her mouth twists in a nasty grin and her red eyes get briefly brighter.]

Welcome back to hell sweethearts.

[End transmission.]


[ooc: aaaand M'stra is back, good Megan gone, and she broke into a house to commandeer their bath and make a network post]

[the video clicks on to show Sanji's room in the MAC. Link is at the table, dressed in a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. The table is covered in paper, scissors, glue, glitter, colored pencils and all other manner of craft materials (mostly in variations of red, pink and white). There is a lot of stuff, but it's all well organized with a little clear swath directly in front of him as a work area]

Aha... I figured that while Sanji is at work, I could get a head start on making some Valentines cards! I went to the store and I got a book about how to make them... it's a really nice holiday, all about love and friendship... [he holds up an unfinished one made with red paper, lacey doillies and glitter] You can put pretty much anything on them! I think I'm going to make one for all of my friends.

[he puts the Valentine down and scribbles something on it with a pen, then looks back up at the camera. He taps his fingers together and looks a little sheepish. He's embarrassed or sad about something]

Uhm... I guess... I should apologize to Miss Liadrin. I was really upset yesterday and wasn't thinking straight... But Koltira was right; it was wrong and selfish of me to run away. I should have stayed to help if I could. It was a mistake and I'm sorry... I shouldn't have been scared, there was nothing to worry about. Haha... some bearer of the Triforce of courage I am... I'm just a big cuccoo. But... I made you something!

[he digs around in his pile of finished valentines and holds one up. It's a piece of pink construction paper with an orange heart on it; at the bottom of the heart is a blue seascape made sparkly with silver and blue glitter. Dolphins jump out of the water. He also glued on some pulled-apart cotton balls on the heart as clouds. The whole thing is remniscent of a childish rendition of an ocean at sunset; what he was going for. There is also a golden triforce made of glitter near the top of the heart as well as some Hylian text in scrawly handwriting] It says "Happy Love Day!" Cause.... uhm... we don't have a word for "Valentine's" in Hylian.

[a pause] I hope you will forgive me...

So, let's say---hypothetically!---that I decided to be the approximation of a good friend and cheer up someone who has had a shit month or two. Let's also say that there were some substances of dubious legality involved and that this friend didn't react to said substances like I thought he would. And he, uh---[ a pause as she draws away from the mic to yell "SHUT UP!" at someone in the background. Who is yelling. about sudoku and how it cements real friendships ]---he's convinced that he can blow up the air.

What would you do? And don't say "put him in a giant plastic hamster ball so that he doesn't hurt himself or anyone else", because I've already done that and he's kind of taken out part of Park street.



Help. I'm not sure how long the giant hamster ball will hold him.

So...

Anyone know where I can get a job?

I'd go out and check myself, but flipping burgers somewhere isn't my style and that seems to be the only thing someone my age is 'qualified' to do...



... I think it's time to move out of the MAC.... It's noisy.

Work is going really well-- I'm getting to use my skills and knowledge for the greater good of the company.

[Aka, yelling at people for watching porn at work but that doesn't sound very prestigious so Paige says nothing on the matter.]

In my spare time I'm brushing up on my classical Japanese, physics, and other subjects that I've neglected for entirely too long. Despite my busy schedule, I am making it a priority to get back on track scholastically.

[Return of over achiever Paige is a go.]

I think my mom is going on a crusade to somehow implement a V-chip system into the comms and knowing her, she'll find a way to do it without even know much about technology. Since there are so many kids that use them, no doubt Mom wants to protect them. That's just the kind of person she is. I wouldn't be surprised if every "bad guy" and "evil doer" suddenly had a change of heart and started volunteering at orphanages after she got through with them.

[There is a long pause.]

Can anyone tell me where the police station is? I forgot to ask Monet this morning and I have something that belongs to one of the-- uh-- officers and I should probably return it. Soon.


Oh and Monet? New rule. Give me at least five minutes notice if you bring some strange guy over. Jeez.

There are far too many cameras in this place. So some unknowable being drags us from wherever to this City and then wants to keep watch on us like Big Brother? How do we know it's just one person, it could be dozens, it could be an entire roster of people viewing our lives like some episode of The Real World.

First of all, I need to find someone who knows about this stuff. Second of all, I need some capital. Aside from the police and that X-Men squad there seems to be a distinct lack of private detectives around here.

Yeah, I'm bored. If you can't find a job, why not create one for yourself, right?

Last summer, one of my friends did a survey of the archives. He said that almost six hundred people have been ported into this world. By now it has to be at least seven hundred, I think. More people are being brought here all the time, but people are always leaving, too. Back then, it was already more than three hundred people who have... gone.

Of them, only sixty came back. So, for every person who came back to this place, there were four people who didn't. That guy was one of the four.

But the people who come back aren't always the ones we remember. Sometimes they remember this place. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they're exactly who you expect, so it's like they never went away at all, but... some, they're nothing like the people you remember, and it hurts, when those feelings don't mean anything. When it doesn't matter how much you...

... how much you try to keep those bonds. The tighter you hold onto them, the more you try to protect them, they break. Like promises. Or maybe I'm not protecting anything at all.





I keep posting useless things. I'm sorry.

Did anybody take him down?

[At first, the video is too close and nothing of significance can be made out - just some blurry blue fabric. She backs away from the camera after a moment, and it can be seen that she's traded her bustle gown for a long skirt and a conservative blouse. She looks a little uncomfortable in it.]

It has come to my attention that this City is not only quite far from London, but I am also many years from home. I'd like very much to catch up on my history, as I admit I felt quite uneducated today when I picked up the newspaper and recognized none of the names.

Perhaps people could tell me one historical event they find interesting. Even better if you have a book to suggest on the topic, to get me started.

Additionally, if anyone is seeking a governess, please let me know. I did have references, but I believe they will not be of much use in this day and age... you'll just have to trust me, then. [She smiles brightly at this.]

[ The Comm clicks on, but there's about a minute of silence. Illidan inhales over the comm, before exhaling, it's almost exuberant. ]

Silence. It is something even I would call blessed, is it not?

Regardless, it cannot remain so for long, and I find that matters seem to be wildly moving in one direction or another. This city seems to rarely sleep, and the supposed "heroes" are no better than mercenaries working for no pay. No matter, of course, it is of little consequence to me. This realm is like any other, although I find the lack of magic in the air to be the only true detraction.

[ He pauses, trying to get to the point. ]

What is across the sea? To the east?

[ VOICE: there's the sound of traffic in the background, but nothing to specifically pinpoint his location. A few beeps as he cuts across the road. ]

Jesus fuckin' christ. [ loud exhale ]

Eight months. And this place is still standing.

Did you know you forget all this when you go back? It's like a weird fragmented dream. All I remembered was random shit about Godzilla. Of course, now I'm back and all I remember is random shit about Godzilla, so maybe it's just me. What can I say, the guy made an impression.

Lance, Pietro, Lorna? You guys still here?

Fuck, all my stuff's probably gonna be gone anyway, never mind the apartment. So, guess this is the part where I whore myself out. I'm sixteen, a mutant, I set stuff on fire. Job? Place to stay? Anything? Let me know. I'm not interested in the Institute. I kinda almost feel like I should add "sorry" to that, but then again, I don't, really.

Okay, I guess this is some sort of superhero Facebook or something?

My name is Josh Newman and I've been kidnapped. I mean, everyone here probably isn't happy about, but it's sort of been one pseudo-kidnapping after another for me.

Has anyone here seen a woman named Scathach or Scatty? Bright red hair, grass green eyes, and probably some weapons. I was kind of trying to rescue her when I got brought here and I want to make sure she's okay.

Also, does anyone know a Sophie Newman or a Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel? And is it really okay to stay in this MAC place?

[Liadrin clears her throat before speaking, remorse clearly projected  in her eyes. Still, she maintains all the composure she is required to possess as a Matriarch and leader and presses on.]

The Light teaches its followers many things; we learn compassion from its healing, we learn strength from the will required to wield it, we learn faith from its ability to breathe life into what is lost, and most importantly, we learn forgiveness, for the Light always returns to help us stand, no matter what our crimes may be.

I know that I am about to ask a great deal of the people of this city. I know that some will not be able to honor that request. But before I ask more of you, I feel that I owe you an explanation.

My people, the Sin'dorei, are a race enslaved to magic. It is not just a tool for us, it is a necessity. From the moment of our birth we need to drink of its energies to survive. There is no choice, no cure, no freedom. To abstain from feeding on magic weakens us, causing unfathomable pain as time passes and places us at risk for becoming one of the Wretched-- nothing more than insane husks that can no longer feel anything but a driving, insatiable hunger. They feed until they die; either naturally or by merciful execution.

This world, however, has almost no magic contained within it. I could not bring myself to incite fear among its inhabitants, not when I felt so drawn to protecting them. I kept my needs secret, I refused to siphon from another living being, and in doing so only exacerbated the situation. When at last I had no choice left but to feed the urgency was too great. I severely wounded the Lady Jaina Proudmoore and found myself drunk on the stolen energies. I was cut off from my own emotions and could do nothing to remedy it.

My senses have returned, and I deeply lament what I have both done and said while under its effects. Koltira, you of all people know that I loved and respected Blue. His loss is-- it is a tragedy that cannot ever be forgiven. I am so sorry that I could not be there for you when you needed me.

Lady Proudmoore, Warchief Thrall, I know of nothing that I could say to make up for what I did, but I ask for your forgiveness all the same.

To all those watching this, I beg your forgiveness for the deceit; if you cannot find the mercy to pardon me or accept me for what I am, I understand. But it will not stop me. I have sworn to serve the Light and protect this City and I shall continue to do so.


[ooc: She is referring to this incident with Jaina, which led to this and all craziness that followed thanks to her madness. It's all gone now, leaving her addiction temporarily satisfied and her sanity intact once again. Also, god, Liadrin, so much TL;DR.]

Maybe Valentine's Day  is just dumb. All that happens is that you have to go to the dentist more afterwards. 

Anyone else got someone you miss around Valentine's Day?

[sigh]

Dear City...

Do you ever feel like you simply do not belong anywhere?

Do people need reminders of the past or would it be better if they simply focused on the future without interruption? Please forgive me for such an impromptu query, but it is not something I can seem to settle with myself.

What would it be like to be a silent observer of your world from behind glass? To remain objective and removed? Or would you rather be the zealous Anthropologist and submerge yourself in that world, for all it's imperfections?

[The video turns on to reveal a bandaged-up Danny, leaning out of a hospital bed, slapping the camera on. After a bit more hitting, the camera falls to the ground, the video displaying the linoleum tiles of the clinic.]

Whooooooooooooops.

[The comm's moved, the video showing a fast blur before Danny sets it on the table again. He stares at it for a moment, then gives it a goofy grin.]

Voila! Good as new! [He remains smiling for a few more moments before his face drops to a deadly serious look.]

Guys. Guys. I have bad news.
[Pause for dramatic emphasis.]
I fell off a roof last night.
[He raises his broken arm (now equipped with a cast!) to the camera, the goofy smile on his face again. It's an expression that's basically crying: "LOOK WHAT I DID MA!" His face falls into serious-look again.]

And it hurt a lot. And I don't really remember anything after that, you know. But I think I'm on... [He looks up at... something off camera. Then turns back to the comm.] I think I'm on... [he leans in close to whisper to the comm:] morphine. I should make that a kung-fu move. Crazy fist of the morphine eagle! [He strikes a kung-fu pose to the camera, accidentally knocking down a glass sitting next to the comm. His face shifts into an exaggerated surprised expression, hears the nurse coming, and fumbles with the comm to turn it off. Before he turns it off, he looks into the comm, wide-eyed.]

NO ONE TELL RIKKI!

All right, people. I've been out of the loop for a bit while making sure my daughter is trained well enough to survive in this hellhole, but with Maza out of action, I'm steppin' up to the plate.

Open cases, latest leads, go. I want to hear it all and find out what we're doing here.

[The broadcast is labeled as video, but so far, only the audio is distinguishable. There is video, but all you can see is just straight-up blackness, and there’s a rustling that’s back behind the sound of the two speakers. It’s as if this is being broadcast from, oh, the pocket of somebody who’s prone to fidgeting around in office settings and thereby triggering his comm. Sentinel Prime is talking.]

“—received the latest report from that asylum up north. They’re saying that so far, so good. The drugs are working, they’re keeping her under the lights in solitary, and no ‘incidents’ have occurred yet.”

[Cheetor’s the next one to speak.]

“That’s good.”

“No, that’s worrying. For all we know, she’s just playing dead until she gets the right chance to tear someone’s throat out.”

“Sentinel, they’re not going to just let her walk around because she’s behaved since Friday.”

“Maybe not now. Who knows how long she can wait? You know these humans; you let them think they have control and they go and get lazy. They never should have transferred her up there. We had the capabilities to hold her! Who does this judge think he is, moving her to an asylum? What does he know?”

“Look, I don’t like it any more than you do, but they want to study her. Maybe we can learn something from her. They said they wanted to test the asylum’s capability to hold super-powered humans…”

“Super-powered ‘humans’, my bumper. She’s as human as I am.”

“…Sentinel, we are human right now.”

“That’s not important! This is a slag decision. You saw what she could do. She belongs locked up, where she can’t touch anyone. Where are their backup generators? Where is their surplus supply of tranquilizers? All it takes it a blackout, and she’ll—”

“Sentinel, that’s why they have our number. If she ever gets out, we’ll be there to lock her back up. Hopefully in here.”

“Let’s hope so. You know they can’t find their backsides with their hands, but hopefully they think this is important enough to—”

[There’s another rustling, and off goes the feed.]


[ooc; They're talking about Karu-Sil, who has been transferred to an asylum north of the City. Replies will be slow initially because Cheetor's new to the phenomenon of Butt Posting.]

[ Locked to Scott Summers ]

That job you offered me... it was awhile back--um, for teaching.  Is it still available?

[ /end lock ]

So, um--city!

This may seem like a really weird question, given that---well.  Um.

[ pauses ]

What are your thoughts on the paranormal?  Not like, you know, flying or being Superman and what not.  I mean, more along the lines of the creepy things like-- demons, vampires, ghosts, ah... werewolves and the like.

I'm just... sort of curious. 

[cue Sanji standing out on a busy corner somewhere as dusk falls, wrapped warmly in his wool coat and scarf and puffing away on a cigarette as he scowls into the video camera]

Of all the stupid things to get in the way of my grand plans to honor all the lovely women of the network! Phoenix? You know that primer in the local laws we were talking about the other day? This is what I mean. *big scowl* Where do they get off telling me it's illegal for someone my age to buy alcohol?

Do I look like a child? I'm almost twenty, and I have a job where I cook with wine every single day. And I'm not allowed to go into a store and buy the creme de menthe and coffee liqueurs I need for my truffles? This is madness! Completely ridiculous!

*HUGE put-upon sigh*

So does anybody want to help out the love-cook? I've got women who deserve the finest in flavored chocolate truffles, and I've got a lot of candy-making to do before this weekend. I really hate to have to make a request like this, but if someone of-age can waltz into a liquor store for me and get my cooking supplies, I'll be extremely grateful. Probably treat you to some of the chocolates, too.

[sudden mood-change one! to a huge grin and swooning, sing-song tone]

Because the ladies need their Valentines chocolates! I can't be late, I can't miss out on this opportunity! Who knows when another chance to show my love to all the fine women within earshot will come along? Ahh...

[sudden mood-change two! not glaring, but quite serious]

...oi. Koltira, or her ladyship if she's listening. One of you two want to explain to me why Link felt the need to flee for his life?

Awright, godammit. 

Where the fuck's my layout, stranger?

I been waitin'.

Yep.

Stiiiiill here.