» the city network

Hey, everyone. I hope you're all doing alright, despite.. you know, the circumstances. [ The Circumstances™. You all know. Daniel hopes he doesn't have to explain.

Daniel himself looks a little more tired too as he says it. Not concerningly so, and he's definitely trying to cover it up with a smile, but the guy definitely doesn't look unaffected by all the recent revelations. ] Just know I'm always here to lend a listening ear to whoever needs it, so.. just let me know if anyone needs someone to talk to.

Ah, though that isn't the main reason I'm speaking on here. I actually had two things I wanted to make sure everyone knew about. First of all, we have a document at the Welcome Diner with information on everything that's happened in this place so far while we've been here. The problem is that neither of us got involved in what was going on last month. [ Sorry, guys, Daniel isn't about to run into any new suspicious place!! This is for people who did go to the convention center.. ] So I'd be really grateful if anyone could tell what was going on back there. And for anyone who is relatively new or curious, please feel free to come over to the diner to check it all out. It's near the train station everyone shows up at, if you haven't been there before.

Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly.. I'm sure most of you have heard about the tests a group of people are doing on some of the buildings around here. [ There's something in Daniel's face, almost a wince, and then he Gestures. Intensely. ] I want you to know I don't necessarily condone this, but.. [ Another vague gesture. You know. Can't stop these crazy kids, even when you're worried about the plan.. ] So please be careful if you get involved in it. Realise what the possible consequences for yourself could be, especially in a dangerous place like this.

Anyway, since I figured we have to make sure to look out a little bit more for safety, I'd like to ask people who use certain empty buildings or have an important spot somewhere in an empty building to please speak up about it, so that group of people can know to make sure to avoid those spots during their testing.

[ .. He exhales. It's a deep breath, maybe looking even a touch more tired now. ]

I think that's all of it. Everyone, just.. take care, alright?

( ooc: for anyone who would have gone to the diner to check out the document at the diner, you can find it here! )

well well
i admit after all the other ways this place has seen fit to censor its wares, i didn't have particularly high hopes for this "media store" archive
but i suppose i ought to have balanced that with how it likes to taunt us with the familiar even more

whoever would have thought a copy of "heavensward" would find its way to these very shelves?
i'm sure the count de fortemps would be delighted to know his memoirs are so popular
and the songs of that wandering minstrel, as well
"requiem for a hero" isn't one i'm exactly partial to but i can't deny its popularity

i rather wonder if i ought to write out my own account of the goings-on from back home while i'm here
far from the watchful eyes of the forum and their cover-ups

not that the skies turned to fire, the seas to blood, and the transformation of unsuspecting innocents into craven blasphemies is my idea of an entertaining read, mind

but neither was the dragonsong war i suppose and yet here it sits
a bestseller for the ages regardless

[The feed opens up to Hythlodaeus on his couch, a small pile of fabric beside him. While his mask ever remains hanging around his neck (an attempt to blend his own culture with the world he's slowly coming to learn about), he's wearing a simple--if oversized--sweater made of a soft fabric. Thankfully nothing near as terrible as the plaid abomination he wore at Don Quixote's party some months ago.]

I've a few questions for you all, if you would indulge me--though nothing nearly as philosophical as the last question I posed here, I assure you. Rather, with the gala coming up I thought it best to try and clear up some confusion I had beforehand.

One: is there a difference between a "sweater" and a "jumper?"

Two. With regards to these "leggings," does one wear them on their own, or are they part of a greater ensemble? They seem awfully thin compared to most of the leg coverings I've seen.

Three, while I can see the raised heel on some hupodema as a method of bringing attention to the shape of one's leg, I've seen a fair few where the entirety of the sole is raised. Is there a reason behind this beyond adding to one's height?

And four, which I am entirely baffled on...

[He picks up the piece of clothing beside him, revealing a pair of pants he could only have pulled out of a generic-brand Hot Topic.]

What in the world are these supposed to be worn with and what are all the belts and chains for?


((Feel free to threadjack as you please throughout if your character has any controversial fashion opinions!))

( the feed starts, and there sits a woman. the nook she'd found this time around is clearly another one of the cafes scattered about, quiet and without all the harsher lights of stark fluorescence. she's made herself quite comfortable from the looks of it, a teapot visible within the framing with a few unused cups overturned by it, as if she's expecting company. there's even has a platter of fruit, a small afterthought of one.

slices of peach, if one were so inclined as to squint.

some have met her already, some know her quite profoundly, but that matters not. she has a question, just as she always does, and she figures a face to the voice would be a little more reassuring than mere text, given what she has in mind. the crowd seems.. skittish. wary. she'd rather they not run too soon before she sates a curiosity.

her tea steeps within reach, and her chin rests on her knuckles as she waits; her voice akin to that of a dirge when she finally parts her lips to speak. )

Indulge me for but a moment.

( oh, she's well aware of the range of how this can be taken. it's quite alright. )

But what would you say is a moment of achievement for you? Big or small. You're free to use whatever criteria suits.

( ah. )

And if you'd rather not have it broadcasted, I'm not hard to find. I'd be pleased for company.

[ hello and welcome to Boredom Hours, sponsored by one too many midafternoon beers and a perpetual inability to not immediately make his ennui everyone else's problem. today's host is... Reno!

when the video starts, it's to a shockingly decently framed shot of Reno doing the hooligan squat on the front stoop of his apartment building. he's got a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth, and once he's sure that the video is rolling he takes a long drag of it before he speaks. ]

Sup. I'm Reno. Some of ya may know me from my colorful past as "guy who got yanked into pool by tentacle monster."

[ probably nobody knows him that way but it's fine. we are not concerned with strict veracity here. Reno blows a neat smoke ring and grins the kind of grin that means he knows he's being a pain in the ass. ]

I was thinkin', y'know, there's only so many of us. Probably ain't a bad idea to get to know each other, right? [ he gestures with his cigarette as he speaks as if to underscore his words. ] We need some conversation starters. Some icebreakers, y'know? Everybody's favorite highlight from their corporate bonding retreats.

So! [ he holds up a hand to count on.

one finger. ] Two truths and a lie. Post 'em, let other people guess. I'll leave mine too. Shoutout to the blond girlie who had that party a couple months back for this one.

[ two fingers. ] Hot or not. Or smash or pass, whatever you wanna call it. Post yourself and let people vote, if you're brave. Or post your friends if you want to fuck around. You can all see my face right now so count that as my submission.

[ three fingers. ] Creativity exercise, open prompt. You can go anywhere, be anybody, do anything you want. The world ain't ending and there's no war or whatever the hell going on. Who are you and what are you doing? [ brief smoke break, and then Reno stubs the butt out on the cement, exhaling as he says, ] Me, I wanna make mediocre coffee for minimum wage and not worry about shit except makin' rent.

[ and lastly, four fingers. ] "Reno, this is fuckin' stupid and I don't want to do it." Okay, nobody's got a gun to your head. We ain't even got guns here. Do what you want.

[ his four fingers curl in so he can offer a cheerful, if a bit manic, thumbs-up before he reaches out to turn off the video.

just before he touches the button, though, he pauses as if something just occurred to him— ] Oh, shit—also, drop map pins for your favorite restaurant in this place. I'm in the market for new eats, bonus points if it's spicy.

[ okay, now he's gone. ]

And why exactly is it that you require my help with your little aetherology lesson? I seem to recall you passed that course with flying colors during our time at the akadaemia.

[The feed is dark for a moment, and then the video at last cuts on to accompany the unabashed grumbling, revealing two figures who could not be more different if they tried. The one is white-haired and scowling, permanent furrows creasing his brow as his luminous yellow eyes narrow into the camera - as if by doing so it might surrender up its deepest, darkest secrets. Beside him is a man with a loose lavender braid hanging over his left shoulder and an expression filled with both amusement and mischief.]

And ‘tis an achievement I hold close to my heart to this day. But you’ve always been better at public speaking than me, and I’d hate to have a fine lesson such as this be soured by my sub-par presentation skills.

A fine lesson which borders on ridiculous if you ask me. What use is a discussion of the elemental wheel in a city which can scarcely scrape together enough aether for the most rudimentary of spells? –-and why is this blasted thing blinking again? Don’t tell me you’ve already begun to make a record of our conversation!

Because it’s an integral part of our world, of course. If we’re to share something about Etheirys with others, why not pick the most important part?

But yes. Observant as ever. [Pleased as punch, Hythlodaeus turns his attention to the camera as if he hasn’t just pressganged his dear friend into this] As you’ve already gathered, we’re here to share a bit of our world with the rest of you, and it is my hope that you’re inspired to join me in sharing something of your own worlds in kind. ‘Tis a project of mine I’m most eager to begin.

For my first guest, I have with me today the illustrious Emet-Selch of the Convocation of Fourteen.

[He steps to the side, and gestures to a drawing on the whiteboard]

If you would be so kind?

[A slow, painfully put-upon sigh follows, as if Emet-Selch would much rather be anywhere else. Yet there comes a visible moment where the man appears to give in and collect himself. His posture straightens, and with one last quiet huff, he flourishes widely - almost theatrically towards the whiteboard his companion had indicated but seconds before.]

Behold, the elemental wheel in all its glory.

( [RESUME PLAYBACK | Lesson 1: Basic Aetherology and Elemental Aspects. )

quick poll, what's your favorite animal and on a scale from 1-10 how badly do you want to see one again?

[He's doing a poll in the stupidest way possible, what of it. At least this time there isn't naked people involved (yet).]

Greetings. As new arrivals are brought to this dimension around the same time each month, to my knowledge, there are a few topics that I'd like to raise.

1. The tourist center's suggestion box. I know of one submission thus far. Have other requests been made? If so, have you received a response? If not, I intend to compile and submit a number of suggestions in order to test it further. Suitable contributions would be appreciated, in writing or in person. Should you prefer the latter, you can usually find me at The Bookstore.

[ An image to point out the exact location on the map is included here. ]

2. The Bookstore itself welcomes your stories. In exchange, you would receive an item from its existing collection.

3. There was discussion of a variety of ways to meet like-minded individuals, both recently and last month, such as art or a story sharing club. Perhaps it would be beneficial to draw additional attention to these as newcomers arrive.

4. What measures are currently in place in response to the unexplained disappearances? I am assuming that most of us have the option of sharing our chosen living space with others.

5. A change in the rate at which resources are replenished was observed earlier this month. Have we confirmed since then that all locations are affected and identified to what extent the previous rate has changed?


( ooc: Hopefully none of this is stepping on any toes; I can adjust as needed. This is also open to action. )

I've an odd question to ask, if you'll indulge me.

Let us say a world exists where all work toward the betterment of their world, where none go without, and no one need be separated from their loved ones before they could bid farewell. Each day is peaceful and productive, and you know your place within it. You need not leave until you are ready, and only when you feel fulfilled.

Would you choose to live in this world or the one you came from? Why?

And to those who know why I ask this question, I pray you answer as well, and do so honestly. I promise 'tis in the spirit of keeping an open mind.

[The feed opens to a rather disheveled looking Hythlodaeus, his hair slightly undone from it braid and the sleeves of his robes pulled up and bound somewhere behind his elbows. Behind him sits the failed remains of his attempts to create a bow for himself, lopsided and uneven, some splintered and cracked, some scarcely begun before being given up on in a sudden burst of frustration.

He tries to keep a bright, cheerful, pleasant expression, but his efforts look plastic at best, not helped by the irritation that occasionally slips into his voice]

I don't suppose anyone has any advice when it comes to making a bow by hand?

I've attempted to do so in the manner I'm used to but--

[He raises a hand, and light gathers before it, starting to pull together to form the shape of the bow Hythlodaeus so dearly desires only to suddenly dissipate at the last second, tiny motes of magic dispersing and dissipating into the air.

And he has to take a moment to catch his breath, a bead of sweat rolling from his temple down to his chin.]

As you can see, that's going splendidly.

[The last thing he needed: to become even more useless than he already was]

[Hey, City network! What are you up to today? Having fun exploring the liminal spaces, reliving past memories, getting locked into vaults — or maybe just fucking around? Because apparently someone's in the mood for the latter.]

what's a girl got to do to get a little attention around here? ;)

[A short time after that initial post, a follow-up appears.]

because i certainly wouldn't mind being asked out for a meal and an evening in good company, myself. by someone worthy of the honor, of course; naturally, i'm a lady of discerning tastes.

[And then, a little bit later still: ]

takers must feel the unquenchable thirst of the pursuit of knowledge and be willing to participate in intellectual debate for bells on end. oh, and graciously accept defeat when i inevitably hand it to them. or don't — i'll best you at it whether you accept it or not. i'm ever so brilliant that way. how's that for sharing?

[OOC: If the content of this post sounds suspiciously unlike Y'shtola, that's because it isn't — Thancred (onlythans) and his sticky fingers have "borrowed" her network device for a short time. Responses will come from both Thancred and Y'shtola or possibly just Y'shtola after she murders Thancred in cold blood for this!]