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[Barabas appears on the video -- fully clothed, thank you -- with a sedate expression, cordial enough. Bright red hair is less styled than he'd prefer it (his kingdom for decent hair product, really) but he still looks sharp, put together. He's set his watch somewhere so that he's in fame, seated at a table, from about the chest up, hands folded in front of him.]

Hello. I've already met some of you, but for those of you I haven't had the pleasure of encountering yet, my name is Barabas. Everyone seems fairly alive, which is better than the alternative. There's a new vacation spot in town, complete with an off-brand Loch Ness Monster. What more could anyone ask for?

[He spreads his hands.]

As... charming... as this place is, there is a disturbing lack of information infrastructure. Even Astoria doesn't quite seem to be able to keep track of who is coming and going at all times -- since the last bunch of us were apparently unexpected guests. I don't exactly find that reassuring. It does not make me feel warm and fuzzy.

[At all.]

In that vein, I think we should address this, put in place some way to keep track of who is here, who is no longer here, the abilities we each possess. [He ticks these items off on his fingers.] And a collection of information of the places that Astoria has sent us, and the general outcome of each trip. And really any other useful things to know, for all of us, and those who may be brought here in the future.

[A smile now, no teeth, but still pleasant.] Sadly, I'm only one man, so I suppose what I'm looking for is twofold:

First, would anyone be willing to help gather and compile this data?

Second, those of you who've been here longer than I have, perhaps we can chat about your experiences.

I figured it might distract us a bit with the sickness being passed around...I'm sure others have asked this before me, but I was wondering if any of you had powers before showing up that still feel weird not having? Or if you're feeling generous, what was your world like?

I'll go first to break the ice! I got my powers only this year, well...this year back home (Class of 1997!) but you sort of get used to them being there with you...my friends and I were able to summon our alternate selves to aid us to fight battles. Philemon called them the 'gods and demons we harbored'. They were big and flashy and we could use all sort of spells with them like we were characters in an RPG game. I'm sure a Nervundi or a Patra could have helped us a bit for the sickness affecting us right now...

It does feel weird when everything is so quiet in your mind, like a part of me is on hold right now.

Oh, and to make things more interesting, what item from home did you end up with? I'm curious (unless it's super personal, I understand that). Mine is just my submachine gun, which we took from the police station!

[A few minutes later;]

Just to let you know that the police station was overtaken by demons, so we didn't really steal them as much as borrow weapons to defend ourselves.

Soooo how's everyone feeling?

[THIS MESSAGE HAS A PURPOSE HE SWEARS]

Serious question, by the way. I talked to Astoria as soon as we got back, and she was pretty worried about the way I. . . felt to her?

[GOD PUTTING IT THAT WAY SOUND WEIRD]

She said that I brought something back with me from Struxta. Something dark, evil, heavy. . . wrong? I don't know about you guys but absolutely none of that is confidence inspiring. Wonder why.

[AHA]

She also told me that the wilting plants around the temple aren't normal. "Everything here seems to be just here. Present, alive, blooming," is what she said, word for word. She's never seen anything here die before.

[. . .]

I don't really know what she's talking about, especially because I feel just fine. I don't think she does yet either, though I imagine she's going to investigate. Just be careful, all right? And if you notice anything off about yourself, let me or someone else know.






Because if we all came back possessed by space demons or infected by robot tuberculosis I'm gonna be pretty pissed.

Hey everyone! I’m Ann Takamaki, for those I haven’t had the chance to meet yet. So before heading off to Struxta, Jing and I got talking about how rough it can be for new arrivals here, and we figured we couldn’t be the only ones who thought there had to be something we could do to make their lives a little easier. Some of you have probably thought about it too, right?

Since so many people here have been very friendly and welcoming and willing to help one another, Ann and I thought we might present this idea to everyone. It seems especially important now that new people are arriving once more.

[Those interested in helping their future fellow Circle members, stay tuned!]

We noticed that a lot of people turn up here without much more than the clothes on their back… the temple provides most of the bare necessities, but showing up here at all is still pretty disorienting. The lantern festival really went a long way in helping to further a sense of community, and it was a pretty warm welcome for our newest Circle members.

We also felt it would be useful for us to do a little more advanced preparation along those same lines in the future as well.

And not just the fun stuff, but the practical stuff, too! Obviously, we’ll need a name. ‘Welcome Committee’ is nice and straightforward, but it’s a little boring, don’t you think? Maybe ‘Full Circle,’ or— oh, how about ‘Salutation Squad?’

[Please don’t let Ann name this group. If Jing has any objections to Ann’s rather creative suggestions, it’s not at all evident in her tone of voice; she actually seems rather amused by it, so if anyone else wants to be the voice of reason, please speak up.]

...In addition, we hope to provide a central place for everyone in the Circle, but especially our newcomers, to access supplies - mainly basic items such as changes of clothes, soap, and other things required for hygiene. Hopefully as we make this place more our home for the moment, we can also build up other resources as well, such as more advanced medical supplies or electronic items.

So, what do we need from you guys? Easy! Volunteers to help show people around and get them settled, and people to gather supplies both here and in the worlds we end up visiting. If you have an ability or some other practical skills that could be used to make or fix things, that would be great, too. Any powers that people have gotten from Astoria-san could definitely prove useful in some cases, but you don’t have to be superpowered to be able to help! The little things will really add up, and make all the difference to people who turn up and find themselves feeling out of place.

Now, as for welcoming our newest members...

Obviously, we can’t have a lantern festival every time we come back from another world, but we were thinking we could do some kind of gathering to help people feel welcome when they do show up. Maybe we could all get together and have a potluck dinner? Let us know if you guys have any ideas, too, and talk to each other! We’d really love to hear from everyone.

[Ann and Jing out.]

[[ OOC Note: Please feel free to mingle and tag around to others below! There are IC comment headers below for: welcome packages, committee volunteers, general requests and party planning. Of course, the actual party will have to be pushed back due to the illness plot, but at least the groundwork will be laid! Hopefully we can all still pull something together before the next world jump… ]]

Hello, everyone! It's your favorite displaced idol, Rion Kugayama here, with a very important announcement!

[ Rion's sure going strong today, completely beaming and enthusiastic, like she's used to presenting herself to an audience (she is). ]

Aaaaand that message is that a shocking amount of you have no idea what an idol actually is. Or have the wrong idea entirely. So--!

Idols are performers, and they're a pretty big thing back home! It's largely about singing and dancing for the public, but there are times when acting or modeling are involved, too. We wear a lot of hats, but it's all important work, and if you think it sounds lame--

We'll have a nice little chat after this announcement, okay? ♥

Anyway, there's one more part that I need to mention, because while people perform for a lot of different reasons... true idols are there to bring dreams and hope to people. They're there to make the bad days a little brighter, and to make you smile.

[ Rion sobers for a moment, smile taking on a gentler slant. ]

I haven't really had a chance to talk to everyone after we got back from El Minha, so if you're feeling down or tired, just let me know. No better way to explain what an idol is than to demonstrate, right? I'd be happy to do my job and sing you a song, free of charge the first time around! You'll just have to excuse the whole lack of background music thing, since a certain Astoria-san didn't give me any place to charge my Xiphone...

[ SIGH. But! She's back to full energy again, flashing her invisible audience a wink. ]

That about sums it up! If you have any questions, you know where to find me! I look forward to having you all as fans one day!

[ humbleness, what's that. ]

[after the Syndicate and the King have sent their messages, the Circle's watches light up with a third unceremonious communication -- but hey, at least it's someone from their number this time. Vern's scowling, but his tone's even enough.]

Hey.

Astoria wants us to change things here, right? I submit that the best way to do that is to take advantage of what we are. I know a lot of us have been getting to know people and getting more involved with the city, but when it comes down to it, we're neutral outsiders. Sometimes you need those, in a place like this: people with clear eyes and no strong prior investment except maybe a general wish to not see the people of this city offing themselves.

I've got a proposal. I don't know all your powers and backgrounds, but I know we've got a pretty good range of skills and capabilities here. I think we'd do well to split ourselves up. Some of us can concentrate on mediating -- break up fights in the street, take care of those who get caught up, try to damp down things before they can blow up into fights in the first place.

And some of us go figure out what in the hells the truth is behind this. I think a lot of us figure this poor child's death was preplanned in some way -- I certainly overheard talk that pointed to that myself -- but we're not sure exactly what the angle is here. Are the Syndicate just trying to kill the King? Take control of the seat of power? Some of us have figured out that there's no obvious natural water sources that would support this city, and the King's got some sort of blessing -- if the King controls the water, is that the power that's being fought over, rather than the actual throne?

Let's find out, and then let's figure out a way to use that to calm everyone down. If that takes locking the Crown and the Syndicate leaders in a room until they kiss and make up, or some kind of public broadcast, let's make it happen.

If you're up for this, we can form groups and take objectives. I'm not a great organizer, but even I can figure out where you're most likely to be useful if you need help.

And if you'd rather do your own thing -- well, go ahead. I'm not your leader or your mother.

[...he pauses as something obviously distracts him, eyes going briefly unfocused behind his glasses, listening to something that can't be seen on the screen]

Ah, and the King's just told me not to trust the Guard, and to find someone named Jalin, and now he seems to be occupied and won't tell me any more. So that's an extra complication. Anyone recognize that name?

Due to Chelseamod's ineptness with Dreamwidth communities, the tag post is now awkwardly floating around amongst your entries.

VIEW IT, IN ALL OF ITS GLORY.

[What's shakin', fellow Circle members? Are y'all getting used to the temple? Raiding the kitchen? Checking out the forest? Venting some of that I've-been-kidnapped-by-an-interdimensional-witch-possibly-for-the-n'th-time steam in the sparring ring? Regardless, you are getting a brief video message:]

Hiii, everyone! I'm setting up a game in the big room next to the kitchen, so come play if you want!

[If you choose to investigate, you'll find that there's a collection of bottles, pencils, silverware, etc.-- anything Keiichi could get his hands on that's small, semi-pointed and that can theoretically spin-- laid out in the middle of the room. And, all around the room, there have been several questions written neatly in chalk on the stone walls. When Keiichi sees you, you'll get the spiel (or, if you're lucky enough that he's distracted, the "rules" are written higher up on one wall for anyone he missed).]

Oh! Hi! Did you want to play? It's an icebreaker game! You take one of the spinners-- I did the best I could, haha!-- and pair up with someone or get in a group, sit down and take turns spinning! Whatever question the spinner's pointing at, you answer! Or you could just all answer each question, it doesn't matter! The point is just to meet the other people we're going to be living with here and have fun! Oh! And, don't worry! I'm going to clean up all the chalk when everyone's done! Have fun, okay?!

( questions under the cut! )

[So! What'll it be, Circle? Do you grump at the mass text? Walk right on through? Actually sit down and play an icebreaker game with all these perfect strangers? (Intend to walk on through and then get roped into playing by the host?!?) Sneakily add some extra, more interesting questions to the wall while Keiichi's not looking? Up to you! Play in groups, play in pairs, refuse to play at all, DO AS YOU WILL. ALSO here's a RNG if you wanna go that way instead of picking questions yourself.]

[ there is a sudden sparking that emits from your magical watches and a hologram appears, showing a petit woman with dark hair. her eyes seem to hold a certain amount of mischief and light, and when she speaks, you listen. it's something about her; you are captivated by her presence, and you can't help but give her your attention. ]

Hello, hello, hello~! ♥

[ it's a trill of a voice, light and airy. ]

I know you've all just arrived~♥ but I wanted to introduce myself! To those who haven't met me, my name is Astoria! I know many of you are likely unhappy with being found here, and I understand. But the need is urgent, and dire, and I am in desperate need of your help, as is the universe in which we reside. There is much darkness, in this universe . . . plenty of worlds on the brink of collapse, or at the precipice of something great. It is my job -- our job -- to help where needed. Like superheroes, but a little less flashy!

[ she pauses. ]

No offense to the superheroes. -- but anyway! I want to let you know were we're going to go first.

[ she takes in a D E E P breath!! ]

There is a city, by the name of El Minha. It's beautiful, an oasis in the desert. There are many shops and stalls and the entire city is bustling, but El Minha is facing a difficult path. Transitions of power are hard, you know? And they have a new King, who is . . . probably nice, but the people there are suffering. Crime is at an all-time high, and King Kathashun can only do so much . . . if he's doing anything at all.

[ she brushes a loose piece of hair behind her ear, and astoria smiles a little. it is obvious, by now, that she's definitely bubbly and full of spirit, but she is deadly serious about her mission. ]

I truly believe that we have the ability to help those who need it most, and those people are in desperate need. So we're going to go there, explore, and talk to them! And maybe, just maybe, we can affect some good in this world, and change the tide for the better for these poor people.

[ she pauses. ]

So that's where we're going first! But before that, I'm here to greet you, to support you, and welcome you to my beautiful Temple. Please, please, please make yourselves at home! I'll be here if you have any questions. ♥

[ astoria pauses before lifting up a single finger, as if she's forgotten something important. ]

Oh, and please let me know if you find anything interesting or important or otherwise peculiar in the Temple! The Forest of the Fey is a magical place, and I'm keeping a careful eye on all of you explorers to make sure you don't get too lost, but my dear friends within the forest may like playing with you all, so be respectful of the wildlife! It may fight back. ♥

[ is she serious? the world may never know. ]