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[On the video feed today -- once Keith has finished making sure his communicator is propped up well enough that it won’t tip -- there are two paladins for the price of one. Keith settles back so that he’s in frame along with Shiro.

Arms cross over his chest and he glances once at the white-haired man beside him before looking back to the camera.]

With so many people heading into the caverns by the lake and exploring, we thought it might be a good idea to compare notes -- since the caves are big enough it’d be hard to see everything.

[Keith fights and loses against a frown as he considers what he saw down there.] And we definitely found some things worth sharing.

It would be a good idea to compare what creatures we found as well as clues. Chances are we might run into these things again and better for everyone to be prepared.

[He sits up straight, glancing briefly at Keith before he continues.]

So, we’ll start. We didn’t find any new plant life but we did find glowing eels in the water. Be careful of them, it turns out they eat magic. The more magic you have, the more dangerous they likely are for you.

Also, the way we went, spaces were really tight. So… be careful of that. [Sorry, Daylight.] But beyond that… there was this mural. Two women, arms joined, both holding orbs -- one black and one white. It looks like someone tried to destroy the picture of the woman in white. And there were words. “Beware the light in the dark”

[You know, reassuring stuff. Not at all deeply troubling.]

They were carved into the stone. The woman in white had long hair. The one holding the black orb had short hair. Surrounding the mural was words of a language we couldn’t understand. Only the warning was clear. It looked messy like they were in a hurry or so to make it.

[Just gets better and better, doesn’t it. His frown might say it all.]

So… anyone else find anything down there? Or have any clue what any of this means? [Because the only ideas running through Keith’s head aren’t pleasant ones.] At the very least, we may as well all be on the same page.

[So it's become clear that things are going from annoying to worse for a lot of people. A nasty cold is one thing, but this doesn't show any signs of letting up. And at the back of Keith's mind, he's well aware of what the plague did to Struxta. So. Happy thoughts. He's so good at those.

Keith is still on his feet anyway, so far, and aside from the pallor to his skin and the dark shadows taking up permanent residence under his eyes giving them a haunted look -- so far he's okay. Ish. Very ish.]

People seem to be getting worse instead of better. And when you're sick, it's important to stay fed and hydrated. Especially hydrated. And it may start getting harder for some people to make it to the kitchen. So.

[Okay. Here's his point, he's getting to it.]

We're all we have to look out for each other here, right? Even if you're new and don't know anyone, we're all in this together.

I know a bunch of us are still on our feet, so if anyone needs help... don't be afraid to ask for it. Even if I can't do much, I can bring food and water around. Maybe someone else has other skills to offer too.

I guess that's what I'm posting this for. Who needs help? Who can help?

[A pause and he adds,]

Or... does anyone have any home remedies? My dad used to make me tomato soup, when I was little. Not chicken... he said tomato was better when you're sick. More vitamin C or something. I don't really remember...

[Almost wistful, which is probably testament to how ill he actually is that he's even talking about that sort of thing.]

[The video opens to Keith’s face -- for those who know him, there are certainly obvious changes. He looks older, and a noticeable scar streaks across one cheek. His lips press into a line as he fiddles with his watch, and the video widens out to show that he’s in one of the rooms in the hostel, and that he is not alone.

Shiro is beside him and he too looks different. An unfamiliar arm more like the androids of the city’s own limbs replaces his old prosthetic. From the way his fabric of his white shirt rests on his shoulder more of his flesh and blood body is missing. He glances at Keith, white eyebrows furrowing. In fact, all of his hair is white.

Keith glances to Shiro for a wordless moment before he looks back to the video feed.]

We have a question.

[May as well jump straight to it. Keith continues,]

A few nights ago, something happened. To me, and to Shiro. We went to sleep and woke up… different, from a dream that definitely wasn’t just a dream.

[A quick glance to Shiro, as if waiting for him to add,]

We woke up looking different and we slept a lot longer than usual according to the alarms on my watch. Memories started to drift into my mind once I was awake. It felt..very surreal until I saw how different I looked. Then I knew it wasn’t a dream. The memories continued to come to me throughout the day.

[He casts a glance at Keith, waiting for him to chime in and make their point.]

In one night we went through… years. This has to have something to do with the Witch and how she grabbed us all from our worlds to begin with.

[Keith pauses for a moment, trying to keep his tone measured. He’s better at it than he used to be, even if he’s really agitated over the whole thing.]

Has this happened to anyone else? Did the Witch… did Astoria say anything about it, if it did?

[Shiro sets his hand on Keith’s shoulder, lightly squeezing it.]

If this has happened to others...that will confirm this might be tied to her.

Hey guys! I know we’re all busy right now with all the wild stuff you guys have managed to find out but wanted to get your opinion on something.

It’ll be real quick, I swear.

If I attempted to convince a citizen here to let me try out the Mass Subconscious thing out - Where does that land on the ‘good idea’ scale that ranges from one to ten?

( ooc; this post is connected to this little event of daylight's! if you have any concerns/questions/comments, please feel to leave them over at the top-level. o / )

So, we've spent some time here in El Minha. Whether you want to keep out of the city's business or learn more about it, it would be to our benefit to discuss what we've learned as a group.

Before we start, I have a question for all of you. Have you seen any one here outside of The Circle using magic?

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.

[Keith spent a long time debating whether to bother with video for this or just go with text. But the truth is, for what he's aiming for, it's better to do this virtual-face to virtual-face. Or something. He's even done bothering with the frankly ridiculous mask. For now.

The video opens to a fairly normal looking teenager (aside from the fact that what's visible of him is definitely dressed in a skin-tight vaguely glowy futuristic space suit), hesitating a moment like he's still debating on how to begin.]

So. Uh.

[Good start, Keith. Solid.]

I guess all of us are stuck in the same boat whether we want to be or not. And apparently that boat is headed for some other world before we know it.

I'll be honest. I don't know if we can trust this Astoria as far as we can throw her. [And he knows she can hear this, but he's said as much to her face, so there's that.] But for now I guess I plan on going along to see how things play out. [Which after discussing with Shiro, he feels pretty okay about, as plans go.]

But... just waltzing into other worlds, and potentially meddling in them... that could go bad really quickly if someone makes an enemy of the wrong person. If that happens, it might not be a terrible idea to know what we've got on our side.

Not just magic either. Because... that's really new to me at least. But we all bring some experience or skills or knowledge or something to the table, right? If we're gonna be any sort of team, we may as well know our strengths. And what we might be lacking.

[Maybe? Keith is now wondering if it was a bad idea to give him a way to talk to so many people at once. But he's committed now, no help for it. So he'll even go first.]

I'm Keith. Uh... I guess I'm pretty good with a sword. Pretty good in anything that flies. And I'm mostly used to being in space, lately. But it does't sound like that'll be helpful in this El Minha place. Also apparently I can fly now. So... there's that.

Anyone else feel like sharing?


(( hit him up, hit each other up, threadjack as you like! ))

[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. ]