[When the video comes on, this scenery can be seen over the Blitzball player's shoulder. He shoots an overconfident grin.]

Check this out!

He takes a few steps back, approaching a Water Flan. The sword in his hand happens to be made of water too. So when he charges at it and slices through it, it does little damage. Less than little. The fiend retaliates with a water attack, causing the aspiring warrior to slide across the ground, mud staining his yellow jacket and blonde hair. Some scrambling around later, and the fiend gets bored and leaves. He looks back and decides to pretend none of that just occurred, scratching the back of his head and further staining his hair.]

So with the zodiac talk, I had a question. What zodiac thing is July 22nd? Just out of curiosity.

Just how many of us are going to die soon, exactly?

I keep seeing posts. Figure we should have a head count. Make a club. Sell commemorative plates.


((OOC: all replies anonymous, in case i forget the header :X))

[The video feed comes on, and as Rachel notices that she's on camera, she quickly turns to her right-- making sure her better side gets more exposure-- and puts on her showface, bright grin and all, clearing her throat as she straightens out her back and sits up straighter, taller. She's talking very quickly.]

Summer is always far more distressing than I expect it to be. With the lack of Glee club in all of our lives, not even my myspace schedule is enough to keep me busy. Of course I have dance, vocal, and ballet recitals-- which... have become somewhat awkward since Jesse still attends those and we do always get paired together because we're clearly the most talented people in the class-- but it's hardly enough to keep a girl preoccupied. And I certainly can't spend all my time bothering Finn, or he'll start thinking that I'm too clingy and our carefully-set plan for the next year will be ruined.

So I've been spending time researching and I just... my knowledge can only go so far in some areas, after all, and I hardly believe that I know everything, but this is distressing and generally something for which a girl would go to her mother, and that is clearly not an option and I absolutely cannot ask my fathers about this, so I suppose that leaves me turning to all of you.

How does a girl know when she's... you know, ready?

 [Edward has wandered out of Al's room. He turns a corner and leans against the wall with a deep shuddering breath. Threading his fingers through his bangs, he worries at his hair for just a moment.

Then he looks up and offers a small smile.]

So, hey, can I get a worldhop?

[The video shows Sirius clamping a cloth to his jaw, pressing it hard against the side of his mouth. There's blood seeping out onto his fingers but he doesn't seem to pay it any attention, nor does he notice blood leaking out of his nose.

Strapped over his shoulder is a small bag that seems to be stuffed with as much as he could fit. When he speaks, the words sound off, like he's having difficulty speaking. His voice is strained from trying to keep calm.]


Can somebody -- anybody please give me a worldhop out of here. They've hid the Floo powder and I can't -- I've got some money if someone wants it. But I need to get out of here.

[His voice cracks, and the hand holding the bloody cloth shakes slightly.] I just -- I can't stay here anymore.

((Possible upsetting content in the comments ;;))

What sorcery is this that has taken my mirror from me and replaced it with people talking?

It would be less concerning if I recognized any of the people before, but I have not heard any of the names I am seeing. Nor does anyone talk like one of the mighty Asgardians might. I demand to know who is playing this trick on me, and that they restore my mirror to its rightful nature.

I have no time for these games, nor do I wish to participate even if I did.

[ A bewildered looking young man in an odd costume is pictured in grainy video beside an imposingly green figure. The image bobs and dips as he presses multiple buttons , wishing his parents had bought him an iPhone. ]

-must've froze.

20 incoming messages? Give me a break. I don't have that many friends.

Teddy, I think Kesler wrote my cell number in the bathroom again.

...

Or worse. Signed me up for something.

If my plan doesn't cover this my parents are going to freak.

Think I could magic myself out of a contract?

Really, Charles.

Call it “educational” if you’d like – It’s still a waste of time.

[There is an undercurrent of amusement in his tone, despite its exasperated edge. How his friend could allow himself to become pre-occupied at such a crucial time, Erik would never fully fathom.]

I'm going a little crazy here lately. I'd say I'd like to take a break, but I really don't have the option right now. Some company would be good though... Not here, it's too dangerous and I have nothing to offer a guest, but maybe the community will be company enough.

With the Quarter Quell coming up, I find myself getting more and more aggravated. I want to do something, to start this uprising in the mines, but is it the right time? Probably not.

Sometimes I wish it was as easy as spiriting away all of those suffering from the Capitol's wrath. If only it were that simple. There are Peacekeepers everywhere now. Even if I tried to start something we'd all die before we got a good hold on them.

Does anyone know a good remedy for loneliness? Hunger? Anger? Even a distraction would be something.

I had this friend, once, we grew up together. There really wasn't anyone else in our life. It's like...nothing else mattered as long as we were together. It could all go to hell around us and as long as she was with me, it didn't matter--that sounds selfish but, she actually said that sometimes. The problem was, I guess, that she thought she always had to protect me. That she didn't matter that much and I really didn't think like that. Something bad happened, real bad, we got into trouble and lots of people got hurt. She said she was doing it for me and, I guess, I was doing it for her.

That was a while ago. We got separated and... I know if she finds me, we'll be happier but I know that she's not going to let what happened before be forgotten. She'll probably do the same thing again. She's not a bad person, I know she's not! And... I guess what I'm saying is I miss her and I'm not quite sure what to do now.

[see kamina and see a shirtless thor trying to figure out which one is better at biking. also, see sheryl just reclining back with sunglasses and a drink as if she's watching the best show ever.]

Aha, this is not as difficult as you lead me to believe K.A.M.I.N.A, perhaps you just lack the balance of an asgar-

[it's just a pity that after he says that, he just happens to fall right over.]