[It's just a quick snippet of video, set in Al's hospital room in Inaba. Unless Al has grown another head, there are two people stuffed into his narrow hospital bed. Al is curled against one rail, heavily bundled in blankets and propped up with pillows to shield his sensitive skin. Beside him, in a second cocoon of blankets, is another very pretty blond.

The door opens quietly, and a tall, unassuming man with his hands resting in his pockets peeks in. The video shorts out before showing his reaction to seeing his youngest son in bed with a girl.]

--especially with what's at stake. You know we can't afford to waste time. If anything, he doesn't want us to be dawdling around, even with the Commander awake. I was left in charge of this project, and I don't want these last two years to have been a poor decision. We've got all we can do in order to prevent another-

[Sounds like something's being recorded, and it's pretty important. Well, until the person talking stops, confused and sounding curious at what's just happened to her screen.]

EDI, what's this? This isn't what I was looking for.

[A somewhat robotic voice answers, a female one that states the obvious.]

I apologize, Ms. Lawson, but I am unable to remove this interface from my systems. I do not know what it is, but it seems to be bypassing all of my restrictions.

[Pause. The first voice sounds a bit incredulous.]

Are you saying you can't get rid of it?

Currently I cannot. It refuses to leave.

[A wry 'hmmph' is heard, before the figure shifts and cuts off the voice feed.

And then it switches to text.]

Interesting. You've had your fun and games, AI, now explain your purpose and how you got into our systems. I've no time to waste and I'm certain you don't, either. Once this is all cleared, how about we just go on our own ways, hmm? That seems the best option.

Community, I'm curious. What exactly would you suggest for floral arrangements in a wedding? Anything autumn-oriented would be helpful.

[That witch did it, she actually did it. There Battler was, in the chapel, staring at his family members as he tried to contemplate how this elaborate murder took place. The video feed was focused on the table in the middle of the chapel, where there were six bodies surrounding it. His aunts and uncles, along with his step-mom and his dad.

All of their stomachs were cut open, and spewing out of their stomachs, was candy. They had been stuffed, like some sick kind of trick-or-treat joke.]

It's useless...it's all useless...

[He had just finished yelling at the witch, and tried to throw some logic around at her but...this was a closed room. How could they have died by human ways?!]

That bitch...!! She.....she...!! Uuuoooooooooooogghhh!!

[After he's done screaming- he'll respond to any messages.]

[Video feed flicks on, grainy and shot with static and interference. It sways dizzily for a few moments before settling on Teddy's face for a moment. He looks beaten up, but without any bruises, dirt and soot smudged on his cheeks and jaw, but more than anything...he looks tired. Exhausted. The feed shakes after a few seconds of his face, and the camera falls to the floor with a clatter.]

Of course. Of all the things super-healing doesn't work on...god, my hands are so asleep...

[His voice sounds tired, a little hoarse, and there's a momentary view of his bare feet, dirty on the bottoms, and the ends of his destroyed khakis as he sits down and picks up his cell phone again, carefully.]

It's not supposed to transmit out but...hey at least this place works. Um. This is Teddy, checking in? I'm alive. Just.

[He lifts a hand, and rubs at his face, his fingers obviously shaking a bit as he presses knuckles against closed eyes, exhaling a breath that shakes as if he's trying not to cry a little.]

I don't think I'm okay. I want to go home. If there even is such a thing as going home now that...she's gone...

God, I can't even believe I just had to say that.

Gentleman, it has come to my attention that one of our own, Renji has not yet had a stag party. Now, luckily for Renji, I happen to be the most well connected man in the entirety of London and I know some people who know some people who will actually throw him a fantastic party at a gentleman's club.

Is anyone in? [wait... he needs to post a translation huh?] What I'm saying is, free liquor, freer women and a wonderfully wild night lay ahead of any man who wants to attend. I'll take care of getting the groom.

[ooc; /o/ discussed tis with andrea, it's going to end up being a hangover situation where in the morning RENJI IS MISSING.]