[ shijima looks tired. she looks strangely old for her childish appearance, somehow. bitter. sad, and deeply lonely. she's also naked, apart from a blanket wrapped around herself. ]

Hello, community. I am an immortal creature. My existence is almost two centuries old. The only desire I have in this world is to die. And it seems that the community would kindly like me to know that the power that could have granted my wish is going to be lost forever before I can be released.

[ she doesn't sound upset. it's the same voice as ever, although perhaps a bit flatter. ]

Tell me how bad your day was. Maybe it has a chance of making me feel better about mine.

[ so sarcastic and scathing it burns. ]

[The video comes on with a small click, showing Mami walking around a park at night time. She's looking at the camera--and she doesn't look well.]

If a person dedicates their life to saving people, helping them... If they do this, people assume they must be doing it for the better. They don't think about if they are just doing it for themselves.

[To people that know Mami, Mami doesn't quite sound like herself. Her voice lacks any enthuasism--strained and quiet.]

A person in the end has to think of themselves first. It's a selfish part of life. To 'save' people to make yourself feel better... What sort of cruel, selfish person would do that? To ignore the suffering such acts do...

That is something that can't be made up. It can't be forgiven.

[She stops, taking a deep breath.]

This loneliness I feel, I brought it on myself through such selfishness. I became a magical girl to save my life--a weak, greedy act. [There's a small flash of light and a crystal appears in Mami's hand. She holds it to the camera, showing the deep amber color of the gem.] Now I don't even have that.

To fight for others... is such a lie.

[The video opens on Issei and Shirou, sitting in the lunch room at school.]

...Hey, Issei. Is there something strange going on at the temple?

Hm? What do you mean by something strange?

I don’t know. But is there anything that’s different?

...Let’s see. If you mean recently, there is an unfamiliar woman. But that’s it. My father and brother are as always.

[The video continues...]



[Issei will not be replying to this, as he is actually experiencing it.]

Hello, Ducks.

It's been awhile, hasn't it? And while you have sat, continuing on with your trite day to day drivel, I have actually done something. We've little use for speeches on the topic - the things that happen to the realms of our universe must mean little to the rest of you, especially once you realize how futile and meaningless your efforts become when the network doesn't allow you to world-hop. It's a pity, isn't it? The way it always seems to stop working right when you need it most, tearing you from the people you care about.

It's a terrible thing to worry about. A freedom too great and insurmountable to deal with. A lie too well told, enough to feel comfort that is pulled the moment you need it most. But Midgard has learned much of freedom such as this. Humanity, which is so unequipped to deal with the consequences of it, is so much better off without. And in losing it have freed themselves. How like a paradox it must seem, but the point remains all the same.

Asgard and Midgard both under a united rule - it was a shame kings prior never saw the cunning of it, for Midgard has more virtues than had often been ignored, due to the mortals from whom they came. But I am king now, and I understand these things.

[Long live the king.]

[the text coming from Astor's account is short and to the point:]

caught by cops their goin 2 take phone

worldhop??

[attached is a quickly-snapped picture of two street signs at an intersection]

rite here orlando fl hurry