I know I haven't been around as much as I should lately, but I wanted to come on and wish you all a happy holiday. Last Christmas was, well, interesting to say the least, but I met a boy who had to wait a very long time for a happy Christmas. I hope that none of you have to wait like he did. I'm sure you all celebrate different things, what with all the different worlds out there, but whatever you're celebrating, I hope you have a good time with the people you care about.

What kind of celebrations do you all celebrate around this time? I'm curious to hear!

[the video feed comes in dim and flickering, like the camera is snapping on and off or being covered by someone... turning... pages? The sound of rustling paper certainly indicates the latter.

There are glimpses of an elaborate ceiling high above in the gloom, domed and painted bright colours, perhaps a palace or a temple. Closer to the 'camera' is the face of a young woman with grey eyes and long ash brown hair, tied back in a ponytail. It definitely isn't Takiko, but the post seems to be coming from Takiko's journal...?

The young woman is frowning, her expression becoming more and more suspicious as she continues to flip through pages. She doesn't seem to care that the front of her sleeping robe is gaping open, revealing boobs and a heavy swath of bandages running diagonally across her chest and a — mark? tattoo? — of the Japanese symbol for 'woman', 女, just below her collarbone. Enjoy the show, ducks.

She's downright scowling by the time she reaches the end of the entries, muttering a quick curse and an 'Idiot girl' as she looks away and slams the book closed]




Oi, where is all of this coming from? Just who are you, and what are you saying to Takiko?

[the entry comes only minutes after the video feed, and handwriting is rough and angular, not at all like Takiko's usual elegant hand]

 [ This is odd, certainly odd. Reading in the water of a scrying bowl is one thing - seeing an entire computer interface on it is certainly another. It kind of kills the occult mood and Ryuutaro would complain if not for the fact that, well, there as a computer interface on his scrying bowl and even if it was an unusual sign, it was mostly certainly a sign. A sign to sign up. Ryuutaro takes several hours until he does so, though.

When the video finally starts, it's clear to see that Ryuutaro is leaning over to look down at what records the video. He taps a closed fan against his painted lips, looking thoughtful. ]

Good afternoon. Or at least, I do assume it is afternoon for whoever is receiving this - if somebody is receiving this. It must certainly be fate to receive such a strange access on nothing less than a scrying bowl. Still, even if it is, I can not help wondering what is about.

Maybe someone will be so kind and enlighten me? It would be much appreciated. 

[ He smiles and opens the fan. His smile's a little too bright, just on the border to a strange kind of passive aggression just not enough to pinpoint it fully. ]

I need to cast a spell to make it taste better!

[If that isn't a strange enough way to open a video, Sena clad in a maid outfit, one that is too tight in a couple of places, only makes it all the more weird. With hair in pigtails, she certainly looks the part.]

Spell? [Kodaka, a boy with blonde hair tampering off with black streaks, asked. Fairly, most would say.]

Be yummy! [Making a heart symbol with her fingers, Sena begins to move back and forth.] Moe, moe, kyun! [And the big finish! One leg is raised in the air and left there. Haphazardly, as she doesn't seem to have the best balance.] Huh?

[The girl with short black hair and matching eyes is now a bit further away from Kodaka than she had been. Her stare promises death.]

Meat.

W-what is it, Master? [Sena's still threatening to topple over.]

Meat. [After a nervous laugh from Sena, the nickname is repeated again, this time with even more venom.]

[That seems to be the last straw, or maybe she just really lost her balance, as Sena promptly falls behind the table. When her head pops back up, tears stream down her face.]

I never went to a maid cafe on the weekend! [Embarrassed, she jumps up and flees the clubroom. Good thing the club meets after school.]

[ooc: Italics are Kodaka, bold is Yozora, normal is Sena despite how not normal she is. Also this is the video if you want to give it a go.]

[The video's got an odd pinkish tint to it, and there's a young woman with wings staring at it in confusion.]

Okay, is this a new feature of this thing? Couldn't Yan Lin have given me an instruction manual?

Um, hello? Weird...duck...thing... I don't suppose anyone could explain this to me?

Has anyone seen or talked to Madoka recently? I'm probably being silly, but I haven't seen the Madoka on here for a while and I just want to make sure she's alright.

Oh, she's stillneedawish, if that helps.

[ Natsume doesn't quite realize that he visibly looks like he's been crying when he switches the video on. Those items they had for the virus are gone and he..

Well, what he got was something he never wanted to lose because it was something that couldn't exist in this time anymore. So a little frantically, he's made his post with his eyes looking slightly red, slightly puffy, slightly wet like he tried to wipe them but didn't quite wait to make sure everything was clear. ]

Did-- [ Oh, his voice cracked for a second there. ] Is there any way to get items from viruses back? It's just something little, it's not.. a huge deal, but I thought it would be nice to see for even just a little bit longer.

[ Natsume, you've been crying. It's obviously a big deal to you. ]

[The feed is slightly shaky as Mai is recording from her cell phone. She has a crooked smile on her face as she looked at the camera.]

I don't suppose anyone's gotten any strange...gifts today?

[She turns the phone so that the camera focuses away from her, and instead reveals a desk with a broken video camera set on it. Broken pieces of the lens are scattered around it, and there was a large crack along the side of the camera's body.

Mai's voice could be heard off-camera.]

It's the camera I broke back when I first met Naru. I'm almost sure of it. [For a moment her voice is almost sad. She sighs slightly before her usual cheer picks up again.]

I'm just wondering if it's community related or something else. So any other strange things going on?

There's something I've been meaning to do for a while now, and since things are quieter here it's about time I got to it.

A lot of the members here have special abilities. While we still don't know the cause of the viruses, and the scientists who were investigating them seem to have left, I believe it should be possible to combat some of the effects of viruses. Some of the time, at least.

In order to do that, I think we should have a list of members with powers and what their powers are. Worldhoppers too- so that anyone who can't stay on their world knows who to contact.

I'll start with myself. I'm Sumimura Masamori, and I'm a kekkaishi. That means I can create and control barriers, and protect or destroy anything inside those barriers. I can make a few other things too, shikigami and basic wards, but for the most part I work with barriers. I can also worldhop, if necessary.

If you have special abilities, comment here.

[The video starts with a close-up of Izumi's face.]

Ciao everyone! Halloween is coming almost here and I wanted to show you the costume I picked out. Some classmates of mine are having a party...and I'm going!

[She grins broadly before stepping away. The full view reveals that Izumi is wearing a costume. She spins, causing the skirt to twirl. She laughs giddily and winks at the camera.]

So, what do you think? It's my first time going to a party with my classmates, so I want to make sure I'm doing it right.

[Behold: a bed in a stone-hewn bedroom. A bed full of sheets and rather more quilts than are probably necessary. There is movement under the quilts like the beginnings of an earthquake. Something rolls out from under the quilts and onto the floor, something small and blonde and wearing fluffy red pajamas.]

I'm awake, Sarge...ugh. I'm up, I'm up. [Kefka sits up and rubs his face. He looks tired, and his hair is long and tangled.] How am I expected to get up when there's nothing to get up for? At least being in the military meant I had a proper schedule.

[Then he notices the floating camera.] Hey! Community book! [He jumps up and tackles it, sending the screen blurring red and grey and blonde. When it recovers, Kefka's set the book up so it can face him on a white vanity; the table is covered with cosmetics.]

[Kefka picks up a brush and waves it at the camera.] You have to stay here so I can talk to you, you naughty page-flapping phase-clapper! [He pauses, then adds matter of factly:] My connection to the community is alive, so I have to make sure it's paying attention to what I say or it'll fly off and ditch me for a few months like a very very bad flying book monster. It looks like a lot of you are new, so let's get some introductions going!

I am Sir Kefka Palazzo, formerly of the Gestahlian Empire, currently god of the world of Woolsey. [He bows.] I'm bored out of my mind because it turns out 90% of being a god is doing upkeep to make sure the world is running properly, make sure the monsters are fed, blah blah blah I need something to do. If you need a fighting companion, new armor or weapons, healing supplies, miracle cures, et cetera, I can provide it for a reasonable price! Or we can talk! Talking is very reasonable and I want to know all of you new people. [Beat.] Talk to me now. Do it.

Has...anyone else been feeling strange these last couple of days?

[Taki's face pops up on the community today, but she doesn't look like she's in the best state of mind right now. If one were to look close enough, they could see dark rings forming around her eyes, but she doesn't seem to mind it much, or think much of it. She thinks a youkai is doing this to her, which is why she doesn't want to reveal too much, or have Natsume scold her about it. But either way...]

I've been finding myself a bit restless these past couple of days. I couldn't go to bed last night, and I don't think I can today, either. I've been nodding off a bit in class, but...sleep just won't come. I'm wondering if this is one of "virus" things that the community talks about often. It seems a bit far fetched, I know, but...I can't help, but ask at least.

[She seems to stare at the camera a bit, seeming a bit distant for a moment, eyes widening as she realizes she's zoning out once more.]

...um, sorry...for being like this. I've been seeing some things too... [And not of the cute kind, either.] ...I guess I just wanted to get some thoughts off of my mind concerning this...if anyone else is experiencing this, can you please tell me? If not, then I must be losing my mind...

[But she's still letting out a solemn smile, regardless.] ...Um, but I should be fine...I can get back sleep sometime later. Thanks for listening to me...

[And again, she nods off, herself unconsciously turning off the feed.]

I want to go flying. Ever since I got my Digimon spirits back I've wanted to go flying, but I can't really do that from where I am. I really think people would notice if some strange creature with wings was hovering over Japan. It's a bit too much attention for me, you know?

So is there anyone who knows a place where seeing a Digimon flying around wouldn't be strange? I wouldn't stay long. Just long enough to stretch my wings and have a nice flight. Any help would be great.

[She winks at the camera and waves.]

Grazie!

*Nagisa is in a waitress outfit with apron, hiding in her closet.*

Is this virus just supposed to keep us from going out in public, or what?

It could be worse. It could be worse. It could be worse. It could be worse.

[ alviss is in a pretty recognisable outfit, and going by the look on his face, he seems to be pretty confused by it. enjoy his biceps. and enjoy his weird red tattoos again, which you can now see even cover his chest in the form of a strange flame shape. also, there's a fairy asleep on his shoulder? cute. ]

Is this supposed to be a virus? I don't get it at all. They're just clothes. [ he plucks at the tunic. ] Weird, but not really that bad... I guess it's typical of the community for this to still be an annoyance, though. This had better be over soon. I wanted to make sure that I had longer sleeves on by the time I get to Reginlief...

[ he cringes, uncomfortable, but quickly shakes his head. ]

The War Games are starting in just a few days. It's going to be even less likely that I'll be able to spend any time on the community at all, so don't be surprised if it's a while until anyone hears from me again. And... [ sigh. ]

I don't intend to die, but it can't be said that that's not a possibility. I'm only warning everyone that I might not come back from this war. I can't be sure of anything yet... except that I won't lose easily.

[ ... ] Does anyone know why it's clothes?

[Today Mai does not look quite like herself. She is dressed in a red kimono and her hair has been styled. Her cheeks are tinged pink as she frowns at the camera.]

Considering I woke up in this all, it must be the community, right? Otherwise I should be really worried about someone who would break in and change all my clothes and my hair while I was asleep.

[She curls in on herself slightly and mumbles.]

I haven't worn a kimono since I was a kid.

So, um, is anyone else having this sort of problem?

Okay, I have everything I need.

[Yayoi seems to be packing her school bag. Looks like it was the mid-holiday check up with the students, and Yayoi looks into the camera and grins.]

Right on time. It's a school day, and we're going to have a Test of Bravery right here in our school! Between you and me, Nao and Miyuki are scared out of their minds right now.

[A wink and she closes the laptop.] Wish me luck!

It's amazing how many places you can get cell phone reception these days, isn't it?

Ah, but not everyone here has cell phones! How do you communicate across long distances, then?