[The terminal message today comes from one mug rarely seen on the network — Equius Zahhak, the awkward yellowblood one. He's fiddling around with the controls a little bit and only bothers to look up at the screen itself after a short delay. Probably fucking around with the settings or something. When he does look up, he offers the camera a truly pathetic attempt at a cursory smile and then jumps right to business, reverting back to his usual worried frown.]

Um, hello, everyone. I just have a really quick question for all of you, regarding the terminals here in this Tower. Uh, I've been doing some poking around in the systems, and they're... [...weird as shit.] ...well, not like anything I've seen before.

[At the same time this monologue was going on, Gamzee was feeling particularly restless. Although a petty altercation would be nothing in comparison to the carnage he craved, nothing seemed to curb the antagonistic streak that wound itself through his insides.]

[It was almost serendipity that sat Equius at one of the many terminals lining the dormitory halls. As he prattled on to the camera about something that assuredly was boring everyone to tears, Gamzee found himself trailing closer to the yellowblood, rows of teeth creeping out from behind his painted lips.]

So I was just wondering if anyone with a knowledge of computers had ever seen any system run like this, because I thought maybe it would help a bit in finding out which universe exactly we're in? I found some books in the library on the topic of various programming languages, and I know several myself, so...

[He lingered behind the boy for a moment, content with staring into the camera, or examining the back of his head. After a while, though, his fingers wound themselves over Equius' shoulders, and Gamzee lowered his chin between those phallic horns, barely pressing it against the top of his head.]

Give your babbly noise a fuckin' rest, motherfucker.

( BULLYING AND FISTICUFFS ENSUE. )

I have taken whale meat from a flying space whale that spits monsters, glazed it with ketchup, and covered it with mashed potato frosting.

Somewhere, an actual patissier is crying.

Miss Lambda, your cake is done. I've checked and made sure that it isn't poisonous.

[Feferi's been careful to look nice for the camera this time, or as nice as she can look here. Her hair's brushed out, so it's not unruly, she's set her goggles off her head and is wearing them like a headband, her jewelry is on straight and looks shiny, and she's found lipstick so her lips are just the right shade.

But despite all that, she looks pretty upset and pretty nervous. Something's got her shaken up.]

Um, hi. It's Feferi. I have a question, after this...rude...conchversation...

...I know I look...different. But I don't look like a monster, do I? I never thought I did. I always thought I looked, whale, pretty. Not like I was full of myself or anyfin! But everyone should feel pretty, you know?

I mean, I know I don't look the same as a human gill looks, but I didn't think I looked like a monster. Not till now. If I look like that to anemoneone, I apologize. I'm reely not a monster.

...I also think that stuff that he's talking about is absolutely disgusting. I don't know where anyone would get such a sick idea. It kind of makes me want to throw up...

I need help!

[ Doc Brown doesn't look different from usual when he appears on the screen. Mind you! He has gotten a lot of sleep lately... But he looks like- In dire need of assistance! ]

Doctor Emmett Brown here. I have been working on an electronic game that involves humanoid interaction with a specifically designed user interface in order to generate visual feedback on a video device, or like it is more commonly called, a video game- Nothing special, simply a game to ease the mind of the people in this tower. It is a fighting game, with the intent to feature the administrators of this tower as a stress reliever.

[ QUITE CLEARLY That's the best kind of video game. Who here wouldn't want to beat up Jason and unlock all trophies and achievement? Not to mention the competitive multiplayer mode. ]

But I will never be able to finish it alone! I need people to help me design it, the making of a video game is something very complicated and unfortunately I am not qualified to make it alone!

[Feferi looks...tired. That's all you can really say about her, when she lets the video come on. She looks like she hasn't slept much, and she looks like she's gone somewhere to cry for a few minutes before calming down enough to speak.]

H-hi, everyone. I hope everyone's all right?

I - mm. I was going to ask whether or not anyone else's roommates weren't waking up, but...

Please be all right, Sayaka.

...what do you do when this place finally gets to you? I've been trying not to - to let it, but...I think I just really need some friends right now. I was up by the aquarium earlier and I think I'm gonna go back up there.

[She wipes at her eyes, and she thinks she's cut the feed, but:]

...it's never easy, this whole 'actually needing to step up and make decisions' princess stuff...

[The computer network is up again. Chihiro is very much on his element and has been at one of the terminals all day. He takes a break from trying to hack into the tower to make the following video message.

The video feed turns on to show a young 'girl' smiling sweetly.]

Good morning, everyone! My name is Chihiro Fujisaki and there are several things I was wondering if anyone could help me with.

Firstly, is there anyone here who could teach me some sort of self defense? I don't really mind what kind and am willing to try anything! I would just really like to be able to defend myself without having to rely on someone else all the time.

Secondly, I was told that there's someone here who can build anything. Does anyone know where I might find him or contact him?

Lastly... would anyone be willing to teach me how to cook? Just simple meals would suffice. I'm afraid the the current menu is a bit...  [too exciting for his rather delicate constitution... He laughs a bit in embarrassment.]

Thank you very much!

[And he bows politely at the camera.]

[Stop the presses, it's a video post today. Maybe Equius really doesn't want to bother, because it's a very short message, and he looks like he's pretty tired out from... something or another.]

If anyone sees a tyrian-blood troll named Nepeta Leijon, please tell me. Immediately.

[His expression is unusually severe.]

[Teal text appears on the screen, but it is not accompanied by capital letters or numbers.]

I hλve λ problem!
Ψhoever is in chλrge of this tower, I'd lichen it if you could lend λn eλr.
It is λ big problem. I just don't know ΨHλT I'm going to do with this bλd little seed.
You see, this isn't λt λll where I'm supposed to be.
This L-ΣTT-ΣR is λ LI-----Σ! I think it's wreλthsonλble thλt I'm λ little bit UPS---ΣT!

How do I know it is a lie?
Because this isn't what I agreed to.
No, no, not at all.
I was working with plenty of time to spare.
You didn't save me!
Nothing could have saved us.
Except...
Well, you must already know if you've already gone and... interrupted it.

And to be honest, that's making me pretty angry.
Really angry.

I knew exactly what I was doing, and you'd dare to

[The text suddenly cuts off as if the writer has tried to gain a grip on their anger. When it returns, the tone is decidedly more cheerful.]

I hλve no interest in stλying!
So if λnyone could point their fork towλrds the exit, I'd be releλfed. :)

[It then switches to video. A young female troll is shown on the screen. Nothing out of the ordinary for those familiar with her kind.

Except, maybe, for the fact that she looks like she's splattered with a rainbow of paint. Huh. There is a strangely dreamy look on the girl's face, and she gazes at the camera in an unfocused manner, a smear of dark red on her cheek.]

I am Feferi, by the way. I almost forgot my shrubbin' manners!

( translation for text )