[ The bob of pink appearing on the screen is much different from the first time. The last time she posted, she had been confused, but how the look on her face is rather worn and uncomfortable. There's a smile on her face, but the dejection and failure, too, is leaking from her picture on the terminal. ]

U-um! Excuse me...? I-I'm really sorry to ask but.. i-if it won't bother anyone, can you please tell me what's going on? I-it seems rather chaotic in the tower, if not m-more so. Did the administrators do something?

I'm really sorry! I just woke up, s-so.... S-sorry to be an inconvenience to everybody! I j-just need the basics.. you don't need to go into d-detail...

Thank you so much. [ And here she gives a little bow. ]


( Filtered to the OU Puella Magi Cast )

[There's Legolas, sitting at a terminal and looking thoughtful. There's a small, leatherbound notebook in front of him and a fountain pen. He wasn't sure if they'd belonged to anyone when he'd gathered what he needed but he could return it all later. In neat script on the first page is a passage written in Sindarin. And below it, a translation of it.]

What is it you miss of home, most of all? What is it, that if ever we return, you will seek out first?

I want to write it all here in this book. I want to make sure that no one forgets what most they miss here. No matter what it is that we endure, we'll need only look into it to remind ourselves of happier times. Times that, with hope, are not forever lost to us.

[Something was off about the tower today.

For starters, there seemed to be far more people prowling about than Haldir last remembered. Over the years, there's been a steady decline of new arrivals here to Animus. Much of the friends he once knew were either dead or dying. Not many races could out live the Firstborns of Ilúvatar. The Elves, for better or for worse, have been cursed with longevity. Most of Haldir's kind are truly immortal in a sense. Many Elves never aged at all, including the march warden.

So this would explain why he seems so baffled as of why there's so many lurking about here. Has the Administrators found other worlds to ravage? Perhaps. He always doubted that they were doing more good than harm.]

How uncommon. There hasn't been this many newcomers since the old days.

[A slight frown settles upon his lips. Just why is there so many people here? It's so...sudden.]

I bid thee welcome! We seldom see so many newcomers; for it has been thousands of years, but we welcome all. If you're in need of aid, do not hesitate to ask. There's many amongst us who would be glad to assist you.

[Forcing himself to rid himself of his frown, Haldir actually smiles somewhat, though it's an awkward one.]

I can assure you that no harm shall come to you here. Just be certain to stay away from the floors above. That is where the danger lies.

[Elizabeth looks rather frazzled, and paying not attention in the slightest to what is going on around her. She doesn't even seem to be aware that she is being filmed through her open dorm door. Instead she's clutching a sheet to her like grim death. No, this is not alright. None of this is alright. Waking up in this place was purely awful.]

Lady Kat? Walsingham? Lord Burghley?

[as far as she knows, she's talking to an empty room. She doesn't want to move to far because this... this thing is not clothing. She cannot go out like this. As a woman she might rule alone, but she was used to people, used to her ladies being only a room away -- and her guards. But as far as she could tell no one was coming. Sitting on her bed, in the small room that certainly wasn't what she was used to, she drew her knees up to her chest.]

Anyone... at all? [she sighs, grumbling under her breath. Not so much scared as... frustrated and overwhelmed. This felt like being in the tower all over again just... cleaner.]

[ on the screen is a small, unassuming character. the only startling thing about him is the large, tired blue eyes peering in. there's the glint of a chain beneath his clothes when he stirs, and over his body is a worn green cloak.

when he speaks, it's slowly, carefully. he looks pale, a bit shaken still from the network but his voice is sure: ]

While I haven't been here long, I'd like to leave as much as anyone else.

[ quietly: ]

I do not believe our homes are truly destroyed.

[ frodo's eyes lower, before he speaks again: ]

Not only that but I should like to know how many come from the world of Arda. Or 'Middle-earth'. To me, it is my home.

And..if any of you have seen a hobbit about my size, with lighter hair, a bit stout, with a frying pan? His name is Samwise Gamgee. Or perhaps a strange creature, who calls himself 'Smeagol' or 'Gollum'. He tends to like the shadows. I am..responsible for him.

[ it's sad how he's used to this. first the ship, now this strange place. it seems his road is far longer than he could have imagined, and frodo quietly despairs a little in his heart, though it stubbornly clings to hope. ]

If not, I would ask if any come from a ship called the 'Tranquility'. I had been dwelling there for a time, and would wish to know of it's fate. 

[ he seems to hesitate for a minute, but the question is necessary ]

Should you be from Middle-earth..I would ask if the Fellowship is a familiar word to any of you.

Does anyone know a better way to convince people that monsters and demons are real than by summoning a giant fly and scaring somebody nearly to death? I feel a little bad for him, but I don't want him to really be hurt, and better something that listens to me than something that will actually attack.

[Under his breath:] Maybe I should have tried Lilim. ...That'd be scary in a different way. [He shrugs and moves on.]

My name is Aleph, if we haven't met. I'll add my services as a swordplay and gun instructor to the list of people offering. I have pretty good credentials. I'm also willing to spar with anyone who wants to keep in practice, especially if they'd prefer to fight a group.

What else did I want to say for this... oh.

Why orange?

[It's a very unsure and uneasy Luke that appears on the network today, keeping a firm grip on his stupid helmet so people could see his face. He squirmed uncomfortably, not used to this sort of thing.]

H-hey... guys? I wanna say something.

[He swallowed hard, trying to think. C'mon, Luke, you're supposed to be an ambassador of Kimlasca. It's about time you started acting like it. Just... what would Natalia say in a situation like this? She'd probably be really honest about what's happening... and try to be encouraging. It was hard to be encouraging when the situation was so overwhelming, but...]

The monsters aren't dropping candy anymore, and I haven't been able to find any around the Tower either. I think Ruana changed the rules again... I think the only candy that's in the Tower is what's in our buckets, which means she wants us to fight against each other to survive.

[He paused for a breath, before trying to look as determined as he could.]

But that doesn't mean we have to give in to what she wants! If we work together, we should be able to find a way to survive.

Those of us that are still alive... we need to get together, pool our resources as best we can. The ones that were lucky enough not to end up in a costume should help too; I know you might feel that you don't need to, but we all need to work together to survive in this place.

[He held up a fist, trying to look pumped despite how much his stomach was doing flip-flops.]

I'm confident we can get through this if we can all work together. We should all meet up... the cafeteria would be a good place. Let's get together and brainstorm how we're going to get through this, together.

[Luke let out a breath, before cutting the video. Did that sound like something a leader would say? He wasn't sure... he hoped so.]

Um, good morning.

[ She gives the screen a tentative smile, but it's hard for her to get used to these terminals. It wasn't at all like talking to a real person. ]

There seem to be a lot of people who are new, so I wanted to say that if anyone would like something grown, I can help -- I'd like to help. I know we have the forest and the meadow levels but sometimes it's nice to have a bit of greenery in other places too, right?

Also, if anyone's wanted something different to eat since I know there's been a lot of pumpkins in the cafeteria lately!

[ She seems to gain a bit of confidence. ]

Oh, and my name is Amalia! I'll do my best to grow what you need!

[ Whilst the first thing he'd have liked to do would be to find those in the Tower he counts as friends and reassure them, the months spent in a blood-soaked and rotten Tai kingdom gave him much to think about, and a determination to be of use. SO. He's figured out these terminals already, and he had plenty of time to come up with something to say as he roamed a land so dead even spirits and demons had abandoned it.

Whilst he looks weary and worn, the aura of a ruler of the Twelve Kingdoms isn't so easily banished. ]

Citizens of the Tower. I have been unforgivably late in introducing myself, excepting those few I have had the fortune to meet in person. I am Gyousou, given name Saku, and I was the Peace-King of the kingdom of Tai... until its destruction. [ a wry smile. ] I appreciate that such a title means little, but I hope that those in need of advice or my paltry century of experience will not hesitate to seek it.

As I have been gone awhile, some... [ He glances down at the date on the monitor- ] half a season, I see, I have missed much. Should you have any information on what has happened in the time since summer ended, I would like to hear it.

[ Seemingly quite distressed despite everything said and done, a weary Haldir appears after several days of pure silence on his part. While many seem quite grateful and thankful for the feast, Haldir seems utterly aloof about it. Many probably would assume he's just being his usual "self" but those who do know him could probably sense his melancholic state. ]

They give us a feast to celebrate, yet I see no reason why we should. Had those fools acted sooner, we could've avoided such needless destruction.

[ He grumbles. ]

Perhaps there's no reason to lament so, yet still...

[ Unsure what to say, Haldir gives up and tries to set his bad mood aside. ]

Tell me, friends, is all well? Alucard, Legolas? I have not heard from many since the travesty first unfolded.

[ A soft sigh escapes him. ]

I must know, what sort of fate has befallen upon The White Wizard? He is another I have not heard from in some days now. The same goes for so many others who I'm certain attempted to be valiant in the face of death.

[Dax's voice can be heard, first muffled.]--is it on? Oh, good, we've got communications-- [He pauses, and shouts, obviously to someone else in the same area as him] Communications are up!

[There's another pause as he collects himself, and then his voice is calmer, more even-toned--though still worried.]

Okay, so I know things are kind of rough up there and we haven't really been able to do much. That attack damaged things down here, too, but we've got a lot of it back online and we're going to do what we can.

Since the dorms are gone, for the moment, we'll be moving revival to the infirmary for the moment. The room will be guarded by the retrieval units, so while it's not--foolproof, it and the floors below it are probably the safest places right now. The creatures are moving downward, but we have a plan--we just need time to repair one more thing down here before we can enact it.

Can you manage for another day?

Eh... what the shit is going on?

I wake up and suddenly everythin's shakin'... this place fallin' apart, too?

[ Some time after the tower is overcome with violent quaking Alucard feels the need to send out a signal. With no concern as to who sees or hears him he broadcasts a short, blunt and cold message. It sounds more like a command than any distress call or cry for help. ]

Haldir and Sho. You will contact me the moment you receive this message.

I'm going up. The two of you, however, are not.

Things are becoming increasingly dangerous. Several warnings have gone out already as well as offers of assistance

Make haste to the lowest possible floor that you can.

If you cannot, contact me immediately. I will be assisting those that need it so that we have as many people safely relocated as can be.

[Oh look, it's Legolas' first post on the Network. Ever. Oh sure, he's replied to a few before but this is the first he's using it himself.]

I require some assistance. There is someone I wish to help learn the ways that my people fight however she does not have the weaponry required.

[At this, he draws his blades and holds them up to the screen for a clear view.]

I obviously do not expect the same level of craftsmanship as these but I would like a pair similar for the Lady Zelda. If there's anyone that can assist me, I would appreciate a swift reply.

[ It is a perfectly good and responsible looking young man that appears on the network's screen. Don't go say the contrary. His voice is collected and calm as he talks, with perfect manners. ]

Very interesting machine... Allowing anyone to speak from a distance. If only it could be reduced and made portable...

[ He looks up at the camera afterward and nods. ]

Forgive my manners. Like you may have guessed, I am new to this tower. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lezard, Lezard Valeth.

Speaking of which, this tower is certainly an interesting place… So many possibilities, so much to discover. It's a shame that for us to be here our homeworlds had to die. Such a high price to pay for such little reward….

[ He readjusts his glasses. ] 

Does anyone here have concrete proof one way or another as far as the fate of our worlds are concerned? The letter and projection are not proof enough to me I'm afraid, no matter how likely to be the truth it is.

Any group of research that may confirmed the veracity of the letters maybe?

Oh, and I have heard a lot of talks about people sleeping for abnormally long time period. Do such occurrence happen often in the tower?

[April looks both tired and not very happy, and she seems to be suffering from sort of headache, judging by how she's rubbing her forehead with a grimace.]

Apparently portable communication devices are a thing that's impossible to make here. If you can somehow put together the materials to make something simple, making a wireless connection between them is impossible, even with use of powers. I tried and now my head hates me for it.

[A sigh as she rubs her eyes.]

So yeah, to the people who I told this about and stuff, sorry but it's not gonna happen. And on a related note, if anyone wants any sort of tech made, I'll probably be able to help out. So long as it isn't a portable communications device or something like that.

[Aleph gets straight to the point.]

Does anyone have any idea why so many people are unconscious? And does anyone know how to wake them?

Ah, I just realized I'm never gonna be able to settle things with Kazzy. Or have a fight with my brother, again. The only two tough bastards that were able to really fight me.

Shit. Even that voyeur's fighting tournament is somethin' I ain't gonna ever see, again. That was really fun. Sledgehammers and swords and general nastiness to get to the top ... no more.

Guess I'm gonna have to make a new hobby outta killin' some of the monsters on the floors. Maybe they can be some sport...

Unless someone wants to start up that sort of tournament here?