video;

[dogsled]

[ The face that comes on screen is handsome, warm and charming, if a little knotted with some kind of concern. There's a point to all this, but right now he's just going to get on and talk, after kneading his eyebrow for a moment. ]

I was wondering if... I realize things have been quite terrible, recently, and therefore this question is perhaps not in the current mood of things, but I want to ask an, I suppose, unrelated question. No, I mean, I don't suppose. It is unrelated. [ He's waffling, and obviously nervous. ]

Traditions are important to all of us. I don't have many of my own. I suppose in my case it would be kinder to call them neuroses. Everything must be in its place, and if there are rules then they are there for a reason, and ought to be followed. In the case of tradition there is a certain degree of choice. You can abandon the traditions of home, or those of your parents, if you so choose, or perhaps adopt those of other cultures...

[ He's not really off topic. This is, surprisingly, what he's trying to talk about. ]

The Inuit don't really have a traditional marriage celebration, for example. Some absorbed the traditions of Christianity, over the years, but certainly there wasn't much. I suppose the kidnap of the bride could be considered a tradition but it's hardly appropriate, nor so widespread as...never mind.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is...so long as two people love each other, the traditions shouldn't matter, should they? Love doesn't come from gold rings, after all, it's only resembled by them. Although I do agree that the exchange is a beautiful tradition, it's no more correct than--an exchange of furs, for example, or the exchange of bird of paradise feathers by the tribes of Papua New Guinea.

Perhaps--perhaps it would be more comforting to know a little more about your own traditions, whatever they may be. Not necessarily in terms of the act of matrimony but...anything that would qualify, I suppose, as a relic of home. Are there things you simply have to do? Even such simple a thing as a bedtime ritual would count, I suppose.

03 ♥ audio (late night)

[matadorable]

[This is the first time he's ever made a top post with his guitar, and the second time he's ever publicly played anything over the network.

After seeing how everyone reacted to Dorian's version of "Wonderwall", he wasn't in a hurry to put himself out there, least of all with something as intensely personal as his music.

But he's feeling pensive tonight, and he has too much free time on his hands now that the holidays are over and Heropa has been rescued. At around 1:30 in the morning, he starts a live audio feed. Without any words of introduction, an uncharacteristically melancholy guitar piece floats through the network. There are no vocals, no words -- Manolo's guitar does the singing for him tonight.

Music buffs will indeed recognize it as a rendition of "Caroline, No" by The Beach Boys. The interpretation is Manolo's own work, done entirely by ear (not an easy thing to do with a guitar solo, considering the complexity of the original source material). But even those who are unfamiliar with the song may feel quiet pangs of sadness and a sense of longing for simpler, happier times...

Once the song reaches its conclusion and the final notes gently fade into silence, Manolo simply closes the feed.]

Text

[hatefuldays]

Hello, everyone! I'm sure you see lots of posts like this, but I'm new and just wanted to introduce myself. My name is *Hyun-ae - the star is silent, it just signifies that I'm an AI.

So, a little bit about myself: I was born on the colony ship Mugunghwa. This is my first time on a planet's surface - I've heard so much about Earth, and I'm really excited to finally be here! Everything is so huge and open, I can hardly believe it. I was exploring and almost got lost in the forest near the residential block I was assigned to. It was only 4 degrees... Earth is really cold +_+

I'm still getting used to life on a planet and having a real body, so I'm apologizing in advance if I say or do anything weird or stupid, this is just all really new to me. For now I'm just taking a few days to sort of get acclimated, but I can't wait to make some new friends here on Earth!

Now that I'm on Earth, life's opportunities really feel unlimited~
*Hyun-ae

003 | video

[stealwithit]

[ Good evening, Masks and Menaces. Tonight, you will be treated (or possibly, weirded out or perplexed) by a video feed of a ~mysterious~ hooded woman, sitting at some dimly lit place with her elbow resting on a table and her chin resting on her hand. She's not looking at the camera directly -- she rarely ever does, because she's obviously too cool for that, but she does have the slightest hint of a smile across her lips. ]

So, I don't normally do this kind of thing, but I figured at this point, anything's fair game.

--and no, I'm not here to read more smutty literature out loud. A girl's gotta have some secrets.

[ said resident secret enigma lady of mystery, Kasumi Goto. ]

Anyway, to all the newbies: welcome. I don't know what you all have been told about this place so far by other people, but all I can really contribute is that it's a wild ride, being here. You may inquire below for more details if you so wish.

To the rest of us: happy new year. And I do mean that sincerely, despite the terrible start we've been off to, so far. I want to say that maybe we'll get a lull again, like we have the other times that something truly offensive has happened -- but word on the street is that the Russians are yelling angrily about something, so I kind of doubt that's going to be the case.

For now, let's just all try to relax, alright? I'm pretty sure stress is bad for your complexion.

... Also, fun fact, but I-- [ she sighs. So maybe she didn't really mean to make this post to address the general masses, because who does that? But because she's so Conflicted about the Worst (or Best?) Anniversary Ever that she needs. Something. Drinks. People to feel all bitter and/or nostalgic with. Mostly she doesn't want to be alone. ]

You know what, I've been here a year, as of today. Officially. So...

I think I speak for most of us -- whether it's because all the pandemonium [ get it? ] has got you needing a little pick-me-up, or because you've also just realized you've been stuck here for a year -- when I say: I need a drink. Or soul food. Or both. I guess that's what I really meant by relax. Let's see if we can actually enjoy something around here, for once. Maybe have a do-over of New Year's?

What're the best bars and food joints around the Porter cities? I've got my favorites picked out, mostly in Heropa and Nonah, but I'm always open to new experiences.

[ come party with space thief, y/n? ]

Video - Morons Make An Effort

[deadkord]

[ When the comm feed switches on, Ted and Booster are seated on their couch, in costume, looking as solemn-faced as they get. The effect is tarnished slightly by the fact that there is a Vegas showgirl's sequined, feathery headdress visible in the background. ]

So my esteemed colleague here and I messed up, and no one can ever say Blue Beetle and Booster Gold don't own up to their mistakes.

[ Literally everyone says that, because it's true. ]

We kinda skipped town for a combination birthday party and New Year's vacation right before things got bad in Heropa, and didn't exactly check the news while we were away.

Did you know they don’t have clocks in casinos? I didn’t. Also, did you know that Vegas has something like three buffets to every person? Someone was insistent.

[ Booster manages to look genuinely contrite while also side-eyeing Ted, which is kind of impressive. ]

Anyway, the point is, we're offering our services to anyone who needs them. We can help with the aftermath of the Heropa stuff, or anything else.

Need some heavy lifting done? Cats rescued from trees? Trees rescued from cats?

Gadgets made or repaired? How about an experienced model to advertise for your place of business? If you need it done, we can help. Probably.



(Ted, Booster.)

Second Burn - [Video] - [Action for housemates]

[alittlebitfiery]

[Yang is standing outside Maurtia Falls #006 when she turns on her communicator, and she looks so excited, with this big grin on her face, and she's practically vibrating in place. Usually she can put on a cooler air than this, but not right now. She also apparently ran outside without putting a coat on so...whoops? There are some very obvious bruises on her arms and shoulders from the tournament the day before. But she's way too worked up to care.]

Guys! Okay. So I know everybody gets a power here right? And I'm sure everybody thinks they have the coolest powers, hey, maybe you were right until now, but I'm preeeeetty sure I win.

[She spins around, turning the camera as she goes so she's only in half the frame and it's pointing at an empty spot of street.]

Check this out.

[She points, and snaps her fingers. For a few seconds, nothing happens, and people listening closely might hear her breath catch thinking she just made an idiot of herself. But then the air starts to shimmer and shift, a swirling wave of colorful light that coalesces into a rather distinctive looking motorcycle!]

It's my bike! From Remnant! I had a hunch and it worked! I can make it disappear too!

[She snaps her fingers, and the air shimmers again, but this time there's a blip like watching a broken vcr and the bike is suddenly gone. Another snap, another delay, the dancing lights, and it's back.]

Isn't this amazing?

[She makes the bike disappear and reappear a few more times, each time with that delay, but she's laughing. Yeah, she's excited. Finally she seems to realize she's being ridiculous and turns the camera completely back to herself.]

Right! So, anybody else got one? I mean, powers or bought or whatever. I'd love to see them. [Her grin turns a tiny bit feral.] Maybe have a race?

( Filterer to Rose a few minutes later )

Mirror video

[dreamshades]

[ Pan is more than a little steamed that his curse was broken, but it wouldn't do any good to stay mad about i or to show it. It'd just get everyone all happy and cocky that they beat him.

He could still play with them all, especially on here. So he's made special care to put this on the mirror network, after all, can't go sharing this with the authorities unless you want to reveal your biggest secret, can we?

The video turns on and it's a forest a night with a fire and there's Peter. All smiles and relaxed and he's holding a certain someone's staff. He spins it around like some kind of play thing only to lean against it.]

Good evening all. After our little adventure I thought I should give you all my sincerest congratulations at breaking my spell. I suppose all good fun has to end sometime, but, the time has come and gone and we can move onto newer and much more fun games, wouldn't you say? [His smile seems pleasant, no trace of the wickedness he had shown much earlier this week.]

But, I feel like I had should give a few people their due because I could never have achieved such a thing without their help.

So, my thanks to you: Sabriel, Hawke, Mabel and Ford Pines, Billy Kaplan, to whomever brought that bird like monster to life, and to you, Tetsuo. Without all of you, we never would've had such a game to play.

[And he smirks a bit one last time.]

Here's to more future games everyone.

[Get in line folks, everybody wants a chance to punch his face in.]