Friends

[Rui looks a bit sheepish as he starts the video, rubbing the back of his head.]

So, my birthday is coming up on June 24th. I haven't really bothered celebrating it since I got here, or at home much either, but I figured I should try having a birthday party this year. I'm not going to limit the guest list or anything, since I'm not sure who would actually be interested in attending, and I have room in Wonder Blooming Theater for a pretty large party if that happens. So feel free to come.

[Never mind that that isn't the intended use for the theater.]

But the point of this is actually to figure out what to do for the party. I have a lot of big ideas, but I should probably save them for future parties. I'd rather start out with something simple and normal.

That being said: What are some staples of birthday parties?

[ The video opens on a close-up of a truly kick-ass vehicle. It's tough! It's rugged! It's got hooks on the front that look like tusks! Truly, this is one bad-ass—

The video zooms out. The vehicle is tiny. A child could ride in it, maybe. But certainly not an adult.

An extremely gruff male voice mutters, ]

What the fuck.

[ Then a woman's laughter rises in the background. "What, Maine, compensating for something?"

The man grumbles, and the feed clicks off. ]

[Byakuya is sticking to audio today, just in case... would a vampire really appear on a video? Now was not the time to test that. Besides, he hadn't quite mastered making himself look as sharp and presentable as always without a reflection. Regardless, one could perhaps imagine his arrogant posture as he addressed the network.]

Good evening, Ellipsa.

Now that last month's crisis has resolved, and we have all had time to recover and carry out independent research, I wanted to follow up on our approach going forward. Namely, for everyone else who has become changed by what happened.

[Who died and put him in charge again?]

With this in mind, my goal is to compile resources and advice on how best to manage the vampirism situation. Any input would be extremely valuable, even if you wish to remain anonymous.

Firstly, I want to gather a list of contacts for people who can repair damaged furniture and doors, those who sell blackout curtains, or trustworthy individuals who are able to provide blood without the need to harm others.

Secondly, if no one else has taken the initiative, I intend to approach the Research Centre to see if they have anything in development that might mitigate the negative effects of sunlight.

And finally... I gather others here have been experimenting with item enchantment. If any of you have knowledge on imbuing a mirror with the ability to make vampires visible, that would be appreciated.

[Looking in a mirror and seeing nothing at all... it turned his stomach.]

I realise this is new and difficult for all of us, however I believe we can at least make the situation more manageable. Please inform me of any resources or information to be added, and feel free to refer to it whenever it is needed.

[He's attached his findings and resources so far, but hoped others would pitch in with their own soon enough.]

WHO: Agent Maine & YOU
WHAT: tattoos, training, and polar bears, oh my!
WHEN: early June
WHERE: all over Nightwake
WARNINGS: n/a

( where apparently, magic is a thing )

WHO: Open!
WHAT: Twilight's get-to-know-you sauna outing
WHEN: June 7
WHERE: Frostreign Sauna Spa
WARNINGS: Twilight's wearing swim trunks in, but possible nudity for others / npcs.

Starters in comments! Anyone's free to join even if they didn't reply to his network post, assume he put up another public note with the date and an open invite, and messaged anyone who expressed interest. Feel free to make your own top levels if those don't suit.

WHO: Katsuki and friends! Maybe even you???
WHAT: Quests mostly! But other things could happen too who knows!!!
WHEN: June!
WHERE: All over but mostly the winter segment!
WARNINGS: Blood, swearing, those things!


[all starters will be comments below!]

[Hello from a blonde young woman, who is more or less clearly recording this on the balcony of her beach home in Solarpeak.]

Okay, you know what, after being here for a while... I guess I am sort of itching [she frowns] -- no, that sounds ... weird... more like missing -- something to do instead of just being here in my endless vacation.

[She stops frowning and smiles a little instead.]

So. Hi. [A short, little wave before she puts her hand down.] My name is Buffy Summers and I already offered these on the auction at the Arts Festival -- and thank you for all of your interest there -- but back then I figured I'd offer these here later, so here I am.

[Trying not the be the most awkward turtle girl ever on camera and so far not doing the best job at that but it is what it is... Whatever. Her point with this post is-- ]

I've been out there fighting mostly against all sorts of vampires, demons, and other creatures from all sources of evil back home for years. And my last year-ish back home was full of trying to teach all of my skills to a big group of girls. Yes, only girls. It's one of those "in every generation there's only one person" things from my world, and it's only for girls, so that's why only them there.

If any of you are interested in combat training, self-defence lessons and so on anywhere in Ellipsa, I'm not looking for only girls this time because I can do it differently here and we all need those skills sometimes. So, this is open to everyone.

[A pause and a few beats before she remembers her other point with this whole posting to the network thing.]

Or if anyone here is looking for sparring partners, I'm always up for that too. With or without weapons. My own summer skills are kind of rusty, though, so maaaaaybe we won't spar with those, or at least not from my side of things. Or quests, we could do quests too.

[Or just company? Friends? Those are always nice too even if she doesn't say that. At least not that directly because one more thing before she ends this post.]

Or if you're not up for any of that, we could go, I don't know, shopping? Do people still do all sorts of platonic dates here? I could do those too.

What are some things that are considered "normal" where you're from, but aren't normal here? Or what's something that's unremarkable here, but would be the stuff of dreams back in your world?


( ooc: this is a mingle! make your own top-level, tag around, go nuts. just use cws as appropriate! )

WHO: Lisia and YOU
WHAT: Various Prompts
WHEN: Throughout June
WHERE: All over
WARNINGS: N/A

So, um, hi!

[Evangeline seems more anxious than she normally does, but she's smiling, at least.]

Apparently, when you start dating someone, you're supposed to make some sort of announcement on the internet so all your friends know? At least that's what I hear. And I, definitely didn't do that! Three times over! So, um, oops?

I'm dating three people now! Fajra, Barghest, and Chipp. Um, things are going... well? They're going well.

[Honestly still not sure what she's doing but she's trying her best!!]

So, uh, yeah, that's it. ...Do you, like, open the floor to questions here or what...?

[Lisia is in the park waving at the camera with her free hand. Ali the Altaria behind her, clearly enjoying the day.]

Hiiiiii Everybody! Guess who's back! It's me, Lisia, the Contest Spectacular idol! Speaking of, last time I was here, Pokemon were just being introduced to this world. How is everyone getting along with their friends?

( Read more... )

So technically its Pride month, which happens on my Earth, and it has me wondering stuff and I figure there are probably OTHER people who wondered about this stuff so I thought hey! There's probably tons of perspectives here!

So for anyone who wants to share their stories or questions...

How did you figure out what you were attracted to? Or were attracted to someone?

Also how did you tell the difference between romantic and sexual attraction because its supposedly able to be different, I'm a little hazy on that.

And because its related, gender stuff. I've never pondered that, but you know, there are probably other people who have, and we're equal opportunity in this post.

And maybe how did you figure out you were attracted to species that aren't yours and isn't like a society norm because all this kind of hit me here because I grew up around humans, so I never even thought romance was an option and then ELLIPSA happened.

Everyone be nice and try to approach this whole thing in good faith, this is a confusing subject and its hard to know all the stuff and I think worlds have real different on standards.

Also keep it PG-13. You want to talk adult details, go make your own post. We're in 'how do you know you want to smooch' levels here.

Oh! And if you know what Pride is, share your flags! I'm making a display! :D

Please discuss, and feel free to be anon, we're a free for all.

EDIT
Someone gave me a whole list of flags and I'm making a display and you know what, if you want a flag, I'll make you one! Just let me know!

((Also people ARE free to tag each other if that wasn't clear. Get your character on their self discovery journeys or share your headcanons, as you do.))

WHO: Rinku, her companion critters, friends (so most people)
WHAT: Rinku's throwing a birthday party! ...For Hina, her Zubat.
WHEN: June 7
WHERE: Fine Arts House in Solarpeak
WARNINGS: Keep it clean, there are kids present.

( one year old and still biting )

(This is a mingle, so go ahead and tag each other on any and all toplevels! Have fun!)

[He is holding a basket of...rabbits...in his arms. Huh. He sets them down in a room featuring a tree with blooming flowers on its branches. The babies hop around curiously, sniffing, investigating - and then one sneezes.

They teleport back to the entryway! Zishu blinks and laughs, a short, warm sound.]

The animals never fail to catch my interest.

[But.]

I've never had rabbits. What do they need? I can't exactly stop them from teleporting all over Ellipsa, can I?

[And caging them doesn't feel right either.]

Does anyone else have room and time for them? I might not be the best parent.

So.

The events of last month sure were a thing, huh. But because of what happened, I suppose I have to ask if anybody here knows how to fight blindly and is willing to teach me at all. You know, in one of those training montages?

Also if any newly turned vampires need any assistance with anything, I'm offering my services as a Trailblazer who's done package deliveries; I have no blood in me, so you don't have to worry about like, accidentally attacking me for blood. Just kinda... found about that part recently.

WHO: Reiner Braun, Hijikata Toshirou, Levi Ackerman, Jean Kirstein, Eren Jaeger
WHAT: any threads taking place during their exploration of Survival Fortress
WHEN: June
WHERE: various
WARNINGS: tba

( Read more... )

[The network would be greeted with the good Doctor's mustachioed face again. He seems... rather pleased with himself as he stands in view, with his hands clasped behind his back.]

Fellow offworlders of Ellipsa, lend me your ears! My name is Dr. Eggman, the world's greatest scientific genius! You may have heard of me before, you may have not. However! I come to you today to announce the grand opening...

[He steps aside, revealing a large computer screen showing a large metal dome, zooming in to go inside and begin flying around it.]

OF THE EGG DOME!

[Inside it, there'd be a large battlefield, with all sorts of plates on the ground that occasionally flip around to show turrets, flamethrowers, and all manner of traps before flipping back. Doors all around the arena would open and close, showing robots of various sizes running in and wielding melee and ranged weaponry, but notably not firing them as no-one is there to fight at the moment.]

What you see here is the ultimate test! Have you ever obtained an ability you wish you had more time and inclination to learn? Do you enjoy the thought of being embroiled in combat to shore up your weaknesses and harden yourself in every way? Then come to The Egg Dome, and show us what you're made of!

[Screens pop up around the outer edge of the arena, showing silhouettes of what might appear to be people.]

All I ask is a mere small fee of Moon Coins, for repairs and gradual upgrades - and you will be allowed to fight as many of my robots as you please! You can even, for a slightly smaller extra fee, upgrade their capabilities and enable various traps and hazards on the field! You can even enable a live feed that anyone can watch at any time! Feel free to completely customize your experience here in the Egg Dome. After all, it is here to make YOU stronger!

[And let him get a better viewpoint into how all these seasonal powers work. But it's a reasonable trade.]

And, as an added bonus, it will only get BETTER as time goes on! As I learn more about those of you who utilize the Dome, I will be able to upgrade these robots ever more to challenge you to your very limits! And if, at any point, you feel that you have bitten off more than you can chew, the exit teleporter will always be there, and a simple surrender command will deactivate all robots in the arena!

To get there, and to submit your request and payment for your Dome experience, simply head to this location in Nightwake City. This building here, [and he shows it on a map of Nightwake for the net to see,] houses a small teleporter to the Dome's location. As the Dome is underground in one of the Segments, it would be much safer to travel this way! Feel free to bring your friends, your comrades, your rivals!

[He clears his throat.]

It should be obvious that harm and death may occur if someone decides to set up an arena battle that is far above their capabilities. The Eggman Empire is not liable or responsible for any harm that comes from doing this and refusing to surrender to deactivate the Dome. Anyone who allows themselves to come to harm this way will be banned from re-entry.

[He clears his throat again.]

Well, I believe this announcement is getting fairly long-winded. Should you have any questions about this, my line is open at any time! I look forward to seeing how you fare against my robots!

[The feed then cuts off for the moment. There is now a building emblazoned with Eggman's symbol in Nightwake City, with a digital order panel and a teleporter.]

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( Private, to Prime Shadow [Text] )

WHO: Reiner Braun & YOU
WHAT: training various skills
WHEN: early June
WHERE: various, noted in prompts
WARNINGS: n/a

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