004; video; notably completely unencrypted;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine hesitates, for a very short moment, at the start of the video feed before firming the line of her mouth and plunging ahead. She looks tired, but determined.]

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Raine Sage. Please pay attention; I’ll try to keep this brief.

[She sounds more like she’s lecturing a classroom than delivering potentially shattering news.]

If you have previously thought none of this affects you, or if you simply missed the information, at the end of last month our enemy asked us to guess where it really is. Some of you will have already formed your own conclusions about this; I know I’ve certainly talked to some who have.

[Deep breath.]

There’s sufficient data with independent verification that I’m now sure, and everyone needs to be aware of this, sooner rather than later.

Our enemy has possessed Asti himself.

[A pause, considering. Well, the words are out now, no taking them back.]

That’s all. If you wish me to justify myself, either my conclusions or my lack of caution, I’ll do so, but more pressing right now is coming together to find a way forward, now that everyone is apprised of how severe the situation is.

[She lifts her chin a little then, and adds, not to any Foreigner but to the being she is pretty sure is watching,] Well? Do you care to confirm or deny?

---

[ooc; this actually is directly related to Nilin’s post a few days ago! I have talked this out with a few people, Xhan (Nilin-mun) included, and I’m keeping track of what’s happening there for continuity’s sake, but Raine is unfortunately not the most subtle person in the world and is past the point of waiting and watching. For questions comments plotting or concerns, I can be reached at makaricrow, ceryu (AIM), or makari.crow@gmail.com.]

Comments

[everylittlegirl]

So we're like.. literally battling the Earth beneath our feet.

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

Something like that, yes. Though the threat seems to be more spiritual than physical.

[Raine may have seen her in passing, but doesn't really know her. Adds, just in case,] The network likely isn't safe for more than trivialities, regardless of encryption.

video;

[everylittlegirl]

Isn't that worse? How do you fight something spiritual?

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

There are people here who have some expertise with that, at least. It's a start.

[She didn't necessarily say it was better. It probably is worse.]

video;

[everylittlegirl]

Oh good. More superheroes to save the day. [She sounds entirely insincere about that sentiment.]

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Now sarcasm is entirely the opposite of the sentiment Raine had expected. Interesting.]

And what would you prefer?

Re: video;

[everylittlegirl]

Honesty? Helping the kedan to save themselves, instead of dragging in a bunch of people when only for a few of them with ridiculous powers are going to save the day anyway.

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

It's a noble goal, but the reception of foreigners in general seems to be growing less and less amiable. [Which makes what she suggests difficult. Even at the hospital, things are sliding toward cool.]

Tell me, what do you qualify as 'ridiculous powers?'

video;

[everylittlegirl]

Which is so weird. I mean, I can't imagine why they would be angry with us, you know? It's not like we came in, took all their things, murdered their Emperor, and provoked a war or anything.

Pretty much anything above like, Batman or Leo, but specifically the whole Superman, Flash, Iron Man level. Probably you too, since you can't tell what's ridiculous.

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Ah. It's going to be that kind of a conversation. Raine tips her head a little, remains relatively cool.] I didn't say it wasn't justified. Simply that it will be difficult to do as you suggest, and a waste of resources if we do have the tools among us to deal with the problem ourselves.

[Raine isn't actually familiar with most of those names, but some she's heard in passing and she gets Hayley's gist.] It's possible. I take it your world doesn't have much in the way of magic?

video;

[everylittlegirl]

Right. Right, because it worked so well during World War I. Oh, but, I take it your world doesn't have much in the way of history.

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[At this Raine goes still, right past neutral calm into completely detached blankface. This isn't something worth snapping over, but she's touched a nerve.] There's enough.

Expecting me to recognize references from your world's history also won't help. If you care to explain, I'm listening. However, if your goal is simply to be contentious, I'd suggest you do it somewhere else.

video;

[everylittlegirl]

America went over, claimed peace in Europe, and Germany was left in ruins because instead of helping the Germans to take care of themselves, the Americans did it for them and then left. Do you see the resemblance?

TEXT;

[ironwood]

It took you all far too long to figure it out.

video

[everylittlegirl]

[Guess who looks unimpressed. Hayley should be scared, but she's kind of past caring about anything with all the disappearances.]

You never let us buy a vowel. Besides, haven't you heard of the "Big Lie?" Hitler was all for it. I bet you two would have gotten along, except that he was like, you know, not a crazy spiritual entity or whatever.

TEXT;

[ironwood]

Buy one now.

[ Yes, he gets the reference, thanks to the Foreigners. ]

video

[everylittlegirl]

Puzzle's already solved and I doubt I can afford what you're charging.

Unless you want to just like, stop possessing the turtle and go back to wherever it is you came from? But I hear that's not really the popular option.

TEXT;

[ironwood]

Not the whole puzzle, if you're all still so bold.

If I do that, you would all need to swim.

video

[everylittlegirl]

So what's left?

Did you kill Asti?

TEXT;

[ironwood]

I stamped out Tu Vishan, as I did all the Great Turtles. The name of Asti was never anything more than a mask.

video

[everylittlegirl]

Except there are still turtles.

Re: video

[ironwood]

Are there? Think hard, who descended the ocean to Sinbrilee where those eggs were found?

video

[everylittlegirl]

So they're just like, really advanced holograms?

Re: video

[ironwood]

The little spawnlings are flesh and blood. But there is something to be said for eggs and baskets. You were all very quick to pin your hopes on them.

video

[everylittlegirl]

Not everyone. And anyway, who could resist a turtle-shaped basket? They're all the rage.