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

text; 30% encrypted

[skeletonenigma]

[The encryption would probably be higher, but Skulduggery's only just worked out how to do it.]

Let me know if anything interesting comes from this.

['Or if anyone gives you a hard time' should, theoretically, go without saying.]

text; matching encryption

[ruinsprofessor]

[It unfortunately does not go without saying. There's a reason she did this so obviously, and neglected to mention the names of the people she'd been collaborating with.]

It's deigned to explicitly answer. I think that qualifies as interesting.

TEXT;

[ironwood]

Knock, knock. Give the girl a prize.

TEXT;

[peacefullywreathed]

You took so long that here I was beginning to think you were a myth.

text;

[ruinsprofessor]

I'll pass.

Unless you care to answer how long it's been.

TEXT

[royalguard_style]

Hey there 'ol Mally. I'm so glad you've finally decided to show your ugly ass mug.

So look, we could go through this whole mess of you revealing that you know everything about me and I don't care, but you seem like a busy guy. Let's skip over that whole mess and get to the part where you tell us what you want us to hear and the rest of these guys act scared of you, okay?

[video]

[gathersnomoss]

[the video is on, but Zel isn't saying anything]

...

...

Shit.

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

An accurate assessment.

[But he probably didn't post just to swear at the situation. Raine tilts her head a little, curious, and raises her brows in mute question.]

TEXT;

[ironwood]

So eloquent.

[voice]

[lordhotman]

[Zuko doesn't check the network much. He's got his own problems to worry about to really see everyone else is up to all the time, but he does manage to see this. There's a sense of dread and mild panic as he comes to a realization.]

It's just like in my nightmares.

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[The look she's wearing is sympathetic. She knows that voice, and she remembers the nightmares he described.]

It is, isn't it. Are you all right?

TEXT;

[ironwood]

So nice to know you've been enjoying those.

Text

[redlightgreenlight]

Now the question becomes, how do we save Asti?

text;

[ruinsprofessor]

The question I would ask first is, can we?

If you want to discuss this further, it needs to be in person.

TEXT;

[ironwood]

What makes you think there is anything left to save?

video;

[theideaguy]

That... that can't be good. [There's a significant pause before he speaks again.] Right? I am right that this is definitely absolutely not a good thing, right? Because really, what good news is there actually to be found around here?

[Yes, Sokka's not exactly sure that this is a bad thing, and that's certainly in his voice, though he's pretty sure he knows the way the cards are falling on the table.]

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

You're correct, yes.

[There's not much actual satisfaction in that. Normally it's good when students have things right, but.]

As far as actual good news... well, we're alive.

[Not something inconsiderable, these days.]

TEXT;

[ironwood]

You're far too pessimistic, and you don't even have the excuse of being worn down by this place.

audio;

[denyamenti]

And people said my message was too bold.

[ It's not criticism though. ]

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Small wry smile.]

I'm prepared for equal censure.

[A beat. If that's not criticism, what is it? Hm. Either way.]

If you have more to say, in person or not at all.

text; unencrypted

[insertdadjoke]

What does Asti being possessed actually mean for the people living on it?

[ He is really not above asking stupid questions to get the obvious things out of the way. That the big bad is inside their turtlebuddy is terrible, but it would be nice to know the actual consequences. ]

text; same

[ruinsprofessor]

For a start, that the network should never have been considered not compromised.

[A conclusion she drew before she made this post. There's value in being aware of that, at least.]

Shall I meet you somewhere?

[Whether or not they cover anything especially sensitive, extended conversations via network are something she's no longer comfortable with.]

video; here, have a panicking jackie

[jinzhong]

Wh-- shit! Raine! Are you serious?!

[Pause. Then he sees Malicant's response, and goes white.]

Sh--shit!

video; oops, sorry Jackie

[ruinsprofessor]

[She is serious, but by the look on his face he's already cottoned to that.]

Jackie, calm down; panicking won't help. Take a deep breath.

[Said not unkindly, just even and neutral.]

video;

[highprofilerichkid]

I'm not a magic expert, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that sounds bad. So, what's the plan? Is there a plan?

TEXT;

[ironwood]

I also wish to hear the plan.

video;

[onethirdthesoul]

[Ryou had already heard from Nilin, so this isn't much of a shock to him. His voice is somber.]

I believe you, Sage-san...but what are we supposed to do? [As hopeless as he sounded, he was honestly asking for an answer. Any answer.]

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Gently:]

I don't know yet.

[At the same time, however, recalling that she knows his child as well, she asks Ryder to pass a message to Yin for Ryou. "We'll find something; it's arrogant, and hopefully therefore careless. The Palace may yet reveal something, perhaps. Be careful of the network, Ryou."]

[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.