Entries tagged with † mike weston

Current Mood: curious

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Now young faces grow sad and old and hearts of fire grow cold [Video]

[It is not so much that Enjolras is unfeeling, as he's been accused of in the past, but, rather, when it comes to emotional ideas, he sometimes has no idea what to do. Nonetheless, awkwardly stiff as he seems, he's here, regardless, and if he looks a little tired, and a little sad, isn't everyone these days.]

Taraja and I have been talking, and we've had a few ideas she's asked me to share with you. [In the background, the currently sleeping hatchling can be found, for those who happen to look close enough.]

We were speaking of memories, and friends and families and ways to help those that we love go on to whatever else awaits them, and some things that might help them to remember, and...

[Now, Enjolras is holding up something in his hand. A tiny folded paper turtle, actually, one that's very wrinkled, and messy, but still a reasonable attempt at a turtle.]

We were thinking, maybe, that we should make turtles like this, for each of the young ones who have been lost. If those of us with hands folded some turtles, larger than this, big enough to decorate, or to write messages or thoughts on. Things to remind us of those we've loved, a way to keep them in our minds, and their memories alive. We could decorate them together, foreigners, hatchlings, those of the kedan who might still like us, and maybe...save them somewhere for a few days, like some sort of a memorial?

Is that borrowing trouble, does anyone suppose, or would it be too soon to consider it in the wake of trying to actively heal exactly as we are?

It is...something of an idea, at least.

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Video - Four days after Malicant's message

[Malicant has made his move, and Tony has decided that it's time for the Foreigners to step up their game. Starting with their communication network. As Bakura demonstrated, the consoles are no longer safe from Malicant's prying eyes (if they ever have been).

After a marathon troubleshooting session with Akito, Tony has also concluded that if a truly secure secondary network is going to happen any time soon, there's going to need to be a lot more people working on it. His time and resources are stretched thin, and he needs help.]

The consoles are not secure. I don't know if anywhere is, but we can actually do something about the consoles, at least. I know there've been some attempts to encrypt the console traffic and a couple false starts at a secondary network. I think it's time to get down to business and get a fully independent secure mobile network up and running, as soon as possible.

Magic is too susceptible to influence, so this network is going to be strictly technological. Pure tech and heavy encryption give us the best chance of shutting out our nosy neighbor.

If you have any expertise with radio, electronics, or telecommunications - anything that might be helpful - get in touch. Engineering, physics, cryptography... Hell, if you worked a summer job in IT. I want you here at Stark Industries.

Also, if any foreigners from higher-tech worlds brought any stuff along with them that they don't mind giving up, I'd like to take a look at it. Electronic devices like cell phones would be the best. A lot of post-industrial-revolution consumer goods contain minerals and compounds that are hard to get a hold of here, and we'll need as much of those as we can get.

And one more thing: I've put together a dozen... self-defense devices. Nothing big, but enough to give you a few seconds if you're in a tight spot. Distributing them to the turtle parents is the top priority, but if there are any left over, it's first come first serve. If you want one, meet me at SI and I'll give you the rundown here.

[private to ALL TURTLE PARENTS]

The fewer people are bonded to each turtle, the more vulnerable they are. Protecting the turtles means protecting their parents, so you all get first dibs on the toys. Anyone who's interested, send me a message and I'll set one aside. And come to SI as soon as you can.

[private to AYA, RICHIE FOLEY, CLARK KENT, DONATELLO, and MIKE WESTON]

I'm contacting you all specifically because I know you have tech skills or because Aya told me that you've worked on the secondary network in the past. We need you in on this.

---

((ooc: For the sake of security, Tony will only be describing the self-defense gadgets in person. Anyone who comes to SI to claim one will be given the following information:

There are six aversive devices [remaining: 4]. They consist of a slightly concave hemisphere - sort of like a very thick-walled bowl - that fits in the hand. They work on a principle similar to the Active Denial System. When they are held with the concave side facing out, and a button on the side is pressed, they emit a ten-second burst of radiation that, while harmless, causes immediate and intense discomfort to any person standing in range. Anyone without extreme magic- or drug-enhanced pain insensitivity will be compelled to move out of range. The area of effect is a wide cone that extends out about thirty feet. Each device has enough power for two bursts before it must be recharged.
[claimed by: Enjolras, Annabeth]

There are six force field generators [remaining: 5]. These are devices are disk-shaped, with about the same dimensions as a restaurant pager. Press the large button on top, and they will generate a transparent force field bubble about six feet in diameter. The field lasts about six seconds under ideal conditions, but may collapse sooner than that if it is interacting with a lot of matter (e.g., if the person holding it is swimming, or in tall, dense grass). The field can be moved, and will remain centered on the device when in motion (in other words, you can run with it). Each device has enough power to generate one force field before it must be recharged.
[claimed by: Raine]

Both devices can be recharged at any console, or at Stark Industries.))

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009 Audio;

If anyone knows River Tam it seems like she found her ticket home.

[Hawke tries his best to sound nonplussed by these events. Considering how long he's been burying his true feelings about things, he does good job of it. If anything he sounds tired but that wouldn't be suspicious given the recent events right?

However there is some mournful whining somewhere behind. Seems Notch isn't handling this as well as his master.]

At least she doesn't have to worry about dealing with this mess then.

Speaking of mess, don't suppose anyone's found more surprises out there?

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003 ~ Video

[The feed flickers on - or maybe it's not the feed that's flickering. The room is dark, black, everything burned and sooty-looking. Small fires are eating away at what's left.]

[In the midst of it, one terrified Turtle.]

Please help me...

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00004 VIDEO: v for vendetta

No redemption without blood..

[Mike mutters the words as he turns on and adjusts the video, heaving a deep sigh. He looks darker and more worn than usual, yet there's a certain satisfaction lurking behind his expression. The agent clears his throat and shifts in his chair before leaning forward to address the network.]

Have any of you thought about what might happen if we fail? The magic that brought us here.. who's to say he doesn't have the same power? That he can't go to our worlds and hurt everyone we care about?

My father di- [He chokes on the word, swallows, and takes a moment before starting again. His voice is strained, raw with emotion.] My innocent father was executed because I failed to recognize the threat that was in front of me, because I missed something. We can't let that happen here. If we don't succeed.. who knows what it could cost?

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006 ✤ text

If you were injured by a blackened weapon during the recent attacks and are experiencing more pain than would be considered normal, uncharacteristically negative emotions, and nightmares then you have been compromised by Mal-nyan.

Until there is more information available about the effects of the Taint it would be best to limit your exposure to anything regarding the war effort.

If you want to be sure you've been Tainted you can come to the hospital for a quick scan. I will be helping out there for a while longer between deliveries so you can just ask for Gazelle.

-

I am looking to speak with any Waterbenders who have healing abilities.

-

Sarah is gone. I gathered her things before they could be cleared out, so if any friends of hers wants something let me know.

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005 ✤ video

[ Someone is in a foul mood at the moment. Though Akito is doing a fairly good at keeping his irritation off of his face. What he isn't good at keeping off of his face - for the moment, at least - is blood. From both a bloody nose and a split lip. And given the developing redness he's getting on his uncovered right eye, he's in for a decent black eye as well. ]

Gazelle Deliveries will be delayed tonight by one hour and seven minutes in the Metal sector. All other sectors should receive their deliveries on time.

[ huff huff huff. He'll work on healing his injuries himself later. ]

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007; Radio Post/Action

[People may have been present at the meeting but Hawke knows there are more out there who want to help. There always is in times like these, especially given the audience. He knows their machines can no longer be trusted to secrecy, so instead he decides to use other means.]

So...I just talk at this metal knob then? Alright, I suppose I've done stranger things.

[He takes a moment to think on what he wants to say. Hawke does a lot better with witty banter than he does with speeches.]

Maybe some of you have already been told. Maybe others made it to our little get together. For everyone else, I hope you'll listen to me now.

I don't think I have to tell you that Evandau has been acting strangely lately. Plenty of others have probably done that for me. Trust goes both ways and at this point I'd be more trusting of a bandit with my coinpurse. Something foul is going on here and our whole reason for being in this city is to stop it. It's time we take action and see where this Knight's allegiance actually lies.

If you want to help then listen and wait. In a few days time we'll contact Evandau over the network and draw him to The Midnight Hotel, once he's inside surround the exits. Maybe we'll get lucky and this will all just end in a talk. If we're not, well, just be ready for anything. I'm not even going to pretend to know what will happen if things turn sour but I doubt it'll be pretty.

This isn't an assassination. If anything we're trying to save the self-righteous windbag whether he wants us to or not. The man might be a complete tool be he's our complete tool.

If you have questions you can find me in the Water Sector, Shui-Hao. I'll be waiting.

[Hawke steps away from the microphone with a relieved sigh. When it's all done, he heads back to the Water Sector in case anyone wants to find him. His week just keeps getting busier.]

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00003 VIDEO: hackers

[The video pops on to show Mike at the computer with a fairly impressive set-up off to the side, featuring multiple systems. River is tinkering with a circuit board behind him, hair and a second screwdriver tucked behind one ear with an intent look. When Mike starts to speak, she looks up from her work and listens as he addresses the network.]

Mike Weston. I’ve been working with River, Aya, and Rex to locate the source of the virus that Codename Lucifer exposed our network to some months ago. The bad news is it’s a self-replicating, mutating virus, which means it’s difficult to locate and even harder to neutralize. The good news is, we’re pretty sure we’ve found the origin and can use a program we’ve developed to start removing its influence.

This version of the code has a timed failsafe built into it - a kind of self destruct. The program will run for one week and then expire on its own, preventing it from being used anywhere else or by anyone else. Just us. The whole of the foreigner population, I mean. If it works, then we have what should be a permanent fix ready to install.

We need you. If you can read this, that includes you. In order for this to work, we need to install the program on as many systems as possible as fast as we can and then let the code do the rest. If it works, our network’s security and encryptions should be in working condition again. If you notice anything glitching or failure to encrypt, errors, anything.. we need to know about it right away.

If you have questions, ask.

[ooc: River may reply to any/all comments unless specified to Mike. Mike will reply to all unless specified to River.]

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005; Video

[This is a risk. Not everyone likes him and he knows at least one that probably wants him dead. Still, he won't sit and hide just because of some injuries. Besides Notch makes for a wonderful bodyguard.

Hawke really should be in bed instead of in front of his console, but here he is. He looks better but only barely. There's bruising where his head struck the wall and his left arm hangs in a sling. If he looks grumpy it's because he is. Hawke hates how useless these injuries have made him but he refuses to use what few potions he has on anything not life threatening.

After a beat he lifts a scribbled note.]

I need a hand. Who wants some work?

[Man this sucks.]

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➢ 005 | VIDEO

[There were two things unusual about Aya's Network Post today. The first was that her eyes glowed. A bright, iridescent green. Not so brightly that she could have been in the presence of a Blue Lantern, but certainly enough to indicate she was accessing the very core of her Energy.]

I will do my best to keep this transmission as ░▒░▒░░▒ as is within the range of my capabilities at this time.

[The second was that, even as she spoke...eyes still glowing...the distinct clicking sound of keys could be heard. Were one to pay close enough attention, the lower portions of her arms could be seen twitching. She was simultaneously coding and rerouting and altering the transmission.]

As the current head of the Wayne Enterprise Science Department, as well as ░▒░░▒ of Stark ░▒░░▒░▒░░▒ and member of the Green Lantern Corps, it is my responsibility to ░▒░░▒░▒░░▒ the resources which are currently available to me.

I have been working for approximately 32.7 hours consecutively, studying the ░▒░░▒░▒ that is effecting the consoles, and how I may circumvent these external controls. The highly complex meth--░▒░░▒░ ▒░░▒ are somewhat admirable, though I am ░▒░░▒░▒░░▒ to admit as much, given the most likely source. However, combined with the efforts of ░▒░░▒░ ▒░░▒░ ▒ ░░▒░▒░ ░▒░▒░░▒--

[A frown, and the transmission momentarily cuts out.]

[Then back in again.]

...that is better.

As I was saying, I am seeking those in Keelai with an expert knowledge in advanced programming and engineering who may aid me in my quest to fix this. Access will be granted to any and all resources I am currently within my ability to provide you.

You may contact me at this location. Be forewarned that no information exchanged will be deemed Classified.

Thank you.

{{GREEN LANTERN RING TRANSMISSION, with backdoor for BLUE LANTERN RING as well}}

I do not believe your rings have been compromised.

However, I cannot be certain at this time, as I do not possess one of my own to analyze.

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00002 TEXT: the quiet

This is Mike Weston.% [h¥=Q3«¸ċÕ:+5e*ÜřG!†¶^^íÅ¢ ^§®ç1ºoles' power has been restored. As far as I can tell though, all securities are being automatically decrypted by Ě*ħ̋ôJ ˟†*2Ãç4!_³͞Hæ$aven't been able to pinpoint. That means nothing you say over the network is secure. As mᵩ∑(çK7˟ :4Ě Å€Üq Đ(«5q§€^\2: €e¶!¸¤ need to revert to old school methods of writing things down and talking face-to-face where "×fĆ|¡5«[vÿæ͞L §ħ]}Œǒ?*eg4C/æÅ%?-º ¶âQ¥_gf^,j[/3[Vfh*Ü ,jy×¤*|7k€Ü2\dVù/Ɵ3â I'm in the Earth Sector, in apartment 2A. If you have any technological abilities ˭t6ↄ4⁺rĆA|_t9∩«0d§if you have any powers that can help with delivering and receiving messages, please come find me. I won't force anyone. I don't want anyone telling me what anyone else can do. You volunteer or you don't - it's your choice. Ë/?Q1h¡+2€ ¥eAt@§h×,æÿf!¤5¶Ghá]øfm2º ÅjÿHf{6y«_¥ f1fg3H\6º Ühâ6^dg *ù8_hV,9%f|€7 *h3-¡jlk4Byÿks. /addendum: Things are coming out garbledọ-2s∩h‡⁷kIyá¡ÜvF7^§4t×4£k°2Eigj+ÿ/// [ooc: By request, see comments for how to make your own garbled text.]

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second verse ☯ video;

He's gone, the other one... not Hawke. He was so heavy, he took away all the air wherever he went, drained it out like a vacuum.

[ Someone has noticed one of her suitemates has left the turtle and although she never spoke to him, seems much relieved he's not there. (Sorry Bert.) ]

There's so many secrets here, sometimes it's hard to breathe, to think. Keep trying to pull them out and... and...

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➢ 004 | VIDEO

[You may be pleased to know, certain residents of Keelai, that Aya had no intentions of offering another long-winded highly detailed technical analysis of...whatever it is she's up to at the moment. In fact, her latest message is surprisingly simple:]

It has been brought to my attention that my choice of vocabulary and diction is considered...unnecessarily formal by some.

[To put it mildly.]

I have made several attempts to alter my speech patterns, but have realized that I still lack a more concise understanding of what precisely entails formal versus familiar speech. Therefore, I am seeking any an all information regarding more colloquial expressions or terms that may be used in everyday conversation, which I will do my best to learn and subsequently employ accordingly.

Thank you.

((PRIVATE TO: HAL JORDAN (2011) - 100% AYA ENCRYPTED))

[Her eyes narrow, however, when the following message is delivered. Anger was not quite an accurate assessment of her emotions at that particular moment...but annoyance wouldn't have been a stretch.]

You did not follow through with your agreement to meet with me last month, and have since done nothing to rectify this error.

I wish to know why.

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video;

[Despite being on the turtle for nearly six months, this is Rictor's first video post. He's commented with video and audio, but has largely hidden behind anonymous consoles in cafes. What with Malicant having Network access and not trusting this whole politely-worded mass abduction, it's seemed prudent.

However, this post is going up as an unencrypted video feed, because he wants people to actually trust and use the code that he's come up with to help them, and not disregard it as a potential virus from the enemy.

He's typing at the keyboard as he talks.]

I'm attaching instructions to this, walking you through how to set up your console to ping someone else's mailbox if you haven't used your login to access the network in a set number of days. It feels like there's been an uptick in disappearances lately, and I haven't been the first one to notice.

Do your friends a favor and set this up so they don't have to ask if anyone's seen you and break into your place to see if it's been cleaned out yet. If you don't have any friends, do the rest of us a favor and set it up to somebody's box so we can keep track. Use that radio guy - Kent, or whatever his name is. Shit, use mine for all I care.

This song-and-dance of "I saw the kedan cleaning her place" out is bullshit, and only covers one kind of disappearance.

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video

[It's been several months since Connor arrived on the Turtle, and, while he's been around town as he acclimates, he hasn't bothered much with the console in his apartment yet, preferring to learn about the city and the others there through experience.

However, it's reaching the point of antisocial and avoidant, and, so, here he is, wearing a t-shirt that proclaims that he has been kidnapped to fight a cosmic entity and all he got was this t-shirt. Except, of course, that he doesn't even own the shirt, he liberated it from Kyle Rayner.]

Hello, this is Connor Hawke. This is belated; I've been here two months, and this is actually my second cruise. I don't remember the first one, so I'd like to apologize in advance to anyone that knew me then.

[Now that the formalities are out of the way, he's at a loss for what to say. Asking mundane questions about life on the turtle, even if he still has some, seems surreal.]

If anyone needs any help with anything, feel free to let me know. I feel like I haven't done enough to help.

That's it, really. I thought I'd help break up the monotony of new arrivals and departure announcements. They don't sit well with me, but I can't speak for the rest of you.

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004; Video

[Hawke doesn't like these consoles. In fact he doesn't much like anything more technologically advanced than say, a crossbow. Unfortunately this city is full of gadgets and gizmos he doesn't understand. Nilin helped show him just how vastly out of his league he is when it comes to such things. If he's going to be here for the long haul though, he needs to adapt. To adapt, he'll need some help.]

So who here has any know-how with these console things? I'm tired of barely knowing what I'm doing with this thing. There's already enough things in this city that make me feel stupid. I don't need one more.

[And after a certain encounter he doesn't trust his fellow Foreigners as much as he once did. Plus it might be helpful to know these things when you're in the smuggling business.]

And does anyone know anything about mind control? More specifically on how to stop it?

[If that summoner is the least bit competent he'll be able to piece this together easily. The thought doesn't bother Hawke. Let him think Hawke is scared, but he doesn't make the mistake of underestimating people. One of the reasons he comes out alive after all his battles.]

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07 § video

You know what I want? A pizza. For those of you who are familiar with it, I just realized how long it's been since I've actually had a good pizza, and it's almost criminal. For the rest of you, you don't know what you're missing.

You think we can get a pizzeria started somewhere?

And while I'm thinking here, is anyone really that uncomfortable? It's not so bad once you figure out the secret to it.

[The smile he puts on is deliberate and smug. It's the kind of expression he gives when he knows someone else wants him to have a bad day just so he can ruin their plans. Or maybe he's just trying to piss someone else off. Who knows?]

Want a hint? Here's a hint: When is a door not a door?

[Locked; encrypted 30%]

"Ajar" doesn't sound like "a jar".

[Locked; encrypted 50%]

That's not even the answer I'm looking for. But this is the next clue.

[Locked; encrypted 80%]

M must be for marshmallow. And we all know that marshmallows aren't that intimidating.

The answer is adaptation. The riddle was just for fun. Also it's when it's ajar. [No it wasn't. It was "code" or "back door".]

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➢ 003 | VIDEO

[Those who may have noticed Aya's (physical) absence since everyone's adventures in the bottle will be relieved to see the young Artificial Intelligence alive, well, and...perhaps a bit shinier than usual.]

[She had been experimenting with a new teflon glaze coating.]

[In addition, her petite form was nearly lost in the soft knitted sweater she was wearing. Completely hand-made, of course, and identical save for the individual size specifications of those presented to each and every employee of Stark Industries. (Everyone was welcome, by the way.) Unique to her ensemble, however, was the hat adorning her head as well. Aya being...well...Aya, of course, she says nothing about either of her current fashion choices. Oh, no. She has far more interesting topics to discuss with the Network this day.]

I have been devoting a significant percentage of my research time to studying the navigational methods employed by our current living situation in an effort to possibly discern not only where precisely we are located in this world, relative both to its known land masses and possibly other worlds surrounding it, but also in hopes of developing a better system in which we, as individuals, may easier travel.

Currently, the barrier surrounding our host reptile has limited maneuverability within the parameters of the city. However, this also presents something of a interesting situation.

It is my understanding that the turtle--particularly species native to the planet Earth--is a being in possession of internal sensors that allow them to detect the two opposite ends of any given planet's magnetic fields. Obviously, these are most prevalent in distinguishing between polar North and South; however, in many cases, it can be said that the minute changes in angular degrees longitude may also allow them to determine distances traveling East to West. I believe this is how the one known as Asti is capable of navigating through this world's waters. If that is the case, then relative to this world, we are in too constant a movement to accurately develop a magnetic-based system of direction, as this would be ever changing and thus, useless. What may be Magnetic North one day could be North-North West the next.

Even when engaged in inter-planetary travels, the calculations necessary in order to safely engage a ship's Warp Drive were based on the pre-established constant of Sector Zero, and a certain planet identified as the center of the universe. From there, it was a matter of placing into the equation each known planet located in the relative path traveled, as well as their respective orbits, gravitational fields, magnetic fields, and any other recorded anomalies that could be potentially detrimental to our safety in flight. These are not figures I am currently in possession of at this time.

[A pause. While it may seem to many--or, rather, anybody who's miraculously been able to follow Aya's train of thought until now--that she has stumbled upon a mental block, Aya does not appear frustrated at all. If anything, the hypothetical conundrum is amusing to her.]

I suppose what my intentions of conveying at this time are a curiosity as to how many individuals on the Turtle are able to navigate beyond visual memory and typical "landmark" associations with familiar streets.

Perhaps, then, I may be able to develop a better way for new arrivals to accurately find their way around.

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Video; Joint post dated March 22nd

[The feed turns on to show Korra, smiling a deviously broad smile (those who know her probably know that smile means she’s up to something) and she holds a finger up to her lips before she whispers.]

Okay you guys. I need you to tell Mako that the network doesn’t actually bite and he can use it to talk to people.

[Then she turns around and happily exclaims:] Oh good, the tea’s ready. Thanks, Mako. See, isn’t he a gracious host? [That grin she has on is sinful.]

W-- Korra, turn that off.

[he sets the tray down pointedly, looking between her and the console, obviously caught off guard and not sure what to do]

In a minute. [Not even a minute, she fully plans to keep it on as long as possible.] Why don't you come over here and try it? [Not that she's giving him a choice since she's taking both cups of tea over to the console.]

I already told you I know how to use it. [he sits down, and focuses on her] We could've kept this conversation between us, c'mon, turn it off.

[and then he turns to the camera to give it an Intense Mako Stare (tm).]

We were talking about the network, so we should include the network. [She says it like it's the most practical, logical thing in the world.] So anyone who doesn't know, I'm Korra and this is Mako. He's been here for months but none of you probably recognize him because he never uses the network. So feel free to say hi to him! [Totally treating him like a new arrival. She's not sorry at all. Feel free to bug Korra too.]

(OOC: Maroon font=Mako and Baby Blue font=Korra.)