(The screen turns on, but something's going...pretty fast, almost like whoever's on the other side is trying to move it around somehow. Finally, the mirror is tilted a bit but it still remains upright.

And that's when a blue Pegasus pony with a multi-colored mane comes into view, wings flapping as she stares intently at said mirror...while also upside-down at the same time. No, she's not human; she's a Pegasus pony, like the constellation but real.)

Do I look good...? Eh, doesn't really matter. Hi, everypony! I'm your Friendly Neighborhood Rainbow Dash, and from what I hear it sounds like you guys could use some Pegasus power. Well, look no further than the fastest flyer to come out of Cloudsdale - that's me! - to help save the day!

Oh, and on the days when I'm not on the clock I'll be chillaxin' with some of my friend's Daring Do books. So don't disturb me then, 'cause I probably won't pay attention if you do.

'This is how these sort of things start, don't they? First a sudden change in leaders, then monitoring, then Willow and a lot of others are supposedly being sent home, and now there's gossip going around the Mudcap about how the Council is going to start pushing various sanctions and such on us. Now Haruki is in jail for just trying to speak to an official--although to be fair I could see him getting pushy enough to warrant it. Just not for how long they intend to keep him there.

I wish there was a way I could meet with people in person to talk about this, but if we're really being monitored then it's a moot point. Sooner or later someone has to step up and didn't I decide I'd look out for Haruki more after the last time I got dragged someplace unfamiliar? This isn't home. What is there here that I have to lose?'

[Video]
Hey, uhhh, my name is //////, but most people call me Kyonko and does anyone else want to do something about these light balls following us around?

Because it feels like there's something really shady going on in general lately and i'd like to get to the bottom of it. Only, I can't do this myself. I don't even know where to start. If anyone has ideas or would like to help me could you let me know?

'That didn't sound so lame in my head. I wonder how long it'll be before I get thrown in jail or mysteriously get sick, too, for bringing this up.'

[As the video comes on the picture seems to slowly shift, a light blue glow accenting it every so slightly as it levitates. The glow is one that matches the glow around the unicorn's horn, her perfect white fur and styled purple mane combined with the eye shadow and mascara obvious clues she's not a normal pony.]

Why I can't very well turn someone away when they're asking for help, not to mention being so thoughtful with providing for me, I simply must have a better place to live than what's been provided. Such a small space simply won't do at all.

[She shakes her head and trots off to the side a bit, it looks like she's somewhere outside the city. With her horn glowing a bit brighter she stops in front of a rock and kicks at it with a hoof, but it barely budges.]

But I suppose the fact that there's such beautiful gems around here more than makes up for it. The only problem is I don't have any way of getting them out.

[She turns back to the mirror, batting her eyelashes and turning on the most charm she can muster.]

Could someone be a dear and come lend me a hand? I simply must get my boutique up and running here and there's no way I can do it without the proper assistance. This place isn't quite like Equestria so it's going to take a little adjusting to. Which will be made all the simpler once I get my hooves on enough of these gems.

Um, so... there's been a lot of new people lately that I haven't met, and I thought I'd say hi? I'm Willow Rosenberg, and I'm the official government-flavored newcomer liaison. I was brought here like everyone else, but I'm on the local payroll and it's my job to make sure everyone gets settled in okay.

If you have any problems with-- with housing or employment or anything, let me know? I like to help. That's me. Help girl.

And if anyone wants to... I don't know, go hang out or something, I could use a distraction. [She smiles wryly.] Everything feels all slow when there isn't a siege going on. [She was used to a lot more mayhem and demon attacks than this.]

Oh, and if anyone knows anything about meditation, I could use the practice.

[Simultaneously, all of the city's mirrors activate. At the same time, billboards, video screens, and all of the city's television-equivalent do the same. Each shows the same view of an attractive chocolina with raven-black feathers standing at a podium. There is a live audience, obviously press, though they're keeping a respectful silence.

She smiles politely]

For those who aren't already familiar with me through my successful corporation and public service, my name is Yakisha. Through Emergency Measure 203, just passed in Parliament hours ago, I have been elected interim Speaker until the current crisis has passed and there is an opportunity for a full election. I thank you all for your faith in me, and I promise to do my best to guide the city through this difficult time.

[She brushes long fingernails through her feathery hair and then grips the podium, sadness flooding her features.]

No one was more saddened to see Lorriswarkin pass than I am. Though he and I differed on many issues, I have nothing but the greatest of respect for him, and my heart goes out to his grieving family and friends. He held the city together through the worst disaster our world has experienced, and I can only hope to live up to his legacy.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that there is no clear confirmation that Lorriswarkin died of Catarrhalic Fever, though all appropriate quarantine measures have been taken. If this is evidence of a new outbreak, it will be contained.

Also, any rumours of a connection between the arrival of an influx of Outsiders from other worlds, and the recent attack, are unsubstantiated and should not be repeated. [Smile] It was the vision of the previous Speaker that the Outsider program was the best hope for our world, and that should be respected. Nevertheless, security is our highest priority, as is determining whether there are any Outsiders who constitute a threat.

[At this moment, all player characters may notice that a gold ball of light has appeared in the air, bobbing just behind and above them.]

For the moment, we have determined that Outsiders will be monitored to ensure their health and security. If an Outsider engages in antisocial behaviour, we will be able to respond quickly, while those who prove themselves will more quickly be able to join the ranks as true citizens of Darstone. The spell is unobtrusive and I ask all citizens to assist our newcomers with reasonable requests. You Outsiders are, of course, welcome and we wish you to integrate as quickly as possible.

Inquiries will be forwarded to my public relations office for response. I thank you all again for your cooperation and faith. Together, we will get through this.

[OOC Note: Yakisha will respond to some (though possibly not all) replies to this post. Feel free to threadjack as well and have discussions in a forum style.

The ball of light cannot be touched or damaged physically. If you try to touch it, your fingers just pass through it. Attempting to contain the ball would be more effective - for example, placing it withing a magical containment field of some kind. However, it will cause crippling pain! Quests are going up momentarily relating to the event, and we're more than happy to accommodate attempts to learn about and/or remove the ball]

::The video shows a bustling office. Natives of Darstone can be seen from time to time in the background and the noises are those of a government office overburdened with a staggering influx of work. Voices calling back and forth. The clicking of typing. The low scratch of pens and flapping papers. In the midst of all this chaos sits Prussia, uniform crisply pressed, hair neatly combed back from his face. Perhaps if you haven't met him before, you recognise him from England's warning?::

Good afternoon, fellow victims of the unawesome government sponsored kidnapping plan! You may find yourself asking: "What is this incredible sight before me?" or "Whose amazing voice do I hear?" or even "Why is such a powerful and awe-inspiring being making this mass communication effort?"

If you're not, then keep it to yourself.

Anyways. The answer is simple!

For those of you who I haven't met, I am the awesome Gilbert Beilschmidt -or Preußen, Prussia, whatever you like that isn't unawesome- and for a few lucky souls, I've got an opportunity~

The ability to type is preffered. The ability to follow instruction is a requirement. And since this is me talking, some combat skills wouldn't be out of place, but consider those optional for now. Ordinarily, I'd expect a C.V. on my desk for review before scheduling the interview, but I need people quickly so we're gonna cut that bullshit out of the process.

Respond here to schedule an in person meeting or show up at the Customs Office before close of business today if you want a job. The pay is eighty whatever-the-fucking-currency-is-called a day, ::He pauses, glancing around before leaning in conspiratorily.:: and just between us? I see plenty of opportunity for advancement.

::Prussia sits back with a sigh.:: Oh yeah. If you come here, don't be an idiot and ask for me mentioning shit about a job. Just come find me. I'm pretty fucking obvious and recognisable and shit -::Here he makes a sweeping gesture from his white-blond hair to his red eyes to his Prussian blue uniform.::- so if you can't manage that then you are not getting hired.

[The video clicks on to reveal a small, slender, nervous-looking redhead. She has a frilly white blouse on covered with a leather bomber jacket, more stylish than functional, and she's fidgeting in her seat.

She takes a visible breath and says, somewhat stilted,] Hi. Willow. --That's me, Willow, my name, and. You should call me that. And you should email me?

Wait, sorry, I'm doing this in the wrong order. [She looks embarrassed, but then shakes her head and starts over, calmer now that she's getting into the rhythm.]

I'm Willow Rosenberg and I'm the official Darstone liaison to the newcomers. That means you, cause, if you're on this network, you're a newcomer-- a dimensional kidnap-ee. It's probably not government approved to say kidnap-ee, but that's okay because I work for them so I'm allowed to be especially disgruntled. Actually, even though I work for them, I'm in more or less the same position as you, I just got here earlier. When they needed someone for the job about a month ago I said yes.

Anyway... [Pause as she tries to recover her conversational thread.] Being the liaison means you should come to me if you have problems settling into the city, or if you need to talk to someone official and don't know how to reach them. I can get you in touch. I'm not responsible for deciding who gets to go home, so don't bug me about that or you'll make me cranky and mildly disapproving, and I don't like to be cranky.

But you really should email me if you need something. That's what I'm here for. I also do emergency response sometimes if something goes wrong with one of us, and trust me, I can handle it. So don't cause problems or you'll have to deal with me. [This is half bluffing and half honest confidence.] That means whoever sent those shadow things around during the festival, I better not see that happen again or I'm going to track you down, and there will be consequences.

[Her eyebrows go up in open evaluation.] Got it? Oh, and whoever's sending out the spying snakes, that's just creepy, but not illegal. So keep it not illegal or I'll sic the police chief on you, and she's scary.

... Any questions? About me or about what's going on? It's really mostly answered in the guide on your mirror, but I am answer girl if you have something else.

[okay, you know what? to hell with keeping silent. after his run-ins with Prussia and Germany at the festival, he's angry. he's wary of them, and he wants the rest of Darstone to be wary, too. because, obviously, there are creatures here of all kinds, and they certainly don't fit Hitler's idea of the Master Race. yup, who knows what those Nazis will do!

a young-looking man appears on the screen with lime-colored eyes and blond hair. oh, also, note those humongous brows. he has a distinctively British accent]

Attention guests and citizens of Darstone. I would like to bring to your attention a warning. There are two dangerous blokes in the city and I urge you all to be careful around them.

[here, he holds up a picture he sketched]

They are from my world, and they have committed atrocities the likes of which I care not to discuss unless asked directly. Please be cautious! As I've stated, they are dangerous. Make certain you never turn your back on them!